Page 72 of Lady Sings the Blues

Tommy’s busy going over my statement for the third time when Beau shoves his way in, and he looks so pissed. But despite that, he folds himself around me holding me tight, full body to full body.

“Sorry,” I speak against his neck.

“What’re you sorry for, darlin’?”

“You look pissed. Lately you get pissed, I get blamed.”

And I chance a look in his eyes. The love I see there keeps me transfixed.

“Hell yeah I’m pissed.” Beau’s words have passion but lack the anger I’d been worried about. “But not at you, baby girl. I’m pissed that someone did this to you. I’m pissed that no one was here to protect you. I’m pissed at myself for droppin’ the ball with you.”

“I’m scared.” I admit to him.

At my admission, he hugs me tighter. The short bursts of air he forces so heavy through his nose start to draw out and become softer, as he calms down.

“Won’t happen again. With my life, I promise it won’t happen again.” He touches his forehead against mine briefly before dropping delicate kisses on my cheeks, forehead, chin and then finally my lips.

We both turn our heads to the sound of Clint’s voice yelling. “What the fuck?”

At the same time who I assume to be Shep shows up muttering, “Holy hell.” And then there’s the rumble of bike engines in the background. It looks like the gang’s all here.

“Can’t have ‘em inside yet, Boss. Crime scene,” Tommy tells him.

“Gotcha. Shep, Clint. Outside.” There’s no way I’ll let go of Beau, but thankfully, no way is he letting go of me either. Linking our fingers, he leads me out into the parking lot where Shep, Clint, the bartenders and several Lords including Duke, Scotch, Blood, Levi and to my surprise Chaos wait for us.

I look at Chaos, bruised chin and all, before anyone and tell him outright, “I didn’t do anything this time. It wasn’t my fault.” At my words he flinches as ifI’dstruck him.

“Elise,” he starts, but I hold my hand up to stop him.

“I just wanted you to know, is all.” Then I bury my face against Beau’s shoulder soaking up his warmth and protection. His arms, one around my waist and one around the back of my neck hold me so tenderly I almost break down.

Almost.

But I can’t, not here, not now in front of all these men. I’m a Lord old lady. Time to prove my mettle. I vow to do this by not onlynotcrying, but shifting in Beau’s arms to look each man in the eye, speaking clearly and confidently. “I was in my office working, filling out paperwork the whole time. I didn’t do anything stupid.”

Surprisingly, Duke is the first to speak up. “Elise doesn’t leave the compound without protection.” Then he looks at our bouncers. “Someone is always on her at the club. Until this shit ends, and know it now, it will end soon, she needs to pee you clear the restroom and stand outside the stall until she’s done.”

“That’s hardly necessary.” I try to protest.

While Clint tells him, “Got it” with a curt head nod.

“Elise sweetheart,” Duke continues. “Boss claimed you as his old lady which makes you Brimstone. But when he slipped that ring on your finger that elevated you to an entirely different level. We take care of our own, but go after a wife or kid, that brings a wrath forged in hell. Whoever did this will pay, and pay dearly. Can you handle that?”

Without delay I nod my head. “Yes.”

Beau told me when shit got real they handled it.

Shit can’t get more real than a heart in a box.

“Levi.” Beau orders. “Check with Tommy. See if she’s cleared to go. Grab her purse from her office.”

“On it,” Levi answers quickly, then takes off inside the club.

“Are you taking me?” I ask Beau quietly. “He’s on his bike.”

“Yes ma’am. But he’ll come too because I need to be back here talkin’ to Tommy. From here on out, when I’m not with you he’s got Elise duty.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?Thought you’d at least argue with me a bit.”

“Baby, someone left me a heart in a box with a note saying they we’re going to cut mine out. After just getting engaged this morning, I’d like to live to see my wedding day, and I’d like to be around to give you those hypothetical childrenun-hypothetically.”

He turns me in his arms again to face him, tugging my hair gently to tilt my chin up. With his other hand copping a feel on my bottom, he kisses me full on the mouth deep, long and heavy in front of all his brothers. Surprisingly to no catcalls. It’s not lost on any of them what went down today.

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