Page 129 of Bonds of Obsession

“I should’ve killed him the first time I saw him eye-fucking you,” Atlas mutters.

“We can still make that happen,” Killian offers, his blade still pressed to Emmett’s throat. “Just say the word.”

“No, I had it right the first time, didn’t I? You couldn’t handle that a woman didn’t want you. You had to prove you were a big man by selling out everyone who ever gave a shit about you.” My lip curls in disgust. “And look at you now. You can’t even look me in the eye.”

His head hangs low, and his shoulders are shaking like he’s trying to hold back tears, but I don’t fucking care. Part of me expected to feel something watching him break—satisfaction, anger, anything. But there’s nothing. Just a hollow emptiness where my trust used to be.

“You’re not even worth the bullet it’ll take to end you.” I turn away from his sniffling. “And that’s the saddest part of all.”

I pace in front of Emmett, getting more and more pissed off by his pathetic display of shame and contrition. His shoulders slump forward and his bottom lip trembles like a scolded child. I’m not fucking buying it.

“Cut the wounded puppy act. Your crocodile tears mean fuck all to me now.”

Behind me, Killian’s fingers drum against the knife handle in a steady rhythm that makes Emmett flinch with each tap.

“The only thing keeping you breathing right now is what’s in that treacherous head of yours.” I stop directly in front of him. “And trust me when I say Killian here has ways of getting it out that’ll make you wish I’d just shot you.”

Emmett’s eyes flick to Killian and back to the floor. He looks like he’s ready to piss his pants.

Good.

“You know his reputation. You’ve heard the stories about what he does to people who cross him.” I lean down until I’m at eye level. “And right now, the only thing holding him back is me.”

“I-I’ll tell you everything.” His voice comes out in a broken whisper.

“You’re goddamn right you will. Because if you hold anything back, if you try to play games…” I straighten up and step aside, giving Killian room to move closer. “I’ll gladly let him carve you up until there’s nothing left to identify your body.”

Killian’s blade catches the light as he tests the edge with his thumb. The soft scraping sound makes Emmett’s whole body shake.

“Your remorse means nothing. Your excuses mean nothing. The only value you have left is information.” I cross my arms. “So start talking before I decide you’re more useful as Killian’s new practice dummy.”

“You don’t understand. Ambrose has more connections than anyone I’ve ever met. He’s got people everywhere, and I just—” Emmett’s words cut off in a sharp gasp as Killian’s fingers find a pressure point in his shoulder.

“Wrong answer.” Killian’s voice stays eerily calm as he increases the pressure. “Try again.”

Sweat beads on Emmett’s forehead. “Fuck! Okay, okay—I reached out to him again last week. I thought?—”

Another squeeze from Killian makes him yelp.

“Stop trying to spin this,” I snap. “Just tell us what you did.”

“I contacted Ambrose!” The words burst from him in a rush. “I heard rumors about his plans for Detroit, about the backing he had. Everyone knows he’s making moves to take over.”

Atlas snorts. “And you wanted to be on the winning team.”

“You don’t get it—he’s got support from Chicago, from New York. The smart money’s on him taking everything.” Emmett’s voice trembles. “I was just trying to—fuck!”

Killian’s fingers dig deeper into the nerve cluster. “Details.”

“I told him about Quinn’s new alliance! About her working with you three!” The confession comes out in a desperate rush. “He said—he said once he took over, he’d remember who helped him. He said there’d be places for people who showed loyalty early.”

Loyalty. I can’t believe he has the guts—or the stupidity—to use that word in front of me.

“You worthless piece of shit.” I lean in close. “You sold me out twice because you thought backing Ambrose would get you a better position?”

“He’s going to win!” Emmett’s voice rises. “Everyone knows it. The whole city is going to be his soon, and I just wanted?—”

“To save your own skin,” Nico finishes, the disgust clear in his voice.

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