Page 124 of The Echo of Forever

Weakness wasn’t tolerated in our world, especially not where my word was law.

“Ms. James,” my uncle said, clearing his throat. “A word, please.”

He blew his whistle and announced a quick ten-minute break. I nodded to Carmen, who stayed behind to answer Odessa’s questions about the contract, and followed my uncle to his office just off the training floor. As soon as the door closed, he turned to me.

“Your father is livid.”

“I’m aware,” I replied. “That’s sort of the point.”

My uncle studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing. “Something’s different about you.”

It was so hard to keep a straight face.

“You think so?”

He nodded and rested against the front of his desk.

“Care to share with your favorite uncle?”

I snorted.

“You’re the only uncle I know well enough to like,” I quipped. “Just know things are about to change, and not in your brother’s favor. I’m hoping as your favorite niece, you’ll agree to something that’ll get you out of this basement for good.”

His brows went up, and I was certain no matter what I said, he’d be on board. And sure enough, after I let him in on part of my plans, he pledged his loyalty to the cause.

“Tonight, the initiates are having fight night. It’ll be mixed company. I expect you to show face.”

I pushed off the door and wrapped my fingers around the handle.

“You have my word.”

Having Etienne on my side would make the coming changes smoother, and more importantly, it meant I wouldn’t have to worry about him getting caught in the crossfire once shit started to shake.

I left him to do his job without my influence and met Carmen at the elevators.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” she blurted once we were back on our floor and in my office.

Something about the way she said it gave me pause.

“I’m listening,” I said, sitting in and rolling my chair closer to the desk.

Carmen stood in the middle of the room, gaze on everything but me.

“My entire life has been built on being your number two; it’s all I’ve known, but it’s not all I want to know….” Her eyes finally met mine, and it was like I was looking at myself, the version of me that was falling in love. “When this is all said and done, I want out.”

I regarded her closely.

“You want to freely be with Oliver?” I asked, and she nodded. “And he wants the same?”

Another nod.

I thought about it for a second, about how I had the ability to give her exactly what she wanted with the Fairchild’s decision-making power in my grasp.

“What about your parents?”

“They’ll get over it.” She shrugged and took a seat on the sofa, purposely avoiding the desk chairs. “I’ve been inspired to take back my life, or at least what little of it is still available. Even if Oliver wasn’t in the picture, this is what I would want.”

I joined her on the couch and we faced one another; for the first time in a long time, I felt that spark of connection we used to have. Back when we really tried to act as friends who weren’t forced together.