Page 72 of Forgotten Prejudice

“He pissed me off,” I mumbled, trying to look away from Soren, who spat some blood on the sand before standing back up.

“What on earth happened?” Aiden asked, out of breath after reaching us, his eyes jumping between us three.

“You’re going to regret this,” Soren hissed, voice ice-cold, which I admit scared me a little, before he turned toward Ash.

Grabbing him, he lifted him off his feet and took him away like he was some sort of a doll.

“Soren, my dog—”

“I’ll take care of it later,” he cut into Ash’s words, silencing him.

I was ready to charge at him again when Aiden placed his hand on my chest, stopping me from taking another step and forcing me to watch Soren put Ash inside his car before stealing him away.

Again.

Pissed off, I clenched my fist so hard my nails dug into my flesh, but not even that stopped me from thinking the same thought again and again.

I wanted this motherfucker dead.

Kai

A few days had passed since the incident with Soren. Other than some man coming a day later to pick up Pacha and Ash’s stuff, including his car, I hadn’t heard a word from Ash.

I was more bitter than ever before because those few days with Ash changed everything. For four long years, I thought I was fine. I believed I was in a good place in life, and I was. Only with Ash back in the picture, I realized how much better life could be. We were always meant to be together. Unfortunately, I was too stupid to realize it sooner, but now I had no doubt I was the one for him while Soren was in the way.

Our way.

I bet my money Ash had gotten so pissed off when I kissed him because he, too, realized how right he felt with me. How different life next to me could be. I’d give him anything he wanted, even kids, if that was really what he dreamed of. I mean, look at me—I already had one kid, and I was killing it. I bet a couple more wouldn’t be hard. Right?

But even if, let’s say, Ash dumped Soren and still didn’t want to date me, I’d be fine with it, too, because Soren was bad for him. Period. That man was clearly a psycho. The other day, I even talked to Mel about the moron, and she completely agreed. She told me how much she hated Soren but also mentioned that Ash loved him deeply and refused to be so much as engaged in a conversation about Soren whenever she tried bringing it up.

For several days, I debated with myself how I should reach out to Ash, but this morning, the answer came to me in the form of a shirt he’d left behind. After parking my bike in front of work, I pulled out my phone. Looking at his contact name, I thought about whether I should call when I decided to go for a text.

Me: Hey, how’s your leg?

Thinking it would take him some time to see it, I was ready to pocket my phone and get inside the restaurant when my phone buzzed, and I quickly opened it.

Ashy: Hey, it’s good. Got a few stitches.

Pleased that he wrote back, I quickly typed another text.

Me: Glad to hear.

Me: You forgot your shirt at Aiden’s. The guy Soren sent probably missed it.

Once again, he replied immediately.

Ashy: Thanks for letting me know.

I hoped he’d write something else so I could deepen the conversation, but after a few more minutes passed with no new text coming, I decided to push.

Me: I wanted to apologize for everything that happened.

Ashy: For punching Soren?

Me: Yes.

Me: But also about the kiss.