Page 28 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

Glancing between us again, Damien wore a faint grin. “I heard someone’s being tasked with a job that has the potential to be dangerous…I was wondering if I could do something to help with that.”

That was when it set in. When I realized that Damien had been listening for God knows how long.

Maybe it shouldn’t have bothered me, but knowing he had been there eavesdropping, apparently waiting for the moment to insert himself again, it made me bristle.

He seemed to assume I couldn’t handle it—like he didn’t think I could do my job.

The idea grated against my nerves.

Gemma lifted a curious brow in his direction. “How so?”

“I could escort Sky to scout the area and conduct these potential interviews,” he said simply as if he wasn’t encroaching on my work all over again—and right when I thought we had at least found a common understanding. “If there are any bad actors around, I’ll be around to make sure nothing goes wrong.”

I sighed from my place, trying to be dismissive enough for him to take the hint. “It’s fine, really…I’ve been in worse situations.”

Damien didn’t seem to like that notion as his eyes narrowed fractionally before correcting himself.

“You’re sure you don’t mind?” Gemma asked, eyes on Damien as if she were considering it.

Seeing that look in her eyes, I felt my heart clenching.

He shrugged as if it was no problem. “Not at all. I can spare a few hours.”

I wanted nothing more than to shut him down, but I didn’t want to let my mask slip.

Without a doubt, I was attracted to him. God, I thought he was gorgeous, and I couldn’t get our time together out of my head, but it felt like he was trying to interfere where I didn’t need him to. He was getting in the way of my work, almost like he felt I couldn’t be trusted to look after myself.

Maybe it was just my pride talking, but my job was mine. Not his. I didn’t want to be made out to be incompetent.

“Really, it’s fine. Don’t we need you here in the office?”

As the words left my mouth, I felt a confusing jumble of irritation and hope.

It didn’t make sense—nothing about him or how I felt was making sense anymore.

Damien’s gaze slid over to me again. “I’m sure nothing disastrous will happen while we’re gone. Besides, there are more than enough cameras here. If anything happens, I’ll know it.”

I wanted nothing more than to scoff at him, but I held my tongue.

“Really, it’s not a bad idea,” Gemma said, tapping her pen against the desk for a moment. “It would make me feel better sending you out there…”

My heart was clenching as I tried to understand those mixed signals I was giving myself, both wanting him there and wishing he would stay out of it. I had never experienced that kind of back and forth with myself before, and I didn’t know what to do about it.

“Alright…it’s a good call. Damien will go with you for the interviews.”

Something in me wanted to snap at Damien and make him stay in the office while I went on my own, but I didn’t say anything. Instead, I managed a faint understanding smile and nodded to Gemma.

Regretting looking at Damien the moment I did, I caught his veiled smugness, and it irritated me all over again.

I couldn’t understand how he was so good at both intriguing me and getting under my skin, but he certainly took the cake in both of those things.

He was always far too satisfied with himself whenever he got his way, and it pissed me off.

I was into him…that wasn’t a secret I was trying to keep from myself. But he was overstepping again, and I didn’t want him sticking his nose where it shouldn’t be.

Before we slept together, Damien admitted to essentially guarding me. He was watching over me and making sure I was safe despite whatever ‘unsafe’ thing was happening in the workplace, and in a way, it sounded a lot more like he didn’t think I could handle my own.

Regardless of what he thought, I could take care of myself. I didn’t need him looming over me like a guard dog, prepared to interfere at any moment.

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