Running from His Claim (Beauty and the Beast #2)

Chapter 13

I needed Victor.

It was like being in a tunnel so dark I couldn't see anything, not even my own nose. That was the world that Warren had left me in, like a sun that had set suddenly and without warning.

Victor was like a distant light, a beacon that I was following until I could get my bearings. It was because I refused to give up that I kept following, hoping he would lead me to safety, to somewhere I belonged. Now, if that light was extinguished, what was I to do? Did I just curl up in the same place and hope for a rescue team, or did I keep stumbling on, even if it meant falling a lot?

I sat in bed that Monday night, wondering just what I was going to do. I'd already decided that I'd support Victor if he decided to leave, but that didn't leave me with an action plan afterwards. That day had been miserable and I couldn't live through much more.

As I sat there, trying hard not to feel miserable, I felt something at the foot of my bed and looked up, alarmed. Victor sat watching me, a self satisfied grin on his face. I suddenly felt as if I hadn't seen him in forever - which might have been because our days were numbered. I launched myself at him and had he not been a thousand times stronger, I'd have no doubt toppled us over.

"Hey!" He placed his hands on my back, laughing softly. "If you miss me this much after a few days, what if - whoa!"

I'd tightened my stranglehold on him. He didn't pull back, just laughed again and held me lightly. Then he sighed. "You're so warm. It's what I miss most whenever I leave." He paused. "Are you going to strangle me all night? Because I might have a complaint to register."

I laughed and finally let go, sitting back and tucking my hair back as I blushed.

He leaned closer and lightly grazed my cheek with his fingertips. "It's okay to miss me, no need to blush."

I playfully slapped his hand away. "Yeah, I missed you. Let's move on. What's with the fat cat smile?"

"Well, I got into a fight in Colorado and won a motorcycle," he shrugged.

"What?"

He grinned, his eyes glowing. "Okay, so I was in this diner, right, minding my own business and wondering how humans, who actually invented the stuff, can make such god-awful coffee, when -"

"Wait, you were drinking coffee?!"

"Well, no, but I ordered it to blend in, and it smelled different from the coffee I make. Looked all wrong, too. Anyway, these guys started harassing a waitress. I wouldn't have cared, but she was my waitress and they were keeping her from delivering my food so I could stare at it." I was laughing by now and he gave me a playful glare. "Anyway, I got fed up so I told them to stop. They decided to take it outside. I figured why not, and joined them in an alley. They weren't as tough as I expected."

"You really got into a fight?" I stared. "What about your strength?"

"I can control that, I had to learn to fight." He pushed his hair back. "The point is I got a motorcycle." He held up the keys. "Want a ride?"

"Hell no!" I laughed. "Sorry, stolen bikes aren't my thing."

"I won it," he protested.

"Unfairly," I pointed out.

He sighed, but I suspected that he'd expected my response. "I guess it's for the best. I kinda crashed it."

"What?" I leaned forward, grabbing his hand. "Are you okay?" Then I remembered who I was talking to and blushed again as he laughed. "Jerk!"

"Weirdo," he grinned back. "So if I get one legally, will you ride it with me?"

I grinned. "Even better. I'll teach you how to pop a wheelie."