Beast: Learning to Breathe (Devil's Blaze MC #5)

“I don’t see how. I’ve done my best to stay as far away from you as I can. You made it clear that I meant nothing to you,” I respond, doing my best to swallow down the bile that rises in my throat. Maggie can feel my tension, I know because she lets out a small kick. I place my hand on my stomach, hoping to reassure her, even when I’m terrified.

Blade’s sandy-blonde hair ruffles with the cool wind that blows through. God he’s so ugly. How did I fail to see that? I really was stupid. He might have pleasing features, but the coldness in his face and eyes, the darkness that hovers around him—how did I miss that?

“That whelp you’re carrying is mine. You didn’t tell me you were pregnant, Hay. You had to know I wouldn’t let you take my child away.”

“I didn’t know I was pregnant until you had your men teach me your…lesson and leave me for dead,” I tell him and some of the bitterness and pain is taking over and I’m glad. It’s hiding the fear that is very real and rising inside of me.

“You betrayed me. You didn’t think you could get away with that, now did you?”

“I didn’t betray you.”

“Oh, come on, Hay. You were pissed because you found out I was fucking other women and decided to snoop into my life. You should have known better.”

“You need to leave.”

“I will, but you will be going with me,” he says so casually and laid back that it only deepens the fear I feel.

“I’m not going anywhere with you, ever again. You’d have to kill me first,” I tell him, hating that there’s a tremble in my voice now. I stand slowly, so I can put my hand in my pants pocket without making it too obvious. My hand wraps around the small canister tightly. I can do this. I have to do this. I have to protect Maggie. Michael is close. He won’t let anything happen to me, I just need to hold on and…face the devil…





71





Hayden





“I’m afraid you’ll be coming with me alive. At least until you give birth. Then…” he shrugs, as if he doesn’t really care. I should be worrying about dying I suppose, but the main fear stifling me right now is the idea of this monster getting his hands on Maggie.

“Why do you even want Maggie? You’re already calling her vile names. Just leave us alone. We’re nothing to you,” I plead with him, and I hate that I even have to talk with him about Maggie at all. I need to get out of here. If he had any of his men with him, I’d already be in a situation I couldn’t escape from. Waiting around is the last thing I should be doing.

“I’ll admit, I’m upset that you even fucked this up, Hay. In my world girls are usually only good for one thing. But, she’ll be my blood. She could come in handy. You shouldn’t have tried to keep her away from me. I own her and you. I always will, your fate was sealed the moment your brother sold you to me. I told you that. Your only escape is death and you’re the one who refused to let that happen,” he says and he’s smiling as he says it. Smiling.

“I hate you,” I tell him, feeling hopeless. “I did nothing but try to love you, and all you ever wanted to do is hurt me.”

“Love,” he snorts. “You were always so stupid, Hayden. You were payment for a debt. That’s all easy pussy like you will always be." He takes a few steps to me now.

My heartbeat was already out of control, but now it practically pummels itself against my chest. I can feel the beat even in my throat. I yank my hand out containing the small container of pepper spray and hold it between us like a weapon.

“Stop. If you get near me, I’ll use this I swear,” I cry and I know it’s pitiful. Even as I say it, I’m thinking the smarter course of action would have been trying to run back inside. I need somehow to delay him though, because I know if I just take off running he’ll catch me easily.

“Are you really this fucking stupid you think that can stop me?” he jeers, and he’s laughing at me, his eyes cruel and the sun reflects on his neck making the snake tattoo seem more real…more terrifying. Before I can second guess myself further, I aim the canister and spray it. It’s military grade, that I special ordered, but it’s small and in my haste, I spray his nose and jaw first, I adjust quickly and hit his eyes. He puts his hand up to try and stop most of it, and probably succeeds. His other hand grabs mine roughly. I fight the hold long enough to spray again, before he lashes out and slams the bottle to the ground.

“You fucking cunt!” he growls, his eyes watering and blood red. I might not have got him as well as I wanted, but I did do some damage. He backhands me hard along the side of my face, causing my head to jerk back in pain, stretching my neck with the force of the hit. He tries to rub his face, while holding onto me at the same time.

I know this is my last opportunity to get away and I take my free hand do my best to hit him in the nuts. It’s a weak hit, and I know it doesn’t do much damage. It shocks him enough his hold loosens on me however, and I’m able to break free. I take off running for the hospital entrance, hoping he won’t follow because there will be people around. I make it almost to the doors when the Pastor comes through them.

“Help me!” I cry, running to him. I make it to his side and he pulls me into him, as if to guard me.

“What is going on here?” he asks, looking down at me then back at Blade.

“We have to get inside,” I cry, knowing there’s no way the Pastor can handle Blade on his own. I have to get to Michael.

I have to.





72





Beast





“Yeah, speak fast,” I growl into the phone, annoyed. I need to get Hayden home safe. There’s not a doubt in my mind that Charlie’s accident has everything to do with Blade and his motherfucking club. I’ve been taking my time, waiting for Skull to meet with his contacts, but I’m done. I have to contain this shit before it touches Hayden.

“Victor Torasani is heading your way brother. Word came down about an hour ago.”

“What’s changed?” I ask Skull. Alarm bells are going off. The Torasani are settled in New York. They are notoriously private, but Victor has been labeled as a recluse. He’s rarely seen. For him to be coming here…

“Haven’t found out. Still researching, just wanted to give you a heads up. You’re too far away for me to get men to you quickly, so Diesel is stepping in. You should have some backup within a few hours. I can have people at your side tomorrow afternoon, but you’re just a few hours from Diesel. His men are already cutting through Cherokee. They’ll be there before the Torasani’s touch down.”

“Get word to have them meet me at my woman’s.”

“Your woman?” he asks, shock thick in his voice, but maybe not as much shock as I’m feeling right now. Fuck.

“I…Fuck…”

“Beast, brother, what’s going on?” Skull prompts.

I rub the back of my neck in frustration. Shit. Am I claiming Hayden? Why the fuck would she even want to saddle herself with me? She just ran away from me earlier. Hell, she’s hiding in the restroom from me now.

“It’s complicated,” I hedge.

“Christo,” Skull mutters. “Pistol’s hermana.” His comment annoys the fuck out of me.

“She’s a good woman, Skull. She’s…special,” I mutter.