Page 173 of The Echo of Forever

I started to hand him his gun back, the weight of the decision settling in my chest. Amal had given us valuable information, but was withholding the most crucial piece. I’d saved him once, but I wouldn’t do it again. Not if he was going to play games with me.

I needed to know who made me lose my baby; that’s what it all came down to for me. If he couldn’t give me that, then his life didn’t mean shit anymore.

Right as the gun was about to change hands between us, Amal spoke, and time seemed to stop.

“She’s much closer than you think.”

She?

Carmen?

“She, who?” I asked, turning back to him with the gun still in my possession for the moment.

But he just leaned back in his chair, arms spread wide in a gesture that encompassed the whole room.

“Not his woman,” he said, pointing to Oliver. “She’s pretty solid.”

My mind raced, flipping through faces and names, trying to make the connections.

“I’m bored with this nigga now,” Demetrius said. “Come hand me the gun, baby. Or I’ll ask Oliver to do it, your choice.”

Amal chuckled, seemingly amused by the threat.

“You know, little brother, you remind me a lot of myself. Same temper, same protective instinct.” He looked directly at me then. “You only just met her, and that’s all I’ll say, but she’s been around as long as he’s been in your life.”

Demetrius’s patience had clearly run out. He snatched the gun from my hand, his movement so quick I couldn’t stop him this time from pulling the trigger. But instead of killing Amal, he pistol-whipped him.

“Had to get that off to feel better,” he said, turning to look at me. “I love you. Now let me take you home.”

I shook my head.

“He knows who made me lose our baby,” I whispered, not caring that everyone was listening. “Make him tell me, please.”

Amal blurted before Demetrius could oblige, “I didn’t know you were pregnant, Forever. Velma’s been one of Solomon’s women for a long time, and I have the proof.”

The mention of her name reminded me of something Tristian said.

I think my aunt Velma is doing shady business behind the family’s back.

PART FOUR

THE CONCLUSION

CHAPTER 46

ECHO

Family meanteverything until they betrayed you. Then they meant nothing, especially to me.

The door to my G’s house was never locked; I pushed it open without hesitation and let it hit the wall.

Joel was already in the living room waiting for me as instructed.

I moved past him and entered my aunt’s room at the end of the hall. The sight of her sleeping peacefully had me hot. I crossed the room and yanked her from the bed. She woke with a startled scream, eyes wide as she tried to process what was happening.

“Demetrius! What the fuck are you doing?” she shrieked, free hand clutching at the blanket wrapped around her lower half.

Joel appeared in the doorway, rope in hand, and Forever behind him. His eyes moved between me and my aunt, uncertain for what seemed like the first time since taking the job.