Page 86 of Unexpected Complication

“His sister?”

“Her name was Gina Rawlins. Ringing any bells now?”

His gaze snapped to the wall where I knew her pendant sat, his face shocked, realization slowly dawning as he put the pieces together.

“Where’s Anthony?”

“Dead.”

“He killed your father.”

“On your orders. I know everything, Orson. I have control of all of it now. Everything you’ve worked for—everything you’ve killed for—it’s gone, Orson. Your life is over.”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Your worst nightmare,” I growled.

Orson’s hand moved, more blood appearing on Skylar’s throat. She gasped as I cried out her name and lunged forward, Rex letting me go easily.

Skylar’s elbow came up, smashing into Orson’s face. He stumbled back as I grabbed her, spinning her away, and I drew my gun, pointing it at him.

From the other room, the sounds of constant pings began from the computer, echoing in the empty room. Orson’s phone kept chirping, message after message beginning to chime. Rex’s phone echoed from the corner, but he didn’t move. I smirked. Somehow, no matter what else had happened, Sean had done it—he’d ended Orson’s empire.

“Listen to those sounds, Orson. They’re telling you it’s all gone,” I taunted him. “The cops have it all. And whether I walk out of here or not, I know you’ll be going to prison. I know you won’t survive more than a day before someone shanks you and ends your miserable excuse for a life. It’s over.”

“It hasn’t even begun,” he spat.

I laughed. “You don’t believe me? Check your computer, Orson. It’s gone. It’s all gone. The shipments, the contacts, your accounts.” I grinned, wide and angry. “The best part, though, is your life. It’s over. Completely over. You’re dead, Orson. You just don’t know it yet.”

He had the audacity to laugh, although the sound was strangled. His eyes were bright with fury. “Kill them, Rex.”

Rex didn’t move, his gun never wavering. Orson was so enraged he didn’t even realize what direction the gun was pointing.

“Kill them!” Orson screamed.

“I’ll kill you first,” I threatened, moving so Skylar was completely protected.

Orson shook his head, holding out his hand. In it was a small remote. “I’m not leaving here alive.” His chuckle was evil. “Neither are you.”

It happened all at once.

Chaos broke out behind us.

Gunshots rang out, even as I pushed Skylar out of the way and dove for the floor. Rex’s gun exploded, and Orson stumbled back, blood covering his chest. There was screaming, yelling, and the sound of thundering feet. I pushed off the floor, desperate to get the remote away from Orson before he blew up the room, taking us all with him. He struggled, both of us cursing, as I tried to pry it away from him.

A twisted smile curved his ugly mouth, and I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Falling back, I looked down at the knife sticking out of me, blood beginning to pool around it.

Skylar was screaming, Rex was yelling, and Orson lifted both his shaking hands, the remote clutched in one, my gun in the other—and it was aimed at Skylar. Darkness started to descend, but I fought against it.

I needed to get to Skylar. I needed to tell her I was sorry—how much I loved her. I wanted to feel her lips on mine one more time before we died.

“Stop him,” I tried to scream, but the words were only a whisper.

I lunged, his fingers moved, and a gunshot rang out, pain tearing through my body, hot and fast.

Skylar cried out my name as I fell into emptiness, and my world went black.

Chapter 20