Page 117 of Forgotten Prejudice

“He’s an arrogant brat who needs to learn a lesson or two before he comes to work for me again.”

Now it was my turn to laugh.

“He’s facing life in prison.”

Dion shrugged, seeming unfazed by the situation. “But you’re gonna get him out of it.”

“Let’s hope.”

“Hope is for the religious and the fools, my friend,” he snorted before his eyes locked on something behind me. Turning around, I saw Ashton waiting for me.

Shit.

“Let’s just say Camilo and I have a bond we have yet to fulfill…” He dragged out his words while still eyeing Ashton. “Who’s that pretty baby?”

“No one important,” I answered calmly, hiding the strong sense of protectiveness that just took over me with the slightest interest shown on Dion’s face. For a split second, I wished him death but quickly came back to my senses with the teasing smile he gave me.

“Well, it looks like ‘no one’ has some unfinished business with you, so I’ll leave you to it.” He patted my shoulder and was ready to go when he paused, his lips nearly brushing my ear as he leaned in close. “And just so we’re clear: ever mention my father again, and I’ll be forced to find a new lawyer since mine will miraculously disappear.”

Our eyes met as unspoken understanding crossed between them. He studied me closely for a few more seconds before his lips quirked up, and he left with his guards right behind him. Even though I knew Dion wasn’t spewing out empty threats, I couldn’t say I was particularly scared. Being a criminal defense lawyer came with its own list of risks, which I knew all too well. So, while being threatened by a mob boss didn’t affect me, the sight of Ashton’s stern face as he walked toward me did.

Ash

My first mistake was deciding to have a talk with Soren. My second mistake was agreeing to have it in his car.

Once we were both settled in with the doors closed behind us, I turned to face him.

“What were you thinking today?” I snapped, unable to hold back anymore. Since the second he began questioning Dion on the stand, all I could see was the tension building up in Diesel. Long minutes passed, one question following the other, in which Soren didn’t even look back at Diesel once.

“If you had just glanced at him, you would have seen how he reacted to your questioning and could have stopped before he snapped.”

Diesel’s suffering from listening to this awful man was clearly evident through his posture and stern face. Yet Soren had completely ignored him, and eventually, Diesel couldn’t hold it in. Months of him being locked up and away from the boy he loved, and now he had to endure this crap?

“Please calm down, Ashton.” Soren placed his hand on my shoulder, but I pushed it away.

“Don’t tell me to calm down,” I hissed at him, the anger in my voice not coming close to the fury burning inside me.

“You’re missing the point here—”

“No. You’re missing the point.” My eyes shot to his. “I know what you think—that the court is your stage, and you’re the main actor. But that’s not the case here,” I said, recalling the conversation we’d had years ago in a vineyard in Sonoma Valley. Back then, I’d trusted him blindly, believing every word he said without a single doubt. Not anymore. I wasn’t a clueless guy who needed the validation of others. “You’re not the main actor, Soren. Diesel is. And it’s about time you start seeing him like that, too.” My expression hardened. “It might not look like it, but he has a kind heart. People are just too scared or simply don’t care to look long enough to see it.” I was one of those people. If only I had given him a bit more of my time and, instead of walking on eggshells around him, actually been there for what he needed. “He’s also a proud young man who cares about respect. So you can’t do what you did today, Soren,” I urged him. “Don’t allow others to disrespect him. Find a different tactic. In fact—” I pulled a paper from my pants, my fingers trembling as I offered it to Soren. “—I wrote a few ideas that might help.” I tried reading the lines I scribbled during the trial, but the lines turned blurry and hardly made any sense now.

“Ashton.”

“Look at this idea—”

“Ashton,” he said again.

My breath caught as he slowly slipped the paper from between my shaking fingers.

“Look at me,” he said, and even though his voice was nothing but soft, the order was loud and clear. Once I did, he placed his hand on my cheek. But unlike when he touched my shoulder, now I didn’t feel like pushing him.

Soren’s eyes softened as his gaze focused solely on me. “I will read your ideas later. I promise.”

Swallowing hard, I slowly nodded, my eyes still locked with his. It was almost like the entire world stopped moving as we continued to look at each other in complete silence, the sound of the car’s engine humming around us like a tweeting bird.

Little Sparrow.

My heart skipped a beat, and my whole body turned hotter. Immediately, I closed my eyes and leaned against his palm for one more second, allowing Soren to comfort me a bit more. For years, this man was the sole star in my sky. The only star I needed. But it wasn’t like that anymore, so I forced my eyes open only to be met with Soren’s silver irises that were still oxygen to my soul.