Page 35 of The Echo of Forever
Hypocrites.
“Jayden!” a man I recognized as a friend to his brother practically shouted across the room. “Let’s have a chat.
Jayden’s grip on my hand tightened before he loosened it.
“She doesn’t like to be alone in crowds,” he said, smoothly detaching himself from me as if I were the one who didn’t wantto let go. “Forever, would you excuse me? I need to speak with Thomas about some family business.”
I laughed and walked away without looking back.
“Ms. James, I’m glad I caught you before someone else approached and stole you away.”
I turned to find Millicent Everwood standing before me in emerald green that complemented her warm brown skin and blonde-streaked locs. She was a descendant of Everwood’s founding father and the Everwood Group’s chief of operations.
“Ms. Everwood,” I replied, giving her a slight nod. “Thank you for the invitation.”
She laughed and waved off my generic response.
“No need to be politically correct with me. I know you’d rather be anywhere but here. Mostly everyone on the guest list feels the same.”
Yet, she was carefree as ever about a room full of people who’d rather see this place burn than return next year.
Millicent never engaged in random conversation without purpose. She had appointed herself the keeper of Everwood’s delicate balance. The puppet master who made the Collective and rejectors dance together without shedding blood for one night every year.
Her eyes flickered briefly to where Jayden stood across the room, and I watched her closely.
Mm.
“My office will be reaching out about your availability to teach this year’s self-defense class.”
In other words, this year’s initiates were ready to meet their new boss.
“I’ll be sure to have Carmen carve out some time.”
“There’s also someone I’d like you to meet,” she added. “A woman with connections that might interest you.”
Millicent rarely facilitated introductions unless there was a significant benefit to her, primarily.
Interesting.
“I’m always open to expanding my network,” I said carefully. “When?”
“Tomorrow afternoon would be ideal.”
I shook my head.
“My office. Thursday at two.”
A jolt of surprise crossed her face. My office was the only space in this city where I’d meet a random woman sent to me by someone I didn’t trust as far as I could throw.
“That might be difficult for—”
She stopped mid-sentence, her attention drawn to the entrance.
I followed her gaze and held back a grin.
Demetrius and Oliver had arrived. Up until now, only their uncle had attended this yearly function on behalf of their family.
“Thursday at two,” I repeated more firmly this time, looking away from the brother duo. “My office.”
