Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey Page B

in the same department. William had clearly covered his tracks by staging his version of the events with his mentor. She could just imagine the conversation, the lies William had told Baxter.
    An icy chill shot through her and she pitched forward.
    â€œWhoa!” Reef’s strong arm wrapped around her waist. “You okay?”
    She grabbed the wall for support, her head spinning. “I’m fine. Just need”— to get away from here —“some fresh air.”
    â€œYou’re shivering.” He pulled her into his embrace, and she fought the urge to simply collapse into his hold, but he wasn’t her savior.
    This was Reef McKenna, after all.
    Despite the changes she’d witnessed in him, and the change in her feelings toward him, she couldn’t throw caution to the wind. Couldn’t trust him to keep her safe or to be the man she’d been praying for. This was Reef—irresponsible, playboy, and risk taker. Far too much like William.
    â€œHey, relax.” Reef rubbed her arm, trying to warm her. “I’ve got you.”
    â€œCan we go please?”
    â€œTo meet with the ROW group?”
    Ugh . She couldn’t leave. Not until she’d followed every possible lead. Her cousin’s life hung in the balance.
    â€œYeah,” she said, trying to compose herself and feeling like an utter fool for letting Reef see her fall apart. Maybe she really was the drama queen William claimed her to be. The thought reduced her to tears, but she quickly covered them with a false sneeze.
    Reef appraised her. “Are you . . . ?”
    â€œSneeze made my eyes water.” She inhaled and swiped at her eyes, shouldering her strength for the next step—visiting the ROW group. “Let’s go. Baxter said they’re meeting now. We don’t want to miss our opportunity.”
    Reef followed after her, his worried expression saying he wasn’t buying any of it. Great .
    Please, Father, give me the strength for this. I may make a show of being tough, but I feel like a lost little kid . But I’mnot alone. Your Word says you’ll never leave me or forsake me. Help me cling to your promises and know you are the one I can always trust. Shelter me under the shadow of your wing until I’m out of this horrid place.
    Reef followed closely behind Kirra. She was walking strong and purposefully, but her entire physique was tense. What was going on? What was she battling by returning here, and why wouldn’t she confide in him so he could protect her?
    Baxter’s words, along with his arrogance and condescension toward Kirra, had Reef’s ire fully riled—his Irish heritage had spurred him to confront the insult head on. But the utter desperation in Kirra’s eyes and voice when she’d pleaded for them to go had nearly broken his heart. He needed to get her off campus as quickly as possible. But for Meg’s sake that couldn’t be quite yet.
    He took a deep breath and slowly released it, preparing for a battle he’d fallen in the middle of. A battle he knew nothing about, other than that it had reduced Kirra Jacobs to tears, and that gnawed at his soul.

    Kirra led Reef into the student union, praying with all her might that she wouldn’t run into William. The thought alone strangled her. She’d been able to avoid him thus far, and for that she was immensely grateful.
    It took a while to locate the correct meeting room, but they knew they’d found it when they heard the words “annihilating Mother Nature’s glorious work.”
    Everyone in the small room—all eight members—turned at their entrance.
    â€œHi,” Kirra said, scanning the room. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m looking for friends of Meg Weber’s.”
    A lanky young man stood. “And you are?”
    â€œI’m Meg’s cousin, and she’s missing.”
    â€œWhat do you mean missing ?” a second man