Page 101 of Bound By Revenge

"He just winked at you, Kat." Dmitri sighs, shaking his head in exaggerated despair. “I never thought I’d live to see the day Nikolai Stefanovich would playfully flirt with anyone. I’m pretty sure I just witnessed a sign of the apocalypse.”

I roll my eyes, grabbing Dmitri’s arm. “Come on, Ken. We’re going for a ride.”

He laughs, letting me drag him toward the door. “Was that supposed to be an insult? Because it kind of felt like one.”

Turning back to Nik, I raise my chin defiantly. “No goodbye kiss for you this time.”

Nik sighs like I’ve truly wounded him, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “Wow. Six figures really don’t buy what they used to.”

I scoff, narrowing my eyes. “Six figures? Please. So much for you not underestimating me. For the record, I know exactly how much you’re worth. I I wouldn’t even get out of bed for anything less than a cool million.”

Nik leans back, his smirk growing more smug by the second. “Get something red, skimpy, and lacy, and I’ll consider it money well spent.”

Dmitri chokes on his laughter as I pin Nik with the sharpest glare I can muster as I stop by the door. “Feeling lucky today, are you?” I ask, arching an eyebrow.

Nik’s smirk grows into a devastating grin. “Ask me later tonight,” he says, winking again for good measure.

“Let’s go, Dmitri,” I say, grabbing his arm. “And don’t expect to come back until Nik gets a frantic call from the bank. I’m swiping his card until he’s on his knees, begging me for mercy.”

Dmitri chuckles, clearly amused. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Dmitri,” Nik calls out, his tone suddenly serious, stopping us before we make it out the door. “Keep her safe. If anything feels off, get her back here. Immediately.”

Dmitri grins, glancing back at him. “Relax, Nik. I’ll keep your littlekiskasafe and sound.”

“Watch it.” Nik grabs a paperweight and halfheartedly chucks it at him. Dmitri dodges it easily, laughing like he’s having the time of his life.

I roll my eyes, grabbing Dmitri’s arm as I tug him toward the door. “Come on, before he figures out what a terrible mistake he’s made.”

Dmitriand I drive in mostly comfortable silence, with him humming along to my playlist and tapping the steering wheel in time to the beat. I’d chosen the most bubblegum pop songs I could find, hoping to annoy him as payback for not siding with me earlier. Naturally, my plan backfired. Dmitri, being Dmitri, leaned into it, even bopping his head like he was actually enjoying the music.

By the time we hit the high-end boutiques downtown, my mood’s improved despite myself. A happy sigh escapes me as we step into one of my favorite stores, the blissfully cool air-conditioning a welcome escape from the heat outside.

“See? Not so bad, right?” Dmitri teases, grinning.

“I guess not,” I mutter with a shrug, feigning indifference.

He smirks, scanning the store. “You know, if I had a billionaire handing me his black AmEx card and saying ‘go nuts,’ I wouldn’t waste a second pouting about it

“Pouting?” I echo, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugs. “Don’t get me wrong—you pull it off beautifully. Probably why Nik gave you the card in the first place.”

“Are you saying I’m all looks and no brains?”

“Not at all,” he says quickly, holding up his hands. “Believe me, I know better than to underestimate you. Besides, you’ve clearly got more brains than the rest of us put together. I mean, look at Nik. You’ve got him wrapped around your finger.”

“Dmitri…”

“What? It’s true,” he says with a grin. “Congrats,kiska. You’ve accomplished the impossible.”

“You’re gonna get yourself in trouble,” I warn, though I can’t help smiling.

"Please." He scoffs, clearly unconcerned. “I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger.”

“Oh, is that right?” I laugh.

“Damn right. If anyone should be worried, it's you. No matter what happens, you're not allowed to fall in love with me. I mean, talk about cruel and unusual punishment…"

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