Page 42 of The Echo of Forever

“Mrs,” she corrected, sitting up a little straighter. “And I came for you.”

She reached into her leather jacket, pulled a thumb drive from inside, and slid it across the desk to me.

“I put the hit out on Demetrius Cannon,” she revealed, watching me closely.

But I wasn’t processing as quickly as usual.

This wasn’t normal.

Her being her, revealing herself as the person behind the contract, wasn’t normal.

Not society-like at all.

“Why?” I finally asked.

Violet shrugged.

“Because he deserves it, and if he weren’t an ally already, I might’ve done more than shoot his tires out the other night…” She leaned forward, eyes pinned intensely on mine. “But he managed to charm his way into the O’Sullivan fold by righting a few wrongs for us, and now I’m here to help him do the same.”

I frowned.

“Why?”

“Everything you need to know about his six or so months away from Everwood is on that thumb drive. What I can tell you, from my mouth to your ears, is he’s family now and we take care of family in my world.”

She stood, and I did the same, not sure where any of this was going, but intrigued nonetheless.

“You shot out his tires to get my attention, right?”

Violet nodded.

“His request. He’s going to great lengths to get and keep your attention. I’m simply the messenger.”

I rounded the desk and leaned against the edge of it, opposite where she stood.

“And what are you getting out of this?”

“Business in forbidden land, and hopefully, an alliance with the Broker when this is all said and done.”

Ah.

Now we were getting down to it.

“You’re unfamiliar with Everwood, but an alliance between us would never happen.”

She shrugged and started toward the door.

“Your choice, but in case you were wondering, you’d fit right in with my little crew. My contact info is on the drive.”

And then she was gone, and I stared at the slightly ajar door until Carmen entered and closed it behind her.

“While you two were meeting, I did some digging and managed to learn she’s the wife of Finnegan O’Sullivan, whose brother is the head of the mob.”

“What’s Finnegan’s ranking within the hierarchy?”

“Underboss of Philadelphia. She’s his second-in-command.”

Interesting.