by Shayla Black
So they were ready.
Liam jogged his way up to Hammer and reached the back door first, blocking the portal. “So everyone was busy tonight, right?”
He flung open the door and shoved Macen out to a rousing chorus of “surprise!”
Their guests mingled all over the backyard. The bifold doors on the main level had been folded back to extend the indoor living out onto the patio and beyond. Floating candles with rice-paper shades in pastel colors filled the pool. Fairy lights had been strung through the trees and shrubs. An open space had been cleared for a band and dance floor at one end. At the other, a huge banquet table overflowed with delicious morsels. More tables and chairs had been set up. The fire pits had been lit to provide light and warmth. Inside, their kitchen had been transformed into a wet bar, and seating had been subtly rearranged all around in conversational clusters.
Macen looked stunned.
Camera phones flashed. The gathering laughed at his expression. Raine jumped toward him, clapping and smiling.
“Are you surprised?” She hung around his neck and kissed his jaw.
“Shocked.” He glared between her and Liam. “You two cooked this up?”
“Guilty, mate. My parents helped, along with Heavenly. But our wee wench was the true instigator. She’s been working nonstop since yesterday morning. What do you think?” Liam asked as he moved in beside Raine.
Hammer didn’t answer him, just paused to send Raine a mock glower. “Precious…”
“Oh, have fun.” She pouted. “Everyone is here to celebrate you.”
Not just his birthday but the fact that he was free. It dovetailed nicely with a send-off for Duncan and Bryn, too. Just one of those shimmering pearls of an evening where everyone gathered, happy, raising their glasses and celebrating life together.
“I’m not mad,” Hammer confessed. “It’s perfect.”
“Good.” Liam slapped his back. “Oh, Pike even helped. You can thank him in a bit.”
Hammer turned to him with a raised brow. “So that fire at Shadows?”
The Dungeon Monitor stepped forward with a hearty laugh. “I liked playing with matches as a kid. It came in handy.”
“River, Beck, Seth… They all helped, too.” Liam grinned.
“Because they love you, just like we do. So be the center of attention for one evening and smile,” Raine pleaded. “We have something else for you…”
Macen peeked down the front of her dress. “Under that sexy red halter number I wish you weren’t wearing?”
She rolled her eyes and skipped away. “No, perv. Over there.”
Liam followed her finger. Macen did, too. The group stepped aside. A new sporty Audi sedan in a sexy, sophisticated gray came into view. Raine raced down the steps to the yard and dragged a huge red bow she’d made onto the hood.
“Happy birthday!” she yelled.
Macen gaped for a long moment, then broke out in a huge smile as he caught Liam in a headlock and shook him while everyone clapped. “What the hell did you two do?”
“Well, there was an empty spot in the garage that needed filling. Some asshole took a crowbar to the last vehicle parked there, so we’ve removed all those from the house, brother. This car seemed to have your name on it so…” He shrugged. “And Raine thought you’d like it.”
“I love it.” He kissed her. “I love you both. Thank you.”
A pile of presents grew in one corner of the living room that made Hammer scowl and Liam grin. The music and food were a hit, and everywhere Liam looked, people were enjoying themselves.
For once, dread wasn’t breathing down their necks…
While Hammer and Raine danced, Liam made the rounds, visiting and checking their guests.
“Hello, Master Liam—”
“Good evening, Vivian. It’s just Liam here. Are you enjoying yourself?”
The older woman smiled. “I’m sorry, Sir. I mean Liam. Yes. Donald and I are having a great time.”
“Thank you for coming. It means the world to Hammer.” Liam hugged her warmly.
He liked these two. They were totally committed to one another and beautiful to watch together.
Moving on, Liam joined Beck, Seth, Heavenly, Dean, River, and Pike. Heavenly held all their attention, which clearly didn’t thrill Beck and Seth. Liam grinned. It was a rare sight to see those two actually united on anything, even if it was simply scowling.
A few single submissives sat on the outskirts, watching the byplay, hoping for a glance—mostly from River, by the looks of it. Like bees to honey… Liam wondered how long before River realized it. If it took him more than two shakes, no doubt Pike would be content to pick up the slack.
“Well, I’m not really sure…” Heavenly said nervously. “I’m just a volunteer. I made the mistake of asking about his scar—”
“Well, shit. Who hasn’t got scars?” Pike grinned at her, twitching the metal stud in his brow.
Beck gave him a glare that ordered him to zip it. Seth looked ready to punch him.
Liam chuckled, beyond glad that he didn’t have to swim through the kinky singles scene anymore.
“I got shot once.” Dean lifted up his shirt to expose his corrugated abs with a little circular scar between his ribs.
“Put that shit away.” Beck rolled his eyes.
“That’s nothing.” River tugged up his shirt to reveal a whole collection of scars—and muscles. “I’ve been tagged and have so many holes and repairs from back-to-back tours—”
“Oh.” Heavenly leaned in to peer closer.
“Stand down, soldier boy,” Beck growled.
“She doesn’t need to see your”— Seth waved in the general direction of his abs—“stuff. Put it away, man.”
River and Dean shared a glance, then cracked up.
“Just making conversation.” River winked.
“How about you fuck off, too?” Beck suggested.
Heavenly blinked at him, looking like she’d never heard that word in her life.
Suppressing a smile, Liam grabbed a couple of drinks from a passing waiter and handed Heavenly a fresh one. “You all right?”
“Um, yes. Fine. Thank you. Your home is really lovely. I appreciate you inviting me.”
Liam cocked his head at her. While the Emily Post answer was deeply polite, he’d bet her actual thoughts weren’t anything close to that. Beck and Seth were going to have a devil of a time figuring out what was going on in that lovely head of hers. He sensed it was dark—and getting darker. He made a mental note to warn them both.
For now, he simply nodded at her. “It’s our pleasure. We’re glad you could join us.”
Beck sidled over to Heavenly and took her hand, guiding her back to his side. Funny but Liam had never imagined the good sadist could hold anyone so tenderly. “Thanks, man,” he said to Liam. Then he turned his attention back to her. “Stay close to me. Lots of riffraff here tonight.” He glared at Seth.
The smile she gave them had the group of men circled around her hooked. Shaking his head, Liam moved on.
Barnes was sitting in a quiet corner having an in-depth conversation with Knotty Master about…the law?
“Gentlemen, anything I can get you?”
They paused and looked at him.
“No, we’re good. Thanks, Liam.”
“Good piece of legal work, Sterling. Thank you for presenting our evidence to Judge Ayers.”
“He hated Wellington anyway, so he grinned from ear to ear when I showed him everything. He was also damn amused by Marlie’s aggressive blow job technique. He got divorced last year, you know. He asked me why he couldn’t find a woman half so comfortable on her knees.”
Liam laughed. “Send him over to Shadows. I’m sure we could find him one.”
The other men chuckled as Liam drifted toward the dance floor. He watched his parents sway to the music. It brought a lump to his throat. He’d grown accustomed to having them here and would miss them terribly when they left for Ireland in the mor
ning. But his mum had already assured him she would be back when Raine gave birth. Knowing he’d see her again in a few months made him less wistful.
A sentimental ballad played. As Liam circled the dance floor, Hammer and Raine came into view, all smiles, clinging to each other like two people in love. He decided to join them, crowding in behind Raine and latching on to her hips.
“This looks like an excellent party to crash,” he murmured.
“I can’t remember ever being this happy. Tonight is like a dream come true.” Raine clutched Hammer as she leaned back, putting her head on Liam’s shoulder.
“It’s perfect. I can’t thank you two enough for everything, especially my new car.” Macen looked up at Liam. “I’d been eyeing that one. It’s extravagant.”
“But well deserved.”
“And to think, when you hit me up to buy you a new car, I told you to fuck off.” Hammer laughed.
Raine wriggled between them. “If anyone needs a new car, it’s me. I don’t think schlepping the baby around in a two-seater is a good idea.”
“Good point. I’ll take care of that, precious.” He nuzzled her neck. “Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight? Hmm. Completely fuckable and good enough to eat.”
“I saw you coming down the stairs earlier. You broke my heart with your loveliness.” Liam sighed in her ear, drinking in the moment. “I wish I could make time stop, hold on to tonight for a bit longer than a heartbeat. I’d like to remember you just as you are now with the light catching your hair, your eyes alive with love and laughter, and the life in your womb making you glow.”
“Aww, Liam…” she breathed, craning her head to smile up at him.
“Show-off.” Hammer laughed as he pressed a tender kiss to her lips.
She turned back to Macen and cocked a brow expectantly.
“What?” He shrugged in mock helplessness. “I said you look completely fuckable and good enough to eat. That’s romantic, isn’t it?”
She rolled her eyes. “Coming from you, I suppose it is.”
“Wait,” he commanded softly. “Let me try again.”
Raine waited with a placid patience she almost never had.
He cupped her cheek. “You take my breath away, precious. You always have. I love you and I intend to spend the rest of my life proving it every day. How’s that?”
She gave Hammer a radiant smile and drew him down for a kiss.
“Now who’s showing off?” Liam smirked.
They all laughed. Both men kissed her soundly, then each offered her an arm. They got cozy in a shadowy corner of the living room, away from the guests, noise, and revelry.
Raine plopped down on the sofa. “I’m so excited. Our first real party in our new house, surrounded by family and friends. And finally, all our troubles are behind us. I have the two best guys in the world. I’m lucky.”
“We have the most amazing woman.” Hammer belted his arm around her waist and leaned her back against his chest. “You put up with me when I was a womanizing ass.” He looked Liam’s way. “You stood by me when I wasn’t anyone’s definition of a good friend. You both hung around, even when I was an uncommunicative prick. If anyone is lucky, it’s me. You two have always done your best to be loyal, genuine, and honest. From now on, I’ll do the same. Yes…” He nodded, his teasing expression saying he must be insane. “Even if it kills me.”
“With that attitude, it probably will.” She slapped at his thigh playfully.
Liam watched their byplay with a big smile and a grateful heart. They weren’t perfect people, but they were perfect for him. “You never have to worry about me, lovely. I’m a saint.”
Raine rolled her eyes. “Not even close. The very first time you got me alone behind closed doors? You had me naked in two minutes with your lips all over me and your hand up my hoo-ha.”
“After that terrible public punishment I gave you with Beck?” Hammer winced. “That’s something else I should apologize for. He really was supposed to just scare the shit out of you, along with giving you a mild paddling.”
“I know,” she assured. “But that’s not what I mean. I’m talking about the morning I threw that huge tantrum.” She buried her face in her hands. “Sorry. That was terrible of me.”
“Waking up to a blow job was fantastic. Only time I’m going to object, by the way.” Macen glanced over at Liam. “You fooled around with her right after that?”
“I did. Couldn’t keep my hands off her, mate.”
God, that morning seemed like a lifetime ago. So much had happened since then, yet he clearly remembered luring Raine to his bedroom, knowing he needed to keep her at Shadows to make Hammer happy…then realizing as he kissed her and felt her shatter for him that he wanted her for himself.
Liam stared at Raine, sat back. Blinked. Couldn’t breathe.
Dear god, she didn’t know any of that.
She bounded off Hammer’s lap instantly. Liam tried to wipe the guilt off his face, but Raine had already seen that something troubled him.
“Liam?” She dropped a hand to his shoulder, bent to peer into his eyes. “What…?”
What was wrong? Something he should have confessed long ago. He frowned, cut a stare to Hammer. His friend had obviously followed the conversation and seemed to have grasped Liam’s dilemma. If he confessed now, would Raine feel totally betrayed? Would it even matter that everything in his heart had changed?
Macen sent him a nod. Keeping her in the dark about the man’s suicidal thoughts was for Raine’s own good. Hiding this truth from her now would mostly save his own skin.
Liam rubbed at the back of his neck. “Well…I’ve got something to confess, love. I should have come clean about this a long time ago, and I’ve no excuse.”
“What?” she demanded, the joy draining from her face. Wariness took its place.
“I offered to train you because I wanted to help Hammer. My best friend was lost, and I thought the only way to help him at the time would be to give him a wee nudge toward the woman he loved. Trouble was, I didn’t see the danger until it was too late. One taste of you, and I was hooked. Hammer knew it, too.”
She inched back from him, a furrow of confusion settling between her brows. It soon turned to anger. Her lips pursed. Hurt flared in her eyes. “You…” She shook her head. “You only wanted me so Hammer would be jealous enough to do something?”
“For the first…thirty seconds. Then I kissed you. In the kitchen. That’s when it started.”
“I remember.”
But she didn’t look inclined to accept his words or forgive him just now. Liam looked over at Hammer, who winced like maybe they’d screwed the pooch after all. Bloody fine time to have second thoughts, mate…
“I told you that morning where my heart was.” She nodded slowly, then peered at him, eyes going wide. “I said it would always be with Hammer.”
“I tried not to let it bother me. Hell, I remember telling you that I needed your trust, not your love. I’ve never before wished I could take something I said back so badly. God, I tried not to want you, did my best not to feel anything…but when I claimed you in the dungeon, I fell hard. Before I knew what hit me, I was in love. In my eyes, you were mine as much you were his, and I was ready to fight for you. I still am.”
She blinked at him, her eyes swimming with pooling tears. “I don’t know why. I fought you. I slept with your best friend the night we got together. I didn’t give you everything I promised when you collared me. I wouldn’t tell you I was pregnant. I ran away.” She winced. “I almost chose a woman over you two. I haven’t always been easy or trusting. And through it all, you’ve stayed.” Raine lowered her head, shook it. “I’ll bet you had no idea what you were getting yourself into that morning you sauntered into the kitchen, determined to make Hammer see me.”
“None.”
Suddenly, her entire body shook. Liam put his arms around his wee wench, slightly panicked. He didn’t want her sobbing. “It’s water under the bridge, love.
It doesn’t matter how or why we got here, just that we made it. Don’t be angry—”
She tossed her head back. Tears streamed down her face—and she was laughing hysterically. “You poor man… Try to do a favor for a friend, and you wind up roped for life.” She leaned in and hooked a hand behind his head. “I guess you need to spend the next fifty years making it up to me. And I need to spend the next fifty years making you glad you did.”
She laid her lips over his, and he sank into her mouth, so fucking glad—and relieved—that she felt secure enough in their love to understand.
“What am I supposed to do for the next fifty years?” Hammer groused. “Watch?”
“Prove you love us just as much.” She beamed at him. “Get in here and kiss me.”
Chapter 20
Liam had left thirty minutes ago to take his parents to the airport. The house seemed quiet, and surprisingly, Hammer missed the scent of Bryn’s steeping tea. But their absence gave them back some much-needed privacy. He couldn’t wait to exercise it.
As afternoon sun slanted through the windows, he leaned against the counter, admiring Raine’s fluid movements as she finished the remaining dishes from last night’s party and started a few sandwiches for their lunch. Pushing away from the surface, he turned her into his arms, gripping her supple hip and feeling her flesh give and mold around his fingers.
“Macen?”
He sent her a lazy grin with a hint of mock apology. “I just can’t seem to resist.”
And he didn’t want to. He’d taken Raine in that hot August night so many years ago to save her, but Liam was right. She’d been the one to save him. With her help, Hammer had laid his ghosts to rest. They hadn’t been the spirits of those he’d wronged, like Juliet, but simply a strangling guilt, thick with self-loathing and fear. They’d held him hostage for so many wasted years because he’d allowed it. He’d denied himself Raine’s comfort and touch, steering clear of her because she tested his self-control in ways that terrified him. Never again. Now that he’d shed the specters of his past, Hammer committed himself completely to forging a deeper bond with the two people who owned his heart. Now that he had Raine and Liam at his side, he’d found peace, contentment, and an unconditional love he’d never known existed.
