Page 144 of Bound By Revenge

It’s normal to grieve. I mean, I didn’t just lose a man—I lost a dream. A vision of our future together, of my life with him. Thewhat could have been. And sure, maybe I also lost the best sex of my life. But it doesn’t matter. I chose this. Ineededthis.

Still, the memories don’t exactly play fair. Like the night we met at the gala. Him in his all-black everything, looking like sin incarnate, while I stood there trying to act like I wasn’t two seconds away from melting into a puddle. Or that night he held me through my nightmare, whispering soft words in Russian like I was the most fragile thing he’d ever touched.

And don’t even get me started on the aerobatic flight. Little did I know I was falling from cloud nine, literally and metaphorically, even as I held his hands like he was the only thing tethering me to the earth.

Oh, and God forbid I forget when he broke Vladmir’s hand for me. Because nothing says 'I'm crazy about you' like assault and battery.

It’s almost laughable, trying to square that Nik with the one who locked me in his freaking tower like I was somebratvaversion of Rapunzel. But here’s the kicker: they’re the same man. In the end, you always have to take the good with the bad—except sometimes the bad is shockingly bad. That’s why I had to leave.

I mean, sure, the thought of never running my fingers through his ridiculously soft hair again makes me want to scream into the void. Never hearing his gravelly voice whispersomething wildly inappropriate in my ear? Actual torture. But I walked away for a reason.

I didn’t get myself into this mess by choice, but I sure as hell got myself out of it. I chose me—my sanity, safety, and peace. And that’s what matters.

So yeah, maybe I’m miserable now, but it’s better than spending the rest of my life with him. Probably. Hopefully. No, definitely.

Nik might have been my weakness, but I can be my own strength. That’s why I have to let him go. He’s bad for my health.

And bad for my wine supply.

A soft, hesitant knock at my front door cuts through my pity party. Just in time, too—another minute, and I might’ve actually started believing my own lies. And where would that leave me?

For a second, I think about ignoring whoever it is. Pretend I’m not home. But that thought doesn’t last long. It’s probably A.J., checking in on me—or, more likely, showing up to celebrate cracking the other prize I snagged from thestronzo’ssafe. A flash drive. Not exactly the legendary Holy Grail or the glittering treasure you’d expect, given the trouble I went through to get it, but hey, if it solves ourstronzoproblem, I’ll take it.

Before I made my grand entrance at Nik’s office to hurl the Flame of Mir in his face—literallyandfiguratively—I handed the drive off to A.J. She’s been busy cracking its password protection or firewall or whatever it is she does when she's saving the day.

She deserves better than me playing possum behind a locked door. Especially after everything she’s done for me lately. And honestly? I wouldn’t mind the distraction. A.J. has this way of making me laugh when I’m too far in my own head, and I could use a little of that right now.

I set my pint of mint chocolate chip and wine glass on the cluttered coffee table and shuffle to the door. I paste on my bestfake smile, unlock the door, and swing it open, ready to greet my best friend.

Except it’s not A.J.

The smile drops off my face the second I see him.

Dmitri.

He’s leaning casually against the wall beside my door, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. Calm, cool, and as infuriatingly collected as ever. His pale blue eyes meet mine, sharp and unreadable, taking me in like I’m a puzzle he’s already solved.

The smile on his lips doesn’t even pretend to reach his eyes.

“Hiya, Kat,” Dmitri says, breaking the stunned silence. His voice is casual, smooth—like he’s run into me at the grocery store, not shown up unannounced at my apartment.

Perfect. Just what I needed.

“Dmitri,” I gasp, my arms crossing instinctively. “What are you doing here? And how do you even know where I live?”

He raises an eyebrow, giving me a mock-incredulous look. “Well, isn’t it obvious? I’m here to visit a friend. People still do that, right?” He pauses, smirking. “As if I didn’t already know your address. Who do you think did all the digging when Nik wanted intel on the woman who stole his diamond? And, dare I say, his heart? Yours truly, of course.” He grins, obnoxiously proud of himself. “Now, aren’t you going to invite me in?”

I tighten my arms across my chest. “Didn’t you hear? The Flame of Mir is back with its rightful owner. My debt to your boss is paid. We’re done, Dmitri. We have no business with each other. So, get lost.”

“Right,” he drawls, unfazed. “We’ll pretend that’s true for now. Anyway, can I come in?”

“Why?” I snap. “Did Nik send you? You’re not here to kidnap me, are you? Because I swear, I’m not going down without a fight this time.”

His eyes crinkle with genuine amusement as he laughs. “Thanks for the warning—I’ll keep that in mind. But no, I’m not here to kidnap you. Honestly, Kat, I’m offended you’d even think that. I thought we were friends. Don’t you trust me by now?” He leans in conspiratorially. “For your information, Nik has no idea I’m here. If he even suspected, he’d probably have my head.”

“Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes. “Nik would you get away with anything—even murder, I’d bet. Knowing you two, he probably already has.”

Dmitri grins. “I can neither confirm nor deny your accusations.”

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