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

Chapter 20

The sounds of demolition were coming from upstairs. I flew up the stairs towards the guest room Victor was now desecrating. "Victor!"

Someone appeared in my way just as I looked into the room. Gemma placed a hand on my arm gently to stop me from entering. Inside the slightly wrecked room, Aric and Angelo were trying to calm Vic down. Angelo had Victor in a lock as my best friend fought viciously. He looked like a feral animal with his crazed blood red eyes and gnashing fangs.

"No, don't do that!" I screamed and all three males turned to me. "Don't stop him!"

Aric frowned as Angelo said, "Cara mia, he is currently without control."

"I know," I said desperately, anxiously trying to get in. Gemma had to restrain me. "Listen, he needs to do this! Just let him be! Don't get in his way, please!"

Victors eyes flickered, softening as he realised that I understood how much he needed this. He shook free of Angelo who'd let his hold slip in his shock.

"Child, are you saying this happens often?" Gemma asked in surprise.

I smiled sadly now, watching Victor going to overturn a large desk. "Yeah, he's the definition of the hot, brooding artist."

Victor stopped and turned to me, his eyes spearing me. I'd used his own words, and I could see that he was glad I'd remembered. Any other time he'd be rolling around laughing, but right now he only shook his head and went on with his vandalism.

"Okay, let's get you somewhere safe then," Angelo said, grabbing my arm and rushing me towards the staircase.

I was about to protest when Victor appeared in front of us. He was completely still, his eyes fixed on me. I knew he didn't want to move in case he accidentally hurt me. "She stays," he said softly.

I carefully removed my arm from Angelo's hold. In this state Victor could get overprotective and possibly even attack his brother. He could consider anything a threat and retaliate. Angelo looked at me in surprise and I said, "It's okay. I'm not afraid of him."

Victor's eyes wavered, then he disappeared. I went back to the scene of the crime without hindrance just in time to see him continuing his work. "Um, Vic? Are you destroying the whole top floor, or just this room?"

"Don't know," he gritted without turning back to me.

"Okay." I thought for a minute, then went to his room.

After a short search I found a stand with his sketch book on it and a paint palette with brushes. I went back to the other room to keep him company and set it up. I flipped to an empty page, dipped a brush in green paint and swiped it across the page. I was about halfway done with smothering the page in a riot of colors when he appeared next to me.

"What're you doing?"

"Don't know," I said and stuck my tongue out. Where to put the pink...?

"You're ruining my book," he pointed out.

"I figured we both get to destroy your stuff. I'm just as mad as you are but you won't let me risk hurting myself, so this works."

He was silent, then he started laughing. Slipping an arm around my waist, he pulled me away.

"Hey, put me down!" I yelled, struggling. "I'm not done with it yet!"

He laughed again and spun me away from my masterpiece and out of the room. "You're like an angry puppy."

I scowled and crossed my arms when he set me down in his room.

He smiled tenderly down at me, his eyes a deep blue, then stepped closer and drew me into his arms, tucking my head on his chest comfortingly. After a while, he sighed and said, "Wanna talk about it?"