Page 46 of Unresolved

I gasped, my attention jerking away from my brother simultaneously to Enzo’s attention snapping Evander’s way as he stood framed in the doorway.Though he held a gun, I hadn’t heard it fired.Though the fresh blood splattered over his clothes told me everything I needed to know.

Tommy was dead.

The fact Evander had killed so silently, so stealthily, sent shivers down my spine.How did such a creative, talented man have such an uncanny ability to kill?

“Evander,” I said, my voice cracking.“You’re here.”

He cocked a dark brow before he asked roughly, “Did you think I’d stay away?”He didn’t wait for my answer when he added, “Are you hurt?”

I ignored his shrewd, assessing eyes and shook my head.“No.But I-I need to use the bathroom.”

He nodded, keeping his gun trained on Enzo as he dug into his pocket and extracted the key to my handcuffs.He bent and unclicked the lock, the cuff splitting apart.“You have one minute.”

I glared, but didn’t argue.Emptying my bladder was becoming a priority, as was taking care of my menstrual needs.

Gathering the bedcover around my nudity, I hurried into the bathroom and did what I needed to.

It was only once I returned that Evander reached out and brought me close to his side.He tipped his gun toward the other man.“Get on the bed and put on the handcuff.”

Enzo’s eyes flashed.“Thanks, but no thanks.I’d rather be dead.”

Evander released the safety mechanism and cocked his gun with a smile.“Good to know.Saves me from having to make any hasty decisions.”

I jerked my arm free and stepped in front of Evander even before I’d considered my options or disputed my reflexive instincts.“Stop,” I croaked.“Don’t shoot him.”

Evander looked at me with hard eyes.“Gemma, what the fuck are you doing?”

I shook my head.“No more killing.”

Evander’s gaze narrowed.“Enzo isn’t your friend.He’d shoot you dead in a heartbeat to save himself.”

“Maybe,” I conceded, glancing his way.That he was motionless from utter shock was clear to me now.I’d seen him fueled by adrenaline and violence and he’d been on edge and agitated.I sighed, then conceded, “But only because he doesn’t know the truth.”

Evander glanced over at Enzo.My brother shuffled suddenly and said awkwardly, “You know as much as I do.”

Evander refocused on me.“So whatisthe truth, Gemma?”

I exhaled slowly.“If I could tell you I would.Just...don’t shoot him, okay.”

Evander’s stare hardened.“You have three seconds to tell me or Iwillshoot him where he stands.”

I blinked.“Evander, don’t—“

“One.”

I shook my head.“You don’t understand, I—“

“Two.”

He stepped past me and raised his gun at Enzo.

My brother frowned, his eyes swinging to mine.“Ah, now might be a good time to fess up.”

Everything inside me tumbled and churned.I’d kept this secret for so long now it was nearly impossible to expose the truth.Until Evander’s finger squeezed the trigger.“He’s my brother!”I shouted desperately.

Sudden hushed silence filled the room.I swallowed hard and added softly, “His father was also my father.”

Enzo gaped.“I have a sister.”His cheeks hollowed out.“I thought there was something special about you, now I know why.”He chuckled.“We share an affinity because we share DNA.”

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