Page 40 of Make Me, Break Me

“Falcon mentioned a marketing pack for the frat. If you would?” Beau motioned to the water and raised an eyebrow.

“Falcon..?” I blinked, gulped the rest of my water, and my brain ticked over. “The branding pack. Oh, Beau. That frazzled lion has got to go. Here’s what we planned.”

He listened to me talk in my ruined voice for what had to be half an hour, but I wasn’t wasting my chance to get in front of the rumored head of the Kingsman frat when I’d been working on that fucking group project for weeks—months—with Falcon and Nelson. Both who, admittedly, have excellent brains and also took direction well.

He waited until I finished. “We?”

I nodded. “Nelson, Falcon and myself have been working on this together this semester. I can produce the entire media kit for you…if I can leave the room. There's other strategy bits…” I shrugged.

Beau rolled his lips. “Can you pitch me off the top of your head?”

“Can I? Beau Bennett. I’m a marketing student. Don’t offend me.”

He smiled. “The floor is yours.”

I talked until my already raw voice ran dry, and he listened. Actually listened, not pretended. A few interjected questions and I swore we were there. His phone buzzed a half second before the door crashed inward and my dusty, dirty saviors arrived.

“Bravo. You found us before the air ran out.” Beau cocked his head to one side as he considered Dex, Nelson and Falcon, who stared around the small, brightly lit space with confusion. “Or was she ever in any danger at all?”

Dex looked at me. “Zin?”

I glanced at Beau who actually twiddled his thumbs and attempted to look innocent.

Good fucking luck with that.

“I was, but I believe we are good now. Or was that simply a distraction?” I raised my eyebrows at Beau, unimpressed if the latter was true.

He shook his head. “I agree with your assessment and the three of you are hired. Change the branding up. Also, you three have rooms. Barclay is moving in with a few friends, and I have space to fill. From what I’ve heard, you’ve been living in shithouse dorms. There’s room for extras,” he nodded to me though I didn't appreciate coming under the heading of an ‘extra’, “and I’ll find you a better space to fight in. Deal?”

Dex folded his arms. “You’re out of your fucking?—”

I body slammed him by accident. Okay, half by accident. “Deal,” I said into his shirt for him. “Nelson needs a home. He won’t survive without you two.”

Falcon laughed. “She’s right. You want to tell her?”

I looked between him and Dex. “Tell me what?”

Nelson gave me puppy eyes. “Your friend is the reason I have this.” He pulled his shirt up to expose a long, pink scar. “Twins, on his orders.”

I glared at Beau over my shoulder. “Deal rescinded.”

“Not rescinded,” Falcon said lazily. “We need a different presence in the Kingsman frat. Who knows? Maybe there's new leadership required.”

Beau held his gaze. “Don’t bet on it.”

Dex’s arms tightened around me. “You’re okay? Gonna tell me what happened?”

I swallowed as the first hours…day?...slammed back into me. I swayed into him. “Later, is that okay?” I whispered.

He nodded. “All the time in the world, sweetness. Tell me when you’re ready.”

I nuzzled into his chest and sighed. For the first time in hours, I sucked in a full breath.

We were going to be fine.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

DEX

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