Claim (Fury Brothers #5)

“It was when I was driving back from Texas. I pulled into a motel near the border. It just happened.”

“Okay,” Dante said slowly.

“She snuck out. I never knew her full name.”

“Ouch,” Kav said.

I rubbed my forehead. “She ended up at Hard Burn this week, wanting to learn to fight. She had no idea I owned the place.”

“Are you sure?” Reath said.

I scowled at him. “Yes, I’m sure. She’s not playing some game, here. She’s on the run. My first guess was she was running from a bad family life, but it’s worse than that.” I shook my head.“I read these notes she has… Some sick fuck is after her. God, what he wrote, what he says he wants to do to her.” I shook my head.

My brothers all sharpened. Growing up in foster care, none of us had a minute for anyone who preyed on those who were weaker and vulnerable.

“Who is he?” Reath asked.

“I don’t know. She won’t talk. She’s all bottled up and wrapped in fierce independence.”

“Ah, independent women,” Kav said. “Irresistible.”

“And she’s afraid. She’s been running and alone for who knows how long.”

“Is she safe?” Reath asked.

“As far as I know, this fucker doesn’t even know she’s in New Orleans. Bellamy’s not her real name, and she’s staying at some boarding house near the Garden District. She’s living under the radar so whoever he is, he can’t find her.”

“Want me to look into her?” Reath asked.

“No.” I blew out a breath. “I want her to tell me. I want her to trust me.”

Dante raised a brow. “That’s a first.”

“Dammit, I can’t stop thinking about her. Not just about the sex. I want to…look after her. Keep her safe.”

“Claim her as yours,” Dante murmured.

My mouth twisted. “I can’t. She’s too young—”

“She’s an adult, Beau,” Reath said. “And she’s dealing with some heavy shit.”

I scraped a hand through my hair. “It’s not just her age. She’s…got this innocence to her. I don’t deserve to touch her.”

Now, my brothers all looked pissed off.

“Bullshit,” Reath said. “You’re a fucking good guy.”

“I’m big, tough, tattooed. And I come from scum.”

“That’s fucking bullshit,” Dante said. “You’re the man you’ve made yourself to be. None of us are who birthed us. My parents were no angels.”

“Mine abandoned me in a box at birth,” Reath said.

“Yeah, well none of them tried to sell you to score their next fix.” The words came out of me like poison. “That’s what I come from.”

Reath grabbed the front of my shirt. “No, you’re Beauden Fury. The man who joined the Army with me to keep me safe. The man who taught me how to protect myself.”

“A good man, a good brother,” Colt said.