Page 170 of Bound By Revenge

He has the balls to smirk at me. “Nik, I pity anyone who stands between you and yourkiska.”

“You’re not welcome here. Leave now, and I’ll spare your life. Again.”

He freezes in place, then slowly turns to face. “Careful, Nik. It was one thing for you to make empty threats when I was nothing but your mostly loyal associate, but those are fighting words now that I’m the head of my own family. And for the record, I was invited.” He holds up his invitation, waving it at me.

Of course he was.

I turn to Kat, keeping my voice low. “Please tell me you didn’t invite him.”

Not a hint of shame clouds her expression. “Well, obviously, Idid.This is a happy day. We should celebrate with our loved ones. Like Dmitri.”

“Dmitri is our enemy. He killed my best friend and kidnapped you. He was going to kill you!”

“Well, yeah, but he did it for love, so it’s totally fine. I’ve forgiven him. Who are we to judge?” she whispers, stabbing my chest with her finger. “It’s not like you haven’t killed or kidnapped people before, right? Hell, you kidnappedme, mister.”

I grab her hand to stop her poking. “That’s completely different, and you know it. I can’t believe you invited him. Do I need to remind you he’s the fuckingdonof the Italians now?”

“I don’t care if he’s the prince of hell himself; Dmitri is family. He belongs here, so I invited him. You’re welcome.”

Dmitri and his bodyguards finally find seats, and the officiant clears his throat, looking at us questioningly. Vladmir looks at me expectantly, awaiting for my command.

I’m tempted to have Dmitri dragged out, but Kat squeezes my hand, blinking up at me with big, blue eyes, and I sigh, resigned to my fate. “You’re lucky I’m crazy about you.”

She grins slowly. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

“I’m going to give you a chance to make it up to me. Later tonight. I strongly suggest you don’t waste it. Now, are you ready to do this?”

“To marry you? Nik, I was born ready.”

“Sweet talking me won’t save you, but by all means, carry on.” I turn to face the officiant. “Go on.”

As the man speaks, Kat pins me with her searing gaze. Everything else fades away until I’m convinced the two of us are the only people in the room.

Something about the way she looks at me makes my breath hitch, as if she’s making me a promise no one else can hear.

Falling in love with her had been like stepping into quicksand. the more I tried to resist her, the deeper I sank. It wasn’t long before I realized there was no way out.

When the time comes to exchange our vows, sounding so proud to be marrying me, she says, “I do,” in a breathy, trembling voice.

This is happening.I’m really about to get married. This woman isreallygoing to be mine.

My turn. I meet her eyes. As I’ve done countless times by now, I let her spell take over. Over the sound of my roaring heartbeat, I hear myself say, “I do.”

The wedding band is like a brand around my finger. It fits me perfectly, but the urge to keep touching it is almost irresistible—as if this is the only physical proof I have that tonight isn’t a dream.

Of course, when my hand shakes as I slide her ring onto her finger, she smiles, even as her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

When the officiant announces, “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Kat and I release a pent-up breath.

A new promise shines in her gaze, and this one drives me wild.

Burning in her eyes is… forever.

Chapter 61

Kat

You’d thinkNik had just pulled off the greatest con of all time.

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