Page 104 of Auctioned to My Bratva Boss

"Evelyn," I cleared my throat, trying to sound normal. "I want you to meet—"

"Matvey Bykov."

Evelyn, propped against her pillows, spoke his full name before I could finish.

Both Matvey and I froze.

"You know him?" I asked, surprised.

"You talk about him constantly. I'd know him even if we'd never met." Evelyn shot me a look that made my face heat.

Her tone wasn't hostile. I relaxed slightly.

But then her gaze shifted to Matvey, turning ice-cold. "Besides, his face was all over the news with another woman not long ago."

The air went rigid. My heart jumped to my throat. I knew Evelyn wouldn't make this easy.

But Matvey showed no anger at the jab. He stepped forward, more serious than I'd ever seen him.

"Evelyn." He gave a slight nod, his voice low and controlled. "Everything Riley's suffered recently—that's on me. I won't dodge that or make excuses."

No explanations, no extra words. I was stunned. He was too proud to bow to anyone.

Evelyn didn't respond. She studied him from her hospital bed, eyes sharp despite her illness, like she was examining someone she didn't trust.

"Mr. Bykov," her voice was polite but frozen solid. "Let me ask you something. Do you know how Riley grew up?"

Matvey didn't interrupt. Just listened quietly.

"Our parents died young. I was barely a teenager. She was even younger." Evelyn's voice was steady. "To raise her, I took any job I could find. I'd go hungry so she could eat. When she spiked a fever at midnight, I carried her three blocks to the hospital."

Listening, my chest ached. I could see those two small figures again.

"I raised her myself. Protected her from the worst of it." Her eyes turned razor-sharp on Matvey. "So what did you do? When your ex-wife was tormenting her, where were you? When she found out she was pregnant and scared out of her mind, where were you?"

My stomach dropped. I hadn't expected Evelyn to lay it out so bluntly.

"You're some big shot. You've got unlimited money and women throwing themselves at you. Are you serious about her, or is she just something new and shiny? When you get bored, will you toss her and the babies aside for the next one?"

"Evelyn!" I grabbed her arm.

"Riley, don't." She didn't look at me, keeping her gaze locked on Matvey. "I want to hear his answer."

I looked at Matvey nervously, afraid nothing he said would satisfy her.

But he didn't dodge or get defensive.

"You're right." His eyes met Evelyn's straight on, deep as a bottomless well. "I've got money. I've had all kinds of women around me over the years."

"But that's exactly why I know better than anyone—Riley's different."

"I'll be honest with you, Evelyn." His voice dropped lower. "My world is dangerous. Riley was even kidnapped once. Got hurt. I failed to protect her. I own all of that."

I hadn't told Evelyn about the kidnapping. I ducked my head guiltily, ignoring her accusing look.

"But everyone who touched a hair on her head? They don't exist anymore." The calm in his voice was chilling.

I knew too well what lay beneath that calm.