Page 127 of The Echo of Forever

My brother had that look in his eyes, one that said he’d find a way to bring her around regardless.

“Bring her,” I said, shrugging. “But be sure she can handle not being accepted right away. One society girl is much different than two, especially as closely connected as they are.”

Oliver leaned back, waving off my warning.

“As long as G likes her, that’s all I care about.”

“Your grandmother likes everybody until they give her a reason not to.” I stood and stretched, then reached for my phone and faced the window. “For the sake of your relationship, I’d give Carmen a heads up. Don’t sell a fairy tale you can’t fulfill.”

I checked Forever’s location and then called her personal phone, knowing she’d have it on her, unlike our secure line. It was time to say fuck the extra secrecy anyway.

“This is Forever,” she answered on the third ring, a smile on her voice that said she was fucking with me.

“New house rules,” I said, glancing over my shoulder to see Oliver slipping out and closing the door behind him. “No leaving without kissing me goodbye.”

Her laughter settled my spirit; it always had.

“You miss me, don’t you, big daddy?”

“Ask me that when I’m making you cry on this dick, baby…” I moved my chair out of the way and took a step back to lean against the desk. “Yes, I miss you. Can’t breathe too long with you either.”

She went silent on me because we both knew just how fucking serious I was.

“My brother asked to meet you,” she softly revealed. “I want everyone else to know about us, Echo. That’s why I leaked it to Destiny Holt. Who do you think she ran to first?”

I hummed, pleased to hear those words come from her mouth.

“It doesn’t matter, baby. She and everybody else were finding out soon anyway…” I checked the time and bit back a sigh. “Igotta go, but humor me tonight, alright? You’ll appreciate the reward.”

I ended the call before she could respond and left to gather my crew for the night.

An hour later, we were inside the Colosseum. It wasn’t what people pictured when they heard the name. Didn’t have ancient stone arches or no shit like that, just a converted warehouse in what natives called the dead zone, gutted and refitted with tiered seating surrounding three fighting rings.

“Damn, forgot how much I hate this place,” Oliver muttered, lips turned up at the distinct mix of sweat, blood, and cheap liquor that hung in the air.

He was to the right of me, Solei to my left, with Violet and Gaia drifting a few steps behind us.

I didn’t respond, too busy taking in our surroundings. The crowd was thicker than expected, yet the packed space still had people clustered in tight groups that spoke to Everwood’s division.

Known society members were near the bar to the right, only talking quietly to one another. Rejectors claimed the bar to the left, their laughter loud and unrestrained.

Between them floated the opportunists and information brokers, the ones who played both sides and profited from the gaps. People like Millicent, but less connected to the Collective than she was.

“I know you see her,” Solei whispered, bumping my shoulder as we moved to the left. “Your wife looks good tonight.”

I shifted my gaze without turning my head. Forever stood across the room, leaning against a support beam with her arms crossed. Kai stood beside her, saying something that made her smile. Their uncle stood above them on a raised platform, looking out into the crowd.

Forever’s pretty ass was in an all black body suit and boots that stopped just below the knee. A pair I was certain she got from the apartment across from mine. She had her hair out and slightly covering her eyes.

My baby looked good, but that was always given.

“Stay focused,” I said, turning away from her. “Keep your distance until I say otherwise.”

We separated after that, drifting into the crowd like we’d come alone.

I positioned myself where I could maintain a line of sight with both Forever and the tunnel leading to the private offices. Violet and Gaia found seats by the middle ring, near where Millicent sat, while Oliver struck up a conversation with a few business owners from our neck of the woods.

Solei headed straight for the betting table, low-key known for her love of gamblingandwinning.