by Shayla Black
picture window overlooking the front lawn. Despite the surprisingly warm day and feeling Raine curled up on his lap, icy resolve filled Liam.
He tried not to think that if she hadn’t kept her wits or if the trainer next door hadn’t been enjoying the temperate day, River might have taken her and Liam wouldn’t be holding her now.
In fact, he might never have held her again.
Liam clutched Raine tighter and nuzzled her neck, breathing her in. She trembled, curling her fingers into his shirt, as he gently stroked her hair.
“Are you all right, love?” he whispered.
“Still a little shocked, but better now that I’m home with you two.”
“Are you sure you don’t need a doctor?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me, just scared me. I’m upset that I couldn’t make him understand.”
“From the sounds of it, he didn’t give you much chance to explain. We know that feeling.” Liam wanted to murder the wankstain. And he’d barely been able to let go of Raine since Hammer had rushed her home.
Since then, the police had come and gone. They had interviewed the bodybuilder in the alley, as well, who had corroborated Raine’s version of events. But River had managed to fend off her burly rescuer and vanish without a trace. The LAPD was gunning for him now.
Liam was hyperaware the bastard was well trained to reappear anytime and anywhere. He could pull off nearly anything to take Raine from them without a whisper of warning.
Pacing the length of the room, Hammer looked disheveled and pissed off. He had long ago ditched his cloak of civility, having tossed his coat on a nearby chair and his tie on the armrest of the sofa. He prowled like a caged lion as he clutched his phone and barked into the device.
“What do you mean you don’t know where to find him? I need to talk to Seth Cooper now.”
Whatever the man’s assistant said on the other end did not reassure Hammer. He glowered. If the woman could have seen him, she would no doubt have run screaming.
“I understand cases can be unpredictable. So is the one I’ve given him. Have him call me the moment he surfaces.”
After the woman murmured some platitude, Hammer stabbed at a button on the screen and barely managed not to hurtle the phone across the room. Instead, he flung himself on the cushion beside them with a growl. Liam shot him a warning stare. Macen’s agitation wasn’t helping to keep Raine calm.
“You okay, precious?” He turned to her, his tone surprisingly tender.
“Don’t get worked up, Macen.”
“You’re upset,” he bit out.
“My head is racing. I’m shocked my own brother tried to abduct me. Since he grew up under Bill’s roof, I’m sure he had a rough childhood, too. But I’m not violent, so I can’t make excuses for him. You tried to tell me what he was like, and I didn’t really believe you. I’m just sad.”
Hammer sighed. “I’m sure it’s hard to accept.”
Raine rubbed at her forehead. “Yeah. I just need…”
“What?”
“Tell us how we can set your mind at ease,” Liam bade softly.
Raine sighed. “I need to bake.”
“Not alone,” Hammer shot back.
Liam rolled his eyes. “What he means is, if you need a bit of space, love, we’ll be just a room away.”
Macen gave him a dirty—but silent—glare.
“Thanks.” A little frown knit her brow. “Are all the doors locked?”
“Every last one,” Liam reassured.
“We’ve both checked. More than once. And the alarm is set.”
But Liam couldn’t deny his concern that simple security wouldn’t keep someone as determined as River from stealing her away for long.
With a lingering kiss, Raine pushed off his lap and stood. Instantly, he missed her in his arms. Anxiety filled him. Liam had to remind himself that she needed to be in her kitchen more than he needed to clutch her fiercely.
She dropped a similar kiss on Hammer’s lips. Macen tangled his fingers in her hair and seized her mouth as if he intended to throw her down on the sofa between them, strip off her clothes, and tunnel inside her. Raine opened for him, breathless, eager.
On edge, Liam waited. Sexual healing would certainly help them all…
Suddenly, Hammer stiffened and set her on her feet, away from him.
Damn it.
“Will you check on me soon?”
Liam hated the uncertainty in Raine’s voice. She shouldn’t feel insecure in her own home. She’d endured too much bloody trauma in the last three months. When the hell would it stop so she could heal and they could live in peace?
“Of course,” he promised.
Hammer put on a smile. “Try and stop me.”
“Thanks. You shouldn’t worry about me. I know you will anyway, but I’ll put some music on. In an hour or two, I’ll be fine. River rattled me. But I won’t let him scare me from living my life.”
Liam believed that. Raine was a fighter. She had her vulnerable moments, but she always forged ahead.
When she disappeared into the kitchen, Hammer shot to his feet, looking as if he was barely keeping his shit together.
“Don’t go after her,” Liam warned.
“We should make sure the son of a bitch isn’t lying in wait.”
“It’s empty. I cleared out all the contractors before you two reached home. I’ve checked the house from top to bottom. The police were here. They searched, too. Let her find her center. We need to find yours.”
As Chopin drifted in from the kitchen, Hammer started pacing again. He raked his hand through his hair. “How the fuck do I do that? He almost stole her from under my nose. He could have driven her away in that black truck and I wouldn’t have known until it was too late. At least the spa owner already fired that fucking greedy receptionist.”
“It could have happened to either of us. If I had driven her, I would have dropped her off, too, never imagining River would be waiting inside to steal her. Don’t beat yourself up. It’ll do no good. Let’s talk about how we protect her going forward.”
Heaving a worried sigh, Macen dropped onto the sofa, elbows braced on his knees, head in his hands. “How can I help with that when I keep fucking up?”
“Ah, Macen… Don’t blame yourself. We need to stay strong and together. If we don’t, we’ll only compromise her safety.”
“I know. I’d feel better if we had some information about this fucker, but Seth has suddenly disappeared. According to his assistant, he grabbed his ‘go’ bag early this morning and told her he’d check in when he could. She has no idea how long before he surfaces.”
That explained why Seth hadn’t answered his mobile when Liam had called earlier. “Is he working on a case?”
“I guess. She didn’t know which one.”
Liam hoped Seth turned up soon, but until then, they would manage. “Have you called Beck?”
At that, Hammer managed a bit of a smile. “He’s taking Heavenly to lunch. Again.”
“For the third time this week? It’s only Wednesday.” Liam had to grin, as well. “I’ll bet he hasn’t so much as kissed her.”
“Not yet. He was bitching about the”—he cleared his throat—“lack of contact yesterday.”
Liam loved that delicious irony. “Ah, there is a god.”
Hammer chuckled. “So the sexually frustrated doctor will be here shortly.”
“I’ll enjoy that.” Liam listened to the banging of bowls and the clanging of spoons, soothed by the sounds, inhaling the wafting cinnamon scent of Raine’s baking. “What do we do, Macen? Hire bodyguards?”
“I don’t care how qualified someone else is, they can be bought off. I don’t trust a stranger with Raine’s safety.”
Liam agreed completely. “I doubt she would even tolerate it.”
“Good point.”
“She’s a wee thing but her temper can be fearsome.”
“You got that right, brother.” Hamm
er sighed. “What a clusterfuck. I think you two better start spending your days at the club. It’s more secure, especially now that we know who we’re looking for. River won’t get in again.”
“That will slow the remodeling around the house, but with the kitchen mostly done, Raine will be patient about the rest.”
“She’ll have to be.”
It was Liam’s turn to pace. “I’ve got to tell you, I’m beginning to feel as if the pin is out of the grenade and I’m just waiting for the next explosion.”
“Don’t fucking ask what else could go wrong.”
“Not saying a word.” Liam shook his head. “At least we’ve got Valentine’s Day to look forward to tomorrow. Would you mind picking up Raine’s gift while you’re out?”
“You sure you don’t want to? It was your idea, man. Your design. I’ll get her some flowers and chocolate, I guess. Pregnant women like chocolate, right?”
Liam rolled his eyes. Macen might have fucked his way through half of Los Angeles, but he was clueless about romance. “I intended the gift to be from both of us, something special for our first Valentine’s Day with our girl. After all, she’ll be the mother of our baby come August. We have to show her how much we love her.”
“You already bought her a goddamn house. Maybe I should buy her a new car or…” He tossed his hands in the air and gaped at Liam. “Jesus, man. I don’t have a fucking clue.”
“I hadn’t noticed.” Liam snorted. “I’m sure she’d appreciate the sentiment, but since she won’t be driving herself anywhere—at least not while River is lurking—a new car seems pointless. But I wouldn’t mind you buying me one.”
“Oh, fuck off. You’ve got money. Buy your own damn car.”
Liam flipped him off. “You can find something else to add to the gift if you like. I want you to feel as if it’s from us both.”
The ringing of Macen’s mobile cut into their conversation. He yanked it from his pocket and frowned at the screen. “It’s Dean Gorman.”
“The cop?” He was a member of Shadows and had helped them through the investigation the dark morning Raine had been in Bill’s clutches.
“Yeah. Maybe he’s got information.” Macen pressed the button to power the speakerphone. “Hi, Dean.”
“Hey, Hammer. Liam there with you?”
“We’re both here,” Liam answered. “Got any news?”
“Raine’s brother is at the precinct. The captain is interrogating the shit out of him now.”
Relief deluged Liam, and he exhaled a burst of tension. Beside him, Hammer did the same, a smile slowly spreading from ear to ear. Liam followed suit as they high-fived each other.
“Where did they catch the bastard?” Hammer demanded.
“Well, they—” A chime pealed in the background, and Dean swore. “Shit. Armed robbery in progress. I’ll call you back.”
The line went dead, but Liam didn’t care. “River is behind bars. That’s bloody brilliant! Let’s hope the wanker gets what’s coming to him. Why don’t we tell our girl?”
“That he won’t be scaring the shit out of her again any time soon? Absolutely.”
Hammer crossed the living room and shoved into the kitchen. Liam followed, inhaling a sweet, spiced scent. His stomach rumbled. Based on the smell, Raine had baked them something wonderful.
Suddenly, Macen halted in his tracks, a dead stop just inside the portal.
Liam barely managed to keep himself from plowing into his friend’s back. “What the…”
When he glanced around Hammer’s shoulder, Raine knelt near the door, holding a plate of warm snickerdoodle cookies—and not wearing a stitch. Liam nearly swallowed his tongue. She blinked up at them, her expression imploring. A sensual electronica tune, punctuated by chanting and panting, hung in the air like an unspoken seduction.
“Something sweet, gentlemen?” She batted her lashes their way.
“Oh, fuck,” Hammer murmured under his breath.
“If you’re offering, I’d love to. Liam, you…in?” Raine sent him a bewitching smile.
“Hell yes.” He peeled off his coat and reached for his belt. He’d been waiting for this moment forever.
Their girl was smart. She had listened to every word of advice he’d given her after their unfinished breakfast the other morning. She was taking charge. Normally, the Dom in him would object. But Hammer needed the encouragement—and the orgasm with their girl. Frankly, he could use one himself.
Macen grabbed the plate of cookies from her hands and chucked it onto a nearby counter. Then he bent and wrapped his hands around her still-small waist, lifting her onto the island in the middle of the room. He shoved her legs apart, stepped between them, and grabbed her face in his hands. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Trying to get your attention. Is it working?” She bit her lip and began unbuttoning Hammer’s shirt.
Liam watched his friend. One little shove and he’d tip over.
“Why?” Hammer demanded.
“Because I want you and I miss you. And when you two touch me, I feel safe. Nothing that happened to me today was your fault. Don’t think it was.”
He pulled away and swallowed hard. “I didn’t protect you.”
“You did everything except hold my hand and help me across the street like a two-year-old. Hammer, you can’t plan for crazy.”
“I have to! River made it clear that if I don’t, you could be gone.”
“Easy, mate. He’s in police custody now.” Liam calmed Hammer with a pat on the back, then glanced Raine’s way. “That’s what we came to tell you, love.”
“That’s good…I guess.” She looked relieved but sad on her brother’s behalf.
“I’m sorry it came to this,” Liam offered.
“I’m not. He’s getting what he deserves.” Hammer held her close. “Why would you think otherwise?”
“He tried to abduct me, and I know that’s how you see it. But I think he actually believed he was protecting me.”
Liam gave her a skeptical glance. “Or he’s as mad as Bill. But let’s not talk about him now. Come here to me.” Liam cupped the back of Raine’s head and planted a kiss on her waiting lips, lingering to savor her sweetness before he bent to her ear. “Good girl.”
When he pulled back, she gave him a conspiratorial wink.
Hammer still looked torn. “Are you really ready for this? For us?”
“Macen, our wee wench is naked, pregnant, lusciously ripe, and begging to be devoured. I say we feast.” He tossed off his shirt and yanked down his zip.
Hammer still hesitated, studying Raine intently.
She thrust her hands on her hips. “Macen Daniel Hammerman, if you don’t lose the pants and put your cock inside me somewhere in the next two minutes, I’m going to hurt you.”
Liam couldn’t hold back a belly-shaking chuckle as he stepped out of his trousers. “I think she’s made herself clear, mate.”
For a moment, Hammer gaped at her like he didn’t know who she was. Then decision crossed his face and he snapped out of his haze.
“If that’s what you want…” He tore at his shirt. “It’s so fucking on, little girl.”
There was the Hammer they knew and loved. The man needed to
