7. Kat

7

The now-familiar sound of shots being fired reverberates through the store.

I gasp, looking around the shop to determine where the bone-chilling noise originated. Dmitri reaches inside his jacket for his gun before swiftly pulling me to the ground.

"It's just our luck," I groan. "Our day off, and these fuckers decide to rob this store of all places."

After frantically scanning our surroundings, Dmitri says, "No chance. It's the Irish."

I gasp. "What?! You don't know that!"

Dmitri's hand covers my mouth. "Shh. I'm sure of it."

And God damn him, his suspicions are immediately confirmed as a heavily accented voice shouts, "Where the hell is she? Find her now."

"I guess Nik was right," I say.

"You think?" Dmitri asks.

"How the hell did they find us, anyway?"

"They've probably been tailing us since we left the penthouse. I should've spotted that." He shakes his head, clenching his jaw.

"I'm sure there's a reason you didn't," I say in a poor attempt to reassure him.

"We have to get the fuck out of here now," he says in a hushed tone. "We're outnumbered and outgunned, and I can't get the cavalry here on time. If they find us, they'll kill me and take you. And if you die on my watch, Nik will find a way to resurrect me so that he can kill me himself."

"I'm so fucking done being kidnapped by fucking mafia men," I mutter through gritted teeth. "Let's get out of here, then. Lead the way."

After grabbing my hand, he does. Dmitri makes me crawl through the store as McGuire's men, in their search for us, unleash sheer terror on the poor salespeople. Somehow, we make it to the back of the store unnoticed. Luckily, we find an emergency exit.

"Wait! If you open the door, it might sound an alarm," I say to Dmitri in warning.

He shrugs. "We're out of options. Get ready. We're making a run for it. Whatever happens, run as fast as you can. Don't look back, don't wait for me. Just run. We have to get to the main road."

"But your car is parked out back."

"Forget about the car. Our best chance is to get to the main road. It's busier, and we can lose them there."

I open my mouth to question this flawed plan of his, but I change my mind after thinking better of it. He's right. We're out of options.

"Ready?" Dmitri asks. I nod. "On the count of three." He quietly counts down, and we run for our lives.

No alarm goes off once we shove the door open, but it doesn't matter. The mere act of pushing the heavy metal exit door makes enough noise to raise the dead, giving away our position. We hear the Irish excitedly yell behind us as we run through a back alley.

"Go, go, go," Dmitri yells.

For once, I listen.

Just as we get to the main road, I spot the beautiful, miraculous sight of a cab driving down the street. We frantically wave at the driver, and—thank our lucky stars—the man pulls over.

Dmitri pushes me into the vehicle before I can even react to the car slowing down before me. He barks the penthouse's address at the taxi driver, promising him a small fortune if he can get us to Nik's place without stopping for any reason.

The man eagerly puts the pedal to the metal, and I turn to Dmitri. "Shouldn't we try to lose McGuire's men before returning to the penthouse?"

He shakes his head. "There's no point. It's not like they don't know where Nik lives. We'll be safe at the penthouse. Trust me—if they had the manpower or firepower to hit it, they would have by now."

I'm no mafia affairs expert, but I think Dmitri's probably right. He pulls out his phone, and, after glancing at the screen, he exhales loudly, cursing.

"Fuck. That motherfucker hit Nik hard," Dmitri says under his breath.

"What do you mean?" I ask, alarmed.

"I didn't feel my phone vibrate, so I had no idea until just now. Right after we left home, McGuire torched half a dozen of Nik's properties without warning. Nik must be so fucking mad."

"Is he okay?" I ask, holding my breath. My voice breaks slightly, and my vision gets blurry.

"I'm sure he's fine. Like I said, they wouldn't dare hit the penthouse, and Nik knows it. Even McGuire isn't that bold or stupid. He's trying to flush Nik out. I guess that explains the courtesy visit his goons just paid us."

"Are you saying they were trying to take us to use us as bait to lure Nik out of the penthouse?" Blood-red anger washes over me. I feel it overtake me almost to a physical level, with every inch of my skin growing warmer and tingly as the feeling takes hold inside of me. I've had it with being a pawn in these ludicrous mafia schemes…

"That'd be my guess," Dmitri says with a shrug. "Damn it, Nik. Pick up the fucking phone."

"He isn't picking up the phone? Oh, god, Dmitri—what if something happened to him?"

"Nothing's happened to him, Kat. I'd have heard it by now. He's probably just busy or trying to get a hold of us."

"Well, let's keep trying to get him on the phone. I need to hear his voice to know he's okay." I fish inside my purse for my phone. Hands shaking, I manage to pull it out and ring his number.

Dmitri and I have no luck getting a hold of Nik before we reach the penthouse. Dmitri pulls out a thick wad of cash out of his pocket and hands it to the taxi driver, while almost simultaneously dragging me out of the car.

After frantically searching the area, Dmitri quickly leads us inside the building, completely ignoring the people in the lobby. Less than a full minute after the cab stopped out front, he has us in the elevator. He exhales loudly with relief.

"I'm sure Nik's waiting for us," he says with a smile. I can't tell if his reassurance is for my benefit or his.

As soon as the elevator comes to a stop, Dmitri completely leaves my mind as I desperately search for Nik. Inside the penthouse, it's complete pandemonium. The commotion that greets us on the other side of the elevator doors takes me by surprise, but I probably should've expected it. After all, all hell has broken loose for the bratva since we left.

More guns than I've ever seen in my life are being passed around. For a second, I think I see a handful of grenades, too, but I must be mistaken.

Over two dozen men move with military efficiency, donning bulletproof vests while talking among themselves in Russian.

My legs almost give out under me, and I stagger sideways when I spot Nik tucking a pistol in his waistband. I exhale a breath I didn't realize I was holding in until now, urging my shaky limbs to get me close to him.

"Oh, thank God you're fine," I say.

Nik's eyes find me right away as his head whips in my direction at the sound of my voice. "Kat." His voice is more than a little rough as he shoves his men out of his way. Before he even has a chance to do anything else, I leap into his arms, knowing without any shadow of a doubt that he will catch me. He clutches me almost painfully tight to his chest. I bury my head in his neck, and he kisses my hair over and over again.

"Are you okay?" Nik asks.

"Yeah, I'm completely fine now. Are you hurt?" I ask, turning to inspect him.

Nik glares at me as if I just asked him the most ridiculous question ever. "Why would I be hurt?" he asks with a slight frown.

"Dmitri told me McGuire attacked the bratva."

"A bunch of unoccupied warehouses. No one's hurt. He's trying to bait me." Nik kisses my forehead. While glancing at Dmitri, he acidly asks, "Why didn't either of you answer your phones? Once I got word McGuire openly hit us, I tried calling you to tell you to come home. I was crazy out of my mind, worrying they would track you down. But thank God he didn't. You're both home safe now, and that's all that matters. But for fuck's sake, pick up your fucking phones next time."

I stare at Nik with confusion. "You don't know," I say.

"Don't know what?" he asks, turning to look at Dmitri.

"Connor and a few others came after us in a shop downtown less than twenty minutes ago. Bold as fuck, Nik. Guns blazing in broad daylight, in the heart of the tourist district of all places," Dmitri says.

Around us, all bratva soldiers freeze in place after hearing Dmitri's news.

"They did what?" Nik yells. His fingertips painfully sink into my arms as he grips me too tightly.

"I'm not fucking with you. They were looking for Kat. We barely made it out."

Thankfully, Nik lets go of my arms. Gently, he lifts my chin, scanning me from head to toe. Then he glances at Dmitri, checking for any visible wounds.

"Did they hurt you?" Nik asks me softly.

I shake my head. "No, I'm fine, Nik. Dmitri, my knight in shining armor, was excellent thinking on his feet. This damsel in distress has no complaints."

Dmitri's stunning pale blue eyes glint with humor as he turns on his heels to face me, an appropriately inappropriate comment undoubtedly on the tip of his tongue.

"Don't even think about cracking a joke about this," Nik says in warning to Dmitri. Uncharacteristically wisely, Dmitri shuts his mouth.

"And you—" Nik says to me, holding my face with both hands. "You're never leaving my sight ever again. At least not until that motherfucker is dead and gone."

I laugh, although not unkindly. I rise on my toes to press a kiss on Nik's cheek. "I appreciate the concern, but we'll talk about this later. You're not thinking clearly right now."

Nik's eyes darken, and I'm sure he fully intends to put me in my place, but I'm saved by the bell.

"We got him," Vladmir says, marching into the room. "Lucien sent us word of McGuire's location, and I've confirmed it myself. Just saw the fucker with my own eyes, Nikolai. As you suspected, he's hiding near the port. A studio a block south of the docks, to be exact."

With no hint of hesitation, Nik cooly says, "Let's go."

Not needing to hear it twice, his men snap into action. Shortly after, the room is practically empty.

To my surprise, Nik seems intent on following them. I watch with horror as he slips a knife in his pocket. Another one follows the first, cleverly hidden inside his boot.

"Where do you think you are going?" I ask.

Nik gives me a confused look. "You heard Vladmir. We've tracked McGuire down."

"Yeah, and I saw your little death squad arm themselves to their teeth. They can handle it. Let them."

Nik laughs. "Come on, Kat. I can't just sit here and let McGuire's direct attack on me and my men—and worst of all, on you—slide."

"If you retaliate, you'll start a war. I thought the entire point of my involvement in this scheme of yours was to avoid that."

His eyes soften. "Things change, milaya. If he wants war this badly, then I'll give it to him."

"You don't mean that."

"I do, Kat. Enough is enough. It's time. And frankly, I'm glad. I'll be done with this nightmare at last. I'll do my duty to Maxim, and I'll never have to endure the sight of another man flirting with you ever again." His eyes smolder, and he sinks his fingers between my hair, sighing with unconcealed pleasure.

"Nik, no," I say, shaking my head with horror. "This is a mistake. He's dangerous. You've said it yourself so many times. You're rushing into this without thinking about it rationally."

He shakes his head, smiling at me. "It'll be okay, Kat. You'll see."

"You don't know that," I say, my voice shaking. "If you absolutely won't listen to reason, then at least don't be stupid enough to go after him yourself. What's the point of having your own personal army if you can't send them to kill your enemies for you?"

Nik chuckles, kissing my forehead. "I'd never do that. I could never have another man do my dirty work for me, Kat. I can't ask my men to put their lives on the line for the bratva if I won't do the same."

I scoff. "That's the stupidest thing you've ever said."

"Besides," Nik adds, ignoring my interruption, "this is too personal. He took my best friend from me and dared to try to harm my woman. After plotting to steal you from me, too. It'll be my pleasure to take him out myself."

"Nik—" I say, not too proud to beg. But I see in his eyes that it's pointless. He's not changing his mind.

After glancing at Dmitri, Nik says, "I need you to stay here."

Dmitri groans. "You can't be serious."

"You'll stay and protect Kat."

"Kat will be fine here, Nik. She doesn't need me. My place is with you."

Nik shakes his head. "I can't go after McGuire if I don't know with absolute certainty that she's safe."

Dmitri beseechingly glares at Nik, echoing my frustrated plea from earlier. "Nik, come on. Don't do this to me."

"You're the closest thing I have to my own blood now, Dmitri," Nik says, pointing out what's clear to anyone with eyes and ears.

Dmitri hesitates, and I realize I have to intervene. "Nik, Dmitri's right. I'll be fine here. You should let him go with you."

Nik scowls at me and Dmitri. "You two seem confused about what kind of operation I'm running here. This is not a democracy," he says, raising his voice.

"Nik, please. Let him go with you. Please. For me. I'll feel so much better if I know he's looking out for you." My voice embarrassingly cracks, and my vision gets blurry as tears threaten to run down my face.

With a sigh, Nik rolls his eyes before pulling me into his arms again. He presses a tender kiss against my forehead, failing to hide his amused grin. "Come now, milaya. I'm flattered, but there's no need to cry for me. I'll be fine. I don't need my bratishka taking care of me."

Dmitri's touched expression—plus his sharp intake of breath—tells me that Nik called him something sentimental and special. His unusual silence confirms it.

I grab handfuls of Nik's sweater and pull him closer to me. "Please," I say with a sniff, pressing a kiss to his bare throat. "For me. For my peace of mind."

I expect Nik to shut me down immediately, but he hesitates. After a moment, he sighs. "I have one condition," he says. "You'll promise me you won't step out of the penthouse. You will listen to my men guarding the place."

I promptly agree, nodding my head. "Okay. I promise."

"Actually—" Nik says. "I have a better idea. You'll lock yourself in my bedroom with the gun I gave you. If anyone who isn't me tries to come through the door, shoot them."

"No problem," I say. If he's going to be somewhat reasonable, then I will, too.

Nik kisses the top of my head. "Good girl. Now get to it." He playfully slaps my butt. Still teary-eyed, I don't even protest.

I turn to face Dmitri. "Please be careful," I say. "And make him be careful, too. Look out for him and yourself."

Dmitri nods, and I take a deep breath, bracing myself to say goodbye to Nik. But one look at his beautiful face—his warm brown eyes and his glossy dark hair—and I break down. My tears come rushing, and I launch myself into his arms, hugging his neck as hard as I can. Just thinking that I might never get to do it again makes me sob even harder.

Nik hugs me back, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Milaya," he says with a sigh, chuckling. "I'm flattered, but there's no need for tears. I'll be fine. You're not getting rid of me so easily."

"I can't believe you're laughing," I say between sobs.

He chuckles again. "I don't mean to. How about this—why don't you wait to eat dinner with me again? I'll bring a pizza home. Or whatever you want."

I sniff. "Bring yourself home."

Nik smirks. "I already told you I will. Now, be a good girl and go to my room. I'll see you soon."

"Promise."

"I pinky swear." He laughs, his eyes melting.

With a final kiss on my forehead, Nik untangles my arms from around his neck.

I watch, cold inside, as he and Dmitri leave me. Hopefully, not for good.

I'm not sure how long I stand there, but eventually, my tears dry, and I walk to Nik's room. On any other day, I'd be excited to snoop around such prime real estate. Right now, I couldn't care less. I barely even see the room's furnishings and decorations. I can't muster any other emotion besides worry and despair as I sit on Nik's bed.

I sniff again, trying to keep my tears at bay, and I'm assaulted by his familiar scent. It's a painful reminder of the warmth of his skin against mine, the softness of his hair against my fingertips…

If I never get to feel him again, to taste him…

I close my eyes, searching for a reprieve from this unbearable emotional and sensorial avalanche, but all I see is him—the glimmer in his eyes as we bicker or as I tease him relentlessly.

There's nowhere to go, nowhere to hide—no way to avoid the reality that I might never be with him again. And I never got to kiss him goodbye…

Before I even understand what I'm doing, I'm on my feet at the bedroom door. In an instant, I'm running towards the elevator.

Some unfamiliar men try to stop me, but I pay them no mind. I lose them with little effort. What they have in size, I make up for in speed.

The elevator ride takes years off my life, but at last, its doors open up, and I'm at the garage.

I locate Nik in a heartbeat. Thank God he hasn't left yet. His back is turned to me, and he's talking to someone I don't recognize.

A couple of his men exchange worried glances when they see me, uncomfortably murmuring between themselves. Their eyes dart towards me, and it's clear they aren't sure of what to do.

As I make my way to Nik, his back and shoulders tense up. Slowly, he turns in my direction. When his eyes land on me, his expression belies his complete shock and disbelief. Then, pure, unadulterated fury takes over his handsome face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he shouts. "I'm pretty sure I told you to stay inside. I thought you promised me you would."

His rage burns brighter once he spots the guards he left at the penthouse struggling to catch up with me. He narrows his eyes at me with undisguised anger while yelling at me, rambling and ranting.

I don't hear a word of it, and I don't pretend to. I don't even pretend to care. Instead, I run up to him. Then I leap into his arms. Reflexively, he catches me. Before he has a chance to process this recent development, I'm already kissing his mouth—hard.

I tug him closer by his sweater and hair, pouring all of my longing and troubled emotions into this kiss.

Stunned, Nik just stands there for a moment, letting me kiss him with all that I have. His surprise, however, quickly gives way to passion. With a pained groan against my mouth, he kisses me even harder.

Too soon, Dmitri clears his throat next to us.

Against my better judgment, I let Nik break our kiss. He gently sets me down on my feet. He leans forward and whispers, "This isn't over. We'll continue this. Later."

I agree, nodding.

"Now, go back inside and do as I've told you," Nik says. "I better see your ass on my bed when I get back."

Still speechless, I nod again.

With a final warning glance, Nik starts getting into a black SUV.

Finally finding my voice, I say, "Come back to me, Nik."

Wordlessly, he turns back to face me. Quick and hard, he kisses me again. It's a brief, fierce caress. It's over in a second. He rests his forehead against mine before murmuring against my lips, "Wild horses couldn't keep me away."

Without another word, he gets into the car.

Helpless to do anything else, I watch him drive away.