“Shh,” Mr. Bennett said softly, stepping closer. His lined face was drawn with worry, but his eyes weren’t hard. “You didn’t bring this trouble to our home. That horrible man who hurt you did.” Beast came up beside her then, his hand finding hers again.Every time he touched her, he grounded her, and now was no different.
“Come on, you two must be starving. I’ve got some food together while you were gone.” They followed his mother and father into the house. The inside of the home smelled like cinnamon and pine cleaner, and that made Belle want to smile. She stood just past the threshold of the house, her heart still racing as the door shut behind them.
For the first time since everything started, she realized this wasn’t just about danger or running anymore. This was family—Beast’s family, and whether she belonged here after everything that had happened or not, she was happy to be with them.
As she looked between Beast and his parents—still scared, still shaking, but trying to keep it together, Belle made herself a promise. She would make sure Shane never touched their lives—not on her watch.
The house was quiet—too quiet. Belle knew Beast’s sisters and their families would arrive tomorrow, and though she wanted to feel joy at the thought of meeting them, unease gnawed at her. Shane had been circling their lives like a predator for days now, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. She feared that moment was coming, and she didn’t want to mix up Beast’s sisters and their families in her mess.
Beast and his father had gone to the grocery store for his mother, leaving Belle alone with her. Well, as alone as they could be with four big bikers watching the house. They were folding napkins at the kitchen table when the back door creaked open, and Belle’s heart stopped. She looked up, half expecting to find one of the bikers coming in but knowing that the only thingwalking through the back door was going to be trouble. She felt it in her gut.
Her stomach dropped when Shane stepped inside, his smile cold and triumphant. “Well, isn’t this sweet?” he said, eyes flicking between them. “Girl bonding time. I guess your new boy toy thought you’d be safe with all those bikers standing guard, but he was wrong. A taser was enough to take the two big bikers at the back door down. And the other two out front won’t even know that we’re gone before it’s too late.
Beast’s mother stiffened, her knuckles whitening against the table. “You need to leave,” she said firmly, though her voice trembled. She moved to stand between Shane and Belle, and she worried that Beast’s mother was putting herself right in the line of danger—because her ex looked dangerous.
Shane chuckled, advancing. “Leave—now, why would I want to do a thing like that? No. I came for Belle, and if she agrees to leave with me, then we’ll be on our way. But if not, we’re sticking around for family dinner.” He pulled a handgun from his waistband, pointing it at Beast’s mother, and Belle couldn’t help but gasp.
“No,” Belle shouted, moving instinctively, placing herself between him and Beast’s mother. “You won’t touch her,” she said, though fear clawed at her throat. She knew that her only option was to go with Shane. It was the only way to keep Beast and his family safe, and she’d do just about anything to keep them safe.
His grin widened. “Brave little Belle. But bravery doesn’t stop me. You should know that from experience.”
“I’ll go with you,” Belle whispered. Beast’s mother gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth. The air was suffocating, heavy with his threat. Belle prayed Beast wouldn’t return soon. She knew that he’d do something heroic and stupid to try tosave her, and end up getting himself killed. She couldn’t go on knowing that he wasn’t in the world anymore.
Beast’s mother grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Don’t go with him,” she begged.
“If my going with Shane keeps you and your family safe, I’m doing it,” Belle insisted.
“Shut up,” she shouted. “It’s not the time for the two of you to discuss what’s happening next. “That depends on what I want—not what either of you wants. You need to remember who’s in charge here.” He waved the gun around as Belle caught the flash of someone running past the back door. She didn’t let her eyes follow the figure as he ran past, but she was pretty sure that it was Beast. He was home, and from the commotion outside the back door, he knew that Shane was inside the house and had Belle and his mother.
Belle closed her eyes and said a little prayer that he wouldn’t do something to get himself killed, as relief surged through her. Beast stormed into the kitchen, his father right behind him. Fury burned in his eyes as he advanced. “You don’t belong here,” he growled.
Shane faltered, his bravado cracking even with the gun in his hand. He backed toward the front door, but the two bikers who were guarding the front of the house blocked his path. Beast’s mother, trembling but resolute, picked up the phone and dialed 911.
Shane pointed the gun back at her and shouted, “Put the phone down,” but she just gave him a wicked smile. Belle could see how determined Beast’s mother was, and she worried that it was going to piss her ex off.
Beast’s father stepped between the gun and his wife as the bikers from out front took Shane down, relieving him of his gun, and handcuffing him with zip ties, practically tossing him to the front of the house.
“The cops will be here in a few minutes,” Beast’s mother announced triumphantly. Within minutes, flashing lights painted the windows red and blue. Officers rushed in, weapons drawn, and Shane’s smirk finally shattered. He tried to protest and tell the cops some crazy story about Beast kidnapping him and holding him hostage because he was Belle’s ex, but they quickly saw through his lies.
The officers began to read him his rights, and Shane fought them. “This isn’t over!” He spat, but his words rang hollow as they dragged him out of the house.
Silence fell, broken only by the sound of Belle’s shaky breath. Beast pulled her into his arms, steady and strong. His mother pressed a hand to her chest, relief flooding her pale face. “It’s over,” she said.
“He’s gone,” Beast whispered against Belle’s hair. “And this time, he won’t come back.” We’re pressing charges to make sure that he stays behind bars. But the police will want to talk to both of you.”
“Sometimes I forget that you worked in the security field, son,” his father said, clapping him on the back. “You know, I’m sure that there’s a need for someone like you, with your skill set, around town.” Beast had said that his parents took every opportunity to tell him that he needed to move back to Yonkers—even after a kidnapping gone wrong.
“Not now, Dad,” he said, causing Belle to giggle. She clung to him, trembling but grateful. For the first time in weeks, she felt the weight lift. Shane was no longer a shadow over them. Justice had come, and they were free to breathe again. Belle just wondered what that would mean for her and Beast. Was he only with her to protect her, and now that Shane wasn’t a threat, he’d send her back home to Huntsville and forget all about him? Only time would tell, but for now, they were all safe, and that was all that truly mattered.
The flashing lights faded from the windows, leaving the house in a hush that felt almost peaceful. Shane was gone, dragged away in handcuffs, his threats silenced at last. Relief washed over Belle in waves, though her body still trembled from the confrontation. Beast held her close, his strength steady, his mother rushing around to get dinner on the table as his father talked to neighbors to explain what had happened. Belle hated that she was putting everyone through all this mess, but she was so thankful that they had her back.
That night, the family gathered in the living room. The Christmas tree glowed warmly, its ornaments glittering like tiny stars. Belle stood near Beast, her fingers brushing over his arms as they banded around her, giving her comfort and safety. For the first time in weeks, she felt the weight of constantly living in fear lift.
Beast turned to her, his eyes fierce but softened by love. But that couldn’t be. How could he love her after only knowing her for days? She knew that she had fallen in love with him, but that was just how her heart worked. At least, that was what her mother used to say when she was just a little girl. She told Belle that when she fell, she fell hard and loved fiercely. That was exactly what had happened with Beast. He drew her closer to the tree, his parents watching with quiet anticipation as he dropped to one knee, and looked up at her, the lights flickering across his face.
“Belle,” he said, his voice low but steady, “we’ve faced so much together in such a short time, and tonight we proved we can overcome any obstacle. You’ve given me hope for a future that I never thought I deserved. Will you marry me?”
Belle’s breath caught, tears spilling down her cheeks. The fear that had haunted her was gone, replaced by joy so overwhelming it nearly broke her. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” Beast slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands shaking, and rose to pull her into his arms. His parents clapped softly, their pride and joy filling the room. Belle kissed him under the glow of the tree, her heart overflowing with love.
