Page 21 of Beast
Beast turned to Gunner, voice cold.“Lock it down.No one in or out.”
Gunner was already on the move, barking orders, rounding up the prospects.
Beast’s arms tightened around her.“You’re okay.I’ve got you, baby.”But his voice held barely leashed fury, his body coiled like a predator ready to strike.
Pixie barely registered the commotion around them.All she could see in her mind was him—that cruel smile, the glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
He actually had the guts to confront him.Later, after the clubhouse was locked down and guards were doubled at every entrance, Beast guided her into his room.She sat on the edge of his bed, her hands still shaking.He knelt in front of her, his large hands covering hers, steadying them.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.“I didn’t mean to—he knocked, and I thought—”
“Stop,” Beast said, firm but gentle.“You didn’t do anything wrong.He was waiting for a moment like this.He was baiting you.”
Her eyes welled with tears she refused to let fall.“He’s not going to stop.He won’t quit until I’m dead.And now he knows where I am.I brought this to your doorstep.”
Beast stood abruptly, pacing.Anger radiated off him in waves.“We’ll handle him.I’ll handle him.No one threatens what’s mine and gets to breathe easy.”
Pixie looked up at him.“You can’t stay on high alert forever.”
“Watch me,” he snapped, then dragged a hand through his hair.“Pixie ...you don’t get it.You’re not just some girl passing through.You’re ours.You’re mine.”
The words should’ve terrified her.But they didn’t.They grounded her.Still, fear lingered like smoke in her lungs.
“I don’t want anyone else hurt.I can’t ...if something happened to you, or one of the others, because of me—”
Beast walked back to her, cupped her face in his hands again.His voice was low, a promise etched in steel.
“Pix, we’ve had this argument before.You’re not a burden.You’re not some stray we’re babysitting.You’re family now.You think I’m letting you go after everything we’ve been through?”His eyes burned into hers.“You’re not running again, Pixie.”
She blinked fast, a tear slipping down her cheek despite her best efforts.“So what now?”
“Now?”Beast’s voice was grim.“Now we hunt the bastard before he gets another shot.”
Pixie’s breath hitched.For the first time, it wasn’t just fear swirling in her chest.It was hope.Maybe she couldn’t erase the past.But with Beast and the Sentinels at her back, maybe, just maybe, things would really be all right.
Chapter Eight
