Claim - Page 44

I nodded. “A year, now. I went to San Antonio, then Austin, a few smaller towns, then Houston. He always tracked me down. Then I made it to Pensacola. He found me again.”

“The bruises on your arm.”

I nodded. “I escaped him, just. Landed a good punch to the asshole’s face.” I sighed. “He just never stops. You’ve read the notes. He’s fixated on me, and he wants to kill me.”

“That’snothappening.” Beau’s voice was a deep growl. “I’ll teach you to fight, and we’re going to stop this bastard.”

“Beau, he’s a killer.”

“So am I.”

My lips parted.

“I was in the Army, then I became a mercenary for several years.” His gaze turned so serious. “Do you understand?”

I licked my lips. I wasn’t sure that I did.

“Uncle Sam taught me to kill.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

He gripped my chin. “I wouldneverhurt you or another innocent person. Chandler Fucking Carr picked the wrong city. This ismytown. My brothers and I, we protect what’s ours.”

“I’m not yours.”

“Yeah, you are. Now, tell me your real name.”

I swallowed. Beau made it easy to let out all the secrets I’d kept locked up for a year.

“Isabella Sanderson.”

“Isabella. It’s pretty, but Bell suits you better.”

I managed a small smile. “I like it better, too. Allie always called me Bell.”

“For now, I want you to put Carr out of your mind. It’s time for breakfast. Have you tried beignets before?”

“No.”

“You’re not a true New Orleanian until you’ve had one.” He rose, and then handed me a sugar-covered pastry, followed by a glass of juice.

I took them from him. “You think this is going to solve my problems?”

“No, but it’s a good place to start.” He nudged the pastry toward my mouth. “I had a foster mom who told me having a full stomach is always the first step to solving any problem.”

I took a bite of sugary goodness. Oh, God, that was delicious.

Smiling, he wiped the powdered sugar off my lips, then leaned down and kissed me.

My heart did a hard, one-two rap.

His lips moved over mine, but didn’t linger. I hadn’t really missed kissing, but with Beau, he made me want it. Badly.

“You’re not alone anymore, Bell. Understand?”

I wanted to believe that. I knew exactly how much being alone sucked.

But Carr was beyond dangerous. What if he hurt Beau’s friends or family? What if Beau got hurt?