Page 88 of Bound By Revenge

“Oh, Patrick,” I reply, forcing a light laugh as his gaze drifts lower than is appropriate. “You’ll get me in trouble.”

He leans in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. “I’m game if you are. Just lose the Russian, and we can have some fun.”

My skin crawls at his words, but I keep my mask firmly in place, tilting my head just slightly. “You make it sound so simple.”

“It can be,” he says, his grin widening. “What’s stopping you?”

I sigh theatrically, feigning uncertainty. “Well, Nik can be... difficult. I wouldn’t dare do anything to provoke his anger.”

McGuire chuckles, moving even closer. “I can protect you, sweetheart.”

“Can you?” I ask, raising an eyebrow as if intrigued. “It’s just... I’m not sure. It feels like a big risk.”

He straightens slightly, his tone turning insistent. “No, no. Tell me what I need to do to show you I can protect you from him.”

“Well, there’s one thing…” I say, letting my eyes go wide as I add just the right note of hesitation to my voice. Inside, I cringe at the theatrics, but McGuire doesn’t seem to notice. His gaze fixes on my lips, glazed with interest. The hook is set.

I take a slow breath, mentally rehearsing how to nudge the conversation toward my real goal. If I can plant the idea that having proof he took Maxim’s life would convince me he’s strong enough to stand up to Nik, I’ll have something useful. Hopefully the recording device will pick up his confession above the crowd noise. I’m right on the verge of reeling him in when a familiar, firm hand wraps around my waist, pulling me back against a broad chest.

Startled, I glance up and meet Nik’s dark brown eyes, locked on mine, unreadable.

“Hi there,” I say, keeping my voice neutral, though my curiosity is piqued—and my irritation. His timing couldn’t be worse.

“Hi,” he replies, his tone deceptively soft. “I’ve missed you.”

I turn to face him fully, angling my body to hide my expression from McGuire. My eyes narrow as I shoot him a look that says exactly what I’m thinking:What are you doing?

Nik, of course, ignores me completely. His attention shifts to McGuire, his tone turning cold. “McGuire.”

“Nikolai,” McGuire replies smoothly, smirking like the cat who got the cream. “We were just talking about you.”

“Were you now?” Nik’s brow arches, his voice laced with a dangerous edge.

“Absolutely.” McGuire’s grin widens, but he steps back. “If you’ll excuse me, though, my guests are waving me over. I think they’re begging for my famous card trick. You must let me show it to you later, Kat.” He winks at me. “We’ll finish our chat then.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I reply with an easy smile, adding a wink of my own for good measure.

Satisfied, McGuire trots off toward a group of drunken men, their raucous laughter welcoming him like a hero returning from battle.

Nik doesn’t waste a second. His hand clamps around my wrist, and he drags me toward a shadowed corner by the railing. The moment we’re out of sight, he spins me around to face him, his dark eyes blazing with fury.

“What the hell was that?” he demands, his voice low and sharp.

I yank my wrist free, glaring up at him. “I could ask you the same thing! What were you thinking? I wasthisclose to getting him to tell me everything. We could’ve had a recording of his confession if you hadn’t barged in!”

He stares at me, incredulous, then lets out a sharp, humorless laugh. “McGuire wouldn’t confess to Maxim’s murder in the middle of a goddamn party. And he sure as hell wouldn’t do it with me anywhere nearby.”

“You don’t know that,” I shoot back, crossing my arms. “He flat-out told me to ditch you for him. And if you can believe it, he even promised he’d protect me. Fromyou.”

He freezes, his body going stiff. “He did what?” he roars.

I take a step back, already knowing what’s coming. Sure enough, his head swivels, his eyes scanning the terrace for McGuire.

“What are you doing?” I hiss, stepping in front of him. “What’s wrong with you”

“What’s wrong with me?” he repeats, his voice rising, each word vibrating with fury. “How the fuck can you ask me that? It’s one thing for him to flirt with you in front of me—that’s just him trying to get under my skin. I can deal with it. But openly trying tosteal you? Promising to protect you from me—while I’mright fucking here?” His voice cracks, shaking with rage. “That’s too much, Kat. He’s asking for it now.”

He steps forward, his hand sliding to my waist to move me aside. “Let’s see how well he can protecthimselffrom me.”

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