Page 58 of Bound By Revenge

I accept them with a nod and slip out of the office, clutching the disks tightly before he can change his mind.

After slippinginto a red silk dress, I find Nik waiting by the penthouse door. He’s in an all-black suit and shirt, looking so devastatingly handsome it hurts me. I don’t even try to hide my appreciation, letting my gaze linger as I take him in from head to toe.

Spinning once to show off my outfit, I stop just in front of him and tilt my head. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” he says, adjusting his cufflinks without sparing me a glance

“Thanks. It was disgustingly expensive. You bought it.”

“I figured. Ready to go?”

“Just lead the way, boss.”

He sighs like I’m the biggest annoyance in his life, shooting me that unamused look I’m starting to know all too well. Without a word, he holds the front door open, motioning toward the foyer.

We step into the elevator, and he punches the garage button before retreating to the farthest corner, leaning one shoulder against the wall, as far away from me as he can get. As if being stuck in this confined space with me is too much to handle, and that extra distance is the only thing keeping his self-control in check.

Charmed, I smile and lean against the opposite wall, fully facing him. “Can I ask you a question?” I say, trying to catch his eyes dart everywhere except toward mine.

He sighs again, deeper this time, like he's already regretting entertaining this. “Can I stop you?”

I shrug. “Probably not. Tell me about Dmitri.”

His glare sharpens. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“Nope. I’m just curious. I know he works for you, but it's obvious you care about him. Are you two family?”

“Not by blood,” he says, finally turning to face me. “His mom worked for me. She made the best borscht I’ve ever had.”

“What happened to her?”

“She passed away a couple of years ago. Cancer. Lovely woman,” he says, his tone softening. “Dmitri was just a teenager when I hired her. I guess you could say I watched him grow up. Somewhere along the way, the lines blurred. He’s like a little brother to me now.”

“What about his dad?”

“He was never in the picture. She raised him on her own.” His expression darkens, and he shakes his head, disgust flickering across his features.

The elevator stops, and the doors slide open before I’ve settled on anything to say. Nik steps out, leading me toward a sleek black limousine waiting in the garage. Without a word, he opens the door, his movements precise and efficient. I slide onto the rich brown leather seats, the cool air-conditioned interior awelcome change from the stifling humidity outside. He follows, sitting across from me.

“You never told me where we’re going,” I say, adjusting my dress so the slit slides higher, exposing just enough leg to catch his eye.

If he notices, he doesn’t let on. “My accountant’s engagement party is tonight. I was going to skip it, but since you’re obviously feeling fine, I figured we might as well go.”

“Oh,” I say, blinking at him in surprise. “This is a date, then? I thought it was a work thing.”

The look he gives me could wither a lesser woman. "It is absolutely a work thing. For your information, McGuire and I share the same accountant. I’d bet good money he’ll show up tonight, which means you might as well get started.” He pauses, reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulling out a small object. “Which reminds me—I want you to wear this.”

In his hand is a tiny recording device, barely bigger than a fingernail. I take it without protest, peeling off the adhesive backing.

Sticking it to the skin between my breasts, I lean forward slightly, batting my eyelashes to give him an unobstructed view of my cleavage. “Can you spot it?”

His jaw tightens as he shakes his head, looking anywhere but at me.

“Are you sure?” I ask, leaning just a touch closer. “Maybe you should check again—just to be safe.”

“Kat,” he mutters, his voice low and threaded with warning.

“What?” I reply, all feigned innocence as I sit back. “Just making sure I’m doing it right. Speaking of which, what’s the big plan for tonight?”

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