Page 194 of Shadowman
If he thinks he can take Byron away from me, he better watch his fucking back.
“Say the word and I’ll move onto The Carver, then,” I tell him firmly. “If you want Dr. Love, that’s the way to get him.”
The Warden rakes fingers through his hair, seemingly flustered again. The seesaw of his emotions is bringing on this palpable manic vibration. Like an earthquake rumbling the foundation beneath our feet.
“I grow weary, Trevel,” he murmurs. He actually flinches when his phone chimes on his desk. “I’m becoming so verytiredof people’s inability to follow orders. You all seem to forget that on this fucking island,Iam the goddamnKing.”
Growling, he’s teeming with visible rage as he leans over me, hands gripping the armrests of my chair. I’m just gawking up at him while he seethes in my face, “Do I need to slaughter every last one of you to make my point?” His voice is barely audible, minty breath brushing my face.
He’s unhinged. I wouldn’t put it past him to do somethingdrasticright now.Like kill me…
My eyes dart to Yari, who’s just sitting there, buried in his phone again. But his gaze lifts in between typing to watch his boss threatening everyone—even him, theoretically—like it’s no big deal.
I won’t pretend to understand what kinds of things are happening behind the scenes, but I know thatsomethinghappened between the Warden and Officer Chevelle. A disruption in the flow, some major rift that caused The Ivory to bring in his new team of guards. And I’m beginning to think flitting around in my own little world, obsessing over Byron and stewing in my hatred for Dr. Love won’t be a sustainable way of life for much longer.
“Dr. Love has been meeting with Officer Chevelle,” I blurt out. “I’ve seen it a few times… Velle and his partners having hushed conversations with Lemuel in private.”
The Warden doesn’t look particularly shocked by this. But he seems mildly placated by my contribution to his cause.
“And have youheardanything?” he asks quietly. “From these conversations…?”
I gulp. “No… But I’msureFelix Darcey has.”
The Ivory’s lips slope into a tiny, satisfied grin that is fully terrifying. He taps me on the cheek, straightening up. “Good boy, Trevel. I believe your loyalty will keep you protected. Just make sure our shadow prince is on the same page, hm? We can’thave him running back into the arms of certain lying arsonists, now can we?”
Shivering, I’m chewing the inside of my cheek to keep myself in check.
Byron is mine, goddamnit.
He willnotbe leaving me foranyone, especially not that selfish slag, Warren Xavier.
Over my dead body.
While I’m freaking out inside, Manuel Blanco’s head lolls in Yari’s direction. “What?I can feel that you have something to say, so just spit it out.”
Yari shifts, finally tucking his phone away. He gives The Ivory this sort of doe-eyed expression that has me wondering about the nature of their relationship.
Is it strictly business?
Does The Ivory just entice this type ofDaddy-mesubservience out of everyone??
“I told you my feelings on this when you brought in the team from Medellin,” Yari says cautiously, yet still getting his point across. The Ivory leers at him. I don’t think I’m breathing. “Do I feel your actions are justified?Of courseI do…”
The Ivory lifts a light eyebrow at him. “But…?”
Yari exhales. “ButI wish you would’ve at leastspokenwith him first. Now everything is a big mess. We all knew Lemuel had grievances—”
“He can shove hisgrievancesup his ass,” the Warden barks, then rubs his eyes, hard. “I’ve been nothing but accommodating to that blowhard.Maybeif he’d spent a little more time playing the game, and a little less time fawning over a goddamn serial killer, we wouldn’t all be dealing with the repercussionsmonthsfucking later.”
An uncontrollable snort bursts out of me, and they both stare. I clear my throat. “What is Dr. Love’s problem, anyway?Doesn’t he have everything he wants?? Free room and board in a mansion, which I’m onlyassumingis massive and extremely fancy…”
“It is,” The Ivory croons with smug amusement.
“His dream job examining psychopaths, and hisperfect, precious monster to worship him like the god he believes himself to be.” My eyes roll to the heavens. “That he even has the nerve to be dissatisfied is infuriating.”
Manuel Blanco gives me a studious once-over, lips curved as if this pleases him. He grips the edge of his desk at his sides while leaning back against it, tapping his foot a few times on the floor.
“He may still be a bit salty over some things that happened while he was away…” His voice trails, and my forehead lines. “When he was supposed to be fetchingyou. Yet another job he half-assed.” He glances at Yari. “I’m beginning to think his talents were slightly exaggerated.”
