Page 105 of Beautiful Exile

“Get your stuff,” I clipped. I didn’t want to hear his excuses.

“Or I can help you,” Linc ground out.

I did not want to see what that would look like. Brutus let out a low growl at my side as if to say, “Move it.”

Denver stomped toward the office area and grabbed some papers and his laptop before picking up a plant from the desk and a massive amount of snacks he’d probably bought with the company credit card. He looked ridiculous as he tried to move toward the front door.

“Here, let me get that for you,” Linc offered in a sickly-sweet voice.

“Fuck off,” Denver muttered as he stalked past.

“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” Farah called.

The door shut, and we all stared at each other for a long moment. I was about to speak when a ring cut through the quiet. Linc pulled his phone out and frowned. “It’s my second-in-command.”

“Take it,” I urged.

“You sure?”

“Of course.”

Linc answered, heading out the door as Isaiah strode in, looking more than a little rumpled. His clothes were wrinkled, his eyes red, and his hair messy. He looked around the room. “What the hell crawled up Den’s ass?”

Farah’s lips twitched. “Pretty sure that was Arden.”

I scrunched up my nose. “Gross.”

“No one wants up there, but I am into a little ass play,” Isaiah said, giving me a wink.

Farah laughed. “That what you were up to last night? Don’t think I haven’t noticed you’re wearing the same clothes as yesterday.”

Isaiah grinned at her. “If I could remember what I did last night, I would be happy to share it with my favorite dirty bird.”

“I’m gonna get back to my painting,” Hannah said, her voice small.

“Wait,” I said quickly. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know Den wasn’t pulling his weight for you guys. I promise I’ll find something better.”

“Not your fault,” she said quickly.

“It’s not, really,” Farah echoed. “Douchey Denny is his own problem.”

“I still should’ve caught it.” And I’d keep kicking myself about that for a while to come.

“Is someone going to fill me in?” Isaiah asked.

“I think that’s a job for Arden. Hannah and I gotta work on our mediocre art,” Farah said, wrapping an arm around Hannah and leading her toward the studio spaces.

I winced. It was Farah’s way to make a joke out of everything, but that one cut.

A hand landed on my shoulder. “Ardy. What the hell happened?”

I looked up into Isaiah’s warm, understanding eyes. “I fucked up.”

37

LINCOLN

“I’m sorry to bother you,”Nina said across the line. “I know you’ve got a lot going on.”

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