44. Kat

Chapter 44

Kat

A hesitant knock echoes through the quiet bedroom, breaking through my spiraling thoughts.

“Yeah?” I call out after a second, not bothering to move from the bed. My eyes flick to the door, which creaks open slowly.

To my surprise, it’s Dmitri. He hesitates in the doorway, his hand gripping the edge as if debating whether to step inside. His pale blue eyes sweep over the room before settling on me cautiously.

“Can I come in?” he asks.

I nod, sitting up. “Yeah, of course.”

He steps inside, arms full of shopping bags, the soft rustle of tissue paper filling the silence. He glances around the room, taking in its sparse furnishings.

“Not sure where you want these,” he says, tilting his head toward the bags. “The boutique clerk sent them over today.”

I give him a puzzled look.

He sets the bags down with a dramatic sigh. “The stuff from your shopping trip, before the Irish decided to crash the party. Remember? Had to make a run for it?”

“Oh.” I get up, brushing off my surprise. “Guess we’ll put it all in the closet. I can’t believe the store actually kept it for us—and had it delivered, too. That was nice of them.”

“Please,” he says, following me toward the walk-in closet. “I’m sure they were falling over themselves to take care of Nikolai Stefanovich’s new girlfriend.”

I laugh dryly, grabbing a couple of the bags from him. “Girlfriend? Yeah, I wouldn’t go that far.”

“Soul mate it is, then,” he shoots back, smirking as he leans casually against the doorframe, watching me empty the bags. “Heard you two had a lovers’ quarrel.”

I roll my eyes and toss a silk blouse onto the nearest shelf. “Nik’s right—you really don’t know how to mind your own business, do you?”

He sighs, shaking his head like I’m the one being difficult. “Come on, Kat. We’ve already been over this—Nik is my business. Stick around long enough, and I’ll make you my business too.” He winks at me, clearly enjoying himself.

I scoff, shaking my head with a rueful smile. “We’ll see about that,” I mutter, going back to unpacking.

He smirks. “Oh, you bet we will. Now, tell me all about this bit of trouble in paradise I've been hearing about.”

I hesitate, debating how much to share. But if anyone knows how to handle Nik—or at least offer some perspective—it’s Dmitri.

“What can I say? Nik might be the most stubborn man alive. He’s completely fixated on this revenge thing, and nothing I say seems to get through. I’ve tried reasoning with him, but it’s like talking to a brick wall. He’s impossible.”

He raises a brow, clearly amused. “You’re preaching to the choir.”

I sigh, frustration bubbling over. “It’s not just that he won’t listen. He’s willing to risk everything, including his life, just to get back at McGuire. And I’m supposed to just sit here and watch?”

He shrugs, crossing his arms. “You’re scared.”

“Of course I am!” I snap, my voice breaking. “He acts like he’s invincible, but he’s not. And if something happens to him…” My throat tightens, and I have to pause, forcing myself to take a steadying breath. “That’s the problem. If I stay, this is my life. Today it’s McGuire; tomorrow, it’ll be someone else. There’s always going to be another fight, another enemy. And I don’t know if I can live like that—just waiting for the day it all catches up to him.”

He tilts his head, his expression softening, almost like he’s considering my words. “Yeah, but isn’t that how life works? None of us know how much time we’ve got.”

I sigh, my voice dropping as the words come out. “Sure, but if he were, I don’t know, a school teacher or something, the odds would feel a hell of a lot better. At least I wouldn’t have to wake up every day wondering if this is the one where he doesn’t come back.” I look away, my voice dropping. “And yeah, he’s right. I knew who he was and what he did when this started. But knowing it and living it are two completely different things.”

Dmitri exhales slowly, dragging a hand down his face. “Kat, I’ve known Nik a long time. And I’ve never seen him like this with anyone. If someone had told me he’d be acting this way, I’d have laughed in their face. But I’ve seen it myself. This version of him—this lovesick, infatuated guy you’ve been dealing with? That’s not normal for him. Not even close.”

I frown, confused. “What are you trying to say?”

He shrugs. “Just give him time. This is new for him—he’s figuring it out as he goes. Nik’s many things, but a disappointment isn’t one of them. You’ve seen that already. If you’re patient with him, if you let him figure this out, he’ll come through. He always does.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “Oh, Dmitri… If only it were that simple. There’s just no way of knowing…”

“Listen,” he interrupts, his voice softer now. “I get it. It’s scary as hell. And hard, too. But trust me on this—you don’t want to lose your chance at something real, something life-changing, over something like this.”

His words stop me cold, and for a moment, I forget my frustrations with Nik. Dmitri’s sincerity has a weight to it, a gravity that draws me in. I can’t help but push. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”

As always, he remains maddeningly vague, offering only a cryptic smile. “We’ve all got our heartbreaks, don’t we?”

I roll my eyes. “Oh, come on. Don’t give me that. I’m baring my soul here—you owe me at least a little honesty in return.”

He hesitates, the familiar mischievous light in his eyes dimming. “Trust me, it’s not a story worth telling.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” I press.

For a moment, he looks like he might brush me off entirely. But then he sighs, biting the inside of his cheek. “Fine. There’s this girl.”

I raise an eyebrow. “No shit, Sherlock.”

He ignores me, his voice turning serious. “She’s always been important to me, but it took me too long to realize just how much. By the time I figured it out, I’d already lost her. And now… now there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t wish I could go back and do things differently. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to have her back.”

I lean forward, curiosity burning. “What happened?”

He lets out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “That’s a story for another time. If I make it that far.”

His attempt to deflect only makes me push harder. “Come on, Dmitri?—”

“The point,” he cuts me off, his tone sharper now, “is that finding somebody to love is rare. So if you do, don’t let it slip through your fingers, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your miserable life. I know that now. And so does Nik.”

One way or the other, everything comes back to Maxim.

“Nik hasn’t had much practice at loving someone,” Dmitri says, his voice quiet. “Or at being loved. He hasn’t had the kind of luck most people take for granted. But if you ask him for something—if you make it clear it’s what you need to be happy—he’ll move heaven and earth to give it to you. You know that, don’t you?”

I take a breath, but before I can answer, the sound of the bedroom door opening and closing startles me. Whatever I’d planned to say is instantly forgotten. My eyes flick toward the doorway, my pulse quickening.

Immediately straightening, Dmitri raises an eyebrow at me before glancing over his shoulder at the newcomer. Then he turns back to me. “Just think about what I told you,” he whispers. “Just give him time. Please.”

I scoff, narrowing my eyes at him, but he’s already walking away.

I don’t need to look to know who’s standing at the doorway. That’s why I turn my back and pretend to busy myself with the shopping bags.

I have no intention of making this easy for him. Frankly, I don’t even know what to say. So I stay silent, waiting for him to make the first move.

He watches me for what feels like forever, the silence stretching until it’s almost unbearable. Just as I’m about to break and say something outrageous just to get a reaction, he exhales deeply.

“Kat, I’m sorry.”

His apology surprises me, but I stay focused on the bags. If he’s finally willing to admit he’s been an ass, I’m not about to interrupt.

“Look at me,” he says softly. “I shouldn’t have talked to you like that. I regretted it the second you walked out. I can’t tell you how sorry I am for upsetting you. I just hope I haven’t ruined things between us. Tell me what I can do to fix this—anything. I’ll do it.”

The rawness in his tone catches me off guard. Against my better judgment, I glance at him over my shoulder—and instantly regret it. His troubled expression is my undoing. He looks impossibly handsome, even now, in light jeans and a gray sweater. His tousled hair is a glossy mess, evidence of how often he’s raked his fingers through it.

“Did you send Dmitri to sweet-talk me into forgiving you?” I ask, raising an accusatory eyebrow.

Nik glares at me, visibly insulted. “I’m not ashamed to say I’d stoop pretty low to get you to forgive me. But if you think for a second I’d send another man into a bedroom with you…” He trails off with a sharp shake of his head, his voice dripping with disgust. “I don’t know what to tell you.”

His genuine outrage makes me want to smile, but I hide it. Schooling my expression into something neutral, I say, “Well, your apology doesn’t impress me. Talk’s cheap, Nik.”

“I know,” he sighs, stepping closer. “That’s why I’m going to show you I mean it. I’m not afraid to grovel—repeatedly, if I have to. Forever, if that's what it takes. And that's why I come bearing gifts.”

He pulls a glittering object from his pocket and steps behind me, brushing my hair aside. Cool metal grazes my neck, sending a shiver down my spine, as he clasps a choker around my throat.

“Well?” he asks softly. “Do you like it?”

I move to the mirror, my breath hitching in my throat. The necklace is striking—cushion-cut diamonds shimmer in the light, catching the light in mesmerizing ways. t’s a bold piece, yet somehow understated—exactly what I’d buy for myself if I happened to be a billionaire.

“It’ll do, I suppose,” I say with a shrug, though my delighted reflection betrays me.

Nik smiles knowingly. “Am I forgiven?”

“It’s a good start,” I reply, arching a brow. “But don’t think for a second this is a get-out-of-jail-free card.”

“Damn it,” he says with a smirk. “There goes my plan. Apparently, I can’t buy my way into your heart with diamonds. What a shame.”

I grin. “I mean, I wouldn’t be terribly put off if you tried anyway.”

He laughs, his eyes softening. “I’ll keep that in mind. Now, will you be terribly put off if I kiss you? I need to know we’re okay, but I’d hate to provoke your wrath again. Then again…” His eyes drop to my lips. “I just might risk it.”

“That depends. Got any more diamonds on you?”

He steps closer, his lips twitching. “Come here and frisk me. Find out for yourself.”

I grab his sweater, pulling him into a kiss. His lips are warm, his kiss slow and consuming. Just as I’m about to forget everything but him, a thought pops into my head, and I pull back. He grunts in protest.

“Let me ask you something—do you always keep priceless jewelry lying around, just in case you need to appease a disgruntled woman?” I ask, arching a brow.

“For your information,” he replies, stealing another kiss, “there’s only one disgruntled woman in my life I’d bother to appease.”

“Meaning there are others you wouldn’t?” I tease.

He laughs, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Let’s stay on topic. No, I don’t keep a secret stash of jewelry. But if you want to go on a treasure hunt, be my guest. I could use the entertainment.

“And we all know your entertainment is my main priority,” I say with a smirk.

He smiles, his fingers brushing over the choker. “I bought this years ago at an auction in London. It always felt special. Seemed fitting you should have it.”

“Sweet-talker,” I murmur, brushing my lips against his. Then I chuckle. “Funny, though—a diamond got us into this mess, and now you’re giving me dozens of them.”

“The irony isn’t lost on me,” he says, his smirk widening.

“The first one started us off on the wrong foot. Maybe these will change everything. Who knows? Maybe it’s a good luck charm.”

His expression softens. “The Flame of Mir brought you into my life. That’s all the luck I need.”

I laugh. “I’ll remind you of that next time I piss you off.”

He kisses the top of my head. “You know, the Romans believed Cupid’s arrows were tipped with diamonds. Maybe that’s why I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since that first night.”

“Or maybe,” I tease, “I’m just a great fuck.”

His grin turns wicked, eyes gleaming. “Oh, you absolutely are, kiska .”

I pat his chest with a smirk. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

“Good,” he says, brushing his fingers over my hair. “Because you’re stuck with me. Don’t bother unpacking those bags—I’m having all your things moved to our bedroom tonight. Your apartment’s next. You’re not going anywhere.”

“Our bedroom?” I echo, arching a brow. “Do I get a say?”

“Sure you do,” he says with a grin. “If you don’t like it, I’ll move my things here—or wherever you want. Hell, if you hate this place, I’ll buy us a new one. Whatever it takes, as long as I’m where you are.”

“Is this your way of asking me to move in?” I ask. “Because that ship sailed the moment you kidnapped me and chained me to a bed.”

“You’re so dramatic,” he says with a laugh. “I’m not asking, Kat. I’m telling you—I’m done spending my nights away from you. You’re out of your mind if you think you’ll sleep anywhere but in my bed.” His eyes darken with intent as he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous murmur. “Try it, and I’ll chain you to it again. No hesitation.”

I can’t tell if he’s joking or serious. Likely the second, knowing him. Either way, it doesn’t matter—there’s no place I’d rather be than in his arms.

But then my thoughts drift back to the necklace around my neck. To the diamonds he gave me as an apology.

Nik doesn’t apologize easily, and I know what this gesture means. It’s his way of showing me he’s sorry—not just for our argument, but for the fact that he can’t give me what I truly want. It’s his way of apologizing for the life he can’t ever walk away from, for who he can’t stop being. The truth is, I feel bad too. I wasn’t fair to him. I made him feel like I might not stay, like he had to defend the life he never tried to hide from me.

I glance at the glittering necklace in the mirror, and my chest tightens. The man who gave me this gift is the same man I betrayed. The man I stole from.

I hate that our relationship began with the theft of the Flame of Mir. I hate that the stronzo might still have it. That it’s probably in his hands, like Nik’s loss was just another prize I handed over.

And I hate that this betrayal still hangs between us. Even if Nik doesn’t bring it up, I feel its weight. It’s a reminder of the lies and broken trust that started everything.

Our fight earlier was about the future—about what kind of life we could build together in his dangerous world. But maybe the first step to giving us a real chance is setting the past right.

If the Flame of Mir is still out there, I have to get it back. I owe Nik that much. Not just because I care about him, but because it’s the only way to erase the shadow of betrayal from our relationship. I need him to know that I may not always get it right, but I’ll always clean up my own mess. It’s not like he hasn’t done the same for me.

“Chain me to your bed, huh?” I ask with a laugh, pressing a kiss to his lips. “You’d have to catch me first.”