Page 40 of Unresolved

He shook his head, though his face was blurry now when I looked up and tried to focus.“She’s weak, insufferable really,” he continued.“I can’t tolerate that behavior inside of my house.”

I could barely concentrate on his words, they each blended into the other as we turned into the wing of the house I shared with my mother.Even worse, I was staggering now, the walls doing a slow spin around me that made me dizzy and more than a little ill.

“I-I think I’m going to be sick,” I said.

My dad snorted.“Go to the bathroom then, I’ll deal with your mother.”As he stepped away, he threw over his shoulder, “It’s only lucky you have me, boy, or you’d be stuck with a woman who cares more about her drugs than family.”

Beep.Beep.Beep.

The alarm woke me the next morning and I woke with bleary eyes and a sinking feeling inside.My mother wasn’t here anymore.Dad had thrown her out.I mightn’t remember much of our conversation, but I knew that much at least.

Beep.Beep.Beep.

I shook my head, brought back to the present with a start.It hadn’t been an alarm in my memories, it was my cellphone.I pulled it from my pocket and answered the caller.“Ethan.”

“Evander, where are you?”

I paused at the urgency in my don’s tone.Thanks to our dad’s ever-changing emotions I’d grown up learning to read between the lines.“I took my Harley for a spin.I’m presently at a lookout admiring the view.”

Ethan blew out a breath.“Thank fuck for that.”

My heart jerked like a yo-yo inside my chest.“Why is that?”

“I’ve just received fresh intel from one of our moles.The Accardis have somehow tracked you down.They’re heading to your cabin as we speak.”

My pulse pounded like a drum in my ears, my entire body shutting down as I processed the information.“You’ve got to be shitting me.”

“I’m afraid not, bro.As my underboss they’re gunning for you while you’re alone and exposed.You need to get back here where I can protect you...where we can protect each other.”

I swallowed convulsively, sweat beading on my brow.“You’re my don and my brother,” I said harshly even as I touched my holster and gun.“I’d do anything for you.I’d die for you if you asked.But I’ve found Gemma.She’s alone in my cabin.They’ll kill her if they get to her first.”

I waited for Ethan to deny me my one chance to save her, but he too knew what love felt like, knew what he’d do to protect that loved one.He paused for a second, as though disbelieving I’d actually found the one woman I’d always loved.“Go.Do what you’ve got to do,” he said quietly.“We’ll be there to back you up as soon as we can.”

“Thank you,” I said, disconnecting before I scrambled for my bike and started it with a roar that scared half-a-dozen tawny birds from a nearby tree.

I barely noticed.If I’d ridden fast away from the cabin it’d be nothing compared to the speed I’d be taking to get back...back to the woman I loved with everything I had.

I couldn’t let the Accardis get to her.I had to confess my true feelings for her.I had to tell her I loved her...that I forgave her.I had to tell her I wished I’d been there for her when she’d lost our son.

All I wanted now was to take care of her, to make sure she wasn’t taken from me yet again.Because if the Accardis got to her first, there would be no return for either of us.She’d be dead and I’d wither and die without her in my life.

I accelerated hard, rocks spitting out from my back tire and the trees either side quickly blurring.She was everything to me and I’d kill every enemy who stepped foot on my property to prove it.

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