Chapter 11 · Traceless - Chapter 11: Evan's Deal

The door didn't break. It opened.

Evan stood there like he'd been invited. Clean jacket. That same smile he used to wear when he wanted something and knew I'd cave.

Cole moved first. His bleeding hand went for the gun on the counter but Evan already had his own weapon out, pointed low, casual. Not at Cole. At me.

"Don't," Evan said. "I'm not here for a fight."

"Then why the hell are you holding that?" Cole's voice came out rough. He was still between us, shoulders tight, and I could see the blood dripping off his palm onto the floor. He hadn't wrapped it. Hadn't even looked at it since he'd dug the chip out.

Evan's eyes flicked to the wound. "You really did it. Cut yourself off." He sounded almost impressed. "HQ's going to burn you for that."

"Let them try."

"They will." Evan stepped inside and shut the door behind him. Locked it. Like this was his place now. "But that's not why I'm here."

I found my voice. It came out steadier than I expected. "You said you had another file."

"I do." He slid a tablet out of his jacket.