Page 241 of Shadowman

My lips part, but I can’t even imagine what the hell I would say to something like that. I have a million questions, too many responses. They’re all getting caught like a bottleneck in my throat.

Trevel’s fingers dig into my thigh.

The Ivory leans forward. “You’ve known them a long time, Byron. You have a good rapport with Officer Jameson… I’m sure you’ve bonded with many of the guards over the years. And of course you know the prisoners…”

“What’s left of them…” one of the guys at the other end of the table mumbles, and The Ivory shoots him a fiery look.

“Callate la boca, Lio, or I’ll do it for you,” The Ivory hisses quietly at the man, who recoils. “The fact of the matter, Byron, is that you’re the only one they’ll allow inside. Because they trust you.”

“But… isn’t it… dangerous?” I croak. “We’ve been hearing nothing but gunfire since the prison went down. What if they shoot me?”

He makes a face like he isn’t as worried about this as I am, but covers it up with some obviously forced empathy. “My men will keep you safe until you’re inside the prison. After that, you’ll be on your own. But I’m sure you can handle yourself.” His head tilts. “You’re a fighter yourself, aren’t you?”

“Will he have a gun?” Trevel asks, taking the words out of my mouth.

The Ivory’s gaze narrows. “No.”

“I don’t know…” I rub my eyes. “What would I even say to them? What’s the endgame here?”

He straightens. “The endgame is you doing what the fuck I say, without question.” The chilling tone of his voice sweeps up my spine like icy fingers. “If you’ll recall, that was the stipulation of my allowing you to stay here. You will go to the prison, youwill speak with Officer Chevelle and find out what he wants. You will get eyes on the situation in there and report back.”

“What if they won’t…? What if—”

“Serve your purpose, Byron,” he seethes, frighteningly quiet. “Trust me, you want to have one.”

I’m baffled by this. And also, not.

Here I’ve been sitting around, waiting for him to realize he doesn’t need me. Turns out he’s had a use for me all along.

He knew what he was doing, bringing me here.

I’m his rat, his spy. Just like Trevel.

Trevel is his link to Dr. Love. I’m his link to the prison.

To say I’m unsure about this would put it well beyond mildly, but there’s nothing I can do. Saying no isn’t an option.

This isn’t a choice.He’s got me right where he wants me.

So I sit up and clear my throat. “When?”

“Right now,” he chirps, almost patronizingly.

I suck in a breath. “Alright…”

“Wonderful.” With the flick of his wrist, the men in the room stand. “My team here will bring you. Once inside, you’ll get a lay of the land, observe the setting… negotiate and such.” My brow arches. “This is serious, Byron. The fate of this island may depend on it. I’m putting my faith in you, and I trust that you won’t let me down.”

My thoughts are hectic. But I nod and stand.

Trevel shoots up at my side. “I’m going too.”

The Ivory gives him an amused look. “Absolutely not. They don’t trust you for shit.”

“You must be high if you think I’m going to sit here in this mansion while he goes out into the line of fire alone,” Trevel growls. His protective tone warms me inside, but I fight it off.

“I don’t need a bodyguard or a babysitter,” I grunt at him, and he frowns.

“I know you don’tneedme for anything, Raph,” his voice is soft again. “It’s for me.Ineed it… I won’t be able to—”