Page 13 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

Either way, I wrapped up helping someone else when Raf called me over, and I approached him with a smile.

He had some questions about the main objectives of his assignment, wondering what might be more compelling to highlight in the article, and I didn’t mind helping him sort it out.

He had been open and receptive to feedback ever since he started working with us, and seeing someone else as keen as him helped to make my job even easier. It inspired me just as watching Gemma’s enthusiasm for the field often did.

Plus, it helped that he was easy to talk to.

“Thanks for your input again, I really appreciate it,” Raf said, leaning back in his desk chair as he gave me a faint smile.

I mirrored the expression and nodded. “Of course. I don’t mind helping. Sometimes, all you need is a pair of fresh eyes to hit a breakthrough.”

“That’s right. It’s always a relief too. You always seem to know exactly what a story needs.”

With a polite and somewhat bashful hum, I murmured, “I’ve been doing this for quite some time…you eventually develop a knack for it along the way.”

Raf grinned. “I can only hope the same happens for me one day.”

“I’m sure it will with time. Just keep at it, and I’m sure you’ll be more confident with it,” I replied, hoping to sound encouraging. I found it often helped everyone around me to lend them that support when they needed it, as I never knew exactly when someone might need it. Those words always went farther than I ever expected them to.

As far as I knew, Raf had studied journalism, but it took him some time to join the field, so while he was good at what hedid, there were still some hiccups he was working on. Luckily, I was there to help with that aspect.

It felt good to be able to provide that kind of support to my coworkers, and despite working with deadlines and being busy, the company Gemma created provided that kind of supportive environment.

Raf nodded, and then after a beat, he gave me a relaxed smile. “Have any plans for the weekend?”

I shrugged. “I’ll likely be finishing up some last-minute work, but other than that, I think a nice bottle of wine and some brainless television are calling me.”

He chuckled at that. “I know what you mean. Don’t forget to unwind and give yourself a break, you work hard, too, you know.”

“Of course…that’s something I’ve always struggled with, but I’m working on it.”

Before Raf could say anything else, a sudden rush of air moved by us, and I glanced over to find Damien standing over us both, glancing between us before his eyes settled on me.

“Is everything alright here?”

Blinking back at him, I couldn’t find the words at first. I was too startled and confused about what he was talking about.

At first, I wondered if he just meant it harmlessly, but the longer he looked at us, eyes straying to Raf occasionally, I knew he was being serious. He was genuinely wondering if there was a problem.

I had the feeling he was trying to insinuate something about Raf as if he was bothering me.

“We’re fine,” I managed to say, trying to maintain my polite demeanor despite how his question seemed so out of place and rubbed me the wrong way.

In all of my time working for Gemma, I never had any problem with my coworkers. I never felt cornered or like anything inappropriate was going on. Given how well we all worked together, it was hard for me to understand what stood out as concerning to Damien.

Everything Raf discussed with me had been harmless, and there was no reason for him to interfere.

“Nothing to report here,” Raf added with a somewhat nervous chuckle as if intimidated by Damien.

I couldn’t blame him. He was dressed head to toe in protective gear like he was security at some sort of event. It didn’t help how he was looming over us, almost like he was prepared to strike at any moment.

Despite Raf’s attempt to diffuse that hint of tension between the three of us, Damien didn’t seem to find it very amusing as his gaze slid to him for a beat before returning to me, and he gave a small, dismissive hum in response.

“You’re sure about that?”

In any situation, I’d be the first person to admit that the way he looked at me then was more appealing than anything else. It struck a chord with me, but given the circumstances, and how insistent he was being just like that morning, I couldn’t shake the vague irritation that moved through me.

He seemed so sure. So confident that Raf was being a nuisance and that I needed saving.

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