"Why do you need to worry about them?Their business is not yours," Roderick said in a haughty tone that was suddenly grating on Prince's nerves.
"Finn is my lover."His brows furrowed."Of course I would concern myself with him."
"I thought you two would have broken up by now," Roderick huffed."He's lasted longer than I thought."
"What are you on about?"
"He's not from our world, Prince.He doesn't belong with you.He's too low-class."
"What the fuck did you just say?"Prince growled, watching the shock register on Roderick's face.
"Prince, I..."
"How the fuck did I not notice you were an elitist?"Prince stood and glared down at him.He had never really paid much attention to Roderick, only ever seeing him as a friend."Who gives you the right to judge the man I love?"
"Love," Roderick scoffed, standing to meet Prince's eyes despite being several inches shorter."You two are so far apart in status that it will take him years just to catch up to you.And I'm not even talking about age.He is a user, and the sooner you and your son realize it, the better.He is no good for you."
"And who is?"Prince asked."You?"
"Yes," Roderick answered without hesitation, which surprised Prince."I'm glad you're finally seeing reason.I've waited long enough for you to recognize what a good, smart catch I am and what I can do for your family's name.My family has standing.Imagine what we could accomplish together.That boy has no background, just a grandmother who raised him, and she's gone now.He has no one but to leech..."
Prince didn’t let him finish.He punched him in the face so hard that Roderick's head snapped back, and his body fell into the chair behind him.Roderick glared up at him, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
"Was that classless enough for you?"Prince snarled.
"I can't believe you just hit me," he snapped.
"You want to talk about low-class?Look in the fucking mirror.Money has nothing to do with class, Roderick.It's what's in your heart, and you have none."Prince leaned down close enough that only Roderick could hear him."For insulting my man, prepare to lose everything the Ashford family owns."
Roderick gasped, his hands beginning to shake."You wouldn't dare."
Prince straightened and adjusted his jacket."You obviously don't know me well enough."
Prince might not have paid much attention to Roderick over the years, but he knew of the Ashford family's dealings, and not everything was aboveboard.The jeweler appeared at his side."Mr.Sullivan, your package is ready."He handed Prince his card and a small bag that left little question about what was inside.Prince glanced at Roderick, who was staring at it.
"Enjoy what little class you have left," Prince said and walked away.
He didn’t wait until he got home to set things in motion.He pulled out his phone the moment he reached the street.
"I need you to do me a favor," he said once the call connected.
"I'm listening," Lucas said.
"I'm sending you some information on a certain family.Forward it to the proper authorities," Prince said, logging into a folder he kept under a private passcode and sending it directly to Lucas.
"Got it."A low whistle came through the line."What did they do to piss you off?"
"Insulted Finn," Prince said.
"Must have been bad for you to want to bring down an entire family."
"Their son thinks he's low-class."
"Say no more.I'll handle it."Lucas hung up, and Prince took a slow breath, shaking off the residue of the encounter before he got home.He didn’t want Finn to see it on his face.
But as he drove home, one thought would not leave him alone.
How the fuck did I ever consider him a friend?
