Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

23. Beau

23

BEAU

“ G ood job, Ben. You’ve got a good punch on you.”

The kid grinned at me.

God, I saw so much of myself and my brothers in this foster kid. From his ill-fitting clothes that he was growing out of, to his shaggy hair in need of a cut. I ruffled his hair and spotted a sullen kid standing at the edge of the mat.

I walked over. “Everything okay, Trey?”

The tall, lanky kid shifted on his dirty shoes. “Boxing is dumb.”

I crouched. With his dark skin and dark eyes, he reminded me so much of a young version of Reath. “It’s not for everyone, but learning to defend yourself is an important skill.”

Trey hunched his shoulders. “Not if they’re bigger and stronger than you.”

My gut hardened, but I kept my feelings off my face. This kid had been someone’s punching bag. I shoved the anger down. “There are ways to compensate if you’re smaller.”

The boy snorted. “You’re huge. I bet you’ve never been small.”

“I was once.” A memory hit me—my mother screaming for me while a stranger, a man, stood beside her with hungry eyes. “And I was in foster care once like you.”

Trey’s lips pursed. “They said you were. You and your brothers.” He glanced around. “No way those guys are really your brothers. I figured it was all lies.”

“It’s not lies.” I pressed a quick touch to his arm, careful not to spook him. “We weren’t born brothers, we chose to become brothers. We all went through foster care together.” I paused. “How’s your current home?”

Trey shrugged. “Decent enough.”

“Good.” I rose. “To be good at boxing, at any fighting, you need to use your brain first.” I tapped his head. “It’s about finding your advantages, and your opponent’s weaknesses.”

I could see him thinking.

“See that woman over there?” I pointed to Bell, who was setting a tray of sandwiches out on a table. “She’s training to fight, and she isn’t big.”

Trey’s face turned thoughtful. “She any good?”

“She’s getting there. She’s putting the training in. If you want something, you’ve got to put the effort in. You and I both know that life doesn’t just give you the good stuff for free.”

He nodded.

“How about you go and grab a hot dog?” I suggested.

This time Trey gave me a more vigorous nod. “Can I have two?”

I smiled. “Hell, yeah.”

He shot me a small smile, then headed for the food table.

My gaze moved to Bell. She was smiling, and talking with the kids. I saw Macy stop and touch her arm. The pair chatted and smiled.

Good . My brothers’ women were just what Bell needed. Another form of connection.

“Watching your girl again?” Colt asked.

I growled. “She’s not a girl.”

“Sorry, your woman.”

Damn, I liked hearing that. “For now, she’s mine, but it’s temporary.”

“Yeah, I tried that,” Reath said. “Didn’t work out.” His gaze locked on Frankie. “Thank God.”

“I mean it.” My brothers stood around me. I looked back at Bell. “I’m glad you’ve all fallen in love, and I like your women. But I’m not interested in long-term, and I’m definitely never getting married. So, I’ll help Bell out, and when she’s safe, she’ll go back to her life, and I’ll go back to mine.”

My brothers were silent.

“You deserve her, Beau,” Dante said. “If she makes you happy.”

“If you have feelings for her,” Reath added.

I wish they’d just drop the subject. I felt a spike of anger. “Not happening. Now, let’s get back to the kids.”

“Beau.” Dante gripped my arm. “Is this still about that shit to do with your parents?”

“It’s about reality.” I pulled free.

I heard Bell laugh and my head jerked up. Some young boys were pulling faces and making her giggle.

Yeah, I couldn’t keep her, but for now, she was mine.

“Thanks for dropping me home.”

“I’m not letting you walk or take the streetcar now that we know Carr is in New Orleans.” My Ford growled as I turned onto her street. I saw the boarding house and scowled. “You should’ve stayed at my place again tonight.” I wanted her in my bed. That was new for me. I rarely had women back to my place, let alone staying overnight.

That was part of the reason I was dropping her home. I wanted her in my place too much. Maybe I needed a little space to remind myself that this thing between us wasn’t a forever kind of thing. My brothers had all moved their women in when they were in trouble, and none of them had ever left. I couldn’t risk that.

I pulled into a parking space on the street.

“Beau, you have late training sessions with two of your guys tonight. They have big competitions coming up. Then, you’re up early to train with your brothers. I’d just be in your way.”

I grabbed her wrist. “You’re never in my way.”

She smiled. “Besides, I need some sleep. Someone wore me out. And you know Reath’s guys installed a heavy-duty lock on my door. It’s so fancy that it looks like it’s off the space station or something.”

“And you’ve got that alarm?”

She held up the device. It was a panic button set into an elastic band around her wrist.

She leaned over the console and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Good night, good guy.”

“Night, angel.”