Page 32 of Dark Bratva Christmas
Instead, I’m still trapped in this estate. When I'm in my room, I'm alone, but if I decide to walk the halls, I have one of Matysh's guards trailing me at all times. It’s excessive.
But it was just like this at home.
I swallow hard as I stare out at the houses by the water, the Christmas lights twinkling in the darkness. I would give anything to be able to walk freely outside and feel the cold air against my skin, just for a few moments of alone time.
A knock on my door catches my attention, and I sit up without saying anything, knowing that whoever is knocking is just going to let themselves in. That’s just how it works here.
I brace myself as the door swings open, and there’s Matysh, his eyes raking over me.
He's dressed in a pair of black jeans and a zipped-up leather jacket, carrying a garment bag in his hand. “Here.” He holds it out to me, and reluctantly, I stand to my feet and take it from him, laying it out across the bed.
He stands by the door as I work the zipper down the silk bag, my heart jumping to my throat.
I gasp when I see how gorgeous the dress I’m supposed to wear to the ball is. I may not want to go, butgood god,Matysh has nice taste.
The gown is light blue throughout with a form-fitting corset bodice with white lacing that closely resembles falling snowflakes. It has capped sleeves with a long tulle cape that matches the rest of the dress hanging off the sleeves.
“I spoke to the tailor and he gave me the measurements for this. You're not far along, so I assume your pregnancy won’t impact the fit,” Matysh explains as I trace my fingers along the elegant details of the gown in silent reverence.
My pregnancy.I lift my eyes from the gown and hold his eyes. “I take it you must have gotten the answer from the test then?”
He nods, his expression unmoving. “I did.”
“And I’m pregnant?” I nearly choke out the words, emotions welling up in my eyes despite already having a feeling I knew the answer.
“You are,” Matysh confirms, his voice still gruff. “You’re complying with your duties nicely… In that way.”
“Well,” I huff, blowing out a sharp breath. “That means so much coming from you.”
He laughs and I realize it's the first time I've heard a genuine laugh from him. It’s foreign to my ears, but… not in a bad way.
“You should get dressed,” Matysh says, grabbing the gown and hanging it up in my closet.
“Um… The ball isn’t tonight…” I point at it as he's walking away, wondering why he told me to put it on before hanging it up.
Once again, he laughs. “Not in this. Wear something warm.”
“Something warm?” I stare at him, clearly wondering what's going on, but he doesn't elaborate.
“Glad you can hear clearly,” Matysh grunts, stopping in the doorway. “Put on something warm and meet me in the living room in fifteen minutes. Don’t be late.”
He shuts the door as he leaves, and I stand motionless for a few moments before walking to the dresser and picking out a pair of jeans and a cashmere turtleneck sweater. I slip on a pair of warm boots, courtesy of the thoughtful wardrobe Matysh’s house staff put together for me—with some cozy socks and grab a jacket, not knowing if we're going outside or not.
But ugh, I hope we are.
Once I’m convinced my hair is fine being pulled up, I make my way out of my room, and down the grand staircase. Matysh is in the living room, still wearing what he had on earlier, sitting calmly in the armchair, drumming his fingers against the leather.
I fold my arms across my chest. “Okay, I'm warm. What's going on? What do you want from me? Are you moving my living quarters to the backyard?”
He cocks a brow at me but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he just stands to his feet, places his hand on the small of my back, and then guides me toward the door.
My heartbeat quickens as we walk outside, and for the first time in days, I feel cold air on my face. And while it burns my nose and my lungs, it feelssogood.
He leads me to a car and opens the door for me to climb inside. I stand motionless for a few moments and look up at the sky, staring at the moon as the breeze whips around me.
“Let's go, Catarina,” Matysh urges me. “Before I change my mind.”
I glance back at him, wonderingwhatchanging his mind could possibly even mean at this point.
