Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

16. Beau

16

BEAU

P ulling my Rivian EV truck over to the curb, I scowled at the old mansion on the edge of the Garden District.

The two-story building had probably been graceful and elegant once, now it just looked old and run-down. Emphasis on old.

“There are only women staying here?”

Bell turned in the passenger seat to face me. “Yes. And the front door stays locked at night, and every room has a lock.”

I grunted. I still didn’t like it. I’d prefer she stay somewhere with top-notch security.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She fidgeted a little in her seat.

I wondered if she still felt my mouth and beard between her legs. If she was sensitive and swollen. Damn, she’d tasted so good, and I’d loved every sound she’d made. I knew I shouldn’t have touched her, but the desire had just been too strong. I was already hungry for more, my cock still half hard and begging for release.

“You’ll see me tomorrow. Bell, if anything worries you, you call me.”

She smiled. “I will.”

My gaze dropped to her mouth. She’d kissed me earlier. Yes, it had been a tactic to escape my hold, but she’d pressed her sweet mouth to mine. And I knew kissing was hard for her.

That it meant something.

“Beau?”

I flicked my gaze up to hers. “You kissed me earlier, but I barely got a taste of you.”

Even in the dim light, I saw color fill her cheeks. “I’m pretty sure you got a really good taste of me in the gym.”

I made a low sound and grabbed her hand. It was so delicate with slim fingers. “I did. And I loved every second of licking you.”

She pulled in an unsteady breath.

“But I want to taste your mouth as well. Will you let me, Bell?”

She was silent for a moment, her gaze tracing my face. I liked that she was thinking it over so hard. That she didn’t just kiss anyone.

Then she nodded.

I pulled her closer and leaned over the center console, resenting that it was between us. With my other hand, I cupped her face.

Her eyelids fluttered but she kept her eyes open, her blue gaze locked on me. Then I brushed my lips over hers.

She let out a soft sigh and I licked the seam of her lips. She opened for me, her hand coming up to press against my cheek. I kissed her how I’d wanted to that night in the motel, with both of us wet from the rain and hungry for each other.

She made a sexy, little sound, and I kissed her deeper, our tongues tangling. It was perfect. No awkward hesitation or wrong moves. It was like we’d kissed each other a thousand times.

This time it was me who groaned. Damn, she tasted like the sweetest drug, and I wanted more. I barely resisted hauling her across the console and onto my lap. When she kissed me harder, demanding more, I held onto my control by a thread.

Bell was vulnerable and young, and I never, ever wanted her to feel pressured into anything that happened between us.

Her nails scraped against my beard, and I took more of that sweet mouth. Devoured her. My cock was a hard, pulsing ache between my legs.

When I lifted my head, she was panting and looked dazed.

“Why did you stop?” she whispered.

“Because it’s time for you to go inside, angel.” I fisted my hand in her hair and dragged my mouth over hers one last time.

She licked her swollen lips. “Okay.”

“Good.” I smoothed her hair back. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

With a nod, she grabbed her backpack, then climbed out. I watched her jog up the sidewalk, then through the gate, and up to the front door. She gave me a wave and disappeared inside.

I didn’t start the truck or drive off. I sat there in the darkness and watched a light flick on upstairs.

Bell was getting under my skin. I made a scoffing sound. Wrong, she was already burrowed in there.

It’s just temporary . I wasn’t built for anything long term. Right now, she needed help, and I wanted to help her. One day, when she was free of this situation, she’d move on.

I dragged my gaze off her window and scanned the street, searching for anything or anyone who shouldn’t be there.

Everything seemed fine.

Wait . I saw something move by a tree down the street. I stared, trying to get a better look. Was someone hiding there? I glanced back at the house. Whoever it was would have a perfect view of Bell’s boarding house.

I kept staring, and a moment later, a dog ran out. It sniffed its way down the sidewalk, pausing to cock its leg on a fence.

My shoulders relaxed. False alarm.

The light in Bell’s room went off.

I started the truck, then headed for home.

Sweet dreams, angel.

I set out the food on my desk as I waited for Bell to arrive.

I’d bought beignets—lots of them—from Macy’s favorite place. Colt’s woman claimed they were the best in New Orleans. I’d also grabbed some egg-and-bacon rolls. Bell needed the protein.

I wanted to take care of her. Pausing, I stared at the wall, my jaw tight.

I’d gone through all the reasons I shouldn’t touch her. Multiple times. Starting with the fact that she was too young for me, and too vulnerable.

Pressing my hands to the desk, I dragged in a breath. I’d vowed a long time ago that I’d never claim a woman as my own. Never marry. Never have kids.

I’d come from trash. Some things shouldn’t be passed on.

And then I’d gone and stripped Bell half naked on the mats and gotten my mouth on her.

Right now, all I knew for sure was that I was keeping Bell safe from the sicko who was after her.

Whatever it took.

I checked my watch. She should be here soon.

I headed out into the gym and called out greetings to some of the regulars in the boxing rings.

Glancing out the windows at the front of the gym, I took in the gloomy New Orleans day. A brisk breeze was blowing, sending dried, fallen leaves swirling around on the street.

As I peered down the sidewalk, I spotted Bell.

She had her head down, a hoodie on, walking fast. I wondered if she ever relaxed, ever felt safe enough to let her guard down. She approached Hard Burn, hitching her backpack up on her shoulder.

Suddenly, a dark shape darted out from between two parked cars on the street and crashed into her.

What the fuck?

I sprinted to the front door and wrenched it open. Then I was racing down the sidewalk, pumping my arms.

The man in the black hoodie slammed Bell into the side of a car. Her backpack hit the ground. She was struggling with him, and got a good punch in.

“Hey! Let her go!” I roared.

The man’s head jerked up. I got a glimpse of a pale face and a nasty grin, but then I realized his face was covered in some sort of weird clown mask.

He grabbed Bell and shoved her to the ground, then he turned and ran.

My hands curled into fists. I wanted to chase him.

The man darted across the street, dodging the cars. Several slammed on their brakes, tires screeching and horns honking.

Then he was out of sight.

Bell.

I focused on her, dropping to kneel beside her. “Bell. Fuck.”

“I… I’m all right.” She sat up. She had a small scrape on her face, as well as her palms.

“Was that the fucker?” I asked.

She swallowed. “I’m not sure. He was wearing a mask, and he didn’t say anything.”

This had to be related.

I helped her up and scanned the street. “Come on.” I wanted her safe inside Hard Burn.

She took a few steps, wobbly as a fighter who’d just been sucker punched.

I scooped her into my arms.

“Beau—”

“Quiet.”

Gio was holding the front door open for us, a fierce frown on his face. “You okay, girly?”

“She will be.”

I carried her straight into my office, and kicked the door shut behind us.

“It’s time you tell me who he is.”

Big, blue eyes met mine. So much pain.

“I need to know so I can protect you,” I told her.

“I can protect myself.”

“By running?” I sat on the couch in the corner of my office, settling Bell on my lap. “You even think about running, I will find you. That is not an option.”

I hated the thought of her disappearing and me being unable to find her.

“Beau…” She started shaking.

I smoothed her tangled hair back. “You’re safe now.”

“We both know I’m not. I can’t believe he found me. Again.” Despair in her voice.

I wondered just how many times this guy had found her, scared her.

The shaking got worse. “Sorry,” she whispered.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s a normal reaction. What can I do to help?”

She swallowed. “I need a hug.”

I wrapped my arms around her, and she buried her face in my neck.

“You’re safe.” I rested my chin on the top of her head. “You’re going to be okay.”

We sat there for a minute, just holding each other. Then there was a brief knock at the door.

Gio barged in, holding the gym’s first aid kit. “For her hands.” He set the kit on the desk, eyed us for a second, then left quietly.

Setting Bell on the couch, I leaned forward and opened the first aid kit. I tore open an antiseptic wipe. “Show me your hands.”

“They aren’t bad.”

I just stared at her.

With a huff, she lifted her palms.

She was right, they weren’t too bad, but I took my time cleaning her hands. Then I opened a fresh wipe and dabbed at the scrape on her face.

My thundering heartbeat was finally slowing down. She was safe. For now.

And I needed to keep her that way.

I needed to talk to Reath. He could help. But first, I needed details.

“It’s time you talk to me, angel. Let me in.” I took one of her hands in mine. “Let me help you.”

She looked up and nodded. “Okay. I’ll talk.”