Page 55 of The Bratva's Knocked-Up Bride

The number wasn’t Ari’s. It wasn’t even close.

Dread crept down the back of my neck as the realization sank in, and it became incredibly clear that someone had tricked me. Somehow, some way, someone managed to pull a fast one on me.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I sighed.

“Shit…”

Chapter 24 - Sky

Damien had been gone for a bit before that familiar queasiness returned, almost like it was mocking me for trying to get something done.

It was maddening, and I just wanted it to stop, but the longer it persisted, the less I could be bothered to keep working.

Sighing after deciding I had done enough for the day after all, I put everything away, tidying up my office and grabbing my things before I eventually left.

I popped another ginger candy in my mouth while I took the elevator down to the parking garage and pulled my phone out to arrange a ride. All the while, I couldn’t help but worry about Damien and the incident.

I felt somewhat helpless, knowing that something was going on despite not being able to do anything about it. It was completely out of my hands, regardless of how annoying it seemed. Regardless of that sudden urge to help in any way I could.

But I knew that if I tried anything, Damien would lose his mind over it. He wouldn’t want me anywhere near that kind of thing, and quite frankly, I had no business trying. Our worlds were too different, and I wasn’t trained on how to be of any help to him or the Levovs at that moment.

Instead, I could only hope he and the others were safe.

It sounded serious given how abruptly Damien had left, and I had a bad feeling about it. Still, I had to sit and wait until I heard more.

Ignoring the twist in my gut at the thought of him going head-first into another dangerous situation was harder than I thought it would be, and it gnawed at me all the while I steppedoff the elevator and wandered around the parking garage while I waited for a cab to pull up and take me home.

Given how everyone else had cleared out at least an hour prior, it was incredibly quiet, and only the sound of my heels tapping against the concrete ground beneath me seemed to fill the space. It was eerie—even more so given how tense I was about Damien going to back up the Levovs.

A part of me wished I had been selfish and asked him to stay back just to give me peace of mind. But I knew it would’ve been wrong for multiple reasons.

With the Levovs being in trouble, their wives didn’t have a choice in the matter either. Regardless of their feelings, they also had to sit back and wait, wondering when they might be home…if they came home at all.

If Damien being there could help save the life of at least one of their husbands, then it would be worth it for him to go. But I just hoped that meant he wouldn’t be any more in danger than the others.

He was determined and did his job well, and even if I tried to get him to stay back, I knew he never would have. He had a duty to protect his family and associates, and I also knew Damien would never forgive himself if he weren’t there to help especially if something went wrong in his absence.

So, I had no choice either way. I had to wait.

Moving aimlessly as I grew more restless, I went further down the main path of the parking garage until I heard a car door closing, followed by the shuffle of feet.

Looking up, I stopped in my place, surprised to see Raf approaching.

“Raf…you’re still here,” I pointed out, confused as I considered the thought.

But that couldn’t be right…he should’ve been gone at least an hour before like everyone else. He should’ve been long gone.

“Are you having car trouble or something?” I questioned again, keeping my eyes on him.

Raf chuckled and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, glancing between me and the red car of his nearby. “Yeah…something like that.”

“Are you waiting for someone?”

Watching him, I couldn’t help but notice how he seemed a bit…off.

Normally, he was outwardly friendly and warm, and perhaps more on the anxious and reserved side. But at that moment, he didn’t look as docile. As kind.

I didn’t know what it was, but something in his eyes just didn’t look right to me, especially how he seemed to be avoiding my gaze at times. That usually wasn’t a problem for him, which made me even more concerned.

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