Page 135 of The Echo of Forever

I watchedKai’s eyes sweep across the street, taking in my territory as if he were cataloging every detail for later. He sort of reminded me of Forever, but less tense; my baby didn’t have a fun bone in her body when we first met. It was clear to me they shared DNA, but also that their upbringings were completely different.

He intrigued me because, as the oldest, her duties should’ve been his. Why was she chosen to represent the James legacy?

You never been over here before?” I asked, starting up the block.

Forever had gone up to my office the second we arrived, more than likely sensing I wanted to talk to her brother alone.

Kai’s gaze continued to scan the buildings, lingering on the people who’d stopped to watch us pass. His shoulders were relaxed, but I could sense his sudden discomfort with the attention.

Mm.

“Nah. I like going where I’m welcomed,” he said without malice but with clarity of the truth.

Rejectors were just as unwelcoming to society members as they were to us, especially to those with reputations like Kai.

It was easier to hate the enemy you could see, even when you knew there was someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Before I got down to my real line of questioning, I caught a glimpse of Solei as we passed a bakery near the end of the block, stopping me in my tracks. She was sitting alone, staring down at the table. I could tell something was wrong and went inside to find out what.

The bell chimed, but Solei didn’t look up, not until I slid into the chair across from her. Kai stood close enough for his presence to be felt.

“Who did it?” I asked, tapping the table.

She blinked, finally registering my presence. Then her eyes shifted past me, narrowing at the sight of Kai.

“Why is he here?” she asked, disregarding my question.

I tipped my head at her, then glanced back at my companion. “Why? He do something to you?”

Kai pointed to himself, eyebrows raised in question. After a second, Solei’s dead expression changed into a curious one.

“Never talked to him before,” she admitted, leaning back in her chair with a tiny smile pulling at her lips now. “You’re Forever’s brother, right?”

I turned my chair slightly for a better view of their exchange, curious about where this was headed. Solei could handle herself, and I wanted to see how Kai would respond to her energy.

“You got a problem with a nigga or something?” Kai asked, taking a step back as if inviting her to address it right here.

I watched as my sister stood and walked toward him, something a little more predatory about her approach than usual. Kai didn’t move, his gaze locked with hers in undisguised interest.

“Not you,” she said, stopping in front of him. “But I do have a problem you could help with.”

The corner of my mouth twitched. She’d hooked him with a smile, and he didn’t even know it yet. Kai was known for taking on pet projects, and Solei loved to dip her toes in new businesses.

I stood, grateful my sister had unknowingly volunteered to take Kai off my hands for a little while. Whatever was bothering her, she apparently preferred to handle it without my help.

“You two should get to know one another,” I said, forcing myself not to laugh as I slid past them. “We are family now.”

Kai’s eyes flickered to mine, a silent question in them. I tapped him on the shoulder twice as I passed, effectively leaving Solei in his care.

Whatever problem she needed help with, I had a feeling he would be more than willing to assist.

“I’ll check on Forever,” I added, heading out. “Take your time.”

I pushed open my office door shortly after, my gaze immediately finding Forever curled up on the couch, one arm tucked beneath her head and a leg hanging off the edge. The sight of her there hit different, feeling like when we first got married.

No matter what, Forever always sought me out when she wanted to sleep in peace.

I moved to my desk without making a sound, wheeling my chair to the edge of it for a better view of her face. Leaning back, I studied her soft features, wondering if she was in pain and hiding it from me. Then my thoughts shifted to all the other shit she was keeping to herself that I wanted in on.