Page 161 of The Echo of Forever
“I go to school in the city, most of the kids do. Some of them are home schooled. Did I slip security when they came to pick up, though?”
He smiled, and I nodded, tucking that information away for later. It made sense.
“Alright…” I waved to the chair in front of me. “Have a seat and tell me what’s up.”
Tristian followed the command and leaned forward, pressing his elbows to his knees. His eyes fixed on mine in a way that belied his youth.
“You can’t tell D,” he said, his voice dropping to just above a whisper.
I shook my head immediately. “That’s a promise I can’t make until after I know what I’m committing to. Never ask that again.”
He seemed taken aback by my directness, but understanding quickly dawned in his eyes. I could tell he was smart, perceptive, too. The perfect mix of Demetrius and Arland, too cool for anything but protective of everyone. The makings of a future family leader, if he played his cards right.
“You’re right. Won’t happen again,” he said, straightening slightly. “I think my aunt Velma is doing shady business behind the family’s back.”
I leaned back in my chair, surprised by the accusation. Velma didn’t seem shady, but anything was possible.
“What makes you think that?”
“She always whispering on the phone,” he said, purposely leaving out all the details. “And while D was away, she left the compound often and met with somebody on the west side in Collective territory.”
I nodded slowly, considering what was being said and what wasn’t. The west side was primarily Collective territory, which made Velma’s alleged meetings there troubling. The Cannons maintained their neutrality carefully; secret dealings with the Collective would upset that balance.
Or maybe she has a lover.
“You told someone else before coming to me?” I asked, noticing the shift in his demeanor when I did.
He glanced down at his hands.
“It was G,” he admitted, eyes wide with guilt. “She got really angry and made me leave. Then, she had the stroke, and I…” He shook his head, unable to finish the thought.
I stood and moved to sit in the chair beside him, bringing us to the same level.
“Can I ask why you didn’t go to your dad or Demetrius?”
Tristian’s eyes widened, as if the answer should be obvious.
“D will kill her. He won’t hesitate.”
His reaction surprised me. Not the assertion that Demetrius would kill Velma, I had no doubt my husband would eliminate any threat to his family without a second thought, but the way Tristian said it. Like it was a problem.
“You don’t want her to die?” I asked, studying his face.
He shook his head and leaned closer.
“Of course not, but if she dies before we even know what she’s been doing, how does that help the family?”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed. Tossed my head back and let out a full-bodied laugh that had been building since he walked into my office. The kid wasn’t concerned about his aunt’s welfare at all.
“Why you laughing? It was smart coming to you and not them, right?”
His question silenced me.
I stood and walked to the bookshelf he’d correctly identified earlier. With a subtle push against a hidden mechanism, the section swung inward, revealing a small room beyond. Tristian’s eyes lit up, and he jumped to his feet.
“Fuck,” he whispered, then glanced at me. “Sorry.”
I waved him in, and he stepped past me into the hidden space. I followed, closing the door behind us.
