Page 37 of The Echo of Forever

“You have no care in the world.”

The words slipped before I could stop them. He was too nonchalant for someone with a price on his head.

“There’s a lot I care about, Forever,” he said, somehow closer than before. “Protecting my family and what belongs to me, for one.”

I focused my gaze on the liquid swimming in my glass, while vanilla and bergamot serenaded my nasal cavity.

There was something undeniably calming about him that seemed to wash over all the aches in my body when he was near, especially my head.

Maybe it was his scent or the conviction in his voice, but I needed to remember there was a job to do, and killing him was part of it.

My freedom was more important.

“Who’d you cross?” I asked.

He turned to face the bar, his stance now mirroring mine as he ordered a whiskey neat.

“A lot of people, and it was all worth it. You want to know why that file on your desk has nothing worthwhile in it?”

Our eyes danced as he opened his mouth to answer without waiting for my reply.

“The more they let you in on, the more they expose everything at the root. You and I both know the powers that be can’t have that. But I’ll tell you something they won’t.”

I nodded, mesmerized by his ability to draw me in.

“My mother was one of you; maybe you’ve heard her name before.”

His mother? One of us?

I couldn’t answer fast enough before he started to speak again.

“Your… what is he supposed to be to you? Your fiancé in the name of added power? He’s making his way over, and I think he might be upset with our prolonged conversation.”

I turned just as Jayden stopped in front of us, his gaze moving from me to Demetrius.

“This lasted longer than it should have,” he said, sounding like a whiny bitch. “Forever, let’s go before your father arrives.”

Demetrius laughed.

“A man who’s afraid of his fiancée’s father. How… embarrassing.” He pushed off the bar, then knocked on it. “Apleasure, Ms. James. I hope to share more conversations with you before I die.”

He fucking winked and walked away.

Why was he so goddamn sure I wouldn’t dead him right now? My fingers itched to reach for the gun hidden beneath my floor-length dress.

“What the fuck, Forever,” Jayden whispered harshly. “Are you trying to make us look bad?”

I ignored him and followed Demetrius’s movements until he reached his brother.

He caught my eye one last time before disappearing deeper into the crowd, leaving me with the distinct feeling that whatever game we were playing, he’d just made his move.

And now it was my turn.

But what exactly was it my turn for? And why did it feel like nothing to do with killing or being killed?

CHAPTER 10

ECHO