31. Kat

Chapter 31

Kat

Vladmir sets me down so quickly I stumble backward, my legs unsteady.

Before I can catch myself, an arm wraps around my waist, pulling me against a solid chest that’s practically trembling with anger.

I glance up and see Nik’s face—only it’s not the Nik I know. This isn’t the man who held me in his arms as I cried, whispering sweet nothings in Russian to me. This is Nikolai Stefanovich, the pakhan of the bratva . His eyes burn with a fire I’ve never seen before, pure rage barely held in check.

In front of me, Vladmir’s face drains of color, his usual confidence nowhere to be found.

“ Prosti duraka, pakhan. Ya ne khotel tebya obidet. Ya bol’she tak ne budu ,” Vladmir mutters, his voice unsteady.

Nik doesn’t let go of me. His voice is low, calm, and cold enough to make my stomach twist. “Don’t fucking apologize to me. You knew better than to touch her. I should kill you where you stand. You know exactly what happens to anyone who lays a hand on my woman.”

“I understand, pakhan ,” Vladmir says quickly, his head bowed. “It won’t happen again. Forgive me. I’ll accept whatever punishment you decide.”

Nik tilts his head slightly, his grip on me tightening. “Get the fuck out of my sight. You’ve caused enough of a scene.”

I glance around and notice the stares. Half the room is watching, their whispers buzzing like static.

“I’ll deal with you later,” Nik says, his tone so cold it sends a shiver through me.

Vladmir gives a stiff nod and walks away, his steps quick and silent, leaving the room without a word.

Nik spins me around until I’m facing him. His gaze sweeps over my face, searching, like he’s trying to figure out exactly how I’m feeling. “I’m sorry” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“For what?” I ask, genuinely confused.

His brows pull together, like I’ve just asked the dumbest question. “For Vladmir. What else?” He pulls me tight against his chest, his lips brushing the top of my head. “He shouldn’t have touched you. I’m sorry. Did he hurt you?”

“Nik,” I say, scoffing softly, “I’m fine. Really.”

He pulls back slightly, his eyes narrowing as if he’s checking for any damage I’m hiding.

“I mean it,” I insist. “You got here just in time, Prince Charming. Not that I needed you, of course. I had it under control.”

His lips twitch, and he scoffs this time. Pulling me closer again, he leans down to murmur near my ear, his voice low. “Prince Charming, huh?”

“More like Prince Terrifying,” I tease, giving his chest a playful shove before pressing my face into it. “I didn’t know that side of you, kotyonok .”

He freezes for half a second, then pulls back to look at me, his eyes gleaming with something between amusement and surprise. “What did you just call me?”

I laugh nervously. “Did I say it wrong?”

He raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth tugging up. “You meant to say kotyonok ?” His pronunciation rolls off his tongue perfectly, unlike my awkward attempt.

“Yes, kotyonok ,” I repeat, still stumbling over the word.

“Where did you learn that?” His eyes light up, and his grin stretches wider as he bites his bottom lip, looking so pleased it makes me smile. It takes everything in me not to grab him and kiss him right then and there.

“Well, you wouldn’t tell me what kiska meant,” I say with a shrug, my tone light but pointed. “Even though you’ve been calling me that nonstop.”

He arches a brow, but I keep going. “So, I asked Irina. You know, when I hit her up for her Pelmeni recipe. Figured I’d kill two birds with one stone.”

His expression shifts, wary now. “And?”

“She wouldn’t tell me either,” I continue, crossing my arms with mock exasperation. “I even tried to bribe her, but no dice. All she did was laugh her ass off. Then, when she finally caught her breath, she said I should start calling you kotyonok in return.”

Nik groans, rubbing a hand over his face. “Of course she did.”

Then he chuckles, his grip on me tightening possessively. “You’re just the gift that keeps on giving, you know that?” he murmurs, tilting my chin up so his mouth hovers just over mine. His forehead presses against mine, his breath mingling with mine.

“You’re one to talk,” I reply, and he smiles, that rare, disarming smile that makes my stomach flip.

Our eyes lock, and the moment stretches between us, timeless and electric. My heart races, but this time it’s not because of the adrenaline still lingering from my fight with Vladmir. It’s him. All him.

I sigh, reluctant to break the spell but knowing I have to. “What are you going to do with Vladmir?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he rasps, his lips brushing my cheek. Goosebumps erupt across my skin, momentarily distracting me.

“Nik…”

He sighs, leaning back just enough to meet my gaze. He knows me well enough to understand I won’t let it go. “I’m well within my rights to kill him, Kat. He knows that. He’s lucky I didn’t kill him on the spot. He knows the rules. No one touches what’s mine. No one.”

I gasp, horrified. “Nik! I don’t like the guy, but that doesn’t mean I want his death on my conscience forever.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything,” he mutters, almost to himself. “Forget it. I don’t want you wasting another second thinking about him.”

I tug at his jacket, refusing to drop it. “But?—”

He squeezes my hand, cutting me off. “Fine. I’ll figure out something that won’t upset you. Happy now?”

I narrow my eyes. “I’d be happier if you promised no maiming or murdering. Come on, you can give me that.”

With a soft laugh, he grabs me by the neck, pulling me close until we’re face-to-face again. His sudden nearness overwhelms me, every one of my senses focused solely on him. He rubs his nose against mine, amusement playing on his lips and glittering in his eyes.

The duality of man—a ruthless mob boss who gives nose-to-nose kisses…

Rising onto my toes, I brush my lips against his. He sighs softly, but neither of us deepens the kiss right away. I tilt my head slightly, marveling at the softness of his lips, parting mine just enough to glide along his bottom lip. His eyes flutter shut, and when I run the tip of my tongue over the center of his lip, a quiet gasp escapes him. His hand finds my hair, threading through it and holding me closer.

Then something vibrates between us.

The spell breaks, and I step back, straightening as Nik curses under his breath. He reaches inside his jacket, pulling out a vibrating phone.

His eyes stay locked on mine as he answers it, his voice sharp. “This better be fucking life or death, Dmitri.”

I smirk, amused by his irritation. He notices, raising a brow, his expression still tinged with frustration.

“I’m sorry,” he says after a moment, lowering the phone slightly. “I need to take this. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He squeezes my hand once before turning away, already barking something in Russian into the phone as he exits the room.

With a sigh, I sink back onto the stool I was sitting on before Vladmir’s outburst. I glance around the room, my mind replying the kiss, the feeling of his lips still fresh on mine.

That’s when I spot McGuire.

He’s leaning casually against the doorway, watching me with an intrigued expression. His smirk is knowing, far too amused for my liking. He raises his glass in a silent toast, his wink only adding to my unease.

I force a polite smile and raise my glass in return, unease settling in my chest.