Page 113 of Dash

“Hands in the air,” I said. “Get up. Turn around, slowly.”

Lifting his hands, Rivera got up and pivoted to face me. He was calm under my glare, but his forehead creased. “Something wrong?” He took in Shaw, stationed at my two o’clock, and then Bozeman, who cased Rivera with his handgun from his position at my ten o’clock.

“What’s going on?” Arthur demanded.

“Oh, God.” Thena covered her mouth, her voice muffled. “Him? Are you sure?”

I kept my attention on Rivera, but I felt for her. “Sorry, darling.”

“What’s the meaning of this?” Arthur insisted. “All theseguns. What’s happening?”

“I second that question,” Rivera uttered, keeping his cool.

“Questions later.” I tossed Bozeman a pair of zip cuffs I carried in my pocket.

Face set into a fearsome scowl, Bozeman tucked his weapon in his holster and approached Rivera. “You know what to do.”

Rivera didn’t resist. He crossed his wrists behind his back and allowed Bozeman to put them on. Keeping my gun up, I covered Bozeman until he secured our perp. When Bozeman was done, he slid out his gun again and stood behind Rivera, watching the man’s every move. Rivera’s prime warrior years may be behind him, but he kept in good shape. We weren’t gonna take any risks.

“Control, do you copy?” I asked.

“I copy,” Mina replied. “This movie’s getting more interesting by the moment.”

“Get Guzman and King down to the billiards lounge, stat.”

“Copy that.”

“Shaw, stay here with Thena,” I ordered. “Donottake your eyes off her. Got it?”

The man nodded. “Yes, boss.”

“I don’t understand.” Arthur’s double chin quivered with outrage. “Is my niece in danger? What do you think you’re doing, Dagger?”

“My job.” I motioned with my head toward the doors. “Bozeman, take Rivera across the way.”

Grabbing Rivera by the back of his collar, keeping his Glock pressed against his back, Bozeman pushed him forward. “Move. Slowly. Donotmake me shoot you.”

Rivera eyed me in passing. “Gotta talk about this.”

“For sure.” We were gonna talk all right.

Bozeman and Rivera went out the door and disappearedacross the corridor. It was only then that I met Thena’s liquid eyes.

“All those years,” she murmured, her gaze full of hurt. “Did Father know?”

“The blade that kills you the fastest is the one you don’t see coming.” I locked eyes with her. “So, I’m gonna guess no, he had no clue. I know this is hard, but hang in there. I’ll be back in a moment.”

Catching Shaw’s attention, I pointed two fingers at my eyes, then directed those same fingers at Thena. Shaw inclined his head. Leaving Thena in his care, I stalked out of the dining room and into the posh billiard’s room.

The burgundy tones that dominated the space embodied a style I called “upscale Wild West bordello.” Richard Astor’s world in a nutshell. The lavish space included a huge, mirrored bar, billiard tables, poker tables, dart boards, an adjacent cigar room with a walk-in humidor, and even a four-lane bowling alley.

I stalked across the largest of several lounging areas and parked by the massive fireplace. Bozeman stood on the other side, pointing his gun at Rivera. He sat at the edge of one of the leather couches, studying me.

Pacing before the hearth, I gritted my teeth and tried very hard not to take justice into my own hands. I had a lot of questions to ask before I transferred him to the proper authorities.

“Dash?” Rivera’s frown deepened. “What are you doing?”

“Right now, I’m trying very hard not to blow out your brains.”

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