Page 165 of Bound By Revenge

For the first time in what feels like forever, I am utterly, completely satisfied. Finally I feel complete—whole. All the years I spent yearning, craving, and dreaming have led to this man. I could never have imagined anything so perfect.

He lifts his head from my chest, his dark, intense eyes finding mine. He studies my face like it's a puzzle he needs to solve, the weight of his emotions written in every line of his expression.

As I gaze at his dear face, all these now-familiar emotions spread to every inch of my body. Before, I’d told myself it was just attraction—an infatuation that would pass. I’d thought I could keep my feelings under control. But looking at him now, I finally understandeverything.

His lips curve into the faintest smile as he leans in, brushing his nose against mine. “I love you,” he whispers, his voice deep and unsteady. “Completely, hopelessly in love with you.” He presses a soft, lingering kiss to my lips, so tender it makes my chest ache.

Tears prick my eyes, and my chest feels heavy as I whisper back, “I love you, too. With every part of me.”

His lips leave a trail of featherlight kisses across my cheeks, my forehead, my eyelids, each touch full of reverence and devotion. “I’ll love you every single day of my life,” he murmurs against my skin, his voice thick with emotion. “And if there’s an afterlife, I’ll love you there, too.”

I lose myself in his gaze, in the unmistakable truth I see reflected there. Every ounce of love he feels is laid bare, offered to me without reservation—all mine for the taking.

Once upon a time, I’d despaired at what I thought was my cursed lot in life, certain I was doomed to long for things I could never have.

Now, as my heart swells with more love than I ever thought it could hold, the truth finally sinks in.

I have everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

It’s all mine.

Chapter 59

Nik

“Easy-peasy!”Kat whispers to herself as she slips into the dimly lit chamber, a nondescript cloth bag slung casually over her shoulder. Her delicate heels click softly against the marble floor, and she walks like she's done this a thousand times before—completely unaware of my presence.

She hasn’t spotted me yet. As far as she knows, I’m supposed to be over a hundred miles away—and I was. But the meeting wrapped up earlier than expected, so I came home, deciding to relax and wait for her to return from whatever "errand" she claimed to have.

“Did you get anything nice?” My voice cuts through the silence, echoing off the walls.

She freezes mid-step, her spine straightening like a wire. There’s a sharp intake of breath—almost imperceptible—before she slowly turns to face me, her face splitting into a too-wide grin.

“Nik,” she says sweetly, her tone far too light, her eyes darting like a cornered rabbit’s. “You’re home early, my love. What a… wonderful surprise!”

My gaze drops to the bag she’s subtly trying to shift behind her legs, and I raise a brow. “I’m sure you paid for all that,” I say dryly.

She blinks twice, like she’s debating whether to spin a tale or fess up. With a sigh, she plants her free hand on her hip. “Maybe not with money, exactly,” she says with a shrug. “But I’d argue I earned it fairly. In a way.”

My lips twitch at her audacity, but I hold my ground. “Oh, this should be good. I can't wait to hear it.”

Her eyes flick to the ceiling in mock contemplation. “Well,” she starts, “I certainly paid for it with the sweat off my back.”

I let my eyes roam over her deliberately, from the pristine waves of her hair to the polished sheen of her designer heels. Not a hair out of place, not a hint of exertion anywhere.

She rolls her eyes at my expression, flapping her free hand dismissively. “Figuratively speaking,kotyonok,” she adds, her tone dripping with exasperation.

I sigh, tired but amused, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “So,” I say, my voice calm but firm, “who did we steal from today, Kat?”

“Don’t worry about it,” she says with a dismissive wave of her hand. “This guy.”

“Thisguy?” I echo, my voice sharpening.

She shrugs, utterly unfazed. “Yeah. A.J. said he broke her heart and told me to knock myself out as far as he was concerned. And since we owe her, like, until the heat death of the universe for saving our lives a few dozen times, I figured it was the least I could do. Just this once, of course. Plus, you were busy with work, so I thought you’d appreciate me keeping myself busy. You know, to distract myself from the unbearable torment of being away from you for, what, three hours?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Five. And I do. But I also have half a mind to turn your ass red for endangering yourself. Again.”

She scoffs, rolling her eyes like I’m the unreasonable one. “Oh,please! Nobody even saw me. The idiot won’t even notice something’s gone formonths. You should’ve seen his place, Nik. Disgusting. Total pigsty. Honestly, I felt like I was doing a public service.”

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