Page 24 of The Echo of Forever

Instead, I watched her leave and slipped out not long after, heading straight for the compound.

CHAPTER 7

FOREVER

The drivefrom Cannon Towers to the Everwood Group’s headquarters in the university district felt long even though traffic was clear. I tapped the steering wheel to the beat of the consistent thrum in my head.

He’d noticed that I was hurting, and the way he asked made me feel funny, like I was about to be exposed as too weak to handle the job.

I could tell he was plotting on me. Not just because he’d said it the first time we spoke, either. It was something about today that solidified the statement about getting me to switch sides.

By the time I got to Midtown where the Everwood Group’s headquarters and my office were, I made up my mind to kill Demetrius after the gala in two days. Even if I never got the answers I was looking for about this contract, he had to go.

What I hadn’t planned for was the slap that spun me off my axis the second I walked through my office door.

My father didn’t do anything halfway, not even when it came to sneaking up on me. I stumbled but kept my balance. Years of forced gymnastics training and competitions made my balance impeccable. It’d take more than an unexpected slap to get me off my feet.

“Those used to hurt much worse,” I said, spitting blood at his feet as I pulled the gun from my waist and pointed it at him. “You’re getting old and weak. Have you been to the doctor lately?”

Whenever my father didn’t get his way, he resorted to violence. And he didn’t discriminate or show favoritism.

Anybody could get hit.

I learned to take it, but could never just let it ride like Kai. Me andshutting the fuck updidn’t mesh.

I’d gotten my temper from Eliel James, and he hated it.

“Do you think chasing down the Carroway killer gives you permission to back out of the marriage alliance?”

He pressed his chest against the barrel.

I tugged the safety back and smiled at the twitch in his brow. We both knew I wouldn’t pull the trigger; the minute I did, the society would stop at nothing to end me.

“Permission?” I questioned, licking the cut in my lip. “I outrank you, Eliel.”

“You think you’re smarter than me, don’t you?”

Every muscle in my body wanted to prove a point.

“Hit me again and find out how smart I can be.”

He ignored my request and let out a nasty laugh, one filled with promise and consequences.

“You’ve lost the plot, Forever. But don’t worry, I’ll help you find it again. Marrying Jayden is non-negotiable. Either I walk or drag you down the aisle, your choice.”

The only way he’d be dragging me was in a body bag.

“Wrong place and time,” Carmen said as she pushed the door open and took in the scene. “Forever, put the gun down.”

My father moved back with a smirk on his face as I lowered my arm and tucked the pistol.

“Listen to your assistant. She knows what’s up.”

The fuck did that mean?

Then he stepped up again, close enough that I could smell the liquor on his breath.

Muthafucka had the nerve to drink from my stash while waiting.