Page 104 of Bound By Revenge

“Go, go, go!” Dmitri yells, and for once, I don't argue.

We sprint through the narrow alley, the sound of our pursuers close behind. My lungs burn, and my legs feel like they might give out, but adrenaline pushes me forward.

Just as we burst onto the main road, salvation comes in the form of a yellow cab. The sight is so perfect it feels like a mirage.

“Over here!” Dmitri waves frantically at the driver, his voice rising above the chaos.

The cab screeches to a stop, and Dmitri doesn’t waste a second. He practically shoves me inside before barking Nik's address at the driver. “Drive. Don’t stop for anything. I’ll make it worth your while.”

The cab speeds off, and I turn to Dmitri, my mind racing. “Shouldn’t we try to lose them first?” I ask, glancing nervously out the rear window.

He shakes his head, his jaw sett. “No point. They already know where we’re headed. The penthouse is the safest place for you. If they had the guts or the gear to go after it, they’d have done it already. Trust me, Kat—it’s a fortress. No one gets in or out without Nik's say-so.”

I nod, trying to calm my pounding heart, but his next words make my stomach drop.

“Fuck,” Dmitri mutters, staring at his phone. “He hit us hard.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my voice shaking.

“McGuire torched half a dozen of Nik’s properties. Right after we left.” Dmitri exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair. “Nik must be out of his mind right now.”

“Is he okay?” I ask, my throat tightening as panic claws at me.

“I'm sure he’s fine,” he says firmly, though his jaw is clenched. "Like I said, the penthouse is a fortress. This is just a scare tactic to flush Nik out.”

“Flush him out? You think this is about baiting him?”

He nods grimly. “Why else send his men after us in broad daylight? They wanted you. They wanted leverage.”

“Damn it, Nik. Pick up the fucking phone,” Dmitri mutters, his jaw tight as he clutches his phone.

“He’s not answering?” I ask, my voice climbing a pitch. “Oh, God, Dmitri—what if something’s happened to him?”

“Nothing’s happened, Kat,” he says, his tone firm but not unkind. “If it had, I’d know by now. He’s probably just busy.”

“Well, keep calling him,” I say, my words rushed as I dig into my bag with trembling hands. “I need to hear his voice to know he’s okay.” I pull out my phone and dial Nik’s number, pressing it to my ear as my heart pounds.

But the line rings endlessly, unanswered.

By the timethe cab pulls up to the penthouse, neither of us has managed to get through. Dmitri pulls a thick wad of cash from his pocket, slaps it into the driver’s hand, and practically yanks me out of the car.

“Come on,” he says, his tone clipped as his eyes scan the area.

He moves quickly, dragging me toward the entrance and ignoring the curious glances from people in the lobby. Withinseconds, we’re in the elevator, and Dmitri lets out a loud exhale, leaning back against the mirrored wall.

“I’m sure Nik’s upstairs waiting for us,” he says, flashing me a tight smile. I can’t tell if he’s trying to reassure me or himself.

The elevator dings, and as the doors slide open, Dmitri fades into the background of my mind. I step out, my chest tightening as I take in the chaos before me.

The penthouse is pandemonium. Men move with military precision, speaking in rapid-fire Russian as they strap on bulletproof vests and check their weapons. Guns—so many guns—are being passed around, and for a moment, I’m sure I spot grenades in someone’s hands. My stomach churns.

I sway on unsteady legs, my breath catching when my eyes land on Nik. He’s standing near the far wall, tucking a pistol into his waistband, his face set in stone. Relief crashes over me like a tidal wave, and I force my shaking legs to move.

“Oh, thank God you’re fine,” I breathe, my voice trembling as I finally reach him.

At the sound of my voice, Nik’s head snaps up. His dark eyes lock on mine, and his entire body tenses for half a second before he’s moving, shoving his men aside like they’re nothing. By the time he reaches me, I’m already throwing myself into his arms.

He catches me, his grip almost painfully tight, and buries his face in my hair, pressing frantic kisses to the top of my head.

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