Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Mr. Aldridge blinked like he hadn’t expected that to be the opening. “That’s not what we’re—”
“You wanted to ensure that our relationship doesn’t pose a risk to your network,” Raiden continued, unbothered. “It doesn’t. If anything, Marissa will probably go harder on me than most reporters because she expects the best from me.”
My mouth parted in shock even though he wasn’t wrong.
“There’s no denying she’ll have access to the Nighthawks that nobody else can get,” Raiden added. “But I know her well enough to say without a doubt that she won’t take advantage of it in ways that aren’t ethical. Not because she’s trying to protect the network, but because that’s just who she is.”
My breath caught at the utter certainty in his tone. He really did trust me unconditionally.
“You’ve seen the numbers. Her skating coverage is pulling more views than some of your primetime features.”
Mr. Aldridge’s brows furrowed as though he wanted to deny it, but he couldn’t. “We’re not questioning her talent—”
“You’re questioning the story around her,” Raiden corrected. “So let’s talk about that too.”
Heat rushed up my neck. The humiliation from last night pulsed under my skin like an emotional bruise.
“She’s been accused of sleeping her way onto the football beat. And worse. By someone inside your own network.” Raiden’s hand tightened around mine, offering comfort I desperately needed. “That accusation wasn’t just inappropriate. It was a lie. And it was meant to create a false narrative with the potential to damage not just her reputation but also this network’s credibility.”
Mr. Aldridge’s jaw tensed. “We’re addressing the issue internally.”
But Raiden wasn’t finished.
“Marissa works harder than anyone I’ve met in this industry. She researches. She fact-checks. She respects every sport she’s assigned to cover in a way that only a former athlete can. And I’ve seen her turn down an opportunity that might’ve compromised her neutrality even though it meant losing a bigger story.”
I jerked slightly, surprised he even knew about that. I hadn’t mentioned anything to him even though it happened while I was working from home.
“Players trust her because she treats them with fairness,” he continued. “She’s earned every inch of success she has.”
Mr. Aldridge exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. “Mr. Shaffer—”
“And if anyone claims she used me, they’re lying.”
The room went utterly silent.
Raiden’s thumb brushed across my knuckles. “If the network decides to bench her because of rumors someone else started, I’ll take the PR fallout myself. On camera. In front of whoever you want.”
He would never bluff about that. Raiden didn’t make empty threats. He made promises. And he kept them.
“She belongs on this beat because she’s earned it. Don’t let gossip convince you otherwise.”
Mr. Aldridge stared at him for several loaded seconds. Then he shifted his gaze to me, and he nodded. “As I was saying before”—he frowned at Raiden, but there was respect in his gaze—“Marissa, your work stands on its own. We intend to move forward with the assignments discussed.”
I released a shaky breath.
“And Camille will be removed from any overlapping coverage until further notice,” he added, his tone firm.
“I don’t want that woman anywhere near Marissa,” Raiden stated firmly.
Mr. Aldridge inclined his head. “Understood.”
My pulse fluttered in relief.
He stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “Congratulations on the baby.”
I stood on unsteady legs. Raiden rose beside me, his hand on the small of my back.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Raiden guided me out of the office. When the door shut behind us, I heaved a deep sigh.
Raiden’s hand slid to my hip. “You okay?”
I nodded, emotion clogging my throat. “I am now.”
We waited until we were alone in the elevator to say anything else.
I leaned against him. “I can’t believe you came.”
“Couldn’t let you get punished for being with me.”
I tilted my head back and asked, “How did you even know?”
“Someone from the PR team got a tip,” he explained. “They gave me a heads-up, and I rushed over.”
“Thank you.”
“I meant it when I said I’ve got you.” He brushed a soft kiss against my lips. “No one is ever going to come for you again without having to go through me first.”
I believed him.
15
RAIDEN
The waiting room was too bright. Or maybe it just felt that way because Marissa’s skin caught the light and reflected it at me like some kind of magic.
She sat beside me on the vinyl-covered bench, flipping through some pregnancy magazine with a half-curious, half-bored expression—only skimming the headlines, barely pretending to read.
But there wasn’t anything fake about how I was watching her, the same as I had every day since she moved in with me. Memorizing her all over again.
There was a new fullness to her face, soft and glowing, like her skin had soaked in sunlight. Her hair was pulled back in one of those messy knots she somehow made look sexy, and her leggings hugged every curve like they’d been painted on. Her hoodie hung from her frame—swamping her upper body—but the way she held it closed over her stomach told me exactly what she was thinking about.