Page 74 of Hidden Echoes

I look at Mia again, and even unconscious, she looks ready to cause chaos.

Beside Audrey, two other girls watch the scene as if they were watching a reality show of dubious quality.

"I'm Liv," one of them says, raising a hand. "This is Andi."

Andi just nods, looking indifferent.

"Are you friends with Mia?" I ask.

Liv lets out a laugh. "Tricky definition. But yeah, we like her."

"She's our girl now," Audrey adds with a soft grin. "And you... you look like someone who’s going to drive themselves crazy trying to keep up with her. I love that for you."

I don't answer. Mainly because, honestly, she's not wrong.

But first, I need to get Mia out of here before she wakes up and decides to turn this place into a battleground—with me as the main target of her fury.

“I appreciate you calling me, I can take care of Mia from here.”

“I put my number in her phone,” Audrey says. “I’ll check on her and if I suspect anything, I’ll have your brother track you down.”

Kyle is better than Seth Evans, could be worse.

“Can you not mention any of this to my brother?” I ask and she looks at me confused.

"Why?"

“Because my life is none of his business.”

“Okay,” she says with a shrug, but her eyes shine with understanding. It seems little Ross is also looking to distance herself from her family.

“I won’t say anything,” she says finally, but adds, “But stop being an asshole to her. If you break her heart, I’ll break your dick in half.”

“I get it, little miss trouble.”

"Babe," a man I don’t recognize walks up to her, slipping his arm around her waist. He looks at her like she’s some trophy he’s proud to show off, and I frown for a moment. I highly doubt Connor Ross even knows this guy exists. “Who is the guy?”

"Just an idiot from my family," she says, her tone flat with boredom.

"Brat," I mutter under my breath, but she catches it and flips me off.

The guy glances at me again, and a flash of recognition crosses his face before he grins.

"I know you. You’re that famous tattoo artist who does tattoos for all the Hollywood stars. Dude, your tattoos are legendary. I’m a huge fan of your work."

"Thanks," I reply, and he turns his gaze back to Audrey. "You’re quite the network."

"Lucky for you I only have eyes for one," she says with a smile, and I almost laugh. "I’ll finish talking to Zane and meet you inside, okay?"

The guy doesn’t budge, but her friends step in, chatting him inside with ease. He goes without protest, and Audrey turns back to me, her eyes scanning me carefully.

I don't know what parallel world we're living in, but I highly doubt any guy would stand a chance against Seth. They've both been obsessed with each other since they were kids.

It’s not my fucking problem, and I’ve got enough on my plate as it is. So, I pick Mia up, ready to get the hell out of here.

Only, Audrey calls me right as I’m about to leave.

“We have a deal. I’ll shut up about your crazy marriage and you shut up about my boyfriend.”

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