Page 26 of Bonds of Obsession

As my breathing steadies and my heart rate slows, I can finally, honestly say I’m starting to feel like myself again. I may have fallen apart, but now it’s time to put myself back together. Stronger. Just like Nico said.

I take a deep breath and meet their eyes. “We need to go speak to Malcolm Mercer.”

9

QUINN

My panic attackfrom earlier has left some tension in my chest, but I’ve been able—with the help of my two men—to shove it back down where it belongs for now.

The three of us are still in my office at the tattoo parlor, and I’m trying to channel some of the restless energy I have left into something productive.

Like figuring out how the hell we’re going to get in front of Malcolm Mercer.

“Okay,” I look across my desk at Killian and Nico. “Let’s go over what we know and figure this shit out.”

Killian nods. “Malcolm’s going to be a tough nut to crack.”

“He’s right.” Nico’s eyes flick from me to Killian and back again. “We can’t just call him up and ask for a meeting. As secretive as the Syndicate is, he’s probably going to wonder how we even know his name.” His brow furrows. “You think he knows you have the marker?”

“I don’t know. But if he doesn’t… I don’t wanna lay all our cards on the table before we even get in the same room with the guy.”

Nico looks thoughtful for a moment. “Seems like paying a visit to his spa is the logical next step, no matter what we decide to do after that.”

“Pretty much what I was just thinking,” I nod, remembering what we learned about Noctura—the lavish spa run by Malcolm as a front for the Syndicate’s operations. “We need to go to Noctura first. And it might be easier if I go alone for the initial meeting.”

The words are barely out of my mouth before both my men are shaking their heads. Killian is the first to speak up.

“Absolutely not. The three of us go together or not at all.”

“Yeah,” Nico nods. “We’re in this together now. We operate as a unit.”

The corner of my mouth quirks up as I raise my hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. You’re right—we’re a team. But when we get there, we need to play this smart. No bursting in there like we own the place.”

“What’s your plan?” Killian leans forward in his chair.

“I figure we go in as customers first. Get a feel for the layout, maybe book some services.” I drum my fingers on my desk. “The marker stays hidden for now. We need to make contact without tipping our whole hand.”

Nico nods. “Smart. Malcolm will have eyes everywhere in that place. Better to scope it out before making any moves.”

“Exactly.” I push back from my desk and stand. “And hey, maybe we’ll even get some actual relaxation out of it before shit hits the fan.”

Killian snorts. “When has anything ever been that easy for us?”

“First time for everything.” I grab my leather jacket off the hook. “You two ready to roll?”

They both stand, and I love the surge of excitement that I feel watching them fall into step with me as we move toward thedoor. We really are a team now. Thinking as a team, moving as a team. The difference is subtle, but it’s there.

“Race you there?” Nico’s already making a beeline for his bike.

“Children, both of you.” But I’m grinning as I pull on my helmet. The familiar rumble of my bike beneath me helps steady my nerves as we pull out onto the street, falling into formation.

I just hope this shit doesn’t go sideways.

A too-quick ride across town later, and there’s no mistaking the place as we pull up. Even from the outside, everything about it screams money—from the uniformed valet waiting at attention to the subtle gold accents framing the entrance.

“Damn,” Nico whispers as we dismount our bikes. “Place looks like it costs a month’s rent just to breathe the air inside.”

He’s not wrong. I’ve seen fancy spas before, but this is next level. The kind of place where they probably serve champagne infused with actual gold flakes.

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