Page 36 of Bonds of Obsession

I know there’s a potential scenario that’s even worse than that one, but none of us have mentioned it out loud. Best not to put those thoughts out into the universe. But I know—just like Nico and Killian have to know—that we’re either coming home with Atlas tonight, or we’re not coming home at all.

I check my phone—two hours until the scheduled meeting time. My stomach churns but I force it down. No time for last-minute jitters now.

I sit on the edge of my bed and absently reach back to touch the tattoo on my shoulder. “What were you thinking, Dad?” The words come out as a whisper. “Was this your plan all along?”

The silence in my bedroom offers no help. Even now, I still have more questions than answers about this fucking marker. I thought I knew all of Dad’s secrets—the ones that were relevant to me, at least. What are the chances that he just forgot to mention this one? That he didn’t deliberately leave me in the dark before he died?

Yeah, no.

Everything about this has been intentional since day one. That’s why I need to be absolutely certain I know what the fuck I’m doing tonight. Once we step foot out onto the meeting spot, there’s no going back and no room for mistakes.

My fingers trace the outline of the hidden design. I know it so well by now that it might as well be visible. Such a small thingto carry so much weight. Such a tiny piece of myself that I never knew existed until it nearly got me killed.

“Did you know what kind of danger you were dragging me into?” I try desperately to keep the bitterness out of my tone as I talk to him. I might not understand his reasoning, but I still love him and respect him just as much as I did when he was alive. “Or did you just figure I’d never find out about any of it unless I needed it?”

Then again, when I think about the hell I would’ve raised if he’d told me about his involvement with guys like Ambrose or Malcolm, I can almost understand his decision to leave me in the dark.

Almost.

I swallow hard, biting back the feelings that are never too far from the surface. “I wish you’d trusted me enough to tell me.” The words taste bitter. “I wish you’d given me a choice.”

But he didn’t. And now I’ll never know if he meant this marker as a gift or a curse. Protection or punishment. If he was trying to keep me safe or just using me as one of his backup plans.

At least it’s worth something now. Worth enough to trade for Atlas’s life. Maybe that’s all that matters—that Dad left me with one last card to play when I needed it most.

I drop my hand from the marker. “I hope you knew what you were doing, Dad. Because I’m playing this fucking hand tonight.”

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders before heading downstairs. Nico and Killian are waiting for me in the living room. Killian’s arms are crossed, muscles tense beneath his shirt. Nico leans against the wall, but his usual easy posture is nowhere to be seen. They both look as serious and on-edge as I feel, but they’re keeping any possible second-thoughts well-hidden from me.

Good.

This has to work. There’s no other option. No backup plan.

I pull out my phone, fingers hovering over Ambrose’s number for just a second before hitting dial. He picks up on the second ring.

“Everything is set for tonight?” I keep my voice steady and get right to business. That’s the only way to deal with this fucker without letting him weasel his way into my head.

“Of course.” The smug sound of his voice is like fingernails on a chalkboard. “Nothing on my end has changed. Tonight’s outcome will be—and always has been—dependent on your actions.”

The temptation to tell him just exactly how to go fuck himself is strong. Real strong. Nico must see it in my eyes, because he gives me a tiny, almost imperceptible head shake.

Fine. I’ll be good. For now. But someday I’m going to make Ambrose pay for every second of this.

“I just want to make sure Atlas will be there and that you’ll hand him over without any extra bullshit.”

“Naturally. I’m no fan of bullshit either.” Also bullshit, but I let him continue. “As soon as I receive what I want, we can proceed with the exchange, and everyone can leave happy.”

“You better not have hurt him.” The words slip out before I can stop them, raw with emotions I can’t quite contain. Nico’s hand finds my lower back, a silent reminder to stay strong, stay focused.

He chuckles, the sound making my stomach twist. “You know, I thought I’d made a terrible mistake when those three guys became so… attached to you. But it’s worked out beautifully for me. Who knew they’d give me such perfect leverage over you?”

“You son of a bitch. Enjoy your fucking leverage while it lasts.”

My jaw clenches so hard it hurts. Killian’s eyes flash dangerously, and I can feel the tension radiating in waves off both men.

“Now, now.” Ambrose’s tone turns sharp. “Be nice, or I might need to send Atlas back with a few more mementos of his time with me. He’s already collected quite a few, thanks to his own reckless mouth.”

My fingernails dig into my palm, and I bite back every vicious response that springs to mind, although my whole body trembles from the effort. Nico’s fingers press harder, more insistently against my back, and I lean into his touch, drawing strength from it.

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