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“Do you knoho I am?” asked Julian

Killian sat there in silence, dabbing at his face Eventually, he shook his head

“Good,” declared Julian “But I knoho you are We all do And those guys over there…” he nodded toward the doorway “They’ve got friends and brothers and cousins People you would never want to meet, especially under these circumstances”

Julian pulled his foot back and threw a thunderous kick Rather than strike the defenseless bookie, it snapped the front leg off the couch and sent Killian rolling to the floor again

Before he could scraet up, Noah dropped a boot on his chest He held him pinned there like a turtle on its back, totally defenseless

“If we have to come back here,” said Julian, “that’s it It’s the last time It’s the end, Killian For this place For you For everything”

The rily Their faces were scowls

“Now… tell us you understand”

Killian sneezed, and a bubble of blood came out There was alarm now, mixed in with the fear The last tension went out of his body, his shoulders slu as he broke

“SAY IT,” I snarled, reaching down for his throat

“I… understand”

I stopped ly and nodded

“Whatever debt this man owed you is paid in full,” said Julian finally “You forfeited thathiht now, and taking anything that isn’t nailed down”

The state the rooood deal of money in it, too

But eren’t here to rob anyone That just wasn’t our plan