Page 34 of The Echo of Forever
Forever was the key. I needed the broker’s access.
As we approached the city limits, Everwood greeted us with empty streets.
We were approaching the intersection on Mercer Avenue when the pop of gunfire resounded, blowing out two of our tires.
I veered right and came to a hard stop before hitting a fucking tree.
Oliver was already moving, pulling his gun while scanning for the shooter’s position as best he could.
“No need,” I said, forcing myself not to laugh. “Taking two shots. How unnecessary.”
My brother was staring at me like I’d lost my fucking mind.
“What’s the best way to get an assassin’s attention?” I asked.
He frowned.
“Now’s not the time for a fucking lesson, Demetrius.”
“It’s the perfect time. We’re in a bullet-resistant vehicle and the sun’s about to come up. The shooter won’t take another shot. This was a warning for someone else. Now answer the fucking question.”
He took his time, a look of genuine concern marring his face.
“What did you mean by the shot was a warning for someone else?”
I smiled.
“The correct answer to my question will tell you.”
While he thought on it, I sent Joel a text for pickup.
“Ah,” Oliver said after a short while. “You hired another assassin to take a shot at us to get Forever’s attention.”
He laughed and shook his head.
“The best way to get on an assassin’s bad side was trying to kill her mark before she could.”
Bingo.
And at the gala tomorrow, I’d move forward with the next phase of my plan.
It was up from here.
CHAPTER 9
FOREVER
I feltthe weight of eyes on us the moment Jayden and I stepped into the Gala showroom hand-in-hand, the subtle shift in conversation as heads turned our way.
“She’s so stiff,” I heard one of the society girls whisper to her group of friends, though we both knew she’d never say it to my face.
I was that bitch around here and had no problem making an example out of anybody who had a problem or something to say.
But as long as they kept their dislike for me in the group chat, we were good. I couldn’t find the fucks to give otherwise.
“Ignore them,” Jayden murmured as if I needed his weak ass encouragement. “They’re nobody.”
He looked at anybody who was lower in rank as nobodies, including his family. Meanwhile, they were doing their best to level up with help from my bloodline.
