Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Riley
"Riley? Are you okay?" Evelyn shook my shoulder. "I called your name three times and you didn't answer!"
I snapped back, my heart giving a hard thud.
"I'm fine. Maybe just tired?" I touched my cheek, forcing a smile to stay on my face.
Ever since I'd gotten to the hospital, that night at the gala kept replaying in my head.
Matvey's expressionless face watching me. Me in that champagne-soaked, torn white dress, looking like hell. And him pinning me in the hallway, kissing away my tears, stealing my breath... What the hell did he want?
"You've practically moved into this hospital." Evelyn squeezed my hand. "If you're exhausted, go rest."
The warmth spread through me. Her hand was like a winter fireplace—comforting.
Veronica hadn't been piling on the work lately. At least my evenings were my own now. I'd spent most of them here, keeping Evelyn company.
"Don't worry." I shook my head.
I was fine. Just confused as hell. God, I couldn't read Matvey at all.
That dress I'd worn to the gala—he'd had Anton send it to me. Along with a dozen other outfits and a card that read: "You need clothes that fit."
The blazers, dresses, and sleepwear fit perfectly, felt incredible. No complaints there. But they didn't feel like mine. Like I'd glimpsed a palace through a crack in the wall. The gap between us, the helplessness, and all these other feelings I couldn't name churned in my gut.
"So tell me—any progress with your crush?" She asked this every damn day, like some gossip columnist.
"How do I put it? We're drifting further apart..." I smiled weakly. "He's been busy. We barely see each other."
What was he busy with? Attending events with his ex-wife. Letting everyone know they were getting back together. Our arrangement was almost over. That sharp, handsome face had invaded my dreams too many times—him leaning in, kissing me, then walking away with Veronica on his arm.
"Seriously, have you even had dinner together? Gone on a date? If you like him, just seeing him at work won't cut it!"
Dinner? A date? With Matvey at some restaurant I couldn't even pronounce, showing off just how clueless and broke I was?
No thanks. What happened at that boutique was enough.
The woman sitting across from Matvey at some upscale restaurant should be someone like Veronica—tall, slender, in heels with a Chanel bag. Confident. Not me in jeans with a canvas tote, suited for fast food joints.
"Riley, you're here?" Evelyn's doctor walked in, his eyes going straight to me.
"Yes, doctor." I stood immediately.
Evelyn's surgery was a month behind her now. Matvey had helped find the marrow match.
"Your sister's recovery is excellent. Better than we expected. The odds of a full recovery are very high." He glanced at his notes.
"That's wonderful..." My voice nearly broke. "Evelyn, did you hear? You're going to be okay!"
Relief flooded her face, tears pooling in her eyes.
"But she still needs rest. No stress, keep emotions stable..." The doctor rattled off instructions and left.
My throat felt full. Like water had pooled there.
I should've been laughing, cheering, or sobbing into Evelyn's shoulder. Instead I just stood there. It wasn't until I felt something cold slide down my face and neck that I realized I was crying.
"Don't cry, Riley." Evelyn pulled me close, her thumb wiping my tears. "I'm getting better. You should be happy."
"You should smile, Riley."
More tears spilled over—I was trying to pull my lips into a smile, but every time I did, tears leaked out.
"I'm working on it." I must've looked ridiculous.
Sunset poured into the room, light catching on Evelyn's face.
My life was settling down. I was sure now that everything with Matvey was just an episode. A detour. The arrangement was almost done. It would all be over soon.
Hours later, after Evelyn fell asleep, I reluctantly left the hospital.
It was fully dark outside, but the bars along the way home were lit up and buzzing.
When I turned into the alley, a stranger's voice drifted from behind me.
"All alone, little girl? Wanna come play with me?"
I spun around and froze. A bloated man stood there, face thick with fat, looking scary as hell. He reeked of booze—so strong I had to shallow-breathe to avoid inhaling it.
"I have to get home." I backed away, but he grabbed my wrist.
The greasy touch made me shudder.
"Don't be a bitch about it! Walking around with those tits bouncing—who you trying to tease?" He slurred, spewing filth.
Cold sweat broke out down my back.
"Help! Someone help!" I screamed, praying someone would pass by.
"No one's coming through here, sweetheart." He grinned grotesquely. "Save your voice—you'll need it later!"
"Let go of me, you bastard!" I struggled, trying to wrench my wrist free.
But he had me locked down, even twisting my arm back.
I swung my canvas bag at him with my free hand. Drunk as he was, he dodged it. Now he had both my hands pinned behind me, pressing me against the wall.
"Fuck—let go!" I kicked backward, hitting nothing.
"Fuck?" He laughed. "Don't worry, I'll fuck you real good, you little slut."
I was running out of strength. His hand slid down to my ass. I nearly vomited.
"Damn, this ass is quality too. You're a fucking prize!" He started tearing at my skirt.
No! Help! Someone—anyone—please just walk by.
Terror and despair crashed over me. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying this was all some nightmare.
"Ah! You mother—" A scream and the crack of bone exploded next to me. The hands holding me vanished.
I spun around. Under the dim streetlight, a tall, broad silhouette came into view. Matvey.
What was he doing here? This broken-down street didn't belong to his world.
His tailored suit jacket was gone. The black shirt stretched tight across his wide shoulders and muscled back. He had the drunk by the collar, dangling him in the air, his other fist slamming into the man's face without mercy.
"Ah! My eye—"
"You should be fucking dead." Matvey's voice was ice-cold, heart-stopping.
Another brutal punch. The drunk's screams faded to weak whimpers. But Matvey didn't stop.
"Matvey! Stop it!" I finally found my voice through the shock.
The drunk's body was going limp. Matvey was going to kill him.
Hearing me, Matvey froze. He let go. The half-dead man crumpled to the ground. Then he turned around slowly. In the dim light, I finally saw his face. That sculpted, perfect face was dark with fury, his gray-green eyes still burning with violence.
"Are you okay?" He stepped toward me, hands on my shoulders, turning me in a full circle before stopping.
His sharp cedar scent filled my nose—so familiar it made me want to cry.
I wanted to forget everything and collapse into his arms. But mixed with the cedar was a faint trace of roses. Veronica's scent.
I nearly suffocated. What was I hoping for? He was here because he was possessive of what belonged to him. Once he went back to his glittering world, he'd still choose his beautiful ex-wife.
"Seen enough?" I pushed his hands off and stepped back. "Don't pretend to care. I can handle myself."
"Handle yourself?" His voice held irritation. "If I hadn't shown up, you'd already be—"
He stepped forward again, gripping my shoulders, nose almost touching mine. My heart raced—the kind of flutter that came from instinct, from the body. The man I'd been thinking about had saved me. I should hold him, kiss him... But all I wanted now was to escape.
"So what? Before you showed up, I was surviving just fine!" I bit my lip. I'd never depended on anyone. "I would've found a way out... Either way, it's none of your business."
My voice was edging toward hysterical. How many times had I fallen apart because of him?
"None of my business? You're mine. At least until the arrangement ends, I'm responsible." He yanked me into his arms.
I crashed into his solid chest, dizzy.
"Matvey, the second this arrangement ends, I'm gone." I held my breath, letting him hold me. "I won't get in the way of you and your ex-wife getting back together."
He and Veronica were reconciling. Any talk of renewing our deal was off the table.
"Riley, don't do this." His voice softened.
"I'm just doing what I'm supposed to." I wriggled free from his loosened grip and turned to leave.
He didn't let me.
"It's too late. It's dangerous for you alone." Without another word, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward his car. "I'm taking you home."
"I don't need you! I can walk..." I struggled, even bit his arm. Nothing worked.
"Behave." He bent down and hoisted me over his shoulder.
The world spun. My stomach pressed against his hard shoulder.
"Matvey! Are you insane? Put me down!" The sudden loss of balance made me yelp.
I pounded on his rock-solid back, legs kicking wildly in the air.
"Stop squirming, Riley." His low voice rumbled against my thigh, his warm breath making me shiver.
"Let go! I can walk!" I twisted, trying to flip myself off.
"Unless you want me to strip your skirt off and spank you right here in the street, stay still." His palm landed on my ass in warning. I went up in flames.
I didn't dare move.
Fine. I relaxed slightly. If he was taking me home anyway, I could give back all those clothes he'd sent.
I didn't want to owe him anything.