by Shayla Black
“She says she expects you to succeed because you’re too stubborn to fail.” Bryn looked up at Hammer, who couldn’t help but laugh. “She’s just kissed your cheek and whispered her thanks.”
Something shifted inside him. Understanding? Gratitude? He wasn’t sure, but the weight he’d felt strapped across his back for nearly a decade suddenly lifted. He felt…liberated.
Then both Liam and Bryn lifted their eyes toward the heavens and smiled.
“She’s leaving now,” Liam whispered.
Bryn nodded. “Honor her and do as she asked. She’s free. You need to be, as well.”
Hammer reached out and dragged both Bryn and Liam into his arms. With his head buried between their shoulders, Hammer inhaled a shaky breath. “Thank you both for saving my life.”
“That’s what friends are for.” Liam slapped Hammer on the back.
“Thank christ,” he murmured.
When they pulled away, Liam arched his brows as he took in the state of Hammer’s car. “I think you’ll need a bit more than wax to fix that, mate.”
Hammer turned and gaped at the mangled metal that had once been his Audi. “Fuck. Guess I need a new car.”
“I’d surely haul that one out of here before Raine gets a peek at it.”
Every muscle in his body tensed. “What the hell am I going to tell her?”
Liam’s expression turned serious. “I know we’ve sworn an oath of honesty with our girl, and I’d tell her most anything else, but…”
Hammer shook his head. “If she ever finds out what I nearly did tonight, it would do more than crush her. She would never understand.”
“Ever.”
“It would change everything between us.”
“You’re right. We should take this episode to our graves, brother. Mum?” Liam gave a sideways glance at his mother.
“I wasn’t even here when Hammer decided to take out his frustrations on his poor, helpless car.” Bryn smiled. “In fact, I’ve been in bed all this time. But I’m warning you both, no more antics till morning. I need my beauty sleep.”
Bryn kissed both their cheeks and left. As they watched her retreat into the house, Liam slung his arm around Hammer’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry,” Macen choked out. “I damn near fucked everything up again. Forever.”
“And you were sober, too,” he joked. “Come on, let’s head to the pool, tip back a few, and talk. I’ll fill your head with common sense—one more time—and I’ll use the bloody tire iron if I have to.”
“Fuck, I need a drink or two.”
“More like a bottle.” Liam glanced back over his shoulder. “And I think I’ll install a punching bag so we don’t have to keep buying new cars.”
Hammer sighed. “I lost my shit.”
“It’s okay. You’ve been wired too tight for years. I’m sure that did you a world of good.”
Macen rubbed his chin sheepishly. “I think it might have.”
“I’ll grab some bottles and meet you on the back patio. All right?”
“That sounds more than all right.”
Suddenly, Liam bent and started patting Hammer’s pockets.
He jumped back and scowled. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Making sure you’ve not got any bricks shoved in your pants, in case you were thinking about diving into the pool and settling on the bottom.”
“No, man. You and your mom already hauled me out of the deep end. I won’t ever go back there again.”
Chapter 15
Wednesday, February 20
* * *
“All right. All right. Hold your water…”
Liam strode to the door and peeked through the hole to ensure a reporter hadn’t rung the bell. When he saw a somber Sterling Barnes on the porch, he felt his heart lurch.
Bloody hell. What now?
He opened the door. The late-afternoon sun slanted through as he shook the man’s offered hand in greeting, stepped back, and ushered him inside. “Barnes. Come in. Though by the looks of it, man, you’ve come with more bad news.” Dread rolled through Liam. “If that’s the case, you’re best off telling me. Hammer can’t take more now.”
“Actually, I do have some rather disturbing news, but I’m afraid it’s for you.”
Liam stopped in his tracks. If someone had decided to charge him for a crime because he’d touched Raine, why hadn’t his mother warned him? Hell, why hadn’t he felt trouble coming himself? “I’d best get a drink, then.”
Sterling appeared even more somber. “Actually, I’d like to speak with you and Macen together. Is he here?”
“Out here, Sterling,” Hammer called.
“Where?”
Liam led the way. “By the pool. We’re tipping back a few. Are you done for the day? Would you like something to drink?”
Sterling considered the question for all of two seconds, then dropped the heavy briefcase and loosened the knot of his tie. “I don’t mind if I do. Whiskey?”
Liam cocked a brow. “Irish or Scotch?”
Barnes gave him a rare smile. “Irish, of course. Thanks, Liam. No ice. I know the way.”
By the time Liam joined the two men out on the patio, they were comfortably seated, making small talk while awaiting his return. He passed Sterling his drink, then returned to the seat opposite Hammer. Both men faced the graying lawyer expectantly.
“To good health.” Barnes raised his glass and saluted them before taking an appreciative sip. “Oh, that is good. Thank you. Where’s Raine?”
“Out shopping with my parents. We have the place to ourselves.”
Sterling nodded. “Then let’s get down to business, shall we?”
“Tell us what’s going on.” Hammer gave him an anxious glance. “Any news about the witness?”
Barnes gave them a pensive frown. “Nothing. I’d really like to know who this omnipotent someone is myself.”
Hammer and Liam glanced at one another, suspicion ripe. They were on the same page, as usual. Together, they leaned forward in their chairs.
Hammer frowned. “What the…”
“Hell? That’s what I’d like to know.” Barnes held up a hand. “But nothing about this case or the way the AUSA has gone about it makes any sense.”
“How is the prosecution withholding the identity of their star witness legal? I thought that was the whole purpose of discovery.”
Barnes paused to sip of his whiskey. “Technically, they have time to disclose all the details. As long as I get everything before the trial itself…”
Liam looked at him incredulously. “You’re joking, surely.”
“No. But as a matter of expediency, they usually send over one file with all the information we need. Of course, if they gather more after discovery starts, they send that on as it becomes known, so some things are more last-minute. But feds are notorious for investigating thoroughly so that by the time they charge someone, they’ve got all their evidence in order. They certainly know the name of their damn witness and have for some time.”
“Then why hide their identity? Unless, of course, it’s someone with a grudge against Macen.” Liam rested his elbows between his spread legs, dangling his drink.
Hammer snorted. “Isn’t that a good question? Let me guess. Because then we’d know who the fucker is.”
“At this point, that’s my assumption,” the lawyer agreed.
“Whoever it is has really screwed me well,” Macen quipped. “They aren’t leaving anything to chance. No, sir. This fucker has an axe to grind.”
“I haven’t heard any fat lady singing, mate.” Liam put a bracing hand on his shoulder. “Don’t give up yet.”
Sterling rolled his glass thoughtfully before speaking. “It’s particularly important that I know what this witness intends to say in their testimony because the FBI found nothing during the search they conducted of your home or your business, Macen.”
“I didn’t expect them to.”
“As far as potential state
charges go, I’m actually looking forward to learning precisely who found—or rather, stole—that video footage. If my motion to have it marked as inadmissible flies, then they’ll have absolutely nothing,” Sterling reassured.
“As it damn well should be,” Hammer growled. “It was a private moment between two consenting adults in love.”
Sterling shrugged like he didn’t understand their expression of affection, but it was none of his business. “I’m here for a different reason altogether. This is where you come in, Liam.”
Hammer exchanged another glance with his friend before looking back at Barnes.
“The AUSA decided it might be a good idea to interview your ex-wife because of her association with William Kendall. At this point, I’m assuming their intention was to glean more information from Gwyneth in the hopes she could help them support the charges against Macen.”
“And?” Hammer drawled, looking tense. “What did the nasty bitch have to say about me this time?”
“Nothing. Liam, I’m sorry to inform you that your ex-wife apparently got into an altercation with another prisoner in the cafeteria—over pudding, of all things—and was shanked. She’s dead.”
Liam peered at the lawyer. He couldn’t possibly have heard that right. “Did you say—”
“Halle-fucking-lu-jah! There is a God after all!” Hammer jumped to his feet with a whoop.
“She’s dead?” Liam blinked again.
“Yes,” Sterling confirmed.
“Shanked over pudding. That’s priceless. It couldn’t have happened to someone more deserving.”
Liam leapt to his feet, grabbing Hammer in a fierce hug. “Really? Oh, that’s the best news I’ve had in ages.”
With a startled frown, Barnes sat back abruptly, glancing between the two men. “Gentlemen, is this really cause for celebration?”
Hammer grabbed the lawyer’s shoulder. “Since Gwyneth, that spiteful, self-centered, pretentious, conniving bitch, all but handed Raine to her raping, murdering father, absolutely.”
“I can’t fucking believe it! Ding dong, the witch is dead!” Liam cheered. “Wait until we tell Raine.”
Sterling stood with a wry grin. “Don’t trouble yourselves seeing me out. I know the way. Enjoy your…celebration. Good night, gentlemen.”
Relief poured through Liam. Rather than Gwyneth potentially returning with a vengeance in the next five years to give them hell, he’d never have to worry about her again. Why hadn’t he known already? Why hadn’t his mother picked up on Gwyneth’s death? Because she wasn’t meaningful enough? Had she ever been?
Liam shook his head. He tried to think of one time—just one—when he’d been truly happy with Gwyneth. He couldn’t do it. All he saw was Raine, Hammer, and the life they were building together. That’s all that mattered to him. That’s what he would fight for.
Mentally, he committed Gwyneth to ash—where she belonged.
* * *
Raine sighed as she looked at Seth and River across Hammer’s desk at Shadows. Dusk was approaching. They’d been looking for needles in the membership haystack for hours. Time was running out.
“This is the third time we’ve been through this database. Seriously, I can’t think of anyone who fits the description. A thirtysomething blonde who joined the club when it first opened and then—years later—suddenly decided she hates Hammer. There’s just…no one. Who the hell could this witness be?”
“And why doesn’t Sterling have a name from the prosecution yet?” Seth mused.
“Hang on. How do we know Liam’s mom isn’t full of shit?” River asked. “No offense, but how would she know anything about this witness if no one else has any idea?”
If Liam had told her about his family before they arrived, she would have been skeptical, too. But she’d seen Bryn in action now. Raine glanced over at Seth.
The big PI nodded. “She just does.”
She patted her brother’s big shoulder. “Trust us. But that leaves us nowhere.”
Seth tapped on his computer, which they’d hooked up to the club’s cloud to dive through the database. “Well, we could try again.”
“Ugh, my eyes would cross.” She jumped out of Hammer’s massive desk chair and paced his office. “Maybe we’re being too literal.”
River frowned. “What do you mean? You just said that Liam’s mom thinks our witness is a blonde and that she has to be right.”
“Yeah.” Raine nodded. “I think she is, and we should go with that. Bryn also said that whoever wants to ruin Macen is a woman scorned. Everything else…maybe we toss that out and think a little more broadly. I know it’s supposed to be someone who supposedly saw Hammer ‘rape’ me as a child, but does it have to be?”
Both men opened their mouths to rebut her.
Her brother frowned. “Storm cloud—”
“Just hear me out. A man would look at this logically. It’s black or white. It’s up or down. She saw the crime or she didn’t. But a woman who feels scorned might be more flexible with the truth, especially if she wasn’t well hinged in the first place.”
Seth and River both looked at one another. She saw their light bulbs go off.
“You’re saying bitch be crazy?” Seth asked. “Yeah. I’ve trailed absolutely psycho-ass chicks for cases back in New York. Some of these women made that home-wrecker in Fatal Attraction look sane. Go on.”
River turned to him. “Seriously?”
“How do you not know this?”
“Go spend ten years in Afghanistan. Every female out there is either wearing a military uniform or a burka. Not a lot of interaction, if you get my meaning.”
Seth shook his head. “Oh, you need an education about the fairer sex.”
River scowled. “I know my way around a woman.”
“Can we focus?” Raine chewed on a ragged nail. “If we’re looking for a blonde member in her thirties who felt scorned and is mental, only one person comes to mind. She’s been sticking in the back of my head since we talked on Sunday. We even dismissed her…but I’m starting to think we’re being too hasty.”
“The bitch who hit you?” River asked.
“That one.” Raine nodded. “Marlie.”
“I never met her.” Seth sent her a measuring glance. “Still have that footage? I’d like to see it.”
Raine smiled grimly. “Looking to gage her crazy?”
“Something like that.” Seth nodded. “I usually have a good sense about people.”
River sat back. “Yeah, I want to see that shit, too. But are you thinking this chick just…made up whatever Hammer supposedly did to you as a minor?”
“Maybe. I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But the copies of the money orders, together with whatever she said, convinced the feds there was smoke at least. They found the photos of teenage me following Bill’s beating after…”
“You sliced the mean son of a bitch in two?” River rubbed at her back, both giving her comfort and expressing his pride. “If you’re right, the feds started putting a case together then. But if Marlie didn’t actually see anything, how does she think she’s going to get on the witness stand and give testimony convincing enough to put Hammer away?”
“You mean besides perjure herself?” Raine shot back. “It’s her word against his.”
“But she wasn’t a member then,” River pointed out.
“Raine is right. It doesn’t matter.” Seth shrugged. “The feds never said this witness actually saw the event take place. A witness can testify that the defendant told them something incriminating. Maybe Marlie was going to claim that Hammer confessed to her that he’d had sex with you as a minor or had taken those pictures of your abuse.”
“But wouldn’t she have to prove it?” River frowned.
Raine paced again. “Not really. The circumstantial evidence looks bad. No jury in the world is going to listen to testimony like that and just dismiss her, especially since her parents are pillars of the community or some shit.”
Seth s
hot her a glare. “You know—”
“Liam hates language. Got it. C’mon. We have to focus. If I’m a juror, and someone tells me the owner of a sex club had a minor living there and he’d been paying her dad a lot of money for years and just happened to have pictures of her that depicted nudity…not sure I’d believe he’s a good guy, either.”
“Exactly. Especially since you’re pretty, young, and pregnant.”
“Hey, that’s my sister,” River piped up.
Seth shrugged. “I’ve already seen her naked. If I were going to jump her bones, I would have done it by now.”
“What the fuck?” Her brother leapt to his feet, then shot her an accusing glance. “So I was right.”
Raine sighed. “It doesn’t matter. We didn’t have sex, and I don’t have any new and different girl parts he’s never seen. Get over your thing about my nudity already.”
“Hey, how are those affirmations coming?” Seth teased.
Raine rolled her eyes. “I can even recite them with a smile. Number one: ‘I will open myself up and share, not only my needs but my emotions.’ Number two: ‘I will be totally honest at all times without fear of embarrassment or reprisal. Nor will I hold back for fear of hurting someone’s feelings.’ Number three: ‘I deserve happiness and love.’ There.”
“I’m impressed,” Seth admitted.
River just looked confused. “You didn’t know all that?”
Raine grimaced. “Back then? Not really.”
“Not at all,” Seth corrected.
She glared at him. “Hammer and Liam insisted I learn. Seth was my mentor. Seriously, can we focus?”
“Your tone is bossy, little one.”
Sometimes she thought of Seth as her buddy…and she forgot he was a Dom. “Sorry. I’m anxious.”
He nodded and let it go. “Actually, I think you’re on to something. Let’s watch the video.”
With a nod, she led them both down the hall to the security room and unlocked the door. Seth and River stood just outside since the little booth was too small for everyone. Lewis, the tech, looked up at her, startled. Frankly, she was surprised to see him, too.
