Claiming Crusher (Savage Brothers MC #4)(14)

I’m feeling good and even half-way safe around Beast. Skull and his crew might be the answer to my problems. Beast is definitely safer than Crusher or Dragon. I can say that unequivocally. After the movie we are walking with the crew, discussing going to a bar. I don’t really want to. Although, more alcohol might help at this point, I don’t know. That is put to an end when Dragon arrives upset, because Skull is putting the moves on Nicole.

Guns are drawn, knives…Instantly I am transported back into the past. Dragon is no longer Dragon. He is Michael wielding a knife. Michael holding it towards me. Michael grabbing me, threatening to end me. It is Michael stabbing me in the stomach repeatedly. I scream out in terror. I can’t stop the sound or the tears that gather, though I do my best to fight them back. My entire body starts shaking and that’s when Beast covers me. He stands in front of me. Protecting me. He pulls me tight against his back, not letting my hand go. It stops my screams, though the tears refuse to end. I can’t stop the shaking, but he doesn’t seem to mind. Over his shoulder I see Crusher and he’s holding a gun and pointing it in Beast’s direction. In my direction.

I have to get away from Dragon, Crusher and that whole crew. I need to get Nic away. Dragon will turn his anger on her someday. I can’t let what happened to me, happen to Nic. I can’t. I feel like I can’t breathe and the memories try to swallow me. I don’t even notice that the confrontation has ended. I’m lost in the past. That’s when Beast grabs my face and forces my eyes to him.

“You’re okay, little hummingbird. You’re okay.”

I don’t know where the ridiculous nickname comes from, but something about this gruff man who could snap men like twigs being soft, pulls me out of the darkness. I still can’t quit shaking and I feel so cold.

“I…I…can’t stay here.” I gasp, my voice winded, broken, and weak. God, it’s so weak. Beast nods and begins to pull me away from the crowd. Crusher puts his hand on my shoulder and stops us. I look up into his dark eyes. I see concern there and I want to believe it’s real. Then I remember how he held a gun on us…on me. I can’t trust him. I can’t trust Dragon. I know their types.

“Don’t do this, darlin’.”

His hand warms me. There’s so much heat coming off of him, through our connection. I want to embrace the warmth, because I feel so cold, but I pull away. Instead, I look at Beast. Who has been nothing but kind and even now is holding onto me. If he wasn’t, I would fall to the ground. Beast protected me. No one ever has before.

“Can…can you get me out of here?” I look up at Beast, begging him silently.

“Let’s go, hummingbird.”

“You’re making the wrong choice, sweetheart,” Crusher says.

“My life is full of them. At least this one isn’t holding a gun on me,” I tell him before I can stop myself, then let Beast lead me away.

They decide not to go to the club after all the excitement. I’m glad. The world is buzzing around me and I can’t seem to grasp it. My stomach is in knots. I keep thinking back to Crusher and our last exchange. What is it about that man that makes me…want? That’s it really. He makes me want and for someone who has never even looked at a man in that way? It’s terrifying.

I go with Beast to Skull’s compound without talking. Right now I need three things. Nicole, safe. Michael, dead. Me, somewhere warm with my toes in the sand, far away from anything and anyone. I doubt Beast can make that happen, but he’s big, he’s warm and he’s looking out for me. That’s more than I’ve ever had.

When we get inside, he leads me back into a small room with a bed and a dresser in it. I look at the room a little lost. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to stop my body from shaking. Tiny comes to the door, but Beast stops him.

“Hey man! I thought we were going to party! The bitch has been begging for it all night. Surely you’re going to share.”

“Go find one of the club girls, I’m flying solo with this one tonight,” he says and I pull myself up to a sitting position on the bed and hug my knees. I thought I wanted sex and I know Beast has been nice to me and all, but I don’t think I can do it. Shit. I don’t have a contingency plan either. I always do, I always have some way to extract myself out of any situation. I didn’t tonight and I have no idea what I’m going to do.

“She’s mine tonight. Now get the f*ck out of here, so I can get my cock sucked on for the first time in a year.”

“Hey okay man, I get you dog, you want some privacy for your first time since your old lady. I get it, but tomorrow you’re going to have to share, because that’s some sweet ass in there and I want to tap it.”

Beast closes the door—more like slams it on Tiny and while I’m glad about that, I have no idea what to do here.

“Listen…I know I offered and everything, but I’ve been thinking…”

“Relax Hummingbird, I ain’t about to give you my dick.”

I freeze. I mean that’s good, but still, shit could he at least act like he’s tempted?

“Hummingbird?” I ask putting my head down against my knees wishing the room would stop spinning.

“If there was ever a woman with a broken wing, it’d be you.”

Well, he has me pegged.