Being ruthless, use connections to mete out acts of unkindness (9)

'acts of unkindness' is the definition.
'cruelties' can be an answer for 'acts' (cruelty is a kind of act). I'm unsure of the 'of unkindness' bit.

'being ruthless use connections to mete' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'ruthless' could be 'cruel' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'cruel' is found in the answer.
'connections' could be 'ties' (tie is a kind of connection) and 'ties' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'out' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?