Page 118 of The Echo of Forever

“Do you? Because it looks like you’ve handed the Collective a direct line into our business. Every person in this compound is now at risk because you couldn’t keep your personal life separate from family business.”

The way he said it irritated me.

I could deal with the concerns; they were expected, but Forever being here was a nonnegotiable.

“She’s my wife,” I said slowly, wanting to make sure he heard me clearly this time. “That makes her family.”

He ran a hand over his face. “Marriage doesn’t automatically earn trust in this life. Especially not with someone who’s been raised to view us as the enemy. Her family is responsible for—”

“I know exactly who her family is,” I cut in, pushing off the wall. “And I know what they’ve done. That doesn’t change anything.”

My uncle stepped closer, his voice dropping lower. “We’re still paying for your father’s mistake, or did you forget?”

“Forever isn’t a threat to us.”

“You can’t know that,” he insisted, his voice rising. “You’re thinking with your heart instead of your head. You’ve compromised everything we’ve built here. The safety of every child on this compound.”

“I understand your concerns, but Forever is a Cannon now, and that won’t change.”

He got in my face, and I tipped my head, wondering if I should kill him now or later.

“You don’t get to make that decision alone. This affects all of us. Her loyalty—”

His voice had grown loud enough to carry, and I noticed movement out of my peripheral. Forever moved into view a second later, gaze assessing the situation.

She moved to my side and rested a hand on my forearm, but addressed my uncle.

“Everyone can hear you,” she said, looking directly at him. “I figured it’d be better if I spoke up for myself. But first, you have every right to question my sudden presence. I won’t try to convince you with words, but hopefully you’ll let me show you.”

Arland blinked, clearly caught off guard by her directness. Tomorrow, when things had settled, I would inform him of the whole story because it was only right.

“I’m not asking for immediate trust,” she continued. “But I don’t want to be the reason this family feuds among itself. My presence here isn’t a threat, but I understand why you see it that way.”

I watched my uncle’s face as Forever spoke. His defensive posture didn’t change, but something in his eyes shifted.

The shuffling in the main room ceased as he finally said, “Who am I to argue with that?”

He shook his head and sighed before leaving us in the corridor alone. I stole a kiss from Forever and tugged her back into the main room, where everyone pretended they hadn’t been straining to hear our conversation.

“I expect everyone in this room to be mindful of our guest,” he announced, always wanting to be in control of something. “She’s Demetrius’s wife, and we will…” he paused, choosing his words carefully, “…extend her the courtesy that position deserves.”

It wasn’t the warmest welcome, but I didn’t expect anything less from a Cannon man. It wasn’t until my grandma finally set down her teacup, loud enough to silence the room again, that I realized my mistake.

“Let me make official introductions before y’all dip off,” I said, taking Forever person to person until we reached the most important. “It’s about time for your nightly walk, right?”

She lifted her gaze as I helped her stand, the accusation dancing in that brown hue making me smile.

“It would be a lie if I said I didn’t purposely keep her from you,” I added as I led her outside with a silent Forever following closely. “But, I had my reasons.”

As we started up the sidewalk, Forever moved to my grandmother’s other side.

“He didn’t do a good job of revealing this to all of you,” my wife said, throwing me under the bus. “For that, I apologize.”

“At least one of you is more sensible than the other,” my grandma said, elbowing me with a little smile on her face. “No need for an apology, Forever. I understand my grandson better than his uncle ever did.”

I frowned.

“What you tryna say, G?” I asked, slowing my strides to keep pace with them.