Page 85 of Bound By Revenge

But before I can make good on my promise, a voice grates behind me.

“Ah, Kat,” McGuire says smoothly, his presence enough to ruin the moment. “There you are.”

Kat pulls back, shooting me a heated look before turning to face him with a polite smile. “Here I am, Patrick.”

“Would you like that tour now?” he asks, holding out his arm like some pompous ass.

She glances at me, her eyes flicking to mine in a small, subtle question only I would catch. It’s a tiny shrug, a silentShould I?

I nod. I hate it, but I nod.

As McGuire leads her away, she looks back at me, blowing me a kiss he doesn’t catch.

I wink in return, though my fists clench at my sides, every muscle in my body straining against the urge to rip him apart limb by limb for touching what’s mine.

Chapter 33

Kat

I still thinkwe should give it a shot,” I say, my voice low as I swirl the champagne in my glass.

Nik sighs, running a hand through his dark hair, which gleams under the terrace lights. My turn to sigh. His hair is my kryptonite. Then again, let’s be honest—hiseverythingis my weakness.

“I thought we had an understanding,” he says, voice low but firm.

“No.Youtried to lay down the law, andIacted like I agreed—fully intending to make you see things my way when the right moment came.” I lean closer, dropping my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “This is the right moment.”

“It’s too risky,” he mutters, jaw tightening as he takes a measured sip of his drink.

“Oh, come on. What’s the worst that could happen?” I wave a hand at the terrace around us, gesturing at the crowd of McGuire’s guests. A burst of laughter erupts nearby, rowdy and unrestrained, drowning out the soft strains of the band playing in the background.

Nik's eyes narrow. He shakes his head slowly. "Make no mistake—this crowd won't stop McGuire if we cross him.”

“Seriously, he won’t think anything of it.”

His expression remains flat, completely unconvinced.

“He won’t,” I insist, pushing my point. “He practically bragged about Erin when he gave me the house tour. If he spots me talking to her—and that’s ahugeif in this crowd—he’ll just think I’m curious after hearing so much about her.”

He sighs heavily. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

I flash him a sweet smile. “Nope. You know me too well already,kotyonok.” Rising on my toes, I plant a kiss on his cheek.

He tries to look stern, but I catch the way his lips twitch, fighting a smile. His disapproving act doesn’t fool me for a second.

“No need to butter me up. You already got what you wanted,” he grumbles, though his hand slides to the small of my back as I brush a kiss against his lips. “Go ahead, talk to Erin. But for the love of God, be careful. We’re outnumbered tonight, at least two dozen to one. And the last time someone I cared about got involved with Erin McGuire... things didn’t end well.”

I give him a playful salute. “Got it. Your wish is my command,” I tease, turning to leave.

His hand snaps out to grip my wrist. “I mean it, Kat. Don’t tell her anything you wouldn’t want McGuire to hear.”

I nod, my expression serious. “I won’t. Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” I reassure him, squeezing his hand lightly. “I’ll be right back.”

He studies me for a second longer, then lets go, though his eyes stay locked on me as I walk toward Erin.

I force myself to keep my pace casual as I approach her. She’s leaning against the balustrade, her soft brown hair spilling over her shoulders, lost in thought as she gazes into the night.

“Hey,” I say, keeping my tone light as I lean against the railing beside her. “You’re Erin, right? Your dad was just telling me about you. I’m Kat Devereaux.”

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