Page 124 of Broken Souls

“Okay.” Dash frowns but goes to get Cash. He hands him over to me. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing,” I growl, turning around. I don't mean to take it out on Dash but it just happens. I turn around and he's still waiting in the doorway. “Did you know Joel was alive?”

“What? No.” Dash's eyes widen.

“Don't lie to me, Dash. I have Axe for that.”

“I'm not lying. I don't go to the prison. That's not my department.”

“I'm sorry I snapped.” I sigh.

“It's okay,” he assures me with a smile. He's so sweet.

I hold Cash to me and go home, going upstairs and bonding with my son to rid me of my frustration. What frustrates me even more than Axe lying is I couldn't sense that Joel was still alive. Since our mate bond had faded so much, I really couldn't tell if he was dead or alive.

The front door opens and I wait for Axe to walk in. When he opens the door, he looks at me but doesn't say anything.

“Say something or leave me alone.”

“What did Ember say?” he asks.

“Seriously? You want to talk about her over everything else?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Listen...”

“Hold that thought,” I interrupt him.

I quickly mind link Dash to come pick Cash up, knowing Axe and I need to settle this. If yelling happens, I don't want Cash here to see it. Dash shows up within a minute and walks into the room. He looks between Axe and me, then takes Cash. Dash looks at me again as if he's trying to predict what's going to happen, but then he leaves.

“Go on,” I say.

“What am I supposed to think about you just telling me to let Joel go?” Axe's forehead is set into several frowning lines.

“Well, judging by your thought process, you're probably thinking I want Joel to be let go so I can run off with him,” I presume.

“Do you?” Axe gives me a pointed look.

“If I wanted Joel, I'd be in the cell with him. Get a grip, Axel,” I roar.

“Don't fucking raise your voice at me,” Axe warns.

“I'm allowed to. We're equal, right?” I say.

“Yes, but it's disrespectful,” Axe remarks.

“Well in that case, let Joel, Ember and Mitchell go. Even Hannah, what do I care anymore? Make it known to them they can't ever set foot on this land again. Then we can go back to raising our son and not having to worry about the past.”

“I don't agree with that.”

“Even if you don't agree, it shouldn't matter, right? Like you said, we're equal. These people never crossed you so this should be my decision. It's my past we're talking about.”

Axe growls and paces around the room. I feel like I've got him in a checkmate position. He realises my point. I know Axe saved me in more ways than one, but if we're making a decision about people in my life, I should have a say in it.

“Fine,” Axe grumbles then storms over, grabs my neck and smashes his lips against mine.

I'm shocked by his advance, but I kiss him back, feeling how feverish he is through the kiss. His hand goes to my hair and he yanks on it making me hiss, pulling my head back to look at him.

“Get on your knees.”