Page 196 of Shadowman

Velle looks to be near boiling point. “Thirteengoddamn years… And this is the thanks I get?!”

“I told you what would happen if you disobeyed me, Jonathan…” The Ivory hums, and my eyes widen.

Oh, shit…

Jonathan.

John Chevelle. Duh. Wow, I feel thick.

“Don’t fucking gaslight me,” Velle hisses. “You started this. I want themgone,or so help me—”

“So help youwhat?” The Ivory snarls.

Velle pushes in closer to his face. “This island is as much mine as it is yours. I built this fucking place, and I can tear it down just as easily. Don’tfuckwith me.”

The Ivory’s jaw tics. His eyes harden, black as death and just as ominous. He steps forward, getting into Velle’s face until they’re barely a breath apart. The rest of us are frozen solid whilethey stare one another down, rage crackling between them like electricity.

“Watch your fucking tone, Officer,” The Ivory simmers. “I’m very aware of your Achillesheels… Both of them.”

“Your threats don’t mean shit,” Velle grunts. “I. Want. Them. Gone. Or they’ll all end up six feet under, starting with that prick Pedroia.”

The Ivory’s fist tightens and releases at his side, and Velle looks like he’s seconds from lunging. I should probably get out of the way, lest I inadvertently wind up in the middle of a brawl.

“You don’t give orders in this building anymore, Jonathan,” The Ivory utters, deadly soft, right over Velle’s mouth. “You lost that right when you forgot your place atmy fucking feet.”

“Fuck you!” Velle spits. “This is your last chance…Manuel.”

“I swear to God, I will end you!” The Ivory roars, grabbing Velle by the throat.

Velle rips his hand away, launching into The Ivory, backing him against his desk. The Ivory smacks Velle across the face.

Velle makes another move, but I can’t see a thing anymore. Their limbs are flying around, curses and bellows of rage bouncing off the walls. Kent is instantly between them, wrenching them apart.

“Enough, both of you!” Yari wails, on his feet while I slink out of my chair, shuffling across the room. “Can’t you just calm down and have arationaldiscus—”

“Stay out of it!” they both bark at him in unison.

Velle rips out of Kent’s hold, chest heaving. He eyes the Warden, pure wrath seeping from his pores. Manuel Blanco pushes his hair back into place, attempting to compose himself. I’ve never seen him so angry, but also so… affected.

I could’ve sworn he was made up of pure evil, but I don’t think evil has to force itself not to care.

“I told you, I’m not your pet anymore,” Velle breathes out. “I meant it. But I promise you this… I’ll be the worst mistake you ever made.”

The Ivory cocks his head. “You could’ve had it all. I gave you a life, a home, apurpose. And in return, all I asked was that you serve me, faithfully…”

“Fuck you,” Velle snarls. “You don’t own me—”

“Loyalty, you ungrateful fucking shit,” The Ivory snaps. “It’severything. But you spit in my face.” His glower is baleful, tone chilling. “Now, as far as I’m concerned, you, your men, yourpartners… You’re already dead.”

Velle’s eyes are narrowed to slits as he grouses, “Not yet.”

Turning, he storms out of the room, not without first casting a glare right at me. I’m uncertain what it means, but Idoknowthat he doesn’t care much for me. He must be even more suspicious of me now that he’s seen me by The Ivory’s side…

As soon as the door hurls shut, we all release a collective breath. Everyone but Manuel Blanco.

He stomps over to a different door, whipping it open and stalking inside—it looks like an attached en suite. He slams the door so hard the walls rattle. I glance at Yari, who’s chewing on his bottom lip. Kent is staring out the window.

What in the bloody hell just happened??