Page 91 of Bound By Revenge

“The plan,” Nik says, scanning the distance ahead, “is to make it to the car without running into McGuire’s men. Less talking, more jogging, Kat. Ditch the shoes if you have to. I’ll have to carry you if you don’t pick up the pace.”

His sharp tone stings, enough that I falter mid-step, but he softens almost immediately, lifting my hand to his lips for a quick kiss, even as he keeps moving. “Sorry,” he murmurs. “I shouldn’t have brought you here.”

“No harm, no foul,” I manage, though my heart is racing for more than one reason.

“I can’t believe I thought it was a good idea to bring you here,” he mutters under his breath. “Can’t believe I dragged you into this mess.”

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s not like you actually abducted the girl. I mean… you didn’t, right?” I glance at him sideways, my tone teasing but not entirely sure of the answer.

Nik’s lips curve into a wry smile. “Not this time.”

“Well, good. And for the record, I was risking my neck long before you came into my life,” I quip, stumbling again as my heels catch in the grass.

Nik’s eyes darken with something fierce. “Kat,” he says firmly, his voice brooking no argument, “I’m getting you out of here. Safe. No matter what.”

I sigh, exasperated but strangely reassured. “I know, Nik. But running from an angry mob army is not exactly my area of expertise. So, lead the way, and I’ll follow.”

The look he gives me is so intense, so scorching, I half expect it to set me on fire right there. Without warning, he stops short, spinning me into his chest with enough force to make me gasp. Before I can process the movement, his lips crash into mine—quick, rough, and full of unspoken promises. When he pulls back, a smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“There’s the garage,” Vladmir cuts in, pointing to a large building a few dozen yards away.

We hurry toward it, sticking to the shadows, my hand still firmly clasped in Nik’s. When we reach the back of the building, my frustration boils over at the sight of a locked gate separating us from the car. Behind the bars, I can see it—a gleaming, dark mirage sitting just out of reach. So close, yet maddeningly far.

Vladmir slams his fist against the gate, the dull clang echoing in the tense night. Nik mutters a curse under his breath as we frantically scan for a way to open it. No keys. No panels. Nothing.

The voices of McGuire’s men grow louder, closing in with every passing second.

“We’ll have to make a run for it,” Nik says, his jaw tight with frustration. “On foot. Kat, lose the shoes. I can carry you, but it’ll slow us down.”

“If we’re fast enough, we might lose them in the woods,” Vladmir says, scanning the darkness.

“Wait,” I say, narrowing my eyes at the garage. “I think I see an access panel. It has to control the gate. I can climb in, lower it, and drive the car out. Hand me the keys.”

Nik follows my gaze but doesn’t move. “I don’t know, Kat. What if it doesn’t control the gate? Or you can’t figure it out? You’ll be trapped in there.”

“I know this will work,” I insist, determined. “And if it doesn’t, I can climb back out. Then we make a run for it.

Nik glances over his shoulder, tension etched in every line of his body. The shouts and footsteps of McGuire’s men are louder now, closing in fast. “We don’t have time for this,” he says, his jaw tight. “We need to move. Now.”

“Nik.” I lock eyes with him, stepping closer. “This is our best chance. I can do this. I know I can. You just have to trust me.”

He stares at me, his hesitation clear. For a moment, I think he’s going to shut me down. Then, with a sharp exhale, he digs into his pocket and tosses me the keys. “Fine. But be quick.”

I grin, my heart pounding, and grab his jacket, pulling him down for a quick, heated kiss. Before he can react, I pull away and sprint toward the gate. With a running leap, I grab the top of the gate and swing myself over. A twist of my hips and a push with my legs, and I swing myself over, landing in a crouch on the other side.

Vladmir lets out a low whistle behind me. When I glance over my shoulder, Nik’s expression is a mix of amazement and irritation, though warmth flickers in his eyes

“Show-off,” Vladmir mutters, though his tone is impressed.

With a smirk, I wink at them. “Told you—mad skills, baby,” I call out, already jogging toward the panel.

“Kat…” Nik says, his tone somewhere between exasperation and amusement. But his eyes stay locked on me, burning with a heat that makes my chest tighten.

“I’d say this amazing display of breaking-and-entering brilliance comes with a price,”I tease, glancing back at Nik with a smirk. “But I doubt you could afford me.”

Nik groans, dragging a hand down his face. “You can hustle me for everything I’ve got later—if we survive this. Now, hurry.”

“Relax,kotyonok. For you, this one’s a freebie,” I say, winking at him.

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