The moment the words are out of my mouth I know I shouldn’t have said them. Matvei freezes, then slowly turns to look at me. "He’swhat?" The words drip with venom.
I flush. "It's no big deal. Really. He’s been sending me messages about wanting me back. He says he misses me, he needs me. I’ve ignored them. He’s a married man now, and even if he wasn’t, I want nothing to do with him ever again."
The words tumble over each other, my voice rising an octave. It's not enough to calm him. Matvei's eyes spark with fire and rage, a stark contrast to the quiet, focused anger I've seen before. This is different. This is personal.
He's on his feet in a heartbeat, storming out of his office with strides so long, I have to jog to keep up with him.
"Matvei, don't." I have no idea what he's going to do, but I know I have to stop him. "I promise, it's not a big deal. I haven't answered him once."
"He crossed the line," he snarls as we climb the stairs to the second landing. He pauses to catch his breath before pushing himself off the banister. He's in pain, but he's ignoring it, his mind racing, planning. "He's tried to kill you twice. I'm not letting him get away with this, Sonya. I'm not letting him get to you."
"You're hurt, Matvei," I say, trailing him to his room. "It hasn't even been twelve hours since you got shot. You're in no condition to be running around and going after Samson. I'm not some princess whose honor you have to defend."
Matvei turns, his face a mask of fury, hands clenched into fists at his side. "You're carrying my child. That is enough of a reason right there."
It's clear the conversation is over and there is no stopping him. He disappears into the closet, emerging in dark jeans and a black henley. He sits on the bed to put on his boots, grabs a jacket, and heads back downstairs with me in tow.
"Evgeny."
I greet him as he comes out of the kitchen, a steaming mug of coffee in his hand. He looks like he hasn't slept in days, dark circles shadowing his eyes.
"Please tell Matvei whatever he's planning to do to Samson is not worth it. He's still hurt."
The big man's eyes widen as I approach him. If anyone is able to stop Matvei, it's Evgeny. But he seems to have only registered one word.
"Hurt?" His gaze snaps to his boss, looking him up and down.
"I'll tell you in the car," Matvei snarls as he stalks past me. "Samson's been after Sonya."
Evgeny's eyes swing back to me. I return his look with a pleading one of my own, but he responds by downing the rest of his coffee and leaving his mug on the entryway table before following his boss.
“Damn it.” I charge after them to the garage.
Matvei yanks the door open with his good arm, rattling the frame so hard I half expect the plaster to crack. His pounding footsteps echo in the big, concrete space. The beast that rules the Bratva with an iron fist has taken over. He pulls open a car door, but Evgeny slams it shut again.
"You're not going," Evgeny says without hesitation.
Matvei whirls toward him, teeth bared. "You don’t order me around,mudak."
Evgeny's eyes are sharp, calculating. He's built like a boulder, all muscle and quiet patience, and I know if it comes to blows, he'll win. But there's something gentle in his gaze as well as a flicker of concern as he places a hand on Matvei’s good shoulder. “If you go after Samson now, you won't come back. You're hurt, and he's expecting you. He wants you angry and distracted. You're compromised. You think I can't see it?”
Compromised? By what?
Something passes between the two men. Something I don’t understand, something I’m not supposed to see.
Matvei shoves his hand off, nearly stumbling. "Sonya's in danger. You know what he's capable of."
"Which is exactly why you need to keep your head." Evgeny blocks the door, arms folded. "I'm not letting you walk out there half-cocked, bleeding, and emotional. We need intel. Samson's got partners, and he managed to burn down an entire warehouse last night. And now he has the Mancinis behind him. If we misstep, they'll finish what he started. We can’t go after him without all the details."
After Evgeny's warning, an uneasy silence fills the garage. Matvei glares at Evgeny, his bulk still blocking the car door. For a moment, both men just stand there. Then, without a word, Evgeny hands Matvei the keys and his weapon.
“Matvei, wait?—"
Both men turn, surprised I’m still there. I wrap my hand around his good arm as Evgeny rounds the car to the driver’s side and Matvei prepares to get in. I plant my heels and pull until he stops and turns to me, anger and determination darkening the blue of his eyes. "Please?—"
I’m not sure what to ask for and I search frantically, afraid he's going to grow annoyed and leave before I can think of anything.
"Promise me you'll come home in one piece, okay? Our baby needs you."