Page 57 of Bound By Revenge

Behind him, Dmitri chuckles softly.

“What are you doing out of bed?” Nik’s voice is low, edged with irritation. “I hope you’re not ignoring medical advice just to snoop around my office.”

“What can I say? You’re too intriguing and irresistible. I couldn’t help myself,” I reply breezily. Dmitri laughs louder.

Nik narrows his eyes at me, clearly not amused by my wit. “You should be in bed. Resting. As the doctor ordered.”

“I’m more than happy to go back to bed,” I purr. “If you agree to join me. Although I can’t promise we’ll be doing much resting.” I wink.

Nik sighs heavily and turns to his desk, rifling through a stack of papers. The way he pointedly ignores me doesn’t bother me in the slightest. After last night, I know I’m chipping away at his Siberian cold exterior.

“Hiya, Kat,” Dmitri says, grinning.

“Hello, Dmitri. You look nice today,” I say, letting my gaze trail over his light gray suit. The color sets off his dark blond hair and makes the pale blue of his eyes even more striking. The way his broad shoulders fill out the jacket doesn’t hurt, either. He smiles at me, and if I’d met him before I knew Nik existed, my heart might have skipped a beat.

“Thank you. I was hoping you’d notice. You, on the other hand, look stunning every day. More than stunning, actually.”

I laugh, genuinely charmed, as Nik’s coffee mug lands on the desk with a deliberate thud.

“Don’t you have somewhere to be, Dmitri?” Nik asks, his words clipped, every syllable dripping with barely restrained annoyance.

Dmitri shrugs, as casual as ever. “Not really. But since you’re so obviously busy, Nik, I’d be happy to keep Kat company. Can't have her feeling lonely in that big bed while she’s... resting.” His tone carries an air of faux innocence, but the innuendo is crystal clear.

Nik stands abruptly, sending his chair clattering to the floor. “That’s it. You’re done. Get out.”

Dmitri smirks at me, clearly unbothered, while I cross my arms over my chest.

“Come on, Nik. You said I wasn’t your prisoner,” I point out. “You said I could have friends over.”

Nik’s gaze locks on mine, his intensity scorching. “Not this insolent fool.And most certainly not in your bedroom.”

I shrug and turn to Dmitri. “Oh well. You heard the boss-man. Rain check?”

“Kat,” Nik growls, his voice thick with warning.

“I guess I better bounce,” Dmitri says with an exaggerated sigh. “But I’ll see you soon, Kat.”

“Yeah, I hope I’ll see youverysoon,” I reply, my tone teasing. Before he leaves, I fish a candy from my pocket and hold it out to him with a grin. “Life Saver?”

Nik storms over, grabbing my arm and spinning me to face him. His breath brushes my lips, his dark eyes burning into mine as he growls, “If you’re looking for trouble, you’ve found it.”

Dmitri chuckles. “Don’t worry, Kat He doesn’t mean it. My heart’s taken, anyway.

Intrigued, I give Dmitri a curious glance, but my attention remains locked on Nik, captivated by the fiery intensity radiating off him.

Before I can ask Dmitri anything about his cryptic confession, Nik narrows his eyes at me, cutting off any chance of a follow-up. “Dmitri, I believe I told you to get lost. I won’t say it again. And as for you, Ms. Devereaux, if you’re well enough to play games, you’re well enough to work. Get dressed. Put on something nice. We’re going out.”

With that, Nik strides back to his desk, effectively dismissing both of us.

Dmitri smirks at me, throwing a final wink my way as he saunters toward the door. “Good luck,” he whispers under his breath before disappearing.

On my way to my closet to follow Nik’s orders, I pause, my gaze landing on the CDs scattered across his desk. “Are those copies of the surveillance footage you showed me?”

Nik glances up, his brows lifting slightly. “Yes. Why?”

“Mind if I borrow them?”

He tilts his head, clearly surprised by the request. After a moment of consideration, he shrugs, grabs the stack, and hands them to me without a word.

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