Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

14. Beau

14

BEAU

I carried the box off the truck and into the warehouse.

My mind was still churning. Still running over those vile, sick notes in my head.

I set the box down with some others stacked by the wall, then skirted Kav and Reath carrying other ones, and strode back to the truck.

We were dropping off donations to a local charity that supported foster kids. The boxes were full of kids’ clothes, school supplies, toys and games, and toiletries. I yanked another box off the truck.

When I turned, all four of my brothers were standing in a row in front of me.

Colt crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s going on with you?”

I frowned. “Nothing.”

“Beau, you’ve been like a damn robot since we picked you up this afternoon,” Reath said.

“I’m fine.”

“A grumpy robot,” Kav added. “We can all sense the storm gathering. You’ll explode soon.”

I released a breath. They were all nosy as hell, and would never leave anything alone.

“It’s the young woman working at his gym,” Dante said. “Bellamy.”

My muscles tensed.

“Ding, ding,” Reath said. “Dante wins the prize. So, what’s going on?”

“Did she turn you down?” Kav asked.

I set the box down at my feet, then raked a hand through my hair. “No.”

“You are her boss,” Colt said.

All my brothers turned to look at him.

“Macy was your office manager when you fell for her,” Reath said.

“Office assistant ,” Colt corrected.

Kav, Dante, and Reath all snorted.

“And Mila worked for Dante,” Kav added. “Workplace romances are bit of a thing around here.”

“I’ve already fucked her,” I said. “A month ago.”

My brothers all went silent.

Dante scratched his jaw. “Spill.”

“It was when I was driving back from Texas. I pulled into a motel near the border. It just happened.”

“Okay,” Dante said slowly.

“She snuck out. I never knew her full name.”

“Ouch,” Kav said.

I rubbed my forehead. “She ended up at Hard Burn this week, wanting to learn to fight. She had no idea I owned the place.”

“Are you sure?” Reath said.

I scowled at him. “Yes, I’m sure. She’s not playing some game, here. She’s on the run. My first guess was she was running from a bad family life, but it’s worse than that.” I shook my head. “I read these notes she has… Some sick fuck is after her. God, what he wrote, what he says he wants to do to her.” I shook my head.

My brothers all sharpened. Growing up in foster care, none of us had a minute for anyone who preyed on those who were weaker and vulnerable.

“Who is he?” Reath asked.

“I don’t know. She won’t talk. She’s all bottled up and wrapped in fierce independence.”

“Ah, independent women,” Kav said. “Irresistible.”

“And she’s afraid. She’s been running and alone for who knows how long.”

“Is she safe?” Reath asked.

“As far as I know, this fucker doesn’t even know she’s in New Orleans. Bellamy’s not her real name, and she’s staying at some boarding house near the Garden District. She’s living under the radar so whoever he is, he can’t find her.”

“Want me to look into her?” Reath asked.

“No.” I blew out a breath. “I want her to tell me. I want her to trust me.”

Dante raised a brow. “That’s a first.”

“Dammit, I can’t stop thinking about her. Not just about the sex. I want to…look after her. Keep her safe.”

“Claim her as yours,” Dante murmured.

My mouth twisted. “I can’t. She’s too young—”

“She’s an adult, Beau,” Reath said. “And she’s dealing with some heavy shit.”

I scraped a hand through my hair. “It’s not just her age. She’s…got this innocence to her. I don’t deserve to touch her.”

Now, my brothers all looked pissed off.

“ Bullshit ,” Reath said. “You’re a fucking good guy.”

“I’m big, tough, tattooed. And I come from scum.”

“That’s fucking bullshit,” Dante said. “You’re the man you’ve made yourself to be. None of us are who birthed us. My parents were no angels.”

“Mine abandoned me in a box at birth,” Reath said.

“Yeah, well none of them tried to sell you to score their next fix.” The words came out of me like poison. “That’s what I come from.”

Reath grabbed the front of my shirt. “No, you’re Beauden Fury. The man who joined the Army with me to keep me safe. The man who taught me how to protect myself.”

“A good man, a good brother,” Colt said.

“Who’s always had our backs,” Kav added.

Dante nodded his head toward the box at my feet. “Who just delivered boxes of things for kids in need.”

“That’s who you are,” Colt said.

“You’ve got feelings for Bellamy,” Kav said. “You need to work them out.”

“Either claim her as yours, or set her free,” Dante said. “Help her find a place where she’ll be safe.”

The idea of Bell leaving, of being far away from me, felt like claws digging into my gut.

Kav grinned. “I think you already know the answer.”

Fuck, yeah.

Bellamy was mine.

Or at least, she was right now, while she needed me.

Now, I just needed her to realize it.