Page 86 of Bonds of Obsession

Atlas consults his phone. “Maintenance is done for the night. Next patrol’s not due for forty minutes.”

“Unless phone boy called them,” Killian adds.

“If he did, we’ll handle it,” I say, but my heart rate kicks up.

We move silently past stacked linens and cleaning supplies, our boots barely making a sound on the concrete floor. The maintenance elevator is exactly where Elliot’s blueprint indicated, tucked away in a corner where the hotel’s wealthy guests won’t have to see the machinery that keeps their paradise running.

“You good?” I whisper to Atlas, noticing how he’s favoring his left side.

“I swear, vicious, if you ask me that one more time?—”

“She asks because she cares, asshole,” Nico cuts in.

“I know.” Atlas’s face softens. “But I need you focused on the job, not on me.”

“I can do both,” I mutter, knowing he’s right but still pissed that he thought he needed to point it out.

The elevator requires a key card scan. I slide our copy through—courtesy of an Enigma member who used to work here. The light blinks red.

“Shit,” I suck in a sharp breath.

“Try it again,” Nico says.

I do. Red again.

“Third time’s the charm,” Atlas says quietly. “Always is with these readers. Something in the magnetic strip has to catch just right.”

I swipe again. Green light. The doors slide open with a soft ding that sounds deafening in the quiet corridor.

“See?” Atlas smirks. “Told you.”

“Shut up and get in.” I roll my eyes, but I’m fighting a smile.

Once we’re inside, I hit the button for the service level of the penthouse floor and the elevator groans to life.

“If anyone’s monitoring the elevator…” Killian starts.

“They’re not,” Atlas assures us. “Checked the security setup when I was planning the distraction. They only watch the guest elevators.”

“Ready?” I ask as we near our floor.

Three slight nods answer me.

The doors open to darkness that’s barely illuminated by the red glow of exit signs. We move together as one unit, our weapons ready.

“Two by the main doors.” Nico holds up two fingers. “Just like we thought.”

“Quick and quiet,” I whisper. “No guns unless we have to.”

Killian’s voice is barely audible: “I’ve got right if you’ve got left.”

“Done,” Nico confirms.

They move in perfect sync, closing the distance before the guards can react. Nico’s hand clamps over one guard’s mouth while Killian’s arm locks around the other’s throat.

“Put them in the storage closet,” I hiss, already moving to open it. Atlas covers me, knife ready.

The guards struggle, but my men are stronger and we have the advantage of surprise on our side. Within seconds, both guards are dead. We drag them into the closet, but hear footsteps approaching just as we’re closing the door.

---