Page 90 of Bonds of Obsession

She searches my face. “You really think you can protect me?”

“I know we can.” I hold her gaze. “But you have to trust us. Can you do that?”

“I—” She swallows hard. “What choice do I have?”

“There’s always a choice,” I tell her. “But only one leads to freedom.”

Tears fill her eyes. “I want my baby to be free.”

“Then work with us,” Nico says gently. “Let us help you.”

She nods slowly and takes a deep breath. “What do you need me to do?”

“Is there cash here?” I scan the room. “Anything valuable we can grab quickly?”

Celine’s eyes dart to a painting on the wall—some abstract piece that’s probably worth more than most people make in a year. “Behind that. There’s a safe.”

“You know the combination?” Nico asks.

She nods, then pales. “But I can’t—he checks the cameras. If he sees me touch it?—”

“Hey.” I catch her gaze. “He’s not checking anything anymore. That money’s yours now.”

“He’ll kill me.” Her voice shakes. “Last time I even looked at it too long?—”

“Celine.” Atlas’s voice is gentle but firm. “He can’t hurt you anymore. We promise.”

“The cameras,” she whispers.

“Already looped,” Atlas assures her. “No one will see anything.”

Killian moves to the painting. “Show me where.”

She approaches slowly, like she’s fighting against invisible bonds. “Right here. Behind the left edge.”

He lifts the painting down carefully, revealing a wall safe. Her fingers tremble as she spins the dial.

“Seven right,” she murmurs. “Twenty-three left. Nineteen right.”

The safe clicks open. Inside, stacks of cash and jewelry spill out.

“Holy shit.” Nico’s eyes go wide. “That’s got to be at least half a mil.”

“Take it all,” I tell her. “Every fucking penny. You’ve earned it.”

She stares at the money. “I never—he wouldn’t even let me buy my own clothes.”

“Well, now you can buy whatever the fuck you want,” I say. “Consider it payment for everything that bastard put you through.”

She reaches for the cash with shaking hands. I dig out the duffel bag we brought and help her load it up.

“The jewelry too?” she asks.

“All of it,” Killian nods. “Everything you can carry.”

As she works, I keep watch on the door with my gun ready. Every second we stay increases our risk of getting caught, but I’m not going to rush her. Not when it comes to securing a future for herself and her baby.

A soft meow breaks the silence, and Celine freezes mid-reach. “Princess. Oh god, I forgot?—”

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