Page 24 of Bound By Revenge

His eyes burn into mine, and I feel shaken to my core. He’s the most delicious man I’ve ever encountered, but fate has a cruel sense of humor, so I can’t have him.

“Okay,” I mumble once I realize I’ve been staring at him in silence. “Thanks, I think. That’s great to know. I wouldn't agree to this if it was just swapping one problem for another.”

He sighs. “Here’s something you should know,” he says, his voice low. “I’m not in the business of having others do my dirty work for me. And I’m not letting that bastard take anyone else from me. As long as you stick to our understanding, you’re under my protection.”

The confidence in his words leaves me reeling. I know I can take care of myself, but there’s something positively irresistibleabout a man as powerful and devastating as Nikolai fiercely vowing to protect you.

I know I’m stepping into a deadly game, but it’s not like I have a choice. Siding with him is my best chance to survive long enough to fight another day.

“Very well. I accept your terms. You’ve got yourself a deal,” I say, sealing my fate—for better or worse.

Chapter 13

Nik

I’mglad I’ve won this round, but I know the war with Kat is far from over.

She agreed to my demands, but it was far too easy. She’s not defeated, only saving her energy for another battle—one she thinks she can win. I have a feeling we’re just getting started.

Even though I hold her life in my hands, I know she’ll challenge me every step of the way. A strange mix of exhaustion and excitement stirs in me just thinking about it.

She’s a complication—a necessary one, since I need her help to catch Maxim’s murderer. But her presence, the emotional outbursts she stirs in me, is an added problem I must handle.

Instead, I find myself obsessing over the most meaningless concerns—such as, would she still welcome my touch? Did she think of me as while we were apart?

It was obvious she was hiding something when I asked about the Flame of Mir. She didn’t even try to hide her reluctance to reveal anything that might help me. Sure, she denied being involved in Maxim’s murder, but I didn’t expect a confession in the first place.

“Very well. I accept your terms. You’ve got yourself a deal,” she says, squaring her shoulders.

“Good girl. You’re making the right choice. Since we’re on the same team now, let’s get you out of these cuffs. They’re probably chaffing you by now.” I pull the key from my pocket and kneel beside her. Unlatching the leather restraints, I try to stay as detached as possible. But then my fingers graze her wrist, impossibly soft under my touch. I fully intend to pretend nothing happened—until I hear her sharp intake of breath.

I glance up, my fingers stilling where they rest on her arms. Her eyes lock with mine, and I’m held captive by their deep blue beauty, just like the first time I gazed into them.

I half expect her to look away, to break the connection, but she inches closer. A slight movement, almost imperceptible, but I’m so attuned to her—so desperate to make up for all the time lost I last saw her—I notice every shift, every sound, every breath.

This is dangerous. I shouldn’t let this pull win, shouldn’t lean in closer, but her effect on me is overwhelming. Without thinking, I wrap my hands around her wrists, bringing her closer, driven by the need to taste her again.

She doesn’t pull back, even after being abducted and restrained by me against her wishes. Her eyes widen, but her only response is a soft sigh, and we’re close enough that I can feel her warmth radiating into me.

She shouldn’t want this any more than I do. But here we are, giving in to this unspoken connection that defies logic. The realization that she wants me as much as I want her is too much to resist.

I lean forward, careful not to break this spell. Her erratic breath hits my lips, and I’m seconds away from closing the distance when she presses a hand to my chest, stopping me.

The haze clears, and over the thundering beats of my heart, she clears her throat. “Nik,” she murmurs. She doesn’t need tosay anything else. I know where this is going, and for once, I’m grateful she had the sense to stop it. I wouldn’t have.

I sit back, turning away from her to catch my breath, needing a moment to clear my head.

“Nik,” she repeats, her tone firm, “we agreed to keep things professional.”

“I know.”

“This whole situation is already complicated enough. Throwing in hot, passionate sex would only make it worse.”

“I know, Kat,” I reply, more sharply than I intend. I can’t let her keep talking abouthot, passionate sexright now, not with my control hanging by a thread.

“Well, excuse me for pointing out the obvious, but it didn’t seem like you were keeping that in mind a moment ago.” Her eyes narrow. “You know, when you were staring at my mouth and leaning in as I lay here, chained to your freaking bed.”

“First of all, this isn’t evenmybed—technically. It’s a bed I own, yes, but?—”

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