Clomping footsteps interrupt my thoughts. They’re somehow unique to the only other person I’ll allow to usurp my revenge.
Because he deserves it too.
“I’ve been expecting you,” Diablo says superciliously as Velle enters the room.
Velle doesn’t respond. Simply strides in and stops in front of where he’s seated, standing over him, large arms folded over a broad plane of muscle. He’s sobig; he could crush Manuel Blanco with his bare hands.
ButThe Ivorysomehow towers over even this beast of a man.
Velle’s expression matches his boss’s indifference, pierced brow arched as if he’s awaiting an explanation. It’s quite the move.
Unfortunately, Manuel Blancoinventedsociopathic detachment.
“How was your day?” He asks Velle, sipping from his glass.
“You think this is going to work?” Velle’s deep brogue is hushed, yet overflowing with every breath of history betweenthem in those few words. The Ivory stares up at him, fluttering his lashes. Velle leans down, putting them face to face. “Itwon’t.”
Ivory cocks his head. “Well, considering that thepurposeof this change in staff was to demote you, I’d say it worked just fine.”
Velle is visibly simmering. I can see his jaw about to snap from here. “Fine. You want to punish me? As if you haven’t been doing that for over ten fucking years already… Have at it. But keep them out of it. My men don’t deserve to die for this shit.”
“Stop being sodramatic.” Ivory rolls his eyes. “No one’s dying, Jonathan.” Velle gives him a pointed look, to which his lips twitch. “Not if you do your jobs and fall in line.”
“So what do you expect me to do?” He straightens, snatching Ivory’s glass and slugging it back while he chuckles. “I won’t take orders from those pricks. Cartel or not, I don’t give a fuck. That prison is mine.”
“That was your biggest mistake, Jonathan,” he rumbles. “Assuming that simply chewing yourself free of your leash would make you king. You’restillmy pet, and a guard dog will never be king.”
Velle is quiet for a moment, just staring down at el diablo. “After everything…” His voice has taken on a slightly vulnerable lilt before he clears it away. “Why are you doing this?”
The Ivory stands, slowly rising to his feet until their faces are a breath apart. “Youdid this, and you know that.”
Velle’s eyes are wide, glittering ocean blue. “You’ve never wanted me to be happy…”
“Happiness is an illusion, my pet.” He reaches out to brush long fingers through Velle’s hair, like he used to. Like I’ve watched him do so many times; late at night, cigar smoke in the air and his obedient pet at his feet.
But this time, Velle yanks away, and snarls, “If you really think that… I feel sorry for you.”
In a flash, Ivory goes dark, wrath framing his cold, razor-sharp features. “You will learn the meaning of loyalty, Jonathan. Beating it into you simply doesn’t work. So stuffing your face in your ownshitit is.”
Witnessing that blasé exterior, barely concealing his menacing motives, has always been nerve-racking, especially up close.Like if the ice cream man gave you your treat, then unhinged his jaw and chomped your head off.
Velle remains squared up, unmoving as he hisses, “After what you did to my mother… that you even have thenerveto spout bullshit about loyalty to me is laughable.”
And now Diablo is visibly teeming. I think he’s actually turning red. “Don’tbring that up again. I told you I didn’t—”
“I’m done listening to your lies,” Velle grunts. “You’re a master manipulator, Manuel. It took me a long fucking time to see the truth, but I broke free from those chains.Tammygave that to me. Clarity. I deserve more.” He backs up, shaking his head. “So do your worst. But just remember… your dog’s bite is a bitch.”
Velle turns and saunters away. I can see The Ivory simmering, and if it were anyone else on the planet—except maybe me—I’m sure he would use that knife he stole and surgically remove the obstinate mass from his domain. But with Velle, it’s like hecan’t… Something about him is inoperable. John Chevelle is as deeply embedded in The Ivory as The Ivory is in him.
I wish I understood it. It’s been the single most vexing part of everything I’ve learned on this island. Not knowingwhy… If it’s just the history they share, or if it’s more than that.
“Thanks for stopping by, Jonathan,” Ivory snaps after him. “I do hope you enjoy your newposition.”
The Ivory pulls something out of his pocket. I bite my lip as he whips open my father’s knife, flinching when he roars and stabs it into his desk. Leaving the blade in the wood, he storms off.
Despite the tension in the air, I grin.
Gracias, Diablo.
