Page 109 of Forgotten Prejudice

Unfazed, I collected all the papers into a neat pile and then leaned back in my chair, crossing one leg over the other.

“You know you can help him, right?” I examined his side profile. I knew he was listening, so I went on. “The only way to save him is to win this case, because if we lose, you stay stuck here while he stays out there with him.”

He glanced at me, lips set in a hard line.

“Let me help you help him, Camilo. I know that’s what you want. I know he’s the only thing that matters to you.”

He stood up in a flash, so fast his chair fell to the floor. The cuffs on his hands and legs were the only things stopping him from punching my face.

“You better not bullshit me,” Camilo hissed, ignoring the guard’s warning.

“We’re fine,” I told the guard, who was ready to move while my eyes locked with Camilo’s. “I’m your best chance to save him, so stop wasting our time and start talking.”

Since then, Camilo had begun cooperating, with me being the only person he spoke to. While I’d had my fair share of rough clients, Camilo took the cake. Never before had I encountered a man who so vividly didn’t care about his freedom. I wasn’t a therapist, but I knew a man with a broken heart when I saw one, and I guessed Camilo thought living life in prison was better than living out there, in the big world, without the man he loved.

It was a feeling I knew all too well.

Life without love is a prison in itself.

Focusing my attention back on Ashton, I noticed his hair was shorter now. It suited him quite well. What a shame that I wasn’t the one who got to run his fingers through those soft locks. I also admired the soft dusting of stubble that coated his strong jaw and wondered if kissing him would feel different now.

“It’s all my fault, you know?”

I frowned at him. “What are you talking about?”

“Last year, Diesel came home with Shay-Lee after Christian beat him up. He asked if they could stay, and I refused.”

“Ashton—”

“It was the first time Diesel ever asked for my help, but I told him no,” he cut in. “Back then, it made sense. After what Shay-Lee did to Andrei, it felt wrong to help him, but how could I be so stupid?” He swallowed hard, tears gathering in his eyes. “He hates me now, as he should, because if it weren’t for me, none of this would have happened. Even Kai told me I shouldn’t have refused them.” He brushed his tears away. “I’m always such a coward.”

Suddenly, I was angry. I was angry he was holding on to guilt over things that weren’t his fault. Reaching forward, I placed my hand on top of his, surprised that he didn’t push me away.

“Where we are today has nothing to do with what happened that day, and you shouldn’t hate yourself over it.”

He shook his head. “But I do. I needed to be there for him.”

“You’re here for him now, and that’s what counts.” I smiled at him, but he still looked half-hearted. “And you’re not a coward, Ashton. You didn’t reject Camilo out of hatred but because you were thinking about Andrei, and that’s admirable.” Holding his stare, I watched how his cheeks turned red.

As if only now noticing my hand was still covering his, Ashton quickly withdrew and cleared his throat.

“I-I think I better go now.” He got up, collecting the trash on the way.

He was ready to leave when I decided I wasn’t quite done with him yet.

“Let me escort you to your car,” I said, already getting up before he could refuse.

The ride down in the elevator felt a bit awkward on his behalf when he made sure to stand as far away from me as possible. It could have been cute if not for my need to touch him. The doors opened to the parking lot, and we both got out. Quietly, we walked to his car.

“Back with the pickup trucks?” I smirked when he pulled out his keys.

“Yeah… I need space for my dogs and boards,” he answered while rubbing the back of his tan neck.

It was the first time he’d brought up something about his personal life that had nothing to do with the case.

“Is Pacha still alive?”

Ash turned to look at me, his brows raised. “Y-Yeah, he is.” He seemed shocked that I remembered his beloved dog. “He’s old but kicking.”