Page 54 of Legacy's Destiny

Ronan smiled. The smile told Echo what she wanted to know. Probably his girlfriend. He didn’t wear a wedding ring, but then again, most operatives didn’t. Fleur could be his wife. They walked together down the hallway, the rich carpet muting their steps. Deacon led the way to a private elevator, where he pulled out a card and tapped it against the reader. A soft chime signaled their ascent to the presidential suite.

They ascended to the top floor of the building in a private elevator. Echo glanced at Deacon and Ronan, her curiosity piqued by the luxurious accommodations. “Man, Guardian sure does put out the bucks for you guys’ billets, don’t they?”

Both men frowned, exchanging puzzled looks. “What do you mean?” Ronan asked.

“Well,” Echo began, “you’ve got a suite for your team, I’ve got a suite, and I’m assuming Ronan has one for his team, too. And your parents are in the presidential suite. It’s really nice of Guardian to hook them up.”

The brothers’ confusion deepened, but before either could respond, the elevator doors opened, and Echo’s attention was drawn to a striking older woman waiting for them. Her mostly gray hair was pulled back into a practical ponytail, and her warm smile lit up her face. She clapped her hands together in delight before throwing her arms around Deacon, pulling him into a fierce hug. Then, with equal enthusiasm, she wrapped Ronan in her embrace.

“It’s so good to see both my boys in the same place at the same time!” she exclaimed, planting a loud kiss on Ronan’scheek, followed by another on Deacon’s. Both men rolled their eyes in mock exasperation, but their wide smiles betrayed their happiness.

The woman turned to Echo and extended her hand, her tone cheerful and inviting. “Hi, I’m Anna, the mother of these two.”

Echo took her hand and smiled. Anna wore casual, well-fitted blue jeans, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes. Her athletic build was enviable, and Echo estimated her age to be in her sixties, though she carried herself with the energy and grace of someone much younger.

“Hi, my name is Echo Lashay,” she replied. “I want to thank you so much for ordering all the clothes for me. Everything fits wonderfully. I was wondering if I could repay you for the gesture. I can send a check as soon as I get back to the States.”

Anna blinked in surprise, her gaze flickering between Deacon and Echo. “What a kind offer. Thank you so much, but you know, I don’t think we need to worry about that.” She hooked her arm through Echo’s and began leading her down into the sunken living room of the presidential suite.

Echo was briefly distracted as she absorbed her surroundings. The suite was stunning. The furniture displayed a mix of Oriental influence and modern style, with sleek lines enhanced by rich, warm tones. Plush area rugs softened the hardwood floors, and large windows provided a sweeping view of the city below, with the twinkling lights of the skyline extending to the horizon.

“Wow, this is absolutely amazing,” Echo murmured, turning to Anna. “Guardian really takes care of their people—and their parents—don’t they?”

Anna frowned, clearly confused. “Guardian isn’t paying for our hotel room.” She looked at Deacon and Ronan, her expression seeking clarification.

Echo stopped and turned to Deacon, suspicion creeping into her voice. “Okay, I’m missing something. What haven’t you told me?”

Deacon rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish look crossing his face. “Uh, my mom and dad have enough money to pay their way. Guardian paid for the suite for my team.”

Echo turned to Anna, her eyes wide. “So, then, I owe you for my hotel room?”

Anna shook her head firmly. “No, sweetheart, you don’t owe us a thing. Now, let’s sit down and visit. I want to know everything there is to know about you, starting with your name. Echo is such an unusual name, but I love it. Tell me the story behind that.”

They settled into the plush armchairs by a low coffee table. The warm ambiance of the room perfectly balanced the luxury around them, and Echo felt herself relaxing. Anna’s approachable demeanor eased any intimidation the fancy surroundings might have caused.

Echo smiled at her. “Well, my mom and dad were born in the wrong decade. They’re hippies and naturalists. Mom has been vegan for as long as I can remember. Dad has never taken a synthesized drug. We live on a forty-acre farm where both my mom and dad work. Mom raises chickens and sells the eggs, has a herd of goats, and makes goat milk soap and candles, which she sells online. Dad grows crops, cans and stores what we use, and sells the rest at the local farmers’ market. They’re completely off the grid—wind and solar power—and absolutely love their lifestyle.”

Anna’s eyes sparkled with genuine interest. “They sound like fantastically interesting people,” she said. “Where do they live, dear?”

“A little south of Bozeman, Montana,” Echo answered. “That’s where I grew up.”

Anna clutched her chest dramatically. “I grew up in Colorado, and so did the kids. I know Bozeman well! I must take a trip and introduce myself to your parents.”

Echo’s eyes widened as she turned to Deacon. He chuckled. “You know, Mom, that’s probably a bit too quick. Maybe you should wait to be invited?” he suggested cautiously.

Anna waved a dismissive hand, her smile warm and disarming. “You can never have too many friends, darling. Oh, look, here’s your dad.” She rose gracefully and walked over to the gray-haired man who had entered the living area.

Echo’s breath caught for a moment. The resemblance between the older Alexander and his sons was undeniable. Deacon and Ronan were nearly mirror images of their father, sharing the same broad shoulders, sharp bone structure, and commanding presence. Echo couldn’t help but imagine what Deacon might look like in thirty or forty years, and the thought was as reassuring as it was captivating.

Deacon’s father could be in his fifties, sixties, or even older. His age was difficult to determine precisely, but he carried it with such vitality and elegance that it seemed irrelevant. He was a striking man—just like Deacon.

He handed Anna a glass of wine, which she accepted with a soft, grateful smile before leaning in to kiss him. The way he looked at his wife left Echo momentarily speechless. Their love was palpable, as though it had taken physical form and filled the room with its quiet intensity.

Anna turned back to Echo, her voice brimming with pride. “This is my husband, Gabriel.” She gestured toward Echo. “Gabriel, this is Echo Lashay. She’s Deacon’s … friend?”

Deacon chuckled as he stepped forward and extended his hand to Echo. She stood up and allowed him to guide her to where his father was standing. “Dad, I’d like you to meet Echo.She’s my girlfriend, and she was my primary on my last mission. She currently works for the CIA.”

Echo extended her hand, grasping Gabriel’s firm yet gentle grip. “It’s wonderful to meet you, sir,” she said.

---