Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

7. Bell

7

BELL

I still couldn’t believe it.

Beau, my Beau, was Beauden Fury.

The Fury brothers had fought their way from a life as foster kids, to successful businessmen. They were all rich, owned countless properties and businesses, attended the best parties in New Orleans, women wanted them.

Beau was right there. I could reach out and touch him.

His hard muscles were covered by soft cotton now, and his shirt had the Hard Burn logo on it—a boxing glove covered in flames. I looked up at his black beard and gray eyes, then my gaze fell to his hands. I remembered how it felt to have those hands on me.

“Shay’s a really good trainer,” Beau said. “All the women who attend love her classes—”

I clicked into his words. My mouth flattened. He didn’t want to train me. He probably didn’t want me anywhere near him.

I was just his accidental one-night stand.

“I don’t want some beginner class. I need the best.”

“Bell…” There was resignation in his voice.

I stepped back. “I shouldn’t have come.” I let out a harsh laugh. “Of course you wouldn’t want to teach me.”

I headed for the door of his office.

“Bell—” He grabbed my arm.

“I’m leaving.”

“No. Not like this.” He spun me around. “Come to a class. Try it out.”

“It’s you or no one.” I’d have to find someone else.

But the reality was that I’d need to move on and leave New Orleans. I’d have to give up the room I’d found in the old, graceful mansion turned boarding house. And I couldn’t go back to the cash work washing dishes at the Italian restaurant near the French Quarter.

I needed to run again. Put more space between me and Carr.

I could already feel him breathing down my neck.

Once I found a new city, then I’d find another trainer to teach me to fight. One who wasn’t as tempting as Beauden Fury.

One who didn’t turn me on by just looking at him.

I tugged on my arm. “Let me go.”

“I want some answers first.”

I yanked free. “My life is none of your business.”

His face hardened. “It became my business the first time I slid my cock inside you. It was definitely my business the second time I did it.”

A shot of heat—and anger—hit my belly. “It was a one-night stand. It didn’t mean anything.”

“Bullshit.” He gripped my forearm again.

Ignoring the sting of pain, I whipped my other arm out, forming a fist. I punched his gut.

It was like hitting rock. He shifted, and I wrenched my arm free and knocked him away.

“You know some basics,” he said.

I nodded. Over the last year, I’d taken some classes and private lessons when I could afford them. “But I need more than that.”

Snake fast, he grabbed my arm.

This time I couldn’t hide my wince.

His brows drew together and before I knew what he was doing, he shoved the sleeve of my jacket up. The fading bruises were clear in the bright, florescent light. They weren’t pretty.

Now storms gathered in his eyes.

“Who did this?” he demanded.

It was easy to make out the finger marks. From a large hand.

“Another asshole who thought he could boss me around.”

Beau’s gaze hardened. “I’d never hurt you. Or any other woman.” His tone was frigid. “Anyone who hurts someone weaker or less strong than them deserves the worst.”

My chest squeezed. The look in his eye told me that he’d gone somewhere else. That he was speaking from experience.

Not that I could ever imagine Beau being weaker or less strong than anybody. But I guessed foster care wasn’t all roses and rainbows. Being alone as an adult was hard enough, being alone as a child…

I pushed my sleeve down. “I know. I’m sorry. This asshole, well, I have no plans to let him hurt me again.”

Or kill me. I didn’t mention that bit to Beau.

I turned and started to open the door, but a big hand pressed against the wood and closed it again, before I could leave.

I stared at the door, and felt Beau’s big body behind mine.

I’d forgotten how much heat he put off, and I soaked it in. I felt his face brush against my hair.

“I like your hair black.”

I swallowed. “It’s my natural color. But I have to dye it frequently.”

“To stay hidden.”

I didn’t reply. It wasn’t really a question anyway.

“Don’t you want to stop running?”

I quivered and turned. Our faces were an inch apart.

“Of course I do, but I don’t have that luxury, not until I know I can fight him off.”

Beau’s jaw worked. “You don’t need to do this alone.”

“Yes, I do.” Because Chandler Carr was an animal. He’d hunt down anyone and everyone I cared about. “I have to protect myself.”