Page 167 of Bound By Revenge

“My biggest accomplishment,” I say, giving her ass a firm squeeze, “is being loved by you.”

She smirks, her eyes sparkling. “And I’ll never let you forget it.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Don’t I know it.”

Her smile dims as something more serious creeps into her expression. I know what’s coming before she even open her mouth.

“Did you see him?” she asks softly.

I nod, my throat tightening. “Yeah. Lorenzo was there too.” My brow furrows. “Apparently, they’ve been spending a lot of time together. Talking. Or so it seems.”

After Giuseppe Salvatore—the stronzo, as Kat prefers to call him—got what was coming to him, his nephew Lorenzo took over. The kid’s a massive improvement over his uncle. Lorenzo never shuts up about how Giuseppe was only an uncle by marriage, though, like it somehow clears him of guilt by association.

Still, I can’t help but respect him. He’s trying. He hates being the newdon—he’d rather party his life away than deal with politics—but he’s doing what he has to do. He’s been working tobring order to the chaotic ranks of the Italian family. I don’t envy him—he has his work cut out for him. But he’s made of better stuff than Giuseppe ever was, I’ll give him that.

“How’s he doing?” Kat asks quietly, and I know she’s not referring to Lorenzo.

“Dmitri is…” I exhale sharply. “He’s not doing great, Kat. Barely even looked at me this time. It’s like I wasn’t there. It’s like I don’t exist. When he does speak, it’s only to ask about her.”

The girl. After Salvatore’s death, we found her in a state I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. We got her out of there, took her somewhere safe, and tried to help her recover, but... it's complicated. To put it mildly. Let's just say—Kat and I understand now why Dmitri never wanted to talk about her. Months later, she’s still a wreck, but Dmitri… Dmitri’s somehow worse.

His betrayal hit me harder than I thought possible. But even after all of it, I couldn’t bring myself to kill him. The only alternative had been to lock him up—not in a government facility, of course. We handle these internally. It was supposed to be temporary, just until I figured out what to do with him.

But every time I visit him, he’s worse. Keeping him away from the girl is killing him more slowly and painfully than any bullet ever could. He’s slipping further every day, and I can’t shake the fear that someday I’ll look into his eyes and see nothing of the person I used to know.

Kat sighs, a faint pout pulling at her lips. “Poor Dmitri. I wish there was something else I could do.”

I run a hand over her back, trying to ease her worry. “I know,kiska. I do too.”

For a moment, she stares blankly ahead, lost in thought. Then, just like that, she shrugs, turning back to me with a small smile, as if deciding to let the subject drop. Kat’s always been good at that—pushing past the heavy stuff, even if it’s just for alittle while. It’s one of the things I love about her—how she can shrug off the weight of it all, even if it’s only for a moment.

“After you left this morning, I couldn’t stop thinking about the night we first met,” she says, her voice soft but teasing. “It was a night neither of us could’ve guessed would change everything. Forever.” With a playful glint in her eyes, she leans in, brushing her lips lightly against mine. “Bet you didn’t even know what hit you when you first saw me across that room.”

I chuckle, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “It was the stuff of legends, Kat. The earth moved. Even if I live to be a hundred, I’ll remember exactly how you looked that night—and the chaos you brought into my life. You stole my diamond and my heart, and somehow, I’m better for it.”

“And now you’ve got both—meandyour diamond.”

“Speaking of which…” I stand, gently lifting her from my lap and settling her onto the chair. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Her brows knit in confusion as I cross the room to where my suit jacket hangs. Fishing through the pockets, I find the small velvet box I’ve been carrying for months right where I left it. My fingers close around it as my heart starts to race.

When I turn back, she’s watching me intently, her curiosity written all over her face. “What are you doing?”

I take my time walking back, savoring the moment. Holding out the small box, I say, “This belongs to you.” My voice drops, thick with emotion. “I’ve been dying to give it back ever since the day you threw it at me. I’ve carried it with me all this time, waiting for the right moment to return it to its rightful owner.”

Her eyes widen as I kneel in front of her. The small gasp she lets out sends a rush of warmth through me. “Nik?—”

“Kat,” I begin, my heart pounding so hard it’s a miracle I can get the words out, “I’ve been yours from the moment I first saw you. I’d do unspeakable things to make you mine—forever.There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and no one I love, cherish, or trust more. I never want to be apart from you again. You’re everything. Please make me the happiest man alive. Marry me, Kat.”

I flip the box open to reveal the ring inside—the Flame of Mir, set in a design I had custom-made for her. It’s a piece I commissioned just days after she stormed into my office and hurled the gemstone at me. Back then, I didn’t know if she’d ever forgive me, let alone love me. But even then, I knew there was only one acceptable fate for the diamond.

Her eyes fix on the ring, her breath catching. “Is that… is that theFlame of Mir?

“Yeah. Do you like it?”

“Do Ilikeit?” She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. “Nik, this is the most stunning ring I’ve ever seen. It’s scandalous. Outrageously extravagant.” A delighted laugh bubbles out of her. “But—oh, Nik—Iloveit. It’s perfect.”

“So… does that mean you’ll marry me?” I ask, barely daring to breathe.

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