Page 107 of Bound By Revenge

I turn to Dmitri, swallowing hard against the lump forming in my throat. “Please be careful,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “And make surehe’scareful, too. Look out for him… and yourself.”

Dmitri gives me a solemn nod, the teasing glint in his eyes gone. For once, he doesn’t have a quip, and that silence unnerves me more than anything else.

I draw a shaky breath, trying to summon the strength to say goodbye to Nik. But one look at him—those warm brown eyes, the slight sheen of his dark hair catching the light—and I crumble. Tears spill down my cheeks, and I launch myself into his arms, clutching his neck as if my life depends on it. My fingers tangle in the fabric of his sweater, my face pressed into the curve of his neck. The thought that this might be the last time I get to hold him breaks me, and the sobs come harder.

His arms tighten around my waist, pulling me closer. “Kiska,” he murmurs, his deep voice soothing even through my tears. He sighs, chuckling softly. “I’msoflattered, but there’s no need for all this. I’ll be fine. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

I pull back just enough to meet his eyes, my voice shaking. “I can’t believe you’re laughing,” I manage between sobs.

His lips curve into a faint smile. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to. How about this—when I get back, we’ll have dinner together. Anything you want—pizza, steak, lobster, you name it. Or, better yet… how about an actual date this time? And I do mean arealdate. Someplace nice. Romantic. Anywhere in the world. Your call. Let me try to impress you.”

I sniff, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “Just bring yourself home.”

He smirks, brushing a tear from my cheek. “I already told you I will. Now, be a good girl and get to my room. I’ll see you soon.”

“Promise?”

“I pinky swear,” he says, chuckling again, his eyes softening as they melt into mine.

With one final kiss to my forehead, he gently unwinds my arms from around his neck. I watch, hollow inside, as he and Dmitri disappear through the door.

I stand frozenin the foyer for what feels like forever, the tears drying on my cheeks. Finally, I drag myself to Nik’s room, my body heavy with exhaustion and worry. On any other day, I’d be excited to explore this prime real estate, but today, the luxurious furnishings and personal details blur into nothingness. I don’t care. All I can feel is the suffocating weight of despair as I sit on the edge of his bed.

I sniff, trying to swallow down the tears threatening to rise again. The faint, familiar scent of him—woodsy and clean, with just a hint of spice—fills the air, wrapping around me like a ghost. It’s too much. A painful reminder of the warmth of his skin against mine, the softness of his hair tangled in my fingers…

f I never get to feel him again, to kiss him, to hold him…

I close my eyes, desperate to escape the storm of emotions tearing me apart. But even in the darkness, there’s no reprieve. I see him—the mischievous glimmer in his eyes when we argue, the smug smirk when he knows he’s won. His laugh echoes in my mind, both infuriating and endearing.

There’s nowhere to go. No escape from the thought that I might never have him in my arms again. The realization crashes into me, leaving me breathless.

And worst of all—I didn’t even kiss him goodbye.

Before I fully realize what I’m doing, I’m on my feet, bolting to the bedroom door. My heartbeat thrums in my ears as I sprint down the hallway toward the elevator.

Two unfamiliar guards shout after me, their voices sharp with alarm, but I don’t slow down. I slip past them with ease. They have strength; I have speed—and the single-minded need to get to Nik.

The elevator ride feels like an eternity. My pulse pounds as each second drags on, my stomach twisting with dread. Finally, the doors slide open, and I’m in the garage.

It takes me only a moment to spot him. Thank God he hasn’t left yet. Nik stands with his back to me, speaking to a man I don’t recognize. Around him, his men exchange uneasy glances when they see me approaching. Their whispers grow louder, their eyes darting toward Nik, uncertain whether to step in or stand down.

As I close the distance, Nik’s back straightens, his shoulders stiff with tension. Slowly, he turns. The moment his gaze lands on me, disbelief flickers across his face. It’s quickly replaced by raw, unfiltered fury.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he thunders, his voice echoing off the walls. “I told you to stay inside. Youpromisedme!”

His anger flares even brighter when he spots the sheepish guards trailing behind me, out of breath and clearly outmatched. Nik’s dark eyes narrow as he rants, his words sharp and scolding, but I don’t hear a single one.

I don’t care. I don’t even pretend to care.

Closing the gap between us, I leap into his arms without hesitation. Reflexively, his hands grip my waist, catching me. Before he can yell another word, I'm already kissing him—hard. My lips crash into his, hard and desperate, my hands tangling in his sweater and hair as I pour every ounce of fear, frustration, and longing into the kiss.

For a moment, Nik freezes, too stunned to react. But then a low, guttural groan escapes him, and the fury in his body melts into something far more dangerous. His arms tighten aroundme, his lips moving against mine with an intensity that steals my breath.

Too soon, Dmitri clears his throat nearby, the sound loud and deliberate.

Reluctantly, Nik pulls back, his hands steadying me as he sets me on my feet. His lips brush against my ear as he whispers, “This isn’t over. We’ll finish this. Later.”

I nod wordlessly, my heart still pounding.

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