It’s fully plausible that he already knows why I’m here. But I don’t want to think about it.
Now that I’m standing in front of him, staring into his black eyes, I’m frozen solid.I didn’t really think this through…
The Ivory chuckles, as if he can read my thoughts. “What can I do for you, Kellan?”
I clear my throat. “I, uh… read an article—”
“I’m sure you did,” he cuts me off with a sneer that I ignore.
“About the governor’s niece,” I keep going, sounding like my throat is full of gravel. “It said she was… killed. In a robbery…”
He nods, pulling a purposeful pout. “Yes. Tragic.” His face smooths, eyes boring into mine. “Whyare youhere, Kellan?”
I gulp. “The person who killed her… It said he was…” My voice shrivels under the intensity of his murky gaze. “I guess I was just wondering…”
“If Dascha Reznikov is really dead?” He chirps.
My eyes round. “Um… yea.” I croak, “Is he?”
God, something about being in his presence makes me feel like a child.
It’s like I’m fifteen again, standing in front of my father, waiting for him to kick the shit out of me for being gay. Though that’s not quite the reasonthisreprehensible man would destroy me…
The Ivory sighs, folding his hands on the desk. “What does your gut tell you?”
He’s alive.
I don’t know why, but my first instinct is to believe that Dash isn’t dead. Maybe as some deranged optimism. Maybe a sick, morbid delight at the idea that the universe would actually send him to where I am… This mysterious being I’ve been fawning over for years.
This dangerous man who floods me with a rush of dopamine better than the strongest narcotics.
Death is certainly the better option forhim. But I don’t want Dascha to be dead.
Because him being alive bringsmeto life.
“If he killed Russo’s niece… then he’s as good as dead,” I mumble. “That’s your specialty… Isn’t it?”
He huffs in amusement once more, leaning back. Swiveling in his chair. “Why do you care, Kellan? What about this situation makes you feel warranted to storm in here, demanding information?”
Struggling to keep from trembling, I straighten, like a good soldier. “Not warranted, sir. I was just… curious.”
“You sure are.” He eyes flit to his phone on his desk. “Go enjoy your purge, Officer Kemper. Dascha will get what hedeserves, don’t you worry.”
The sickening feeling in me has tendrils that choke my insides. I part my lips, but before I can speak, the Warden shoos me away with a flick of his hand.
“Run along now,muñeco.”
The door whips open and Kent storms in, aiming a warning glare at me. Sucking in a breath, I nod and leave, the door slamming behind me.
I’m teetering on the edge of an exhilaration that I justknowcouldsoothemysoul, if it were any match for the disgraceful instinct in me… to run.
“Hang on. You’reactuallycoming out with us?” The surprise and sheer skepticism on Velle’s face, and in his tone, has me scowling at him.
Despite my mood being all over the damn place, I hum, “Uh-huh.”
“Yay.” Joy casts a pleased grin my way. But Velle and the others just appear shocked.
Rightfully so. Inevergo out with them.
