Page 219 of Broken by my Bully

Except for that last fatal shove, of course.

Haven

“Think I can make it out of here without someone spotting me?” I whisper, risking a quick peek around the ficus I’m hiding behind.

Melissa glances down either end of the hall. “Not enough potted plants in the world. Might as well have a bull’s eye on your back. And the dean’s an excellent hunter.”

“You’re not being very supportive,” I hiss, ducking behind the leaves as a couple heads toward us.

“Think I’m going down in that Boeing with you?” She snorts. “Rats know when to abandon a sinking ship.”

But she hasn’t abandoned me, and I wish I had the time to figure out what she’s still doing here. Guess she’s waiting for the fireworks show when Dean Winslow finally figures out where I am.

I wish I could disappear into this trippy ass wallpaper.

“All I need is a big hat, and a pair of glasses. A fake mustache wouldn’t hurt?—“

“Forget it,” Melissa groans, turning to me with her head tilted and a sympathetic purse to her lips. “She’s coming.”

…get out…

…he’s coming for you…

Maybe whoever sent that message was psychic…but not enough to get the gender right.

“Might as well face her like a man,” I mutter, stepping out behind the plant and adjusting my gown. And then having to force my hands to unclench from their fists.

Dean Winslow didn’t seem all that intimidating when she was up on the stage with me. But I guess that’s because she was smiling.

She’s not smiling anymore.

I didn’t know it was possible to stomp in high heels, but that’s what she’s doing. I almost turn tail and run, but fear paralysis kicks in, rooting me to the spot.

Maybe if I play dead, she’ll leave me alone.

“Hi,” I say as soon as she’s in earshot. “Nice to see you aga?—”

Her curt, “Miss Lee,” cuts me off. She checks the hallway, and I guess she’s happy it’s empty, because she can cuss me out right here. “We haven’t been formally introduced.”

There’s a beat of silence.

Melissa steps forward, waving a hand at the tall woman. “Uh, Haven, this is Dean Winslow. Dean, this is Haven Lee.”

The dean gives Melissa a considering glance, then turns back to me with her full attention.

I don’t want it. Not one bit of it.

Her piercing eyes make me feel as insignificant as a blob on a microscope slide. An ant crushed under the tiny point of her six-inch heels. A bug splattered on the grill of her?—

“She wasn’t joking about the car thing,” Melissa says, when it’s obvious this has turned into some weird blinking match. “Or the mail thing.”

This seems to make the dean relax, but God knows why. “Yes, I assumed as much. And for that, Miss Lee, I apologize.” She smooths a hand down her elbow-length black gloves. “That kind of administrative mishap shouldn’t be happening at a prestigious institute like Agony Hollow College.”

I purse my lips, giving her a casual wave. “It’s nothing, really. Water off a duck’s back.”

“That being said…” Her eyes narrow. “There’s a time and a place to air grievances and it’snotin front of hundreds of guests who’ve attended tonight’s fundraiser with the explicit purpose of contributing their hard-earned?—“

“I wouldn’t sayexplicitlyhard-earned,” comes a voice behind the dean.