Page 26 of Beast
Beast carved a deep, clean line that ensured Brad would never breathe another threat.Silence fell.Gunner walked up to him, blood on his knuckles, his dead opponent sprawled behind him.
“You good?”he asked.
Beast didn’t answer.He was already running toward Pixie.She was on her knees near the corner of the station, trembling, hands still loosely bound.Her eyes were wide, terrified, scanning the chaos until they landed on him.
“Beast—”
She launched into his arms.He caught her, lifted her, held her like she was the most precious thing in the world, because she was.His arms wrapped around her tightly, one hand cradling the back of her head, the other gripping her waist.
“You’re okay,” he breathed, voice shaking.“Jesus, Pixie ...I thought—”
“I’m okay,” she whispered back, but her voice cracked, and she buried her face in his chest.“I’m okay.”
Beast held her even tighter, rocking her slightly.“I’ve got you,” he whispered, his jaw pressed to her hair.“No one’s ever touching you again.”
She clung to him like her life depended on it, and for the first time in a long time, Beast let himself feel something close to peace.Pixie was safe.And he’d tear the world apart before anyone ever tried to take her from him again.
****
Beast’s mind was stillreeling when he drove Pixie back to the clubhouse.The weight of what had just happened, the terror that had gripped him when he’d seen her bound and bruised—he couldn’t shake it.
He gripped the steering wheel so tight, his knuckles were white.He could still feel the fury coursing through his veins, the taste of blood in his mouth from where he’d taken Brad down.But none of it mattered now.Pixie was here.Safe.
She was quieter than usual, the adrenaline having worn off, leaving a hollow silence between them as they drove.Every so often, Beast would glance over at her, checking to make sure she was still there, that she was still breathing.That she was still his.
He pulled into the clubhouse and didn’t wait for her to say anything.He just opened the door, slid out, and helped her out of the truck.His touch was gentle despite the storm inside of him.He couldn’t help it.He’d almost lost her.He wasn’t about to let that happen again.
He led her through the back entrance and up the stairs to his room.The place smelled of wood and leather, the familiar scent of his sanctuary.He’d spent so many nights here alone, but now, with her, it felt different.She belonged here.She belonged with him.
The door slammed behind them, and he turned to her, his chest tight.
“Sit down,” he said, his voice rough.
Pixie obeyed without protest, sitting on the edge of his bed.Her hands were trembling slightly, though she tried to hide it.The bruises on her face, the cuts on her arms—it all twisted his gut in a way he hadn’t felt before.
Beast went to his bathroom, wet a towel, and returned to her.He knelt in front of her, gently wiping away the blood from her mouth and face.His hands were surprisingly steady, but the anger simmering just below the surface still clawed at him.
“You’re gonna be okay,” he murmured, his voice low, soothing.He traced the bruise on her cheek with his thumb, and he felt a rush of protectiveness rise up, hot and possessive.
Pixie didn’t say anything for a moment, just closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, allowing him to care for her.When she finally opened her eyes, they were full of something raw, something real—something he hadn’t expected.
“You were terrified,” she whispered, her voice cracking slightly.“I could see it in your eyes when you found me.”
Beast’s heart pounded, a sickening wave of fear rushing over him again.He paused, his hand resting on her shoulder.
“I’ve never been more scared in my life,” he admitted, his voice rough.“I thought ...I thought I was going to lose you.”His eyes met hers, locking onto her like she was the only thing that mattered.“You mean everything to me, Pixie.You belong with me.I need you.”
Her breath caught at the intensity of his words, but Beast didn’t stop.He couldn’t.Not now.“I’ve never let anyone get close to me like this.Not after Evelyn.But you—God, Pixie, you’ve made me feel things I didn’t know I could feel again.And I’m not letting you go.Not now.Not ever.”
Pixie’s eyes softened, her lips parting as if she was about to say something.But Beast didn’t wait for her words.He couldn’t.He reached up, cupping her face in his large hands, and kissed her.
The kiss was desperate, all-consuming.A storm of emotions—fear, longing, relief—crashed over him.He pulled her closer, his lips claiming hers, not waiting for permission.Pixie kissed him back just as fiercely, her hands coming up to grasp his shoulders, her fingers digging into him like she never wanted to let go.
He pulled her onto his lap, her body pressed against his, and the heat between them flared to life.Every inch of him ached for her, wanted her, needed her like air.
When they finally broke apart for breath, Beast stared into her eyes, his chest heaving.
“Brad’s not a problem anymore,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.“I’m done running.I love you, Beast.I want to be with you.No more running.”
