Page 93 of Bonds of Obsession

“You live,” I tell her firmly. “You take that money, you get far away from Detroit, and you live whatever kind of life you want to live.”

“But how?—”

“Stop overthinking it,” Atlas cuts in. “You have everything you need for now in that bag. Guard it with your life. Just get on a bus tomorrow, pick a direction, and start over somewhere new.”

Killian returns from his perimeter check, nodding once to indicate we’re still clear. “No one is going to find you,” he adds. “We made sure of it.”

“Why are you helping me?” she asks. “You don’t know me. You could’ve just…” She trails off, unable to say the words.

“Because that’s not who we are,” Nico says simply.

“Yeah, we might be vicious motherfuckers,” Atlas adds with a sharp grin, “but we try to be selective about who we hurt.”

I feel that deep satisfaction in my chest again. We managed to save her and her baby without compromising our position in the Syndicate. Let those other fuckers think we’re as cold-blooded as they are. We know the difference between necessary violence and senseless cruelty.

“We should finish up here,” I say, checking my watch. We need to get back to the city and make sure everything else went according to plan with the Syndicate.

Killian steps forward then, moving with that predatory grace that first drew me to him when he was just the Phantom. His voice is quiet but firm when he says, “There’s one more thing we need to do.” He pauses, his eyes fixed on Celine. “Hold out your left hand.”

We’re backin Noctura’s cavernous basement, and the bag in my hand feels heavier with each step down those stairs. Not from what’s inside it, but from what it represents—the lie I’m about to sell.

I’m not the only one dreading this meeting though. I’m pretty sure we’re all on edge after the night we’ve had.

“Let’s get this shit over with,” Atlas mutters behind me as we navigate the narrow stairwell.

“You’re not looking forward to watching these self-important lowlifes jerk each other off for the next hour or so?” Nico asks, feigning surprise.

“Fuck them,” Atlas grumbles. “Bunch of fucking snakes.”

We’re one of the first groups to arrive, aside from Malcolm and Elliot. I drop into a chair at the long table, with my men taking their usual positions right behind me.

“Well, don’t we all look like we’ve had an entertaining evening?” Imogen strolls in, her designer heels clicking against the floor. Her hair—usually perfectly coiffed—is wild, like she’s been running her hands through it. “I had to burn my favorite Gucci blouse.”

“Hazards of the job,” I offer a half-smile. “Try leather next time. Blood washes right off.”

Rafael comes in next with a fresh cut on his cheek that will probably need stitches. He gives me a slight nod as he takes his seat.

“Looks like someone put up a fight,” Imogen says, her voice carrying just enough edge to make Rafael’s jaw tighten.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” he answers with a smirk.

Cassandra sweeps in with her people, looking pristine and put together. Exactly as I’d expect. “I see I’m the only one who believes in showering after work.”

“Some of us aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty,” I shoot back, earning a few chuckles around the table.

Owen is the last to arrive, smelling of gasoline and smoke. “Traffic was a bitch,” he says, simply, as he walks over to his seat.

“Let’s begin,” Malcolm says once everyone has been seated. His cold gaze sweeps the table. “Cassandra?”

“Arturo’s security detail has been eliminated. All six of them.” Her lips curve up. “The last one tried to buy his life with information about rival operations.”

“Did you let him talk first?” Elliot asks.

“Of course.” Cassandra’s smile is all teeth. “Then I kept my end of the bargain. His death was quick. Quicker than the others, anyway.”

“Rafael?” Malcolm prompts.

“Drew him out exactly as planned.” Rafael touches the cut on his cheek. “Dangled the possibility of a major cocaine shipment in front of him. Even had fake product for him to sample. He started talking about his expansion plans, new territories, the works. Greedy fuck only got suspicious at the very end. He caught me with his pinky ring when I put the knife in him.”

---