Page 46 of Bound By Revenge

“And who’s going to punish you for having me kidnapped in the first place?”

Chapter 20

Kat

"I'msure you'll punish me," Nik whispers, his words hot against my skin, "just like you have so far, over and over, in every way imaginable.”

A low laugh vibrates from his chest into my back, making my stomach flutter.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Shh.” His mouth brushes my ear. “You’re tense again. Just relax. Forget I said anything.”

“Nik—”

“Just focus on the footage,” he murmurs, his lips still close enough to make my pulse race. “Look, there’s Connor slipping away.”

I glance at the screen, catching sight of McGuire’s enforcer ducking out of the garden.

"McGuire kept himself in full view of the cameras all night, but Connor managed to slip away a few times," he murmurs, his thumbs working firm circles into my neck. "And thanks to my new favorite thief, the museum’s interior footage has unfortunately vanished—but I’d bet good money Connor was out handling McGuire’s dirty work.”

I try to focus on the video, to pretend his hands aren’t kneading the tension from my shoulders. But it’s pointless—his touch is downright sinful, drawing me in.

As we appear on the screen—me wrapped in Nik’s arms on the dance floor—his hands press firmly into my neck, grounding me in the moment. A low laugh rumbles in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “Ah, there you are,” he murmurs, nuzzling the back of my neck. “And I still can’t keep my hands off you…”

“Nik…” I whisper, but I don’t even know what I mean to say. Stop? Or more?

“There’s Dmitri, your newfriend,” he says, drawing out the word.

Dmitri’s easy to spot on the screen. A blonde with a stunning figure chats him up, while he shifts uncomfortably, glancing around. He quickly pulls out his phone and slips out of frame without a second thought.

“I thought blondes had more fun,” I joke, watching Dmitri dodge the poor girl with a fake phone call.

“Looks like brunettes are more his type—if today’s anything to go by,” he mutters, his tone laced with amusement.

“Can you blame him?” I ask, shifting my hips back until I’m pressed closer to him

“Not at all.” His voice drops, the weight of his words lingering. “What Dmitri lacks in respect for authority, he more than makes up for in his taste in women.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You know he was just messing with you at breakfast, right? Trying to get under your skin.”

“I know. It’s his favorite pastime.” Nik shrugs lightly, his tone softening before turning firm again. “I’m not worried about Dmitri. He knows better than to cross the line.”

I glance over my shoulder, intrigued. “And what line would that be?”

He holds my gaze, unflinching. “Trying to take what’s mine.”

I scoff, turning back to the screen. “I’m not yours, if that’s what you’re implying.”

“Could’ve fooled me. From where I’m sitting, it sure looks like you are.”

“You’re delusional. Newsflash: working for you doesn’t make me yours.”

“Keep telling yourself that,kiska.”

“Is that Russian for ‘babe’? Because I can’t stand men calling me babe.”

His mouth brushes my ear. “Maybe it’s Russian for ‘mine’.” He nips my ear, and I turn to give him a withering look.

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