Page 105 of Bound By Revenge

“Kat,” he rasps, his voice rough and low. “What's wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “Now that I know you’re okay.”

Nik pulls back just enough to study me, his hands cupping my face as his eyes scan me from head to toe, his frown deepening with each second.

“Are you hurt?” I ask, my voice shaking as my fingers skim his chest and shoulders, searching for any sign of injury.

His lips twitch into a small, exasperated smile. “Why would I be hurt?” he asks, his tone light but confusion still lingers in his eyes.

“Dmitri told me McGuire attacked thebratva,” I say.

“A few warehouses,” Nik replies, his voice soft. “No one was there. No one’s hurt. He’s just trying to bait me.”

He glances past me to Dmitri, his expression hardening. “Why the fuck didn’t either of you answer your phones?” His voice rises, fury creeping in. “Once I got word McGuire hit us, I tried calling to tell you to come back. I sent Vladmir to fetch you. I was out of my mind, thinking they might track you down. Thank God they didn’t. Thank God you’re both safe, that’s all that matters. But pick up your fucking phones next time.

Dmitri opens his mouth, but I beat him to it. “You don’t know.”

His brow furrows. “Don’t know what?”

Dmitri steps forward, his tone grim. “Connor came for us,” he says. “Bold as fuck, Nik. Guns blazing. Downtown, broad daylight. They were looking for Kat.”

The room goes deathly quiet. Every guy in the penthouse freezes, their eyes darting to Nik.

“Hewhat?” Nik roars, his fingers tightening on my arms.

Dmitri shakes his head grimly. “I'm serious. We barely made it out.”

Nik’s hands fall from my arms, only to lift my chin. His dark eyes scan my face like he’s trying to reassure himself that I’m still in one piece. Then his gaze flicks to Dmitri, inspecting him for any sign of injury.

“Did they hurt you?” he asks me, his voice so soft it makes my chest ache.

I shake my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips. “Nope. My knight in shining armor, Dmitri, came through like a pro. Five stars, no notes. This damsel in distress is thoroughly impressed.”

Dmitri opens his mouth, an undoubtedly inappropriate comment hovering on the tip of his tongue. But his smirk vanishes when Nik turns his glare on him. “Don’t even think about it,” Nik warns, his voice low and lethal.

For once, Dmitri wisely stays silent.

Nik’s hands return to my face, tilting it up to meet his gaze. “You’re never leaving my sight again,” he murmurs, deadly serious. “Not at least until McGuire’s dead and gone.”

I laugh softly, rising onto my toes to plant a quick kiss on Nik’s cheek. “You’re so cute when you’re worried.”

His eye twitches, and his expression darkens instantly. “Cute?!” he echoes, his tone dripping with disbelief, as if I’ve just insulted him in the worst way. He looks poised to put me in my place, but before he can, we’re interrupted.

“We got him,” Vladmir announces, striding into the room, slightly breathless. “Lucien sent word of McGuire’s location. I’ve confirmed it—just saw the bastard with my own eyes. He’s holed up near the port, in a studio a block south of the docks.”

Nik doesn’t even pause to think. “Let’s go.”

His men spring into action immediately, their movements efficient and practiced. Within moments, the room is nearly empty, the silence that follows almost deafening.

My relief is short-lived as I watch Nik prepare to leave with them. My stomach twists when he slips a knife into his waistband, followed by another tucked expertly into his boot.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” I ask, crossing my arms as I step in front of him.

He gives me a puzzled look. “You heard Vladmir. We’ve got McGuire.”

“Yeah, and I just watched your little death squad arm themselves to the teeth. They’ve got this, Nik. Let them handle it.”

He lets out a humorless laugh, low and sharp. “You think I can just sit here while McGuire takes a shot at me, my men, and worst of all, you?”

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