by Shayla Black
Liam had the good grace to look sheepish. “I thought she only had eyes for Hammer. And back then, I thought he would kill me if I touched her.”
“I had eyes for you, too,” Raine whispered softly for his ears alone before turning back to Beck. “The only other sub I can think of is Eden. I saw her come out of Hammer’s room a lot over the years.”
Every man at the table, except her brother, looked more than a tad guilty. Raine glanced at their faces. “Are you kidding me? All of you?”
Beck gave her a crooked smile. “Looks like everyone has plowed the garden of Eden, princess. Hey, we’re men. Not monks.”
“No one would ever think otherwise. Trust me.” Raine skewered Liam with another glance. “Anything else you want to tell me?”
“Nothing. Shouldn’t we focus on the problem, love? Someone else we should consider?”
Raine sighed. “No one in particular, but I think we’ve barely scratched the surface.”
The doctor stood and stretched. “She’s right. I’m sure there’s someone we’re just not thinking of.”
“I’ll scour the membership database while I’m at the club, see if anyone else pops out,” Raine said. “Maybe…I’ll come up with something. What about the security footage disappearing? Hammer fired the last tech, Bryan, for a reason…”
“Hitting on members.” Beck snorted.
Raine nodded. “Maybe he got mad and took the videos to blackmail Hammer?”
“Bryan has been gone a month,” Liam pointed out. “And he hasn’t sent Macen any demands. Besides, why would he have taken footage of you and me? Mum, you didn’t hear that.”
“Not a word. Just like I didn’t hear you this morning, either. Or last night.” She smiled faintly.
Raine turned four shades of red. Beck and Seth both howled with laughter.
“Your thief is still among you.” Bryn soothed Raine with a pat on the shoulder. “I can feel that. Proud of the deception, too. Be looking at the faces you least suspect.”
Raine couldn’t go through another round of conjecture just now. She didn’t want to look at any of her friends with suspicious eyes. Instead, she collected everyone’s empty plates and took them to the sink.
“Who has access to the security room?” Seth asked.
“The new tech, Lewis, is in there most.” Beck sat back in his chair. “He’s a snot-nosed nerd Hammer hired two weeks ago. Other than him, the DMs, including me and Pike. Dean. Donald. Hammer. Liam. Raine has a key. Am I missing anyone?”
No one with any reason to hurt Macen. “Sometimes the cleaning crew goes in there off-hours. We usually try to supervise them but…” Raine shrugged. “It doesn’t always work out.”
Liam shook his head. “So we have another bloody puzzle to solve.”
Raine put an arm around him. “We’ll do it. We have to.”
“I’ll help however I can.” River stood and smiled at Bryn. “Thank you, Mrs. O’Neill.” Then he turned and extended a hand to Liam. “Sorry if I’ve been a douche.”
They shook hands. “I’d have done everything I could to protect my sisters, too. And I’ve got six of them.”
“You poor bastard.” River smiled, then turned to Raine. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll do whatever I can to help you be happy.”
Chapter 13
Monday, February 18
* * *
After spending the weekend climbing the walls in an isolated cell, Hammer was glad to be out of confinement. But having judge Arnold Ayers stare him down in a federal courtroom during his arraignment almost had Macen wishing he were still behind those bars. He sat beside Sterling, trying to keep a level head as his lawyer entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, then waved off a formal reading of the indictment. Todd Wellington, the Assistant United States Attorney, strutted like a damn peacock, silently gloating, as if he had a million ways to malign Macen’s character. He gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to punch the asshole’s annoying face.
“Your Honor,” Wellington beseeched. “If you’ll look at the defendant’s extensive financial portfolio, you’ll see he has ample liquidity to flee the country. He’s a serious flight risk.”
“Duly noted, though it’s not a crime for anyone to be financially sound, Mr. Wellington.” Ayers raised his brows.
“Of course not, Your Honor. I’m simply stating that if the defendant is granted bail, he could easily charter a private jet and leave the country.”
“You’ve made your point.” Ayers nodded, an edge of annoyance in his tone. “Continue.”
“Thank you, Your Honor.” Wellington shot Hammer a victorious smirk. “Fleeing the jurisdiction of the court aside, we as civil servants, cannot in good conscience, allow a suspected pedophile to roam free. It’s our duty to protect innocent children.”
Hammer snarled at the AUSA before turning his silent rage on Wellington’s associates, seated on the opposite side of the room. The two ass-kissing minions in matching suits looked like bobbleheads, nodding at every derogatory remark.
Though his freedom was at stake, Macen found it hard as hell to focus on the proceedings. Behind him Raine and Liam sat, hands clasped. Beck, Seth, Bryn, and Duncan surrounded them.
If he were actually guilty—and single—it would be easy to leave the country and never come back. But could he really abandon Liam and Raine? He didn’t know. Asking them to upend their lives didn’t sound particularly fair, either. They’d be fugitives. If the law caught up to them, they’d all serve time in prison. Risking them and their child didn’t seem like an option.
As tempting as the fantasy might be at first glance, the reality…not so much.
Finally, Sterling stood and cleared his throat. “Your Honor, the AUSA’s claims are preposterous. My client poses no flight risk. Aside from being innocent of these ridiculous and unsubstantiated charges, Mr. Hammerman is an established business owner.”
Wellington scoffed. Sterling shot him a glare. Judge Ayers pretended not to notice.
“As I was saying,” Sterling continued. “Mr. Hammerman has roots in the community. If he were at all inclined to flee the country, he would have done so before his arrest. My client is here, in your courtroom, ready and willing to prove his innocence. Therefore, Your Honor, I implore you to set bond and allow Mr. Hammerman the opportunity to return to the community and his family.”
“Motion to grant bail is accepted.” The judge barely looked up as he shuffled papers. “Bond is set at one million dollars.”
Hammer barely had time to digest the fact that he’d be going home—to sleep in his own bed beside Raine and Liam—before Ayers set the date for Barnes and Wellington to present their pretrial motions.
“The trial will commence April first.” The judge slammed his gavel.
Hammer’s stomach pitched. “April Fools Day? You’ve got to be shitting me.” He turned to Sterling. “It can’t get any more fucking ironic than that.”
“Except you’re not the fool. They are.” Sterling jerked his head toward Wellington and the double-breasted dumb asses. “Their supposed witness will have to be God himself because, so far, the evidence I’ve seen shouldn’t impress a jury.”
“When do we find out who this mysterious witness is?” Hammer asked as Sterling stood and began shoving papers into his briefcase.
While the judge stood and retreated to his chamber, the trio of prosecutors filed out of the courtroom.
“Discovery starts today. I’ll touch base with Wellington after we get your bail processed and you’re free. As soon as he and I exchange findings, we’ll meet and begin strategizing.”
“Sounds good.” But Hammer was already standing, turning to fix his gaze on Raine and Liam. They looked back at him with longing and love. “When the fuck can I go home?”
“I’ll wait for the judge to sign the bail order, then personally deliver it to the clerk’s office.” Sterling gripped Hammer’s shoulder, seizing his attention from Raine. “They’ll take you to a holding area until al
l the paperwork is ironed out. Then you’ll be free to go.”
“Thanks.” He took a ground-eating step in Raine’s direction. “It won’t be much longer, precious.”
He wanted to wrap her in his arms and kiss her senseless when he saw the glimmer of hope and fear skitter across her face. She looked afraid, and who could blame her? It seemed as if something new happened to them every damn day that ripped away the foundation beneath their feet.
“We’ll be waiting,” Raine promised.
God, she looked so tired, so small and fragile. He doubted Liam had slept all weekend, either. They’d been through enough in the last few months, and Hammer felt guilty as hell to be putting more stress on them.
“Liam has arranged for a bondsman to meet me in the clerk’s office,” Sterling explained. “So if you’re prepared, O’Neill…?”
“I brought enough to get you out, mate.” Liam patted his pants pocket.
“How much?” Hammer darted a glance between the two men.
“A hundred and fifty thousand up front,” Sterling advised. “But you’ll also need to put up another million three in collateral to the bondsman.”
“I’ll sign over the condo in San Juan,” Macen said. “It should be worth at least that.”
Raine gasped, clearly shocked.
Yeah, there was a whole lot she didn’t know about him because he’d never opened up and shared himself with her. Oh, he’d expected Raine to vomit out her all her truths, but Hammer had never reciprocated. He’d had his reasons, but that didn’t make keeping her in the dark the right thing to do. Now especially, he owed her more. Everything.
If Wellington’s lying-ass witness was convincing, Hammer might never get another chance to confess his past to Raine so she could understand the man he was today. The future wouldn’t matter because his would be totally fucked.
“Sounds good. I’ll have my secretary file the proper paperwork with the clerk’s office right away. We should be able to get you home this afternoon.” Sterling slapped him on the back as the bailiff came forward.
He held up his hand to the uniformed officer. “I need another minute.” When the cop nodded, Hammer turned to Raine, arms open. “Precious.”
She ran to him and cuddled close as he closed his eyes and clutched her soft body. He inhaled her scent. A lump of emotion lodged in his throat. Then Liam’s arms banded around him and Raine, gathering them together in a tight circle. Hammer willed back the tears that stung his eyes. This was where he belonged.
“I love you both,” he confessed in a hoarse murmur.
“We love you, too,” Raine whispered, clutching the lapels of his suit as if she’d never let go.
“We do, brother.” Liam’s voice teemed with emotion.
As much as he wanted to linger with them, Hammer forced himself to pull away. “I’ll be with you as soon as I can.”
“We’ll take you home when you’re ready,” Liam promised.
As the bailiff led Hammer toward the antechamber door, he turned and looked back.
Liam waved, and Raine blew him a kiss.
He needed them, maybe a whole lot more than they needed him. Hammer clenched his jaw. He’d find a way out of this fucking mess if it killed him.
Without a word, he left the courtroom.
After a shitload of paperwork and waiting that had Hammer gritting his teeth and ready to smack heads, Liam and Raine were waiting for him in the hallway just outside the processing office. He’d never been so happy to see them in his life. His heart pounded as the three of them clung to one another as if they’d been apart for months. Hammer kissed Raine senseless. Liam gave him a hearty slap on the back.
With their girl between them, they headed out the door.
Lost in the sweet relief of the moment, Hammer wasn’t prepared for the throng of reporters that swarmed them and barraged them with questions.
“Liam,” he barked. “Put Raine behind us.”
But his friend had already moved into position, protecting her as Hammer pushed his way through the crowd.
“Mr. Hammerman, when did you start molesting children?” One reporter shoved a microphone in his face.
He clenched his teeth and shot the prick a killing glare. “No comment.”
“Miss Kendall, did Mr. Hammerman rape you as a child?” a blonde bitch in a suit asked. “Is he your pimp? Why don’t you ask the police for help escaping these two deviants?”
Raine buried her face in between the sleeves of their coats and refused to say a word.
“Back off, you bloody mongrels,” Liam roared.
They still barked questions. Raine clutched him tighter.
Hammer wrapped an arm around her, pressing her between him and Liam. “No fucking comment, you vultures!”
With a shove, they burst from the press, then sprinted to Liam’s SUV. He hoped they got some damn peace so they could enjoy their time together and figure out who the hell was persecuting him…but Hammer had his doubts.
* * *
Raine stepped into the kitchen to find Liam and Hammer with their heads together, talking in low tones. They both stopped abruptly and stared when she entered.
Her suspicions launched. Her dread crashed. “What? Has something else happened?”
They glanced at one another in that silent communication they shared. Then they both shook their head.
“No, love.” Liam gave her a gentle smile.
“I’m not buying it.” She shook her head, hands on hips. “You’re either up to or protecting me from something. I need to know.”
Macen sighed. “It’s nothing. The phone was ringing off the hook earlier. Fucking reporters. We took care of that.”
A glance over at the handheld unit and its accompanying answering machine proved that someone had yanked it from the wall—literally. And taken a hunk of drywall with it.
Liam grimaced. “I might have lost my temper a wee bit. I’ll fix it later.”
As long as they were on the subject… She plucked her new cell phone from the pocket of her skirt. “I had to turn mine off. How did they get this number so quickly? I got four calls while I was trying to nap.”
They both took theirs from pockets and set them on the counter. The screens were blank.
“We did the same, precious.”
“Those bloody leeches could give stalkers lessons,” Liam cursed.
“I should have expected them to be waiting for us.” The fact that he clearly hadn’t bothered Hammer.
“I knew but…I was too excited to have you back. I wasn’t thinking.” Raine caressed his arm in silent comfort. “Let’s have a nice dinner in tonight and ignore the rest of the world. Any preferences? Your mom has done so much of the cooking, Liam. I’d like to prove that you won’t starve when your folks go home.”
“They know, love.” Liam pressed a kiss to her cheek. “But you needn’t worry about us. I’m going to take my parents out for a nice dinner and gossip about the brood back home.”
“But…” Disappointment nipped at her. “It’s Macen’s first night back. We should all be together. We—”
Hammer cut her off with a kiss. When he eased back, she felt slightly dizzy. But the air of gravity around him righted her head again.
“I want to talk to you. Alone. Liam knows why.”
Whatever Hammer had to say was important. Immediately, fear told her he meant to leave her. But Liam looked placid, almost happy. If Macen had any intention of packing his bags, they’d be fighting now. She had to trust that, after everything they’d been through, he wouldn’t just walk away.
“All right.”
“Excellent.” Liam clapped Hammer on the shoulder and brushed a kiss over her lips. “We won’t be quick. Enjoy.”
He exited the kitchen, leaving her alone with Macen, who wore a determined expression she couldn’t quite decipher. What did he want?
“So it’s just us for dinner?” she whispered into the suddenly thick tension.
“Yeah. What’s fast
to prepare?”
He closed in, palm whispering up her arm, settling at her nape. He snared her with hazel eyes, making all kinds of demands without uttering a word. She sensed what he wanted wasn’t purely sexual.
“Stir-fry.” Raine swallowed, wondering why she was nervous.
“Can you have it ready in ten minutes?”
“Less.”
She’d done all the prep the other night and just hadn’t mustered the energy to cook. With surprisingly unsteady hands, she heated the wok, took out the chicken she’d already marinated, and started some quick rice.
Behind her, Hammer clung to her hips and watched, sprinkling kisses up her neck. She wanted him. Hell, she couldn’t be in the same room without aching for the man. But the long caresses of his fingers and the reverent press of his lips tugged at her heart, too.
“Macen?” She turned to him. “What’s on your mind?”
He gave her a wry smile. A few months ago, she would never have been able to decipher that expression. He could be deadly hard to read. Now…she could see he was something close to nervous.
“Besides everything?” he quipped.
She tossed chicken into the hot pan, satisfied with the sizzle. Absently stirring with one hand, she turned to him. “I’m here for you. You know that.”
“And I thank God every day.” He brushed a thumb across her cheek. “I need to tell you something I should have a long time ago. I just didn’t want to disappoint you. Disillusion you. I didn’t want you to see my weaknesses, faults, and imperfections.”
A corner of her brain realized the time had come to add the vegetables. The rest of her was completely attuned to the man who’d captured half her heart years ago. “You could never disappoint me.”
He took the bowl from her hands and poured the mushrooms, onions, and peppers into the meat mixture. “Stir.”
Absently, she did, but she couldn’t take her eyes off him. “What is it?”
The rice beeped. The stir-fry steamed. Raine didn’t move. He wasn’t severing his ties with her and Liam…but whatever he had to say was big.
“I should tell you about me.” He pulled back and grabbed a pair of plates from the cabinet, then two forks from the nearby drawer.
