12. Kat

Chapter 12

Kat

I could never have guessed my day would end like this.

Countless times last week, I was too weak to stop fantasizing about Nik, but I never imagined I would end up here, tied to his bed, completely at his mercy.

Well, that’s not entirely true.

I had daydreamed of a scenario like this more than once. But in my version, he was just Nik—the sexy-as-hell, passionate man I met at the gala.

No last name, no dangerous background.

I never expected him to be my latest mark, the owner of the Flame of Mir .

And I certainly never thought he could be Nikolai Stefanovich , pakhan of the bratva .

I’m old enough to know that things are never so bad, they can’t get worse. I thought my troubles with the stronzo were the worst thing that could ever happen to me, but my life just got way more complicated.

Now there aren’t one, but two mob bosses who think they own me. I know I can outwit the Italian given the chance, but Nikolai? I’m not that foolish.

He terrifies men I wouldn’t dream of crossing, and I’ve brazenly stolen his most prized possession. Worse still, he thinks I’m involved in his best friend’s murder.

Now I’m here, powerless in his lair, scared out of my mind. Whatever the stronzo made me feel is nothing compared to the panic I feel around Nikolai.

I’ve been through hell before—as an orphan, a petty thief, and a girl who had to fought her way to survive in the system stacked against her. But I’ve always found a way to control my destiny.

Until now.

With the stronzo , I always knew I’d catch a break eventually. But with Nikolai, I’m in way over my head.

Still, I’ll never be entirely helpless as long as I have ways to fight for myself. I have some options left. Not many, and certainly not ideal ones, but enough to give me hope. So, when he says, “You’re going to help me catch Maxim’s murderer,” I don’t laugh like I usually would if anyone presumed to order me around. Men like Nikolai don’t take kindly to mockery, and it’s clear that not antagonizing him will only benefit me. If he offers me a good deal, I'll take it. It beats being tortured or killed.

“What’s in it for me?” I ask, trying to keep my tone even.

He looks at me like I’m insane.

“For starters, I’ll let you keep breathing. Maybe, just maybe, I could be persuaded not to punish you too much. I’d hate to mar that beautiful skin of yours if I don’t have to,” he says, his gaze sliding over me. His eyes gleam with the memory of every inch of my body, making me feel almost naked under his scrutiny.

“You wouldn’t punish me too much ? Meaning you still plan to punish me?”

He smiles as I pull the sheet up to my chin. “Letting you get off scot-free is out of the question. I have a reputation to protect, you know. At the very least, I owe you a good spanking. I don’t know that I would call it a punishment. I have a feeling you’d enjoy it.”

God help me. I do, too. Just thinking about Nikolai bending me over his knee and slapping my ass with his large, callused hand makes me grow wet. But I can’t let my mind go there. I need to keep my head clear if I’m going to survive this.

“I thought you said this arrangement of yours wasn’t of that kind, Nikolai. Sex is off the table.”

“Agreed.” His answer is quick—too quick for my taste. It’s one thing for me to tell him sex is off-limits, but it’s another for him to be totally cool with it. “We’ll keep things strictly business. Better this way.”

I force myself to focus on the important stuff—like hashing out the details of our agreement—instead of licking the wounds to my ego.

“Glad we’re on the same page,” I say coolly. “Just to be clear, if I help you catch whoever’s behind your friend’s death, you’ll forget the whole diamond thing and let me go? No revenge, repercussions, or retributions.”

“Forget is a strong word,” he says, crossing his arms. “And I’m not ready to accept my diamond is gone forever, as you claim. But I’ll consider the debt paid if you help me to the best of your abilities.”

“Good enough for now, I guess. I have one question left, though: How exactly do you expect me to help you catch a murderer?”

“We’ll discuss the details once you’ve given me your word that you’ll work for me,” he says. “For now, all I’ll say is I know who’s responsible for Maxim’s death. Unfortunately, I need undeniable proof before I make my move. If I act without it, I risk a far more than I’m willing to lose—a truly regrettable amount of death and bloodshed.”

“Are you going to tell me who it is?” I ask, skeptical. “I can’t imagine many people make you hesitate before striking. No offense, but you strike me as the shoot-first, ask-questions-later type.”

He grins. “In time. Right now, you don’t need names, just yours skills. I need someone who can go places and ask questions that I can’t. Someone who’s persuasive—seductive, even. You’re charming and too smart for your own good. Doors will open for you.”

I roll my eyes. “Be still, my heart.”

His smiles widens, pure deadly charm. “It makes you the perfect woman for the job.”

“Lucky me,” I mutter. “And lucky you, I guess, that the ‘perfect woman for the job’ happens to be someone you can bully into doing your bidding.”

“ Lucky me?” His voice rises, and in a flash, he’s right in front of me, leaning so close I can feel his breath on my face. “My best friend is dead, and a woman I foolishly thought was into me betrayed my trust. You should be thanking your lucky stars for my mercy. Any other man in my position would’ve made you beg for a quick death. Keep pushing me, and I might rethink my generosity.”

I stare up at him in awe of his passionate outburst—of my stupidity, too. Because even as he threatens to torture me, I can’t help but think he’s the most magnificent man I’ve ever met.

I reach out, my hand instinctively touching his chest in an attempt to calm him. “If you kill me,” I say soothingly, “then you’ll have to settle for the second -best woman for this job helping you.”

He seems taken aback. I imagine not many people talk back at him when he loses his temper. After a moment, his lips twitch, almost as if he’s fighting a smile. He straightens, running a hand through his dark hair. I think I saw him shake his head, but it was so subtle I'm not sure I didn’t just imagine it.

“Does that mean you agree to my terms?”

“Almost,” I say, smiling. “I have one last question.”

“That’s what you said before asking five more,” he mutters.

“Well, I mean it this time. There’s something I need to know before I give you my word. Based on the limited information you shared, the man we’re going after sounds dangerous”

“Correct.”

“Considering you are who you are, I’m going to take a wild guess and say this guy is connected to the mafia. It also sounds like I’ll be risking my neck on the front line. And, no offense, but my history with made men isn’t the best, so I have to ask—should I be concerned for myself? Is he going to come for me?”

His expression shifts, suddenly deadly serious. “Over my dead body,” he says, insulted by my question. “Let me make myself clear: I protect the people who work for me. You may have come to my service by unconventional means, but that doesn’t mean I don’t take my duty to you seriously. As long as you’re under my protection, he won’t touch you.”

His eyes burn into mine, and I feel shaken to my core. He’s the most delicious man I’ve ever encountered, but fate has a cruel sense of humor, so I can’t have him.

“Okay,” I mumble once I realize I’ve been staring at him in silence. “Thanks, I think. That’s great to know. I wouldn't agree to this if it was just swapping one problem for another.”

He sighs. “Here’s something you should know,” he says, his voice low. “I’m not in the business of having others do my dirty work for me. And I’m not letting that bastard take anyone else from me. As long as you stick to our understanding, you’re under my protection.”

The confidence in his words leaves me reeling. I know I can take care of myself, but there’s something positively irresistible about a man as powerful and devastating as Nikolai fiercely vowing to protect you.

I know I’m stepping into a deadly game, but it’s not like I have a choice. Siding with him is my best chance to survive long enough to fight another day.

“Very well. I accept your terms. You’ve got yourself a deal,” I say, sealing my fate—for better or worse.