Page 85

Margot

The door creaking open wakes me, and for a second, panic grips me.

Then I remember I’m home, and the fear dissolves.

But when I see Matty opening the bedroom door like he’s about to leave, a new kind of fear creeps in.

“Thanks. Did you make it just how I said?”

“Boy, I know how to make coffee. Now let me in to see her.” I hear Dotty demand.

“No. She’s sleeping. You can see her when she comes down for breakfast. Stick to the meal plan from the doctor.”

I hear her grumble and stomp away, clearly unimpressed.

“You could’ve let her in,” I say lightly once the door closes.

“Hey sweetheart. I didn’t know you were awake,” Matty turns with a warm smile. “I have your coffee.”

“Thanks, baby.” He crosses the room and hands me the cup. I take a sip and let out a soft moan.

He shifts slightly, and I notice the way he adjusts his sweatpants .

I hide my grin behind the mug, blushing.

“Why didn’t you make it?” I tease.

“I’m not leaving your side,” he says simply. “Not even to make your coffee.”

My heart swells. I don’t know if he’s doing it for me, or for him, but either way, it makes me feel loved.

I can’t be alone right now.

He knows that.

He sits on the edge of the bed, watching me as I drink. I know what’s coming and start the conversation, so he doesn’t have to. Listening will be hard enough. I don’t need him to feel guilty for forcing the conversation.

“You want to know what happened.”

“Not want. Need. Sweetheart, it’s going to kill me to hear it. I hate myself for making you relive it. But we have to know, so we can move forward with the Bratva.” He looks pained at having to have the conversation.

He looks miserable just saying it.

“It’s okay, Matty. I knew this was coming.” I reach for his hand, and he immediately puts both of his around mine.

So, I start.

When I reach the part where my boss grabs me, Matty’s face twists in rage. I pause and squeeze his hand.

“Baby, it gets worse. You need to calm down.”

He pulls me into his lap and moves so his back rests against the headboard, and I’m lying across him.

“I know. It’s just hard to hear. Keep going, sweetheart.”

So, I do.

Every time someone hurt me, he holds me tighter.

When I relay running through the basement, he curses.

When I repeat my conversation with Viktor, he sneers.

“You told him you were mine? That you’re Syndicate?”

“Yes, but he didn’t believe me.” I lower my gaze .

“That’s okay, sweet girl. You did the right thing. This gives us enough to justify what we did. You did so well.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head.

“Actually, I think he believed me at first. He was worried. But when you didn’t come… he started to doubt me. He said if I were really yours, you would’ve come by now.”

My voice quiets at the end. Shame creeps in. Because I believed Viktor.

Matty hears it. Hears the doubt I carried.

“Sweetheart, we never stopped looking for you. You were our top priority. You have to know that. I’m sorry it took so long. I’m sorry I gave you time to doubt me.”

“You saved me. That’s what matters.” I kiss his cheek, and he pulls me in tighter.

When I get to the final interaction, the man telling me I’d be sent to the docks, Matty stills.

“Tell me exactly what he said.”

I repeat it verbatim.

His mouth moves in a string of curses, but his voice stays low.

“Thank you, sweetheart. You did so well. That’s all I need. I’m so proud of you, my strong girl. You never have to talk about it again. Not unless you want to. I’ll always listen.” He assures me and sprinkles my head with kisses.

We lie there for a while longer. I feel safe in his arms. But eventually, I start to stir.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he murmurs, pulling me back in.

“Downstairs. I need some breakfast.”

“If you’re ready to eat, let’s go. But you’re not going anywhere without me.” He pops up and scoops me into his arms .

“Matty! I can walk.” I laugh as he carries me toward the stairs.

“Absolutely not.”

We enter the kitchen and are immediately ambushed by Dotty. It’s almost a mirror image of Benny’s reaction yesterday.

“Give her space,” Matty growls, shielding me.

Dotty huffs and backs off as he sets me on a stool at the island. He stands behind me, arms caging me in like a protective wall.

“You’re nothing but skin and bones,” Dotty mutters. “I’m cooking feasts until you’re back to normal.”

“No. You’re following Dr. Anderson’s meal plan,” Matty snaps. “She’ll get sick if she eats too much.”

Dotty grumbles, but I think it’s agreement.

That reminds me.

“Dotty, have you met Dr. Anderson?” I ask casually.

Her cheeks flush instantly.

I jump out of my seat in excitement, but Matty catches me mid-motion and lightly forces me back into place. “Sit still, sweetheart.”

“I have,” Dotty says while pretending to focus on the stove. I know better.

“What do you think of him?” I say in the most innocent tone I can muster.

“What are you doing?” Matty leans down and whispers in my ear.

I ignore him.

“I was thinking maybe you two could coordinate my meal plan together. I think he’ll be over more often to do checkups. He seems like a really nice man.”

“Such a naughty girl,” Matty murmurs, but there’s a grin in his voice. He loves this .

“Oh. I didn’t realize he’d be over again,” Dotty says, scrambling eggs with more focus than necessary.

“Neither did I,” Matty whispers sarcastically.

“Yes. And since he’s not married, he probably has a lot of time on his hands.”

“I didn’t know he was single,” she muses.

“There seems to be a lot you don’t know about him,” I tease. “Maybe you should spend some time together. He seems lonely.”

It’s bold. I hold my breath, waiting for her to snap at me.

But instead, “Maybe I’ll reach out to him,” she answers, her voice soft.

I grin.

It’s damn good to be home.