Page 123 of Bound By Revenge

He kisses the top of my head. “You know, the Romans believed Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that first night.”

“Or maybe,” I tease, “I’m just a great fuck.”

His grin turns wicked, eyes gleaming. “Oh, you absolutely are,kiska.”

I pat his chest with a smirk. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“Good,” he says, brushing his fingers over my hair. “Because you’re stuck with me. Don’t bother unpacking those bags—I’m having all your things moved to our bedroom tonight. Your apartment’s next. You’re not going anywhere.”

“Our bedroom?” I echo, arching a brow. “Do I get a say?”

“Sure you do,” he says with a grin. “If you don’t like it, I’ll move my things here—or wherever you want. Hell, if you hate this place, I’ll buy us a new one. Whatever it takes, as long as I’m where you are.”

“Is this your way of asking me to move in?” I ask. “Because that ship sailed the moment you kidnapped me and chained me to a bed.”

“You’re so dramatic,” he says with a laugh. “I’m not asking, Kat. I’m telling you—I’m done spending my nights away from you. You’re out of your mind if you think you’ll sleep anywhere but in my bed.” His eyes darken with intent as he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous murmur. “Try it, and I’ll chain you to it again. No hesitation.”

I can’t tell if he’s joking or serious. Likely the second, knowing him. Either way, it doesn’t matter—there’s no place I’d rather be than in his arms.

But then my thoughts drift back to the necklace around my neck. To the diamonds he gave me as an apology.

Nik doesn’t apologize easily, and I know what this gesture means. It’s his way of showing me he’s sorry—not just for our argument, but for the fact that he can’t give me what I truly want. It’s his way of apologizing for the life he can’t ever walk away from, for who he can’t stop being. The truth is, I feel bad too. I wasn’t fair to him. I made him feel like I might not stay, like he had to defend the life he never tried to hide from me.

I glance at the glittering necklace in the mirror, and my chest tightens. The man who gave me this gift is the same man I betrayed. The man I stole from.

I hate that our relationship began with the theft of the Flame of Mir. I hate that thestronzomight still have it. That it’s probably in his hands, like Nik’s loss was just another prize I handed over.

And I hate that this betrayal still hangs between us. Even if Nik doesn’t bring it up, I feel its weight. It’s a reminder of the lies and broken trust that started everything.

Our fight earlier was about the future—about what kind of life we could build together in his dangerous world. But maybe the first step to giving us a real chance is setting the past right.

If the Flame of Mir is still out there, I have to get it back. I owe Nik that much. Not just because I care about him, but because it’s the only way to erase the shadow of betrayal from our relationship. I need him to know that I may not always get it right, but I’ll always clean up my own mess. It’s not like he hasn’t done the same for me.

“Chain me to your bed, huh?” I ask with a laugh, pressing a kiss to his lips. “You’d have to catch me first.”

Chapter 45

Kat

“You’ve completely lost your mind,”A.J.’s familiar voice snaps, dripping with astonishment.

I stifle a sigh, forcing my most reasonable tone. “If you’d just listen to me for a second instead of yelling at me?—”

“Why? What difference would that make?” she shouts, her voice practically vibrating through the phone. “There’s nothing you could say to make this less insane. You want to steal from the head of the freaking Italian mafia, Kat!”

“Will you please just hear me out?” I ask, exasperation seeping into my voice.

She’s not moved. I’m not even sure she hears me. I lost her the second I mentioned helping me figure out where thestronzois keeping the Flame of Mir.

“Snooping around this man’s business is what got us into this mess in the first place!” A.J. hisses.

I feel compelled to correct her. “No. Getting caught snooping around his business got us into trouble. All we have to do is not get caught this time.”

“Oh, that’s it? Just don’t get caught? Wow, Kat, why didn’t I think of that? Brilliant plan.”

“Hey, you know what they say—faint heart never won fair lady. Luck favors the bold. And the prepared. Yada, yada, yada. Which is why I’ve come to you, my best and most resourceful friend. Because that’s what friends do—they help each other out. Like I helped you when thestronzocaught you, remember that, A.J.?”

My indignant tone barely fazes her. After a decade of friendship, I guess that’s to be expected.

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