Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

38. Bell

38

BELL

I raced through the gym, heading for the front door.

“Girly?”

I didn’t respond to the worried Gio. I ran out on the sidewalk and sucked in air. But nothing was going to help the pain inside me.

I wrapped my arms around myself, but the hurt was there, trying to fill my chest and choke me.

I’d fallen in love with Beauden, and he…I had no idea how he felt. Back in his office, he’d been so cold, so disconnected. So unlike the man who’d been taking care of me all this time.

More tears welled.

Not knowing what to do, I headed down the sidewalk. My stomach felt sick, my chest was tight. Tears poured down my cheeks. At least I could be outside safely now. Beau had waited until I was safe before he’d booted me out.

Maybe I’d been spinning my own fantasy about him. Why would he want a young, inexperienced woman like me?

“Bell?”

My head jerked up. Mila stood in front of me.

“Oh, my God, what’s wrong?” She grabbed my shoulders. “Dante got home late last night, but he said that you and Beau were okay. And Carr is gone.”

I nodded and wiped my hand across my cheek. “I’m fine. It’s all over.”

“You should be happy, not devastated.”

My chest hitched. “Beau just gave me my marching orders. Asked me when I’m headed back to Texas.”

Mila’s gaze narrowed. “That idiot.”

A sob burst from my chest. “He can’t help the way he feels. I fell in love with him, but for him—” I threw my arms up. “I have no idea what it was for him.”

Mila slid an arm around me. “That man is cross-eyed in love with you. Clearly it has short-circuited his brain.”

I was too tired and sad to fight her. She led me down the street and pushed open a door. Blearily, I noted it was an office.

“Hey, there.” Macy rose from behind a desk. She was wearing a jaunty yellow skirt and a cute white shirt. When she saw me, her face turned stricken. “What’s wrong? I thought we were celebrating that the evil bad guy is finished.”

Mila pushed me into a chair. “Beau told her it’s over.”

Macy put her hands on her hips. “That idiot.”

“Can you get her some tea?” Mila asked.

As Macy bustled off to a small kitchenette, Mila hitched herself up on the desk. “We need to come up with a plan to make that man see reason.”

I curled my hands together in my lap. “I appreciate it, Mila, but like I said, I can’t make Beau want me—” I swallowed “—or love me.”

“Here.” Macy pressed a cup of tea into my hands. “And you don’t need to make him love you, because the big lug already does.”

I sipped the tea, but it was like my tastebuds had taken the day off. I tasted nothing. It was like all the color, sound, and feeling had all been sucked away, leaving the world gray.

“I think he wanted to help me. Like a savior complex. Now that I’m safe, he’s ready to move on.”

“Bullshit.” Macy crossed her arms over her chest. “I saw him with you.”

“Me too,” Mila said.

My heart kicked, and I wanted to believe them. A fresh wave of tears threatened, and I swiped at them.

There was a sound. I looked up and saw Colt standing in the doorway to what I guessed was his office. He looked unhappy.

“Sorry to interrupt your work,” I said.

He sighed. “Beau always seemed the most…sorted of us all. He did a stint in the military, mainly to watch over Reath. Then he went his own way as a mercenary. Worked in some hellish places. He was a good soldier.”

I’m a killer, Bell. I swallowed as I remembered him telling me that. Like he expected me to push him away.

“And he’s a brilliant boxer,” Colt continued. “He’s used all these things to keep himself busy, and he’s never truly confronted his demons.”

“His parents,” I whispered. “He thinks he comes from trash.”

Macy made a sound, and Colt closed the distance to her. He ran a hand down her back. “Yeah. He’s been trying to outrun them for years.”

“They have nothing to do with him,” I snapped.

Colt nodded. “We all know that, but some insecurities are fueled by old fears and emotions. They aren’t always rational.”

I’d never heard Colt talk this much before.

“He’s the man he’s made himself to be,” I said. “Everything he is has nothing to do with them. And I don’t mean his gym or his achievements, I mean the way he looks out for his family and friends, the kids he trains in his gym. He’s the best man I’ve ever known.”

“Then make him see that, Bell. He looks at you and he sees a smart, beautiful, young woman with her life ahead of her.” Colt shook his head. “He’s doing this because he’s decided you need to go and live a beautiful life.”

Emotions hit me. They were all threaded with anger and sympathy for that young boy let down by the people who’d birthed him, who were supposed to love and protect him. It rose up inside me like a wave. Standing, I set the teacup on the desk.

“I want a beautiful life. This one. The one I’ve been making with Beau.”

Colt’s lips twitched. “So take it. You survived a serial killer, so I’m certain you can get my hardheaded brother to see reason.” Colt paused. “And see that you’re the best thing that ever happened to him.” The man curled his arm around Macy.

The blonde leaned into him.

My anger took over. “How dare Beauden decide what’s best for me?”

“That’s right,” Mila said.

“How dare he decide to shove me away because he thinks it’s what’s right for me? I know what’s right for me.”

Mila nodded. “Now, what are you going to do about it?”

“I’m going to show Beauden Fury who’s boss.” I spun and stormed out.