Page 125 of Bound By Revenge

I laugh softly, though the words make my chest tighten. “Not likely. But your line of work just might. What’s going on today?”

He raises an eyebrow, his lips twitching in the beginnings of a smirk. “Believe it or not, my life isn’t usually this exciting. Most days, the biggest danger I face is dying of boredom. Then you come along, and suddenly I don’t have a moment’s peace.”

“And you love every second of it. Don’t even try to deny it,” I quip, brushing my lips against his neck. He chuckles, and I nip his earlobe, making him hum low in his throat. “For the record, I’m not buying it. I can’t be that exciting—or dangerous—to thepakhanof the freakingbratva. Now quit stalling. Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I have to drag it out of you?”

His eyes darken, his hands sliding to my hips to pull me against him. “I’d love to see you try.” The hardness against my stomach makes his meaning crystal clear.

I try to hold my poker face, but his teasing is almost too much. “Stop trying to distract me. Just talk.”

His sigh comes slow and heavy, the corner of his mouth twitching like he’s still holding back a grin. “It’s nothing you need to worry about. I’ve got it handled. It’s just… frustrating. McGuire’s gone to ground. No one seems to know where he’s hiding. We’ve checked everywhere—every damn place connected to him—and still nothing.” His words come out clipped, and I can feel the tension in him.

The tension in his voice makes my stomach churn, but I try to sound steady. “Well,” I say, running my fingers along his shoulder, “it’s only a matter of time. He can’t hide from you forever.”

“You’d think,” he mutters, the bitterness sharp in his voice. “But sitting here, knowing he’s out there somewhere, is enough to drive me insane.”

I want to beg him to let it go. But I know better. So instead, I run my hand up his chest and press a kiss to his jaw, willing the knot of worry in my chest to loosen. “You’ll figure it out.”

He clenches his jaw, his voice tight. “The man killed my best friend and tried to take you from me. There aren’t words to describe how much I want to get my hands on him and end this nightmare.”

I rise on my toes and kiss him softly. “You will, Nik. But you’ve got to take care of yourself in the meantime. If you don’t manage your stress, you’re going to burn out—or worse. I don’t want to see you making yourself sick over this.”

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine.”

I arch a brow, not letting him off the hook. “Sure. And being on the edge of a full-blown tantrum every day is totally healthy. That temper of yours can’t be good for you. And let’s face it—you’re not exactly a spring chicken.”

His scowl is instant, and his outrage is almost comical. “A tantrum? Really? I’ve never thrown a tantrum in my life. And for the record, I’m in my thirties, not my eighties.”

I smile sweetly, keeping my tone calm. “Whatever you say, baby. But my point still stands. You need to be at your best when McGuire shows his face. That means taking it easy now. I know you’re trying to do right by me and Maxim—and I love that about you. But I want to see you well, and I know Maxim would’ve wanted the same.”

I expect him to argue or crack another joke, but instead, his face falls. His brows draw together, and he lets out a heavy sigh. With a kiss to the top of my head, he untangles himself from me and walks toward the windows behind his desk.

For the first time, the heavy drapes are pulled back, letting sunlight spill into the room. He shoves his hands into his jeans pockets and stares blankly at the view, his posture rigid.

I watch him, confused by his reaction. “Nik?” I ask carefully, stepping closer.

He doesn’t turn. “I wish I could say I believe that.”

“Believe what?” I press, my voice soft.

“That Maxim would want me to be well.” His words are quiet, but the bitterness in them is impossible to miss.

My stomach twists. I close the distance between us, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Why would you say something like that? You don’t mean it.”

He exhales heavily, like the weight of it all is pressing down on him. “I knew Maxim better than anyone, Kat. After everything I put him through... I’m not so sure he would’ve wanted me to be okay. I never got to make things right with him. McGuire made sure of that.”

“You loved him, Nik. And he knew that. You made mistakes, sure, but who hasn’t? He was your best friend. Of course he’d want you to be happy.”

He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. His gaze stays fixed on the skyline as his voice drops. “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

Chapter 46

Kat

“Why don’tyou just tell me, then?” I ask softly.

Nik doesn’t answer right away. He stares straight ahead, like he’s seeing something only he can. Finally, he lets out a long sigh.

“It’s not a nice story,” he says quietly. “And it doesn’t make me look good. But if we’re doing this—if you’re really staying—you should know.”

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