Page 134 of Bound By Revenge

Kat

Relief slams into me so hard my knees almost give out. She’s here. She’s safe.

For a moment, I just stand there, drinking her in, scanning her from head to toe. No blood. No bruises. Just Kat, looking as fiery as ever as she tears into Vladmir, her voice sharp with indignation.

Vlad looks like he’s about to snap, laying into her for lying about having my permission to leave by herself. Normally, I’d rip into him for daring to speak to her like that, but right now? Right now, I’m happy to let him do it.

“Dmitri,” I call out over my shoulder, not taking my eyes off her. “You and Vladmir—take Connor. Stash him somewhere secure for now.”

Kat whirls around at the sound of my voice, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Connor?” she asks, her voice rising. “You mean Connor Daniels? McGuire’s right-hand man?”

Unbelievable. My teeth clench, but somehow, I keep my voice even. “That’s what you have to say to me?” I take a step closer, my gaze locked on hers. “After breaking your promise and sneaking out without a word?”

Her smirk is pure sugar as she pats my cheek. “Oh no, are you mad,kotyonok? I’m sorry. I should’ve said something, but you were working so hard, I didn’t want to disturb you. I figured I’d be back before you even noticed I was gone. Anyway, I’m back now. No need to fight, right? Now, spill—what’s this about Connor?”

And then, she smiles at me. Shefuckingsmiles at me.

“Have you lost your goddamn mind?” I roar, my voice echoing off the walls. “You could’ve been killed! Do you even understand the shit that went through my head when I realized you were gone? And on top of that, you made me a promise, Kat.A promise you broke almost immediately. For what? A fucking errand?”

She sighs, exasperated, like I’m the unreasonable one here. “I get why you’re upset, Nik. I do. But I was fine. I knew I’d be fine. I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily. You’ve got enough to deal with right now. I’m sorry I upset you—I really am. I just figured I’d be back before you even noticed I was gone.”

“That doesn’t make it okay!” My voice rises as my anger boils over. “You went behind my back. Youlied. And for what? Tell me what was so urgent, so important, that you couldn’t wait or evenbotherto let me know!”

Her eyes narrow, the flicker of defiance in them stoking my temper. “If you must know, itwasimportant,” she snaps, her voice like ice. “I didn’t mean to upset you, but let’s get something straight—I don’t need your permission to leave, Nik. I appreciate your concern for my safety, and I’llconsiderit in the future, but don’t confuse that with thinking you own me.”

I step closer, barely restraining myself from shouting in her face. “You did not just fucking say that to me. Youpromisedme, Kat. You said you wouldn’t leave.”

She raises an eyebrow, her eyes sharp as a knife. “Actually, I didn’t. What I said was that I’d keep your request in mind. I did promise to stay out of trouble and be safe, which I did—whether or not you believe me. Now, Dmitri”—she turns her attention away from me like I’m no longer worth her time—“since Nik’s too busy throwing a tantrum to fill me in, care to tell me what Connor had to say?”

“Dmitri,” I snap, “don’t youdareanswer her. Get Connor out of here. Now.”

She rolls her eyes, her frustration barely masked. “Oh, come on, Nik. Don’t be like this. Dmitri, you know I’m in this just as much as anyone else. I deserve to know. What did Connor say?”

Dmitri’s gaze flicks between us, and I can practically see the gears turning in his head. I expect him to side with me—hispakhan, the man who’s been like a brother to him since he was a boy.

And then, the insubordinate idiot opens his mouth.

With a shrug that makes my blood boil, Dmitri spills everything Connor just told us. Kat listens intently, her eyes lighting up with every detail, while I can feel my temper snapping thread by thread. When he’s done, Dmitri glances at me, the gall of his apologetic look almost sending me over the edge. “Sorry, Nik. I’ll get Connor out of here now. Vlad, let’s go.”

“Get the fuck out of my sight,” I bite out.

The door clicks shut behind them, and Kat immediately spins to face me, her excitement bubbling over. “Nik, this changes everything!” she says, practically vibrating with energy. “Right? You have to agree with me now—maybe McGuire isn’t behind this. There’s no need to rush into war.”

I can barely think over the rage simmering under my skin. “This changes nothing,” I snap. “Of course Connor would say McGuire didn’t do it. He’d say anything to save his boss. How many times do I have to tell you? McGuire killed Maxim. An absurd story doesn’t change that. And it doesn’t even matter. McGuire attacked you, Kat. In broad daylight. That’s an act of war.”

Her excitement falters, her face crumpling with disappointment. “How can you say that? You're angry—you’re not thinking straight.”

I step closer, grabbing her shoulders, my voice trembling with fury and something far more vulnerable. “You’re not listening to me. And none of this matters right now. What matters is you lied to me. You left me. Do you have any idea what went through my head when I realized you were gone? Connor’s orders were totakeyou, Kat. Do you even realize what thatmeans? Do you have any idea what it would do to me if McGuire got to you?You left me,Kat. If I lost you—” My voice catches, and I swallow hard, barely keeping it together. “If I lost you… I couldn’t… I wouldn’t fucking survive it.”

Her defiance melts completely as she steps closer, her hands cupping my face. Her touch is warm, grounding, but it doesn’t even begin to douse the fire burning inside me. “Baby, I’m so sorry,” she whispers, her voice trembling with emotion. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You made me look like a fool in front of my men. You undermined me and endangered our plan to catch McGuire.You. Left. Me. You put yourself in danger. You betrayed my trust and you disobeyed me, Kat. And I can’t shake the feeling you did it just to prove you could.”

Her face hardens, ice replacing the softness in her eyes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Let me make one thing clear: You don’t own me. And I don’t owe you obedience. I had a damn good reason for what I did today. I did it forus. Right now, you need to trust me to come back to you. I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can—when it’s safe.”

“Tell me now.” My voice is sharp, burning its way up my throat. “Tell me everything. Make me understand. Help me trust you.”

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