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KAT
Dmitri’s clammy palm contains my muffled scream of protest. Frantically, I shake my head, desperate to dissuade Nik from this horrible idea. His dark brown eyes glow with warmth and affection as he studies me for one final moment before diverting his attention back to my latest kidnapper.
“Think about it, Dmitri—you have no reason to keep Kat if you have me. I’m a much more valuable hostage to you. You’ll still have plenty of leverage over me. Let her go and take me instead. I’ll go with you willingly. You can tell Giuseppe to summon the Seven Families to witness me publicly surrender the bratva to him. As long as he agrees to release Kat and her friend from his service, of course. I’ll even give him information he can use to fuck with McGuire. Your father will be compelled to release your girlfriend and do what you ask if you hand me to him under these terms.”
As hard as I can, I struggle against Dmitri’s deathly grasp over me. More than ever, it’s vital that I free myself. But he is so strong. Mindlessly, he holds on to me with no issues.
“He will kill you, Nik,” Dmitri says. “As soon as you surrender the bratva, he’ll execute you.”
“I understand.”
“You’d have to lose your phone,” Dmitri says with a sigh. “And disarm yourself, of course.”
Without hesitation, Nik slides his phone and gun in Dmitri’s direction.
“Done,” the love of my life calmly says.
No longer holding back my tears, I sob against Dmitri’s hand. This can’t be happening. Whatever hell the stronzo could unleash on me wouldn’t compare to what he would do to Nik, his rival, if he got his filthy hands on him.
“I’d like to restrain you, too, Nik.”
Nik happily agrees to Dmitri’s demand. “Of course. Just give me a moment to say goodbye to Kat first.” Dmitri hesitates, and Nik says, “I promise I won’t try anything, Dmitri. As long as you let her go, you have my word that I’ll go with you willingly.”
As it turns out, that’s all the assurance Dmitri needs because he releases me without a second thought, pushing me towards Nik. I run into his arms, shaking.
Nik holds me tightly against his chest, leaning down to nuzzle my hair. He is warmth, strength and home. For the first time since storming out of his office, I feel the tension leave my body as if it instinctively knows I’m safe now.
I incoherently sob against the fabric of his shirt. “Nik…” I just got him back. I can’t lose him again.
Nik kisses my head before tenderly tilting my head back until I look into his eyes. His gaze glitters with warmth and undisguised affection.
“Kat,” he says with a small smile. His strong hands carefully and painlessly snap the plastic ties around my wrists without much effort. “Everything’s going to be just fine.”
“Liar,” I say with an anguished sob, and he has the nerve to chuckle.
After pressing a too-brief kiss against my forehead, he says, “I want you to go out the door and find A.J. She’s waiting for you outside. Somehow, I managed to convince her to stay in the car.”
I frown. “No way. I’m not leaving here without you.”
“Yes, you are. You’re going to meet your friend, then you’re going to find Vladmir, and you’ll let him protect you—at least until Salvatore has a chance to end McGuire. After that, you’ll be free, Kat—from all of us.”
“I don’t want to be free from you.” Nik smiles.
“Nik…” Dmitri says with urgency.
While looking at Dmitri over my shoulder, Nik nods once before returning his gaze to my face.
“Now, listen to me, Kat,” he says in a no-nonsense tone. “Whatever happens next, I want you to know how sorry I am for all the hurt I’ve caused you. I don’t expect you to forgive me, but for what it’s worth, I’d give away every cent I have to my name and every last breath I have left for a chance to try to make it up to you.”
“Nik,” I cry. “Stop. You can’t go with him…”
Eyes ablaze, Nik ignores my protests. “If I don’t see you again—if I don’t get another chance to earn your forgiveness and your love—I need you to know that from the moment I met you, I was never the same. Meeting you was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. If everything is to end for me soon, don’t feel sorry for me. I got to be with you, and that made my life worthwhile. I don’t want you to feel sad for me, milaya. So many people go through their whole lives without feeling how I feel when I’m with you. I’m beyond grateful that I was lucky enough to meet someone who makes me feel like you do. If this is my end, I’ll die a happy man as long as I know you will thoroughly enjoy a very long, happy life. Promise me you will.”
Uncontrollably sobbing, I somehow manage to say, “I can’t lose you. There has to be a way?—”
Nik’s eyes don’t leave mine—not even for a split second. “This is the way, Kat. If my life is the price for yours, I will gladly pay it any day or night. Now, promise me you will take care of yourself.”
“Nik, I can’t?—”
