Page 46 of Beta Team-The Saviors: Part One

“This is good for us. We’ve been through some tough shit lately. We needed something else.”

“Do you have a lady Keon waiting for you at home? Or a mister Keon?”

I laugh. “No to both.”

“So, we’re the last ones standing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Oh.” Kira’s cheeks darken, and she looks up at me. “I figured you’d know about Tyler and Gavin.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised, but I didn’t know they were together.”

“I don’t know if they’re together officially, but they were making out on campus the other day.”

“Well, holy shit.” I shrug and lay back on the couch, stretching my legs out in front of me. “It’ll be good for them. You don’t have a Mrs. or Mr. waiting for you?”

Her brows furrow, and she looks back at the mess in front of her. “Not many people want to be seen with the circus freak.”

“What did you just say?” Her head snaps up at my harsh tone. “Don’t ever let me hear you say some shit like that again. You’re gorgeous. People are just assholes.”

“You don’t have to lie to me just because my brother hired you.”

“Do I give off the vibe that I’m a people pleaser? I say what I mean.”

She gives me a surprised look and goes back to her planner. I’m not lying to her. The scars are obvious, but it doesn’t take away an ounce of her beauty. She has the most gorgeous dark brown eyes I’ve ever seen, and her smile could disarm a man. I noticed it immediately but kept my eyes averted because, justlike I suspected, she would think I was looking at the scars. “I’m sorry,” she says softly.

“For what?”

“For assuming the worst and thinking you were lying to me.”

“Don’t sweat it, but don’t talk about yourself like that. If you can’t see yourself in a good light, how is anyone else supposed to?”

“I guess I never thought about it that way. I just want to scream when I catch people staring.”

“Just look them right in the face. Don’t drop your head, and never let them see you react. Let them get to know the real Kira.”

“You don’t even know the real me.”

“I think I do. You’re strong, even though you don’t believe that you are. You’re selfless because you let your brother put a security detail on you because it makes him feel better, even though you hate it. You’re fun because only someone with a winning personality can make Gavin laugh. And you’re beautiful and don’t realize that’s probably what people are looking at.”

“You got all that from a couple of days?”

“I’m a good people-reader.”

She gives me that breathtaking smile and goes back to her books. “For the record, I don’t hate you guys being here anymore.”

I let her get back to work and catch myself staring at her profile. The report we got from Axel was detailed. We know everything that Kira has been through since the fire. Kane did everything he could to keep her sheltered growing up because their father failed to do so. But that didn’t stop her from getting caught in the middle. I can’t imagine what she had to go through during her recovery. The pain alone would be enough to bring the strongest man down, but Kira’s not letting it stop her, which makes me admire her even more. There’s something about her,and I want to find out more, but I don’t want her to think I’m an opportunistic asshole.

Kira collapses back on the floor with a sigh, making me laugh. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m bored.”

“Let’s go do something. You don’t have to stay cooped up in here.”

She looks at me with a raised brow. “Like what?”

“I know this really awesome low-key bar. It’s where we all hang out. The rest of the guys are there.” Kira starts chewing her bottom lip, already coming up with an excuse.Fuck that.“Come on.” I stand from the couch and slide my boots back on. “It’ll be fun.”