Page 29 of Bound By Revenge

Not that it matters. Even if I had something that could hurt him, what would it accomplish? There’s nowhere I can go where Nikolai Stefanovich won’t follow me. Besides, thebratva’spakhancertainly has many bodyguards lurking around his home. I doubt I’d get far before one of them caught me.And if his guards are anything like the two that captured me, well, I’ll take my chances with him. At least he’s easy on the eyes.. And I like how he touches me much, much better—even when he spanks me. If I’m being honest myself,especiallywhen he does.

If I want to get out of here, my best bet is to play along and give him what he wants as fast as possible. It’s my only hope.

I still can’t believe he spanked me—or that I let him. Even worse, I enjoyed it. Nik kidnapped, drugged, and chained me up, but the second his hand slips under my skirt, I start positively purring for him in ten seconds flat.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen, indeed. I can’t even keep my dignity around him.

I know this attraction is dangerous, that I should have resisted him, especially after learning who he really is. But it’s as if I can’t control myself.

There’s no time for this kind of weakness. I have bigger problems to handle. A.J. needs me. Thestronzois still out there, and Nik… well, he’s the last kind of trouble I need right now.

No, I’ll treat this as another job. Eyes on the prize, give Nik what he needs, and get away from him as fast as possible.

I take a deep breath and start smoothing my hair, pulling it into a loose knot. I force myself to look calm and composed. If I can look professional, maybe I can act professional, too.

Now if only I could figure out how to pull that off without a stitch of clothing…

Chapter 15

Kat

I headtoward the door Nik exited through, surprised to find it unlocked. It would be just like him to lock me in again, just to mess with me.

The hallway is quiet—too quiet. Like the bedroom, it’s sleek and minimalist, bathed in soft off-white with cool marble floors beneath my bare feet. I hesitate, standing in the doorway for a moment. The idea of wandering around Nik’s penthouse completely naked has my stomach in knots, but I have no choice.

I take a deep breath and step out into the hallway, every sound I make amplified in the silence. My pulse races with every step, my skin prickling as if someone might catch me at any moment.

The hallway seems to stretch endlessly, doors lining either side. I try the first one, hoping for some kind of miracle. It’s just a bathroom—pristine and intimidatingly large. No help there.

I move to the next door, heart pounding, and push it open. Relief washes over me when I realize it’s a bedroom—his.

Dark wood paneling and deep, masculine tones dominate the space, the rich leather of a chair in the corner gleaming faintly in the low light. It’s not what I expected. The room feels... unpretentious, yet indulgent, like everything in it was chosenwith comfort and pleasure in mind. A dark part of me wonders if he’s like this about everything.

The faint scent of his cologne lingers in the air, a mix of spice and something darker. I can’t help but inhale it, begrudgingly intrigued by how effortlessly it fits him. My gaze sweeps the room, taking in the neat stacks of books on the nightstand, the expensive-looking watch left casually on the dresser.

And the bed.

It’s massive, almost absurdly so—the dark blue sheets perfectly smooth, the pillows arranged with military precision. It dominates the room, a sharp yet lush contrast to the tidy, practical minimalism around it. Something about it—its sheer size, its dark, inviting presence—makes my cheeks heat. I can’t stop myself from picturing him there, sprawled out and perfectly at ease, lounging like he’s the ruler of his own kingdom.

I force myself to look away, crossing the room quickly. The open closet catches my eye immediately. It feels oddly personal, stepping into his space like this, but what choice do I have? The rows of tailored suits and crisp button-downs stand like soldiers, perfectly pressed and prepared for action. I grab the first thing I can reach—a crisp white shirt—and slip it on, the soft cotton cool against my skin.

The oversized shirt falls to mid-thigh, barely decent but enough to make do. I roll up the sleeves, cinching the fabric around my arms. A part of me hates how good it feels, his scent clinging to me like a second skin.

My nerves are still on edge as I step back into the hallway, glancing over my shoulder as if someone might appear. I can’t help but wonder who else might be lurking in this sprawling penthouse. Nik’s men? A housekeeper? A girlfriend?

I pick up the faint smell of coffee and spices, and my stomach growls, reminding me of my hunger. Following the scent, I makemy way through the penthouse, the marble floors growing colder beneath my feet.

Finally, I reach the kitchen. I pause in the doorway, spotting him immediately. Nik’s back is to me as he reaches for a wine glass on a high shelf, his broad shoulders flexing beneath the fresh black cashmere sweater he’s changed into. His jeans hang low on his hips, the denim hugging him in all the right places.

I hesitate, torn between entering the room and turning back. Against my better judgment, I stay, watching him silently for a moment.

Then he turns, catching me mid-stare.

Nik freezes, his gaze locking on me. His eyes sweep over me, lingering on the oversized shirt barely covering me. For the first time, he looks… rattled. His usual smirk falters, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows.

“Oh,” he says finally, his voice thick. “There you are. Took you long enough.”

I tug at the hem of the shirt, suddenly hyper-aware of how little I’m wearing. “I got lost,” I mutter, trying to sound casual.

---