Claim - Page 66

Anger writhing inside me, I shoved my hands on my hips and stared into the darkness. The fucker was close, probably watching us.

If I’d caught him, this would have been over.

Colt clapped a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll get him. Not tonight, but we’ll get him.”

“And we’ll help you keep Bell safe,” Reath said.

I nodded. I knew I could trust my brothers.

This isn’t over, Carr.

26

BELL

Istepped 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 wasno wayin hell that I was letting Chandler Carr hurt Beau.