Claim - Page 99

Fucking fuck. The breath was knocked out of me.

“I was a coward for running from Carr, from life, for so long. Now, you’re the coward, Beauden. You’ve been running your entire life. You miss all the good stuff when you do that.”

“That’s not what this is.” But it was. She’d hit the target perfectly.

She nodded, and took a step toward the door. “You want me gone, then I’m gone.”

Then she turned and ran out of the office.

I stared at the empty doorway for a long time. My heart was still beating, but it hurt. It hurt with every beat.

I hung my head. This was the way it had to be. What was best for Bell?

38

BELL

Iraced 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.”