Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

30. Bell

30

BELL

I exited Beau’s Mustang to the wild flash of cameras.

Beau held out his hand and I grabbed it. He led me up the walkway to the huge, brick building down by the river.

Kav’s distillery was enormous.

“He bought this entire place?” I said.

“Yes, he’s always buying things. He actually has another investor. A businessman from New York.” Beau leaned in. “They’re planning to make a whole slew of New Orleans-inspired whiskeys. They already have the new name up.”

Firebrand Whiskey was up on the side of the building in glowing red neon.

Beau was ignoring all the press taking photos. He was wearing a black suit with a black shirt, and no tie. He looked far more casual than the other guests I saw milling ahead of us, but the look suited him. I knew he’d brought his boxing gear over earlier, after we’d finished with lunch with his family. He and Gio had also brought a portable ring to set up for the fight tonight. I’d stayed at Hard Burn—with Reath for company, a.k.a. my bodyguard.

I was wearing the dress Mila had given me, and it felt a little weird. Not that the dress was weird, it was beautiful, and Mila was right, it suited me. It was just weird to be wearing one. My legs were bare, and I was wearing cute heels. I reached up and touched the pendant around my neck. It probably wouldn’t be as fancy as some of the jewelry here tonight, but I loved it.

I glanced at Beau. No man had ever given me jewelry before.

We stepped inside the building.

“Wow.” I didn’t know where to look first. There was lots of distressed brick, black metal beams, and a concrete floor made the sound echo in the space. Huge glass windows looked into an even larger area. In there were several large metal vats and pipes—things I guessed were part of the distilling process.

“This place is incredible.”

“It was going bankrupt, and they were going to have to lay off all their employees. Kav decided to buy it and save everyone’s jobs. No doubt he’ll turn it around and have it making a profit before we know it. The man has a knack for making money.”

I saw lots of people in suits and stylish dresses. I admired one woman’s red dress as she walked past on sky-high heels.

“There you guys are.” Mila bustled over. She looked stunning in a column of gold silk. Dante followed behind, in a black suit with a snowy-white shirt that looked good with his dark hair and tanned skin.

“I knew you’d look fantastic in that dress.” She hugged me.

“Thanks, Mila. I haven’t worn a dress in a long time.”

“It’s you who looks good,” Beau said. “Not the dress.” He dropped a kiss on my bare shoulder.

I shivered.

When I looked up, Mila was beaming at us. Dante had a small smile on his rugged face.

“We need drinks,” Mila announced. “We have these cool little tasting flights of whiskey, and also some whiskey-inspired cocktails.”

“Not for me,” Beau said. “Not until after the fight.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not really a whiskey drinker.”

Mila laughed. “Don’t worry, I have some other awesome cocktails on the menu, as well. I’ll get you one I know you’ll love.”

I spotted Macy and Colt, with drinks in hand, across the room. Colt was in a grey suit, and Macy in a pretty green number that suited her. Reath and Frankie were with them. I instantly envied Frankie’s electric-blue, maxi-style dress with a halter top.

“Good evening.” Drawled Kav as he and London appeared. The pair looked elegant as always. London’s dress was an interesting bronze color that clung to her lean body.

“You look gorgeous, Bell,” London said.

“Not as gorgeous as you.”

London winked at me.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet my joint partner in Firebrand Whiskey,” Kav said.

I turned and saw a handsome man in a tailored suit, who had dark hair and a strong jaw. He reminded me a little of the actor who played Superman. There was an attractive woman at his side, wearing a gorgeous, off-the-shoulder, red dress that hugged her toned body. Her tousled black hair almost brushed her shoulders.

“This is Zane Roth, and his wife, Monroe,” Kav announced. “All the way from New York.”

“Nice to meet you.” Beau shook hands with the man. “You’re a long way from home.”

The man smiled. “We have to get out of New York sometimes. Don’t we, darling?”

Zane Roth . I realized that this man was one of the billionaire bachelors of New York. Three friends who’d made their businesses wildly successful.

I blinked. “I’ve never met a billionaire before.” Oops, the words sort of blurted out of me.

“Yes, you have.” London jerked a thumb at Kavner. He winked at me.

God, Kavner was a billionaire? “I’ve definitely never met two billionaires before.”

The woman in the red dress grinned. “I know that feeling well. Zane’s besties are billionaires too. I’m Monroe, and it’s nice to meet you.”

Introductions were made. Everyone was so…nice. So normal. I guess I’d always thought that rich people would be weird. When Mila handed me a cocktail, I took several large sips.

“Well, don’t look now, but Bell, you’re about to meet your third billionaire,” Kavner said. “Dante, Beauden, you remember Ambrose Langston?”

My gaze switched to the man approaching. Wowser . He was handsome, in a young-Greek-god kind of way. He looked like he’d been born wearing his expensive suit, that showed off his lean body. He had thick, brown hair, dark eyes that shone with sharp intelligence, and just enough scruff to save him from being pretty.

“It’s nice to see you again,” he said in a deep voice. He shook hands with the men. “And please, I go by Ro, and usually imagine punching anyone who calls me Ambrose.”

“Ro, this is Mila and Bell,” Kav introduced us.

Ro Langston inclined his head, then turned to the Roths. “Roth, Monroe.”

“Langston,” Zane said, while Monroe leaned in to kiss Ro’s cheek.

“Ro is a hotel kingpin,” London said. “He and Kav are doing some joint projects together.”

A small smile tipped up the corner of Ro’s lips. “I own Langston Hotels.”

My eyes widened. I’d heard of the luxury chain of hotels and resorts. They had properties all around the world.

“Ro and Kav are planning a big new hotel here in New Orleans. That’s why he’s in town.” The corner of London’s lips quirked. “And why Kav invited him to come and spend lots of money tonight.”

“It’s for an excellent charity,” Mila said.

Ro nodded. “Then I’ll spend big.”

“And I want the rest of his money for our new business venture,” Kav said. “That’s why I’m working with him.”

“And I want yours,” Ro countered.

The men clinked their glasses together and smiled.

“I need to get ready for the fight.” Beau ran a hand down my back. “Mila promised me that she’s saved you a good seat.”

I shivered, excited to watch him.

“Dante and Mila will take care of you.” He dropped a quick kiss to my lips. “See you soon.”

“Good luck.”

It was time for the fight. I followed the Fury brothers and their ladies as we headed for the main part of the distillery.

“May I?” Ambrose Langston offered me his arm.

I assessed him, and decided he was just being polite. Besides, it seemed I liked my men a little more rugged.

I slid my arm through his. “Where are you from, Mr. Langston?”

“Ro, please. Colorado is going to be home for now. I move wherever my work takes me. I just purchased a mountain resort in the Rocky Mountains that I’m planning to overhaul. So, I’m making my base in Denver for now.”

“I guess you’re planning to transform this resort into the jewel in the Langston crown.”

He flashed me a smile that I was certain made many a woman fall at his feet. “Something like that.”

We entered the heart of the distillery. I glanced up at the big tanks, but then my gaze was riveted on the spotlights highlighting the boxing ring.

I felt a spurt of excitement. I couldn’t wait to watch Beau in action.

“It’s time for the most exciting part of the evening to start,” an announcer said over the loudspeakers. I recognized his voice from one of the local radio stations. The lights flashed. “Please take your seats, ladies and gentlemen. The main attraction will be starting now. Don’t forget our silent auction. There are amazing items up for grabs, and all the proceeds go to an incredibly good cause, supporting the healthcare of underprivileged children.”

Mila waved a hand. “Our seats are over here.”

We took our front-row seats in the lines of chairs set up around the boxing ring. Mila sat on one side of me, and Ro on the other.

Then I watched as Beau came out of a doorway, walking toward the ring. He wore dark-blue shorts and a boxing robe. The crowd went wild, cheering his name. He lifted a gloved hand into the air.

“And here is our local fighter, one of New Orleans’ favorite sons, Beauden Fury,” the announcer said.

My gaze was locked on him. He climbed into the ring, and butterflies filled my belly.

“And our competitor this evening, all the way from Miami, Deon Jones.”

A heavily muscled black man in red boxing gear strolled in. I swallowed. He looked strong and fit, and I guessed he was ten years younger than Beau.

In the ring, the men both shed their boxing robes. Gio stood at Beau’s corner and took the robe. The two men talked for a moment, and Beau nodded. I drank in his muscular body and felt tingles low down in my belly. I pressed my legs together.

Then the bell rang. “Let the fight begin!”

I sucked in a breath. Beau charged forward—with no dancing or cautious moves. He threw the first punch.

Wow . This looked nothing like our training.

Muscles bulged, and bodies flexed. I tried to take note of all the punches and combos they were doing, but I got lost in simply watching the vital beauty of Beau fighting.

It was all power. All rough grace.

He took a few hits, but barely reacted. His opponent might be good and younger, but he was clearly outclassed.

The crowd cheered and booed with each hit.

I watched Beau land a punch to his opponent’s head. A part of me wanted to wince in sympathy for Deon.

But all my focus was on Beau.

He was so beautiful. So strong. His skin shone with perspiration, outlining all his muscles and highlighting his tattoos. I felt a pulse between my legs, and I fought not to squirm in my seat.

The minutes ticked by. I’d known that Beau was an amazing fighter, but seeing him in action was something else. I’d never get enough of watching him. He hammered a blow into his opponent, then followed through with another punch to the head. I watched Deon’s big body jerk. His head flew to the side, then he tumbled and hit the mat. He tried to get up, but slumped back down.

The crowd cheered and clapped.

I sat there, my heart beating hard in my chest.

Beau bounced a little on his feet, watching as the referee counted to ten. Then the ref grabbed Beau’s arm and raised it into the air.

“The winner! Beauden Fury.”

“He’s still got it,” Dante said over the roar of the crowd.

Beau waved, then his gaze searched the seats, and locked on me.

Oh . There was heat in his gaze. It was scalding, and my panties were damp in an instant.

He climbed out of the ring and gave the fans another wave. The announcer was saying something, but I couldn’t hear it over the roar in my ears.

Mila leaned in. “The changing rooms were set up back there, through that door.” She pointed to the doorway where Beau had disappeared.

I nodded.

“Go,” she said.

I rose. “I should…um…help Beau.”

Dante’s lips quirked. “Yeah, I reckon he’d appreciate that.”

I nodded and worked my way along the rows of chairs. By the time I reached the doorway, I was half jogging.

I moved down the corridor and spotted two open doors. When I peered in the first, it was empty, but a bag and gear lay inside. I also saw Deon Jones’ name taped on the door.

Quickly, I moved to the next room. The name Fury was taped on this one.

Heart beating hard, I stepped into the doorway. Beau was sitting on a chair, his gear on the table. He was taking tape off one hand.

Then his head jerked up, and his gaze caught mine.

Nerves and desire collided inside me. The way Beau stared at me—this big, beautiful man—made me feel stripped bare.

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

His broad chest heaved, then he rose.

I crossed the room fast, my heels clicking on the floor.

“ Bell ,” he growled.

I leaped at him. He caught me. Of course he did, he always would.

He made a deep, masculine sound and then his mouth was on mine. The kiss was hard and rough.

Exactly what I needed.

My hands speared into his hair, and I kissed him back. I poured all my pent-up desire into it. He smelled like healthy sweat and Beau, but I didn’t care that he’d just finished a fight. I wanted him too much.

He carried me several steps, and pressed my back to the wall. His hands bunched up the skirt of my dress.

“Need to fuck you.” His voice was so low I could barely understand him.

I reached under my skirt, and nudged my panties down.

Beau did the rest, and I felt the lace slip down my legs. I kicked my heels off.

He shoved my skirt out of his way, and I felt him push his boxing shorts down.

“You ready for me?” His voice was like gravel.

Even now, in the throes of one of the hottest moments of my life, he was looking after me.

“Yes. The fight…I’m wet.”

That got me a primal growl. He hitched me higher and shoved between my legs.

With one hard thrust, he filled me.

I cried out, clawing at his bare shoulders. I felt him. The sweet sting of taking him.

Then he started to slam into me.

I held on, reveling in each hard thrust. Each hard claim. His big hands slid under my ass, and I felt the tape still on one of them. It scraped across my sensitive skin. I wrapped my legs around him as tight as I could.

My moans filled the room, along with Beau’s grunts. Every hard stroke felt like a possession. I whimpered.

“Get there, Bell,” he ordered.

It was all I needed. I came, my orgasm as strong and rough as Beau’s thrusts.

I screamed.

Then he pumped into me again, pinning me hard to the wall. His groan was loud as he came. Every muscle in his body strained.

Then finally, there was just our heavy breathing, and the rapid drum of my heart. Pleasure tingled through every part of me. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to walk again, but it was worth it.

“I really liked watching you fight,” I said huskily.

His laugh was low and rough. He pulled me away from the wall, holding my weight easily.

He kissed me. It was the opposite of the fast, desperate sex we’d just had. The kiss was slow and lazy, but still a claiming.

“I messed you up,” he said.

“Makeup and hair can be fixed.” I had some essentials in my handbag.

He set me down, and ran a thumb over my lips. “I didn’t use a condom.”

Oh . Now I was aware of the stickiness between my thighs.

“You on birth control?”

I shook my head. It was hard to get medication when you were on the run.

“I’m clean,” he told me.

I nodded. “Me too.”

His rough fingers ran along my cheekbones. “Whatever happens, we’ll deal. Together.”

He didn’t seem upset, so I nodded.

He pressed another kiss to my lips. “My angel. So damn sweet. There’s a bathroom through there.” He nodded toward an adjoining door. “Clean up and redo your makeup. Then I’ll shower and change. After that, we can get back to the party and I’ll buy you a drink.”