Page 23 of Dark Bratva Christmas
She lets out a frustrated groan, and then throws her hands up at me. “I can't live like this, Matysh! I can't spend every hour of my life surrounded by the same four walls. You've had your fun, you've tormented me enough. Just let me go.”
I tilt my head, trying to understand. This was never about tormenting her, and she doesn't see that. This is about protecting her. Protecting both our families. And taking my brother’s revenge.
My voice lowers unwantedly. “If I let you go, the same people who killed Mikhail will come after you, do you not understand that?” I clench my jaw at the thought. I don’t know who would be responsible, but Iknowthey wouldn’t make it clean. That’s not how it works in this world.
Catarina shrugs her shoulders and barks out a sad, pained laugh. “I would rather die than live like this.”
A pause settles between us as her words sink in. My promise to Mikhail echoes in my mind and I shake my head. I grab her by the back of her neck and lead her to the bike. She winces under my touch.
“You don’t own me!”
I stop walking and turn her to face me, increasing pressure. “Yes, Little Flame. Yes, I do. You’re wearing my ring, you carry my name.” I close the gap between us, staring down at her with an intensity in my eyes that makes Catarina gulp. “And as it stands now, you might be carrying my blood. Isn’t that right?”
Catarina gasps, and her fingers immediately go to her stomach. She grips the fabric of the sweater, shaking her head.
She doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t need to. The silence speaks volumes.
“Thought you could run away, huh?” I ask, feeling a flood of anger at the idea of her putting my child at risk. “You thought you could run away with something that belongs to me?”
“I didn't ask for this,” Catarina grits out in response, her defiance unwavering. “I didn’twantyou.”
“You might think you can just get up and run away and I'll just sit back and let it happen, because I can’t standyou,” I begin, my voice low as I lean in closer to her. “But you’re so damn wrong. As long as you're carrying my child…and as long as you're bound to me… you'remine.”
“I'll never be yours,” Catarina whispers, shaking her head at me with disgust on her face.
“Oh, you already are, and you’ll thank me for it someday,” I say before grabbing her wrist and pulling her toward me.
I’m too quick for her to fight back, and she’s left to only whimper her protests.
I force her onto the bike and settle in behind her, feeling every tremble of her body. Whether they’re from the cold or something else, I don’t know. And right now, I don’t care. Before I put the helmet over her head, I lean forward close enough that my lips nearly graze her ear.
“Run again, Little Flame, and I'll put your fire out.”
Chapter seven
Catarina
First time on a motorcycle and I think I’m pregnant.
And maybe under different circumstances, I might actuallylikethis. But right now, I can't get far enough away from Matysh.
Even if the scent of his musky, masculine cologne is intoxicating and causes my body to react in all the worst ways.
He slips his arm around my waist, holding me tightly to him as he cruises and maneuvers the motorcycle with his other. It’s honestly impressive.
I never wanted him to know about the baby. I was hoping I could get away and move all the way across the country if I had to.
But, of course, the one person I saw in the parkhadto be him.
Ugh.Clearly, having good luck is not my forte.
When we get back to the estate, there's a swarm of people on the lawn, watching with expressions I struggle to read. I barely know any of them, so I know whatever it is, it’s not a concern for my safety.
They're probably all just glad Matysh isn't going to have to waterboard any of them for information about where I went. Lucky them.Unlucky me.
Matysh pulls up in front of the house and parks. He slides off the bike and then grabs my hand and drags me inside, ignoring the audience on the lawn. I expect him to take me to my room, but he doesn't.
I should make him stop.But my heart is in my throat, and at least I’m fairly certain he won’t hurt me with hisheirinside my womb. So, I just keep my mouth shut, as he leads me down a side hallway and into another room…
