Claim - Page 64

I was so damn glad to see that spirit of hers that I couldn’t stop myself. I yanked her to my chest.

She made a sound of relief, and threw her arms around me. I boosted her up and she wrapped her legs around my waist. Then I kissed her.

It was deep and demanding, and I didn’t care. I needed the reassurance.

“I was so afraid,” I said against her lips.

“Me too, but I knew you’d come.” She rubbed her nose against mine. “You and your brothers saved so many people.”

My only thought had been her. I kept hugging her. We both smelled like sweat and smoke, but I felt her heart beating—strong and steady. And I tasted her on my lips—my sweet angel.

“You’re next,” a paramedic ordered.

“Her first.”

A stubborn look crossed her face. “I’m only getting checked if he does.”

I heard a chuckle nearby and saw my brothers. They all looked amused.Assholes.

Then I saw flashes of light. Dammit, the press was here. Just what we needed.

I pulled Bell closer and blocked her from view. Quite a crowd had gathered. I never understood the morbid need some people had to gawk at tragedies and accidents.

“God, all my stuff is gone.” Bell looked stricken as the paramedic started checking her over. “What will I do? Where will I stay?”

That, I had an answer to. “We’ll get you whatever you need.” I cupped her cheek. “And you’re staying with me.”

Where I could protect her.

“Beau—”

“No arguments.”

Her lips tilted up and she nodded. I leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

Then she looked back at the house and the onlookers watching the fire. She stiffened.

“Bell?” I followed her gaze. She was staring at a man in the back of the crowd.

He had a clean-cut face and non-descript brown hair.

“It’s Carr,” she whispered.

The asshole smiled at us, then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

I tensed. “Kav,” I barked. “Stay here with Bell.” I looked at my brothers. Kavner nodded. “The rest of you, with me.”

“What is it?” Reath asked, his face sharpening.

“Carr. He was in the crowd. Let’s move.”

I took off at a jog. As I cleared the crowd of onlookers, I caught sight of Carr sprinting down the street. He was wearing a pale-colored shirt and jeans.

“That way.” I picked up speed.

Reath moved up beside me, and for a second, I remembered both of us in uniform, doing the same thing in a faraway desert. Colt and Dante ran behind us.

“You armed?” I asked.