Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

26. Bell

26

BELL

I stepped into Beau’s apartment, tired and reeking of smoke.

I had nothing. Carr had been chipping away at my life for over a year now, taking everything. Now, I had nothing left.

“Hey.” Big hands settled gently on my shoulders. “Don’t go wherever it is you just went.”

His touch made me close my eyes and drag in a deep breath.

I wasn’t alone. I nodded.

He took my hand and led me upstairs to his bedroom. “Take a shower. Wash the smoke off.”

After we’d spotted Carr, Beau had mobilized. He’d left me with Kavner, while he, Reath, Dante, and Colt had disappeared into the night, hunting Carr.

They’d had no luck. He’d slipped away, and Beau had been mad.

Then, an unmarked police car had pulled up, and I’d gotten to meet Beau’s cop friend, the sexy Detective Simon Broussard. With his tousled hair and Cajun drawl, I guessed he probably never lacked for female company. He’d had a long conversation with the Fury brothers, and the firefighters.

I’d heard what they’d talked about. Arson . The smoke detectors had been tampered with, my door nailed shut, and they’d found accelerants on the second floor.

Carr had burned down the boarding house. God . In trying to get to me, he hadn’t cared who else he hurt. I shoved my hair back off my face and realized that my hair reeked of smoke. My hands were streaked with soot.

“Shower, Bell,” Beau said gruffly.

I managed a tired nod.

“Here, I got this for you.” He handed me a T-shirt of his. It had Fury written on the back and I knew it was from his fighting days.

It was like he was marking me. I was an independent woman, so it wasn’t supposed to make my belly quiver so much.

After a long look, Beau left, and I entered his small, but nice bathroom tucked under the eaves. It was all white tiles, with a few black accents. It also had a large walk-in shower.

As the water heated up, I stripped off my clothes. They were ruined. Great. It was a shame, because I’d liked the cute, green pajama set.

The hot water felt so good. I let it wash everything away.

But one thought remained.

Carr did this. He’d set the fire.

I knew he didn’t want me to die in a fire. No, he had grand plans for how he wanted to kill me—up close and personal. He’d set this fire for Beau. My stomach did an uncomfortable turn. Carr wanted to see if Beau would come, and maybe get hurt or worse in the fire.

My hands clenched. There was no way in hell that I was letting Chandler Carr hurt Beau.

Finally, I turned the water off and dried off. I pulled on Beau’s T-shirt, and, unsurprisingly, it swamped me.

As I padded out of the bathroom, I heard music downstairs—a loud, angry rock song—and a rapid slap, slap, slap . I headed downstairs and saw him hitting a small speed bag that was attached to the wall in a frame.

His hands, just wrapped with no gloves, moved so fast they blurred. He was smacking the small bag hard.

He must’ve gone down to the gym to use the showers because his hair was damp. He was wearing a pair of black sport shorts, with no shirt. The muscles in his back were tense. My gaze traced over his tattoos—more of those fascinating geometric shapes and swirls. There were also some scars.

I bit my lip. Beau had lived a hard life, done tough things, and it showed on his body.

“Hi,” I murmured

He kept hitting the bag, but glanced over. “Feel better?”

“A little. I don’t smell like smoke, so that’s a win.”

I sat on the couch and the leather was cool on the bare skin of my legs. I curled up, careful not to flash Beau since I had no underwear on. I’d hand washed them, and they were hanging in the bathroom to dry.

All my lovely lingerie was gone. My perfume was gone. My clothes were gone. Everything I’d owned had gone up in smoke.

I fiddled with the hem of my borrowed shirt. I was alive. No one had died. That’s what mattered. I had to remind myself of that.

I focused on Beau. He kept hitting the bag, and it was mesmerizing to watch.

But I could see the tension, the contained energy in him.

“You’re angry,” I said.

“Yes. That we didn’t catch him. That he fucking locked you up in a room in a burning house.”

There was venom in his voice.

And more.

I rose. “It’s not your fault, Beau.”

“I left you there. I knew he was in the city. I shouldn’t have let you out of my sight.”

I touched Beau’s back. “You left me with a secure lock and an alarm.”

“He nailed your door shut,” Beau bit out.

“I can’t believe I slept through that, but the boarding house is never quiet.”

“He set the fucking house on fire!” The words burst out of Beau like bullets. “I should have made you stay here. Where you were safe.” He dropped his hands, and his breath hissed in and out of him through his clenched teeth.

“Beau.” I leaned my cheek against his back. “You saved me. I’m alive because of you. No one’s taken care of me for a really long time. I’ve only had myself to depend on.” I paused. “It’s nice not to be alone.”

“Shit, Bell.” He spun and cupped my jaw. “You’re always breaking my heart.”

“I might not have any clothes or my favorite perfume anymore, but Carr lost tonight. No one died in the fire. I’m alive and you weren’t hurt. We won.”

He nodded. “And now I have you right where I want you.”

I smiled. “Is the big, bad boxer going to corrupt me?”

His face turned serious. “Some people would say I’m taking advantage of you. You’re so young, less experienced, a woman in trouble…”

I laughed. “Most days I feel a hundred years old. Like I’ve seen way too much. The carefree college student, who worried about exams and dating and affording a new pair of sexy heels…I can barely remember what she was like. I’m a different woman now.” I smoothed my hands up his chest, taking in the feel of his warm skin. I traced my finger over the lines of his tattoo, from one hard pec to the other. “A woman who is really happy she stepped into your gym.”

“I’m glad you did, too.”

I took his hand. “Do something for me?”

“Anything.”

“Hold me.”