Page 275 of Shadowman

“I think you were about to take these goddamn chains off me,” Dash grunts.

The Ivory chuckles. “Was I?”

“If you want me to play along.” Dash shrugs.

I’m bewildered right now. I just can’t fucking believe Dash ishere, and that he’s going toe-to-toe with Manuel Blanco, after escaping and turning this whole damn place upside down!

The kid’s got fuckin balls. He’s an Alabaster Pen rock star!

“Or maybe I could just kill you,” The Ivory grumbles, then grins. “After all, Russo only wants to know that you’rehere. He doesn’t care what state your sexy little corpse is in.”

“But someone else does…” Dash hisses through gritted teeth.

Blanco’s amusement falls away, and he purses his lips to downplay his obvious irritation. It seems like Dash has some kind of leverage I don’t know about.

Who?Whoare they talking about??

“Keep pushing me, Dascha, and I’ll cut out Kellan Kemper’s tongue,” he seethes.

Dash doesn’t budge. “Good luck finding him.”

“Nice try. But we both know he would never allow you to come here alone.”

“I’m not alone,” Dash growls. “I’ve gotfamilyhere… Remember?”

“Listen to me, you little shit,” The Ivory’s tone hops right over the line from controlled anger to unhinged wrath. Like flipping a switch. “You’remine, understand me?? As far as the world is concerned, I fuckingownyou. So do me a favor and keep your pouty mouth shut while I handle Russo, or so help me, I will not stop until you’re in bits and pieces. Yourofficerwill be bringing you back to Mexico in a goddamn Tupperware container like last night’s leftovers!”

My nervous eyes meet Trevel’s, both of us visibly stiff. Dash isglaringat The Ivory, practically buzzing, though he doesn’t respond to that threat. Simply sits back on his knees and cocks his head, displaying a bored expression.

The Ivory’s dark gaze stays on the Russian bank robber for a few extra seconds that feel like heavy minutes. His jaw is visibly tight, and there’s a tick of something extremely stabby, even more than the usual hostility over Dash escaping. I really wish I knew what was going on here…

I want details.

That’s the worst part of this position I find myself in. I’m expected to sit by The Ivory’s side, obey him while mindlessly nodding like,yes, sir, Mr. Blanco, sir…

But I don’t get any intel. I’m still fully in the dark. The only real perk in all this is sleeping in the mansion and eating good food.Is it worth it?? I can’t really tell. Sometimes I think it might be, but moments like these have me second-guessing everything.

The Ivory eventually stands with a sigh, nodding at the two officers who brought Dash in. They immediately stomp toward the doorway that leads inside the mansion.

“Keep an eye on him,” he says to Trevel. His eyes bounce to me, brow cocking pointedly.Thisis an expression I can read.

I’m not sure I trust you with this one.

Still, he hands me Hancock’s leash. “We’ll be back. Just going on a scenic stroll…”

His evil eyes fall to Dash once more before he stalks after the guards. “Scour the area! Kellan Kemper’s here… I want him found.”

As soon as he’s out of sight, Dash breathes hard, wobbling to his feet.

Shaking myself out of it, I ask Trevel, “You still have those cuff and shackle keys?”

Trevel pauses, watching Dash as he nods hesitantly, using the keys we got from the dead doctors to unlock Dash’s chains.

Dash eyes Trevel while rubbing his wrists. “Thanks…”

Trevel nods, though he still doesn’t appear confident in this move. We’re supposed to be onTeam Ivory… Granted, I’m not sure I ever really saw how that would work. But if he finds out we’re breaking the rules, we’re dead.

“So are you siding with this asshole now??” Dash growls at me, bending to fuss with the muzzle on Hancock’s face. “You remember that he’s been personally responsible for all of our misery foryears, right?”