Page 139 of Bound By Revenge

"It might not be simple, but Kat, you... You just don’t get it, do you?" His voice trembles, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that steals the air from the room. "You’re everything to me. And by some miracle, you seem to care about me, though God knows I don’t deserve it." His jaw tightens, and he leans forward slightly, the movement making him wince. "I don’t think you understand the lengths I’d go to make you happy. I’ddo unspeakable things to keep you with me forever. To make you feel even a fraction of what I feel for you. To make you..." He pauses, swallowing hard, his gaze searching mine. "...to make you love me.”

The air between us thickens, and I can’t breathe, can’t blink, can’t move a muscle as his words hang there, raw and exposed. I stare at him, speechless, my chest so tight it feels like it might break.

He exhales sharply, a flicker of something vulnerable crossing his face. "I’m going to be honest with you," he says, his voice dropping to a rough whisper. "If you don’t kiss me right now, I think I might die. And it won’t be the bullet or the blood loss that does me in—it’ll be you. You, you merciless, heartless woman." His lips twitch in the faintest trace of a smile, but his eyes glisten, unguarded and sincere. "You hold my heart in your hands, and I don’t think you even know it. So put me out of my misery—come here and kiss me. After yesterday, after today..." His voice breaks, and he swallows hard. "I need to know. I needyou. Let me know we’re fine.”

Something half sob, half gasp tears its way out of my chest, and before I can think, I’m on his lap, throwing my arms around his neck, and kissing him hard, with everything I have. The world blurs, every fear and doubt swept away by the sheer relief of him, of us.

He grunts in pain against my lips, his body tensing beneath me. "Easy,kiska. My shoulder?—“

"Oh, shit," I gasp, pulling back instantly, my hands hovering near his chest. "Nik, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to?—“

"I didn’t say stop," he cuts me off, his voice firm despite the rasp of pain. His eyes lock onto mine, fierce and unyielding. "Don’t you dare stop.”

Tears prick my eyes, and despite everything, I smile. A shaky, watery smile, but a real one. I nod, leaning in to kiss him again,this time softer, slower, every touch a silent promise of more. "Bossy," I murmur against his lips, my smile pressing into his.

"You love it," he whispers back, his voice low and hoarse, a hint of a smirk playing against my mouth.

God help me, I do.

Chapter 50

Kat

The soft hissof fabric sliding into place is the only sound in the room. My hands tremble as I fasten the strap of my bag, every movement deliberate, precise. This is it. My one shot. If I don’t leave now, it’s over—for A.J., for me, for Nik.

I glance toward the bedroom door, cracked open just enough for me to hear if he stirs. Nik should still be asleep. He was pale and drained when I left him resting, his body finally giving in to exhaustion. He needs the sleep. And I need him not to wake up. Not yet.

Guilt twists in my chest, but the consequences of him knowing the truth are impossible to ignore. If I tell him everything now—about thestronzo, A.J., the diamond—it will be the end of him. He’d try to handle it himself and avenge me, and in his condition, he’d get himself killed. And if I don’t go tonight before the stronzo's reinforcements arrive, A.J. is dead. We’re all dead. There’s no other way.

I tighten the strap of my bag, my heart hammering as I creep toward the foyer. Each step feels like wading through quicksand. My window is closing.

"Going somewhere?"

Nik’s voice freezes me in place, low and sharp, cutting through the quiet like a blade. I spin around, my heart sinking as he steps into the room, his eyes dark and locked onto mine. He’s still shirtless, his shoulder freshly bandaged, but he’s on his feet, moving with grim determination. His gaze locks on me, pinning me in place.

"Nik," I manage, my voice trembling. "You’re supposed to be in bed."

"And you’re supposed to be here," he growls, his voice low and sharp as he steps closer. "Not sneaking out like a goddamn thief in the night."

I straighten, meeting his eyes. "I wasn’t sneaking," I say quickly, adjusting the strap on my shoulder. "I have to go. I’ll be back soon, I promise."

His jaw tightens, the muscles ticking. "Like hell you will." His voice hardens, and his jaw tightens as his gaze drops to the bag slung over my shoulder. "What’s in the bag, Kat?"

I hesitate, my pulse pounding in my ears. "It’s nothing. Just… just some things I need. Go back to bed. Please. I'll be right back—I swear."

"Don’t lie to me," he snaps, closing the distance between us. His eyes burn with fury, but there’s something else beneath it—something raw and desperate.

"Nik, I don’t have time for this," I say, my voice rising with urgency. "I have to leave. This is really,reallyimportant. If I don’t go now, it’s over. A.J. needs me."

I half expect him to lose his cool completely, but he surprises me. "Tell me what's going on."

"I... I can't. Not yet. But soon. Please, Nik. This might the most important thing I've ever done in my life. Just let me go."

He grabs my arm, his grip firm but not painful. "Take me with you."

I shake my head, panic bubbling up. "I can’t do that. You’re hurt, baby. You can barely stand without wincing. You’d only slow me down."

"Then take Dmitri," he says through gritted teeth. "Or anyone else. But you’re not going alone."

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