Page 155 of Bound By Revenge

Nik nods. “Of course. Just let me say goodbye to Kat first.”

Dmitri hesitates, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. “I promise I won't try anything,” Nik assures him calmly. “As long as you let her go, you have my word I'll go with you without a fight.”

Surprisingly, that's all Dmitri needs. He releases me without a second thought, gently nudging me toward Nik. I rush into his arms, my whole body shaking.

Nik holds me tight against his chest, burying his face in my hair. The familiar scent of him—woodsy with a hint of spice—fills my senses. He's warmth, strength, home. For the first time since storming out of his office, the tension drains from my body, like it instinctively knows I'm safe now.

I sob incoherently into the fabric of his shirt. “Nik..."I just got him back. I can't lose him again.

He presses a soft kiss to my hair before gently tilting my face upward. His eyes meet mine, glittering with warmth and unmistakable affection. The dim light casts soft shadows across his features, highlighting the sincerity in his gaze.

“Kat,” he says softly, a small smile on his lips. With effortless ease, he snaps the plastic ties around my wrists. The sudden freedom stings a little, but I hardly notice.

“Everything's going to be just fine,” he assures me.

“Liar,” I manage between sobs. He chuckles softly.

He brushes a stray tear from my cheek before pressing a brief kiss against my forehead. “Here's what's going to happen,” he says gently. “I want you to go outside and find A.J. She's waiting for you—I somehow convinced her to stay in the car.”

I frown, gripping his shirt. “No way. I'm not leaving without you.”

“Oh yes, you are,” he replies firmly. “You'll meet up with your friend, then find Vladimir and let him protect you—at least until Dmitri settles things with his father and Salvatore deals with McGuire. After that, you'll be free from all this shit.”

“I don't want to be free from you,” I whisper, fresh tears spilling over.

Nik's smile turns bittersweet.

“Nik...” Dmitri calls out urgently from behind me.

Nik glances over my shoulder, giving Dmitri a quick nod before looking back at me.

“Now, listen to me, Kat,” Nik says, his tone low and firm, leaving no room for argument. “Whatever happens next, I need you to know how sorry I am for all the hurt I’ve caused you. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but if it means anything, I’d give up every cent I have and every breath I’ve got left for the chance to make it right.”

“Nik,” I cry, the words catching in my throat. “Stop. You can’t go with him?—”

He shakes his head, his eyes locked on mine, fierce and determined. “If I don’t see you again—if I never get another chance to earn your forgiveness or your love—I need you to know something." He takes a deep breath, like he’s pulling thewords from somewhere deep inside him. "From the moment I met you, nothing in my life was the same. Meeting you was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If this is where it ends for me, don’t feel sorry for me. I got to be with you. That made my life worthwhile.”

Tears stream down my face, hot and unrelenting. “Don’t say that. There has to be another way?—”

His hands cup my face, thumb brushing a tear off my cheek. His touch is soft, but his voice isn’t. “This is the way,” he says firmly. “If my life is the price for yours, I’ll pay it. Every time. But you have to promise me something.” His gaze holds mine, steady and unyielding. "Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

“I can’t,” I whisper, shaking my head. “Nik, I can’t?—”

“Kat,” he says, gripping my shoulders just enough to make me listen. “Promise me.”

His dark brown eyes hold mine, filled with strength, certainty, and something I can't refuse—desperation. My heart shatters into pieces, but I nod, my voice shaking. “I promise.”

A small, sad smile tugs at his lips, and he leans down to kiss my forehead. His lips linger against my skin, warm and soft. “Good girl,” he murmurs, his voice like a final caress.

I clutch his shirt, my hands trembling hands. “Tell me this isn’t goodbye,” I whisper, barely able to get the words out. “Tell me I’ll see you again.”

Nik’s smile deepens as he studies my face, his eyes tracing every line like he’s trying to commit it to memory. His hand slides up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly across my skin. “Are you kidding me?” he scoffs, but there’s a crack in his voice, the smallest tremor that betrays him. “I told you, remember? Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

The words hit me like a blow because I know—this time, he doesn’t mean them. He can’t. This is goodbye, and we both know it.

My face must give me away because he pulls me into his arms, holding me so tightly I almost can’t breathe. “Shh,” he whispers into my hair, his voice shaking now. “Don’t cry,kiska. I can’t stand it when you cry. You’ll break me.”

“And I can’t stand losing you,” I whisper, clutching him tighter.

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