by Shayla Black
“Hey.” The cop’s voice sounded grim.
Hammer understood instantly that Dean had taken a huge risk by coming here. “Can you come in?”
The officer looked over his shoulder, then nodded, peeling off his shades. “For a minute.”
Stepping back to admit him, Hammer’s guts twisted. Dean couldn’t have good news.
“Hello,” Liam welcomed. “Coffee?”
“No, thanks. I can’t stay long. I also can’t talk to you from my personal cell anymore, in case they subpoena your phone records. That’s why I dropped by unannounced.”
“I totally understand.” The truth weighed heavily on Hammer. He’d become the criminal. The courts might say he was innocent until proven guilty, but in the eyes of the force, he was dirty as sin. “Seat?”
Dean shook his head. “I just came by to give you what information I can. I’m sorry about what went down today. I didn’t get to finish giving you a heads-up earlier, but it wouldn’t have mattered. At that point, I didn’t know you’d become a suspect. I’d just seen River Kendall waltz into the station of his own free will with a briefcase and a lawyer, and I thought you’d want to know. Then I left for the armed robbery call. Sorry.”
Hammer shook his head. “You went above and beyond. Thanks for trying to help.”
“Raine okay?”
As okay as she could be, given the circumstances. “Fine. Getting ready for bed.”
Gorman nodded, all business now. “Here’s what I can tell you: Winslow and Cameron? Watch out. They’re ruthless. They feed off each other and they play to win. Years in Vice have warped their minds, and they’re convinced everyone remotely involved with BDSM, swinging, club sex—anything not ‘normal’—is a pervert or pedophile. They will never see your side of the story with Raine, so don’t try.”
“My lawyer advised against me opening my mouth in general.”
“Smart.” From the inside pocket of his leather jacket, he withdrew a manila envelope. “These are the pictures Seth slipped me of Raine, taken after the last beating her father gave her before she ran away. Detectives Bates and Sanchez put them in Bill Kendall’s file since they helped to establish that Raine acted in self-defense. Being from homicide, they weren’t so interested in the fact that you had photos of a minor. But Winslow and Cameron will flip their shit if they find out. I don’t know if anyone scanned these into our digital evidence system. They’re months behind, so maybe not. Just in case, I thought I’d remove the physical copies from the evidence room. But you didn’t get them from me. Thank goodness you had the foresight not to admit you’d taken the pictures. Saying that Raine had given you these images in case her father came after her again was perfect.”
Hammer snagged the envelope from Dean. He owed the man, who’d risked both his livelihood and his freedom to help, a huge debt. “Thanks.”
Dean nodded. “Get rid of them. They’re a liability you can’t afford.”
“Absolutely. Now that Bill is dead, Raine would feel better if they were destroyed anyway.”
“Do it fast. You can bet Winslow and Cameron will show up here and at Shadows in the next few days—maybe hours—with search warrants. It would be better for everyone if these copies and their originals disappeared. In fact, get rid of anything in either location that can incriminate you. Pictures or surveillance video of Raine at Shadows before she turned eighteen should be high on your list, too. If you have either saved on your phone, cloud, or computer, wipe everything clean. Delete old accounts. Start new ones. And you never heard this from me.” He peeled off his cap with a sigh. “It would mean my ass.”
A gong of foreboding resounded through Hammer all over again. Everything was happening so quickly, and he hadn’t seen the search warrants coming. Which overwhelmed him because he should have.
“I can’t thank you enough, man. I’ll take care of everything from here. If anyone asks, you’re not a member of Shadows, and I don’t know you.”
Gorman nodded grimly. “Thanks. Sorry it has to be that way.”
“I completely understand. Don’t think twice.”
“We’ll keep your tracks here clean,” Liam added. “Is there anything else we should be doing to keep Hammer out of jail?”
“Listen to Sterling Barnes. He’s one of the best. Don’t lie more than you have to and don’t lose your temper. And one last thing.” Dean handed him a folded scrap of paper. “I debated about this but…in Raine’s shoes, I’d want to know. Of course, I didn’t give this to you, either. But here’s River’s current address. It’s a rent-by-the-week place. He refused to list a phone number. This might not be much help, but maybe you can get some answers from him.”
Hammer tucked the information in the pocket of his sweat pants. The last thing he wanted was Raine anywhere near the bastard, but he and Liam would go have a “friendly chat” with River. “So no one intends to charge him for attempted kidnapping?”
Gorman shook his head. “Somehow, he convinced them it was a ‘misunderstanding.’ Slippery bastard.”
“Indeed.” Liam looked shaken.
About like Hammer felt.
“Thanks for the heads-up.”
“No problem. Best of luck. If you need more information, it’ll be tricky but…get a burner phone and call me.” Dean slapped him on the back. “Sorry I didn’t have better news. Good night, you two. Hug Raine for me.”
“We will. Night.” He shook the cop’s hand, then showed Dean out the door, watching him hop in the car and drive south. Macen couldn’t help but feel as if his future was heading in the same direction.
* * *
Thursday, February 14
* * *
Liam awoke in darkness and sighed wearily, the silent summons heard.
What does a man have to do to get some shut-eye around here?
As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he saw that Raine lay facing him. Hammer spooned her securely in his arms as they slept. Liam was glad. No telling how many nights they had left together.
As much as he hated to face that reality, poking his head in the sand wouldn’t help any of them.
Quietly, Liam left the bed and dressed, then tiptoed down to the kitchen, smelling the teapot brewing.
Sure enough, as he rounded the corner, his mother sat at the table, sipping from her cup. The lights above warmed her auburn hair. She didn’t speak, merely gestured Liam to his waiting mug.
He joined her at the table. “Morning, Mum.”
“Mornin’, son. I’ll not keep you long, but ’tis best if we talk privately.”
He agreed. “I’m worried about Hammer. What do you see?”
“If you were listening to what’s inside you, you’d already have a clue.” She slanted him a chastening stare. “Why’ve you not paid attention to your gifts and developed them? They won’t go away simply because you choose to ignore them. Best to make peace, son. They’re a part of you.”
Liam frowned. “How are they gifts, Mum? A bloody burning ear when you decide to visit? Seeing the auras of animals and plants? Weirdly knowing things that don’t always make sense until after the fact? All that’s bloody useless when I need it most. And since I was a wee lad, your riddles have driven me daft at times.”
“Think of your abilities like a tool. You can’t be much good at using them without practice. But if you hone the skill, you’ll be a master craftsman one day.” Bryn touched his cheek. “So don’t be thinking your sight is of no value.”
“Maybe I’m just stubborn.”
“Maybe?” she parried back with a smile.
“I wanted to live my life my way, not with my future fixed by a fate I couldn’t escape.”
“Good grief, seeing doesn’t mean you have no choice. In fact, a whole world of limitless possibilities opens up. You have an innate warning system, while others rely on the information at hand and their judgment. Auras can be helpful. Tell me, when were you ever bitten by a dog?”
Liam paused. “Never, that I recall.”
“
Animals are drawn to you. They know you sense them. Same with plants and trees. They’re living entities, so their auras are a clue about the state of their being.” Her smile became a fond grin. “Remember when you’d cry if someone gave me flowers? You’d tell me they were bleeding.”
“Mum, I was five. Knowing the state of my garden doesn’t help me with my problems now.”
“If you paid attention, it might. But you’ve been tuned out for years. What color was Gwyneth’s aura?”
“I don’t know.” Liam hadn’t thought much about it, and he didn’t want to dwell on the she-beast.
“Tune in and think.”
Liam sighed. Best not to fight his mother when she was determined.
He closed his eyes, and suddenly it filled his head. “Green. And muddy brown.”
The colors of his ex-wife represented anger, jealousy, petty backbiting, and lack of heart. In fact, he couldn’t picture Gwyneth without the ugly air around her anymore. He frowned.
How had he bloody married the bitch?
“Exactly,” his mother praised. “And Raine’s aura is—”
“Blue and white. Vivid. Vivacious.” He pictured her bold and glowing. “She’s lovely.”
Bryn smiled proudly. “Indeed. I’m sorry if I frightened her when we arrived.”
“Why didn’t you let me know you were coming sooner so I might have explained?”
“If you’d been paying attention, you would have known as soon as I started packing my bags. Why hadn’t you told her about your family, son?”
“I didn’t know what to say without sounding mental.” He took a long swallow of tea. “It’s so good to see you and Da. How is everyone?”
“Your sisters are well and send their love. Got any bikkies?” she asked hopefully. “I rummaged around in the pantry but couldn’t find any.”
“Cookies, Mum. They’re called cookies here.” He smiled. “For someone who seems to know everything, I’m surprised you can’t find them. Raine baked some snickerdoodles. They’re in the jar. Hang on.” He rose again and brought the brown ceramic container decorated with fleur-de-lis back to her.
Bryn plucked one out and dipped it in her tea before taking a bite. She hummed. “I didn’t know what a snickerdoodle was, but it’s delicious. You’re a lucky man. Raine will fatten you up in no time.”
“I’m sure she will.” He sensed the speech rolling through her head. “So what’s on your mind? You didn’t travel to California because you suddenly decided you needed to meet my wee wench or ‘talk’ to the baby. And you didn’t wake me up in the middle of the night for something sweet.”
“As Macen’s problems unfold, you’ll do more harm than good—both of you—if you don’t stay logical and calm.”
How the hell was he supposed to do that now, when everything they’d worked hard for was dissolving before them? “I know you mean well but—”
“I’ll not be patronized, Liam.” Her eyes glittered like green fire.
He winced, then took a cookie from the jar and dipped it in his tea. His mother could be mild and affable—until someone nipped at her temper. “That wasn’t my intention. But if you simply wanted to tell me to ease up, you could have called.”
“Well, we did come to meet Raine. The wee bairn is a powerful incentive, too. Sure you don’t want to know anything?”
“Very sure. We’ve talked. We’d all like to be as surprised by the sex of the babe as we were by the fact Raine was pregnant. Nor do we care who fathered the babe.” He slanted his mother a glance.
“I understand.” She patted his hand. “It’ll be obvious soon enough. And this one will have your lovely’s eyes.”
The thought made Liam smile. Since learning that Raine was expecting, he’d been hoping to see her bright blues in their next generation. “Out with the rest. Why did you wake me in the middle of the night?”
She stared at—or maybe it was through—him, as though seeing something more. “To reason with you, son. Raine has to talk to her brother. Give her your blessing and let her go.”
“Mum—”
“She’ll find a way, regardless. Wouldn’t you rather her do it without sneaking around and feeling guilty? So you can make sure she’s protected and safe?”
Macen’s interrogation by the police had likely ignited his fiery lass’s determination to fix everything. That meant she would want to confront River.
“It’s too bloody dangerous. I’ll not have that wanker anywhere near her. He tried to abduct her! Do you realize the damage he’s done? I swear, if I get my hands on that son of a—”
“Of course I know. But what do you expect? Everything he’s learned about Raine’s life so far paints a sordid picture.”
“In his mind.”
Bryn reached out and laid her hand on his arm. “Most folks can’t see beyond their own noses. And it’s not as if either of you has convinced Raine to marry you. Are you expecting her to give birth without a husband?”
Liam had expected this prodding from his very Catholic parents. “I proposed. So did Hammer. She said no to us both.”
“So you’re giving up?” Bryn shook her head. “Raine is still finding her path. So is River. He’s her big brother, Liam. She’s all the family he has left. You know that for a warrior, there is no greater regret than failing those you love and should have protected.”
He knew. It was one reason Hammer had been struggling. “River has been Stateside for months, gathering information on us and twisting it all to hell. He could have initiated a fucking conversation before going off half-cocked!”
“You’re not too big for me to wash your mouth out with soap, Liam O’Neill!”
He didn’t mean to be disrespectful, especially when his mother meant well. “Sorry.”
“I suspect you should be. I’m sure you and Macen welcomed River with open arms,” she said tartly. “And thoroughly explained your relationship with Raine when he came callin’, right?”
“He’d already made up his mind. He hurled ugly accusations, jumped to conclusions—”
“Just as well it wasn’t your foot in that shoe, I’m thinking. Imagine how things might have seemed to you if Caitlyn, Maeve, or any of your sisters were in Raine’s situation.”
Liam growled. Raine had said something eerily similar. “That’s not the point, Mum. The man’s a menace and not to be trusted. He wouldn’t listen to a bloody word any of us said anyway, even Raine. He meant to take her from us. He threatened to abort our child.”
“That’s River’s fear talking. Yours is barking, too,” she pointed out. “Why are men so bloody hardheaded at times? Your da can be the same.”
“Because we’re men.”
She huffed. “You listen to me. Raine has to save Macen from himself. She’s the only one who can. And to do that, she needs her brother…without you two interfering.”
Anxiety ripped through him. “What if you’re wrong? We can’t take a chance he’ll hurt her or cart her away.”
“Oh, Liam.” She sighed. “River loves her. He believes he’s doing right by his sister. He’s only concerned for her well-being. His heart is in the right place, even if he is going about things a mite cockeyed.”
“A mite?” Liam scoffed. “I don’t like it. And neither will Hammer.”
Bryn’s face softened. “No matter. She’ll go. Why don’t you send the lads with her? Seth and Kenneth are good boys. They’ll watch over her.”
“Who? Oh, you mean Beck.” Liam frowned. “Don’t call him Kenneth. He hates it. And you know that.”
Bryn just gave him an impish smile. “He needs a woman to put him in his place now and then.”
“God help me.” Liam gave a mock scowl. “I’ll think about what you’ve said.”
“Best do it quick.”
That meant Raine already had a plan. Damn it.
“We appreciate you coming to visit, and I know you want to help…but I have to ask, where were you when Gwyneth tormented me last winter? Couldn’t you have warned
me she was full of tripe when she presented me with the boy she claimed was mine? Or when Raine’s mongrel of a father kidnapped her and—” Biting back the memory, he hung his head and fought to control the burn behind his eyes.
“I tried to help with Gwyneth,” she reminded gently. “Before you even married her. But you were set on the shrew. I warned you, but you wouldn’t hear a word of it. Told me to keep out. I respected that, though I don’t mind telling you, ’twas difficult.”
Bryn had never been one to hold her tongue.
He grimaced. “No doubt. And I should have listened.”
“As for your ex-wife’s return and all that led up to Raine’s kidnapping, you know the sight is not always clear. The future’s not set in stone, like the past or present. That’s why I know the sex of the babe and who fathered it. ’Tis already done.” Bryn paused as though choosing her next words. “But what might be…that’s fluid. A whim can change circumstances and alter the future. I am sorry for all Gwyneth put you through. But you’re stronger for it.”
“I felt helpless at the time, Mum, like I was chasing my own bloody tail. I made mistakes that could have cost me the people I hold dearest.”
“None of that happened. I felt your pain at the time. Your worry. But you had everything you needed to choose the right path. Next time, listen more carefully to the voice inside you.” Rising, Bryn retrieved the teapot and topped off both their cups.
“How do I know it’s right?”
“How do you know it’s wrong?” she countered.
His mother’s semantics sometimes drove him mad. “Couldn’t you have just whispered in my ear?”
“I wasn’t meant to interfere, Liam. Sometimes, there’s no way around the obstacles in our path. Can’t go under or over them. The only way left is to plow straight through. It was Bill’s time to die, and Raine was meant to vanquish him. One of the hardest things I’ve had to accept over the years is that seeing things doesn’t mean I can stop them. I had to let that play out.”
