The Brink by Shayla Black

Hammer stood at the front door of Shadows, waiting for Liam to return. He hoped his pal made it back before Raine, so they’d have some time to talk—not only about Gwyneth but to discuss the best way to break the news about the woman’s return to Raine at dinner.

When the familiar black SUV pulled into the lot, Hammer watched Liam bound out of the vehicle and hurry toward the entrance. As he approached, Hammer opened the door wide and shot the man an expectant stare. “Well?”

“Raine’s still not back from her errands yet?” Liam sounded concerned.

“No, but probably soon. She’s buying something sexy to wear for us tonight.” He grinned, then sobered as they walked past the bar. “So, what’s this story you have to tell me? Quickly, before she gets back.”

“Oh, it’s hysterical,” Liam assured. “But first, I need to eat something before I pass out.”

He turned to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and made a quick sandwich. As the two men headed toward Hammer’s office, Liam began relaying all the gory details in between bites, savoring every word.

Hammer listened in shock and horror. “You found a picture of a guy jacking off in her texts?”

“It gets better.” As Liam took the last bite of food, he headed toward the bathroom. “I’m going to use your shower, mate, so I can keep talking. Wait until you hear what Gwyneth did after I talked to Seth.”

“I’m not sure I want to.” He winced. “Do I?”

Liam laughed. “I almost had the bitch barking for me.”

Hammer blinked, then let out a deep belly laugh. “I’ve got to hear this.”

Following Liam into the bathroom, Macen leaned on the edge of the vanity, keeping an eye out the window for Raine as his friend showered and described Gwyneth’s “submission.”

Hammer made Liam back up several times and repeat the humiliation he’d unleashed on the pretentious whore, laughing until his stomach hurt.

Liam stepped out and grabbed a towel as Hammer shook his head. “I would have paid money—good money—to have seen that. You didn’t happen to record it on your phone, did you?”

“Damn, I should have, right?” Liam laughed.

“Hell, yeah. That thing would have gone viral in a matter of minutes.” Hammer snorted. “So you got Kyle’s sample dropped off and your cheek swabbed, too. Now we wait.”

“Tom at the lab was expecting me and promised to rush it through as quickly as he could,” Liam explained. “Thank god for Beck’s contacts. I might have the results back early in the morning.”

“Great. But after all the shit you found on Gwyneth’s phone, do you think there’s still any chance that baby is yours?”

“I can’t say positively until we get the results, but I have serious doubts that he’s even her kid.”

“And even after all the humiliation you put her through, she still didn’t tell you what the fuck she’s up to, huh?”

“Nope.” Liam shook his head. “Gwyneth stopped talking, so I left.”

“Well, hopefully by this time tomorrow, all we’ll have to worry about is getting her out of Beck’s condo.”

“I’ve got rope.” Liam smirked. “When we find out the baby’s not mine, I’ll thank Beck for use of his place and toy bag, then tie Gwyneth up and haul her to the airport. Then we can get on with our lives…with Raine.”

“Speaking of…”

“When did she say she’d be back?” Liam shot Hammer a worried glance.

“She didn’t, exactly.” It was after five o’clock, and she knew they planned to leave for dinner at five thirty. Hammer frowned. “Let me see where she’s at. Maybe she got hung up in rush hour.”

With furrowed brows, he pulled out his cell phone and launched an app. Liam stepped up next to Macen, looking at the screen. They watched a blinking green dot inch along a map of streets, coming from an all-too-familiar part of town. In tandem, both men raised their heads, sharing a look of abject dread before Macen swallowed tightly.

“Bloody hell,” Liam groaned. “Why is Raine near Beck’s condo? None of her favorite stores are near his place.”

Hammer felt his blood run cold. There was no logical reason for Raine to be in that neighborhood, unless…

“Son of a bitch. I wonder if she stopped by Beck’s.”

“I hope not. After the mood I left Gwyneth in, she’d eat Raine alive.” Liam scrubbed a nervous hand through his wet hair.

Hammer tried hard to connect the dots, dreading the implications. “It doesn’t make sense. She knew Beck was in surgery. Unless she’d decided to ask him why we left the lodge so suddenly.”

“Do you think she actually went to check out our story?”

“I wouldn’t put it past her. Shit. Hang on a sec.” Hammer punched another button on his phone. A snaking green line appeared showing the route Raine had taken since leaving the club. She’d stopped at the condo, all right. Hammer closed his eyes. His bowels turned to liquid.

“Oh, fuck no,” Liam moaned.

“We’d better get ready.”

“For Hurricane Raine,” Liam replied before he flattened his lips into a tight line. “This is going to get ugly.”

“Ugly isn’t the half of it,” Hammer agreed. “Looks like we’re at DEFCON one, brother.”

* * *

Liam hoped Raine would merely be pissed off. He could deal with anger, but if Gwyneth had crushed her tender feelings, that heinous witch would rue the day she’d ever met him.

Together, they watched as the green dot on Hammer’s phone moved steadily closer to Shadows and decided to intercept her at the entrance. No one needed to overhear what she was likely to shout.

Liam had no illusions. He’d seen Raine rail at Hammer when she’d sneaked into his room a month ago and he’d rebuffed her for trying to seduce him. Today, he and Hammer would be lucky if all they had to do was dodge dildos.

At least the truth was finally out, the deception and misdirection over. Now he had to deal with the nagging stress wrought by Gwyneth, his not-quite-son, and Bill Kendall. But the bright spot? When Raine had discovered their cover-up, she hadn’t simply run away, as she would’ve in the past. Even if she only came to Shadows to confront them, at least she was returning. They’d have the chance to persuade her they’d never meant to deceive or hurt her. If he and Hammer managed to end this evening with her heart still in their hands, he’d be eternally grateful.

But he worried that was too much to hope for.

Finally, Raine whipped her car into the lot and came to a screeching halt, straddling two parking spaces. Liam cocked a brow at Hammer. That’s our girl. As his friend nodded grimly, Raine tore out of the car and slammed the door, storming toward the entrance of the club. Even in her fury, she looked breathtaking…but she might not take the compliment well just now.

She shoved the door open, her cheeks red but stained with silvery paths. A knife stabbed into Liam’s heart and twisted.

From day one, she’d slipped under his defenses and into his very soul. Never had a woman created such chaos in his life. Or made him feel so much joy, immeasurable passion, and love—more than he’d realized he was capable of feeling.

What would his life be like if Raine were no longer in it?

When she caught sight of them, her bow mouth pursed. Fire shot out of her eyes, and she looked ready to erupt like a volcano. “How fucking dare you—”

Hammer clapped a hand over her mouth. “Not one more word.”

She screeched, struggling against his firm hold, tearing at his wrist to tug it away. She screamed behind his palm, still making enough noise to alert the whole club.

“We know where you’ve been. We know who you saw. We’re going someplace private to talk about it,” Hammer growled. “Settle down unless you want everyone to know our business.”

If anything, her eyes flashed with more fury. She bit at him and glared, looking as if she’d like to boil the flesh off his scrotum.

Liam resisted the urge to cover his own balls and leaned into Raine’s face. “Give us a chance to explain, love. Thirty seconds, and we’ll be in Hammer’s office. Then you can vent all you want.”

Raine zipped that lethal glare at him, then tried to stomp on his toes. He managed to dodge her at the last second. Bloody hell… His wee lass had turned violent.

Damn it, he should have followed his instincts and told her about Gwyneth’s phone call from the start. Hindsight was a bitch. If he could somehow make her listen, maybe he could reach her. At present, she was disinclined to do anything but tear his head off.

“You have a choice,” Hammer snarled in her face with low, controlled tones. “Come with us quietly or…” He pulled a ball gag from his pocket and dangled it in front of her. “I know how much you love these.”

Instantly, her eyes widened, all shock and blue lightning. Then they narrowed again. Behind his palm, she panted hard, her breath hot. At barely five feet tall, she didn’t pose them any threat, but her temper was fearsome.

“What’s it going to be, Raine?” Liam asked quietly. “You can walk with us…”

“Or we’ll hog-tie you,” Hammer finished.

“Either way, you’re coming along. There’ll be no more biting, stomping, or screaming. And no more swearing. Do you understand?” Liam asked.

Her little hands balled into fists, and she shot them both death glares. No doubt, if she’d been a man, she would have thrown a punch or two.

“You locked the gun away, didn’t you, mate?” he asked Hammer.

“Yeah. She’ll have to rely on verbal combat. Raine?” Tentatively, Hammer withdrew his hand, keeping it right above her mouth.

She stewed. And fumed. As she glanced at the ball gag again, she somehow managed to turn even redder. “Fine.”

Liam felt as if they’d defused a bomb—at least temporarily. She was still liable to go off, but at least it would be in private. He was grateful that he and Hammer had talked this out a bit, and turned to his friend with a questioning stare.

Macen pocketed the ball gag and answered with a nod. Together, they each grabbed one of her arms and lifted her, carting her away from the common area and down the hall.

“Don’t touch me,” she hissed.

Liam’s inner Dominant roared to life. Like hell.

They both secured their grip.

“I can walk,” she insisted.

“We’re going to help you,” Liam crooned.

“You can shove your help—”

“Do we need that ball gag after all?” Hammer sent her a silky warning as they hit the hall, wending past the door of Seth’s room, steps away from their destination.

“No,” she spat.

Liam gripped Raine’s arm tighter as they crossed the threshold of Hammer’s office, Macen sliding in first and all but dragging her inside. Gripping the knob, Liam shut it, knowing her explosion was imminent in three, two, one…

As soon as the latch clicked shut, she yanked her arms from their holds and balled her fists again. “You both fucking lied to me. And I don’t give a fuck about my language. You can both go fuck yourselves. But oh, that’s right. Liam has already fucked me—and his perfect Barbie doll ex-wife. Were you taking notes? Making comparisons? I can’t believe you didn’t say a fucking word about that fucking bitch.”

“That wasn’t what happened at all,” Hammer insisted. “Calm down and we’ll explain.”

She whirled on him. “Don’t fucking talk to me like I’m a child. Though I guess you two have decided I’m as naïve as one. How long did you think you were going to keep me in the fucking dark? And that lie about Liam’s business problems?” She rolled her eyes. “Lame!”

“So you don’t want to hear the truth?” Hammer raised a brow at her.

“You can take your fucking truth and shove it up your fucking—”

“Love, listen to us. We—”

Raine spun around to Liam again. “Not only did you not tell me about your fucking ex-wife—nice lingerie, by the way; I’m sure you enjoyed that—but you have a son you never fucking bothered to tell me about. So are you packing your bags and leaving with them to live happily ever after? She’s only going to screw you again, but maybe you enjoy that.”

Betrayal fueled her angry speech. But their disillusioned girl believed the damning situation after a mere glance—without asking him a single question. In some ways, that cut Liam to the quick…but he reminded himself that only a week ago, his relationship with Raine had seemed hopeless and he’d ended things with her abruptly. Of course she would worry he meant to do the same now. She was giving up on him before he could hurt her again.

“I divorced Gwyneth with good reason. I would never want her back, and I certainly wouldn’t leave you for the likes of her. That’s the sincere truth.”

“Oh, so now you’re telling me the truth? But not earlier today in the car?” She wagged a finger in his face. “You two spent the last few days lecturing me until you were blue in the faces about honesty and communication and how great our relationship would be if we could all just trust one another. Blah, blah, fucking blah.”

“Raine,” Liam reassured softly because telling her to calm down would not go well. “Love, I don’t want Gwyneth. I didn’t touch her.”

“Bullshit! I saw the nipple clamps, an imprint paddle, and the fresh welt that said slut on her ass—not that I doubt that for a minute. Oh, I forgot the restraints and the elephant dildo. So if you weren’t playing with her, you were…what? Recreating your good times and reminding her of all she’d been missing?”

Liam didn’t falter. “No. If you’ll stop losing the bloody plot, I’ll explain.”

“Explain what? She told me the two of you have worked out her ‘lapse of judgment’ that ended your marriage. Wow. So I guess paddling her was better than couple’s therapy, and now all is forgiven. How long before you leave me to join her and be a family?” Raine challenged, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. Of course she zoomed right to the worst-case scenario. In her case, it had happened every damn time.

“Oh, that calculating cunt,” Hammer muttered.

Indeed. Gwyneth had played Raine perfectly. Like dominoes in a row, each felled the next in an inevitable chain reaction. But Liam had handed his ex-wife the means. His maneuvers—however well intended—had backfired.

“Why would you think she told you anything resembling the truth?” Liam asked.

“Because I already know you two lied to me.”

“To protect you, yes. We’re sorry if that upset you. But her lies were meant to confuse you and cause you pain,” Hammer spat. “Don’t let the doubt she planted in your head grow, precious. And don’t give her any of your power. That belongs to us.”

“Nothing she said is true.” Liam sighed. “All she wants to do is separate me from you. You can’t let her.”

“Give me one reason I should believe you,” she challenged.

“Do you think we would have planned to take you to dinner tonight to explain everything if we weren’t going to tell you the truth?” Macen asked.

She shot him a skeptical glare. “Maybe it was taking you two that long to get your stories straight.”

Liam leaned into her face, fusing their gazes together. “Because I love you, Raine. That’s why you should believe me.”

Liam had this one chance to convince her that he loved her with every cell in his body. If not, she’d let doubt overtake her and leave. But as long as he was breathing, he’d keep fighting for them.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t read Raine now. Since she’d always worn her emotions on her face, that was dangerous. She hadn’t dropped the f-bomb for several minutes, so he took that as a good sign. But he still sensed a palpable storm raging beneath Raine’s surface.

She teared up. “You didn’t even tell me about your son.”

“I don’t think he’s mine,” Liam countered. “Tell me what else Gwyneth said to you so I can explain everything.”

“She pitied me. No, first she thought I was the maid. Then she said I was cute, but I couldn’t keep you amused for long because you like the hunt, and I’d never provide you enough sport.” She covered her face, and her body shook. Pain drenched every sob as she swiped at her cheeks and backed away. “I’m sorry I wasn’t entertaining enough for you.”

His worst fears had come to pass; Gwyneth had cut her to the bone. The knife in Liam’s chest twisted harder as he watched Raine cry, longing to enfold her in his arms and kiss away every tear. Fierce and proud, she looked hauntingly lovely, even as she stood wronged and breaking before them.

He bit back a curse. If he had a do-over on this afternoon, he wouldn’t have simply humiliated Gwyneth; he would have throttled her.

Liam darted a glance at Hammer, who looked as if he wanted to unleash his own form of justice on Gwyneth. But now, they needed to deplete Raine’s anger and heal the devastation the bitch had inflicted—fast.

Hammer met his stare and nodded.

Without a word, Liam wrapped Raine in his arms.

She flinched and bucked against him. “Don’t you touch me!”

He ignored her because she obviously needed the reassurance of his embrace badly. Instead, he nudged her against the wall as Hammer gathered her flailing arms and pinned them above Raine’s head.

Liam cupped her cheeks in his palms and forced her to look at him. “Listen to me, Raine, and listen well. You’ve let Gwyneth crawl inside your head and dredge up your insecurities. Hear my side of things before you decide to do anything rash, like throw us away.”

Liam explained everything, beginning with that bloody benefit. Raine took that in stride, sending him a shake of her head. Clearly, she thought he’d been an idiot. Take a number and get in line…

Explaining today’s events, starting with Gwyneth’s four a.m. phone call, proved much trickier.

“I didn’t want to leave the lodge,” he swore. “I never would have just for Gwyneth’s sake. I don’t give a shit about her. But I had a responsibility to find out if Kyle was mine.”

“But you don’t think he is?” Raine asked.

“I’m about ninety-nine percent sure, but I’ll have proof of that by tomorrow.”

“How?” She cut him a skeptical glare. “Something other than ESP or simply deciding that your ex-wife is a loon, I hope.”

That segued into the stickiest explanation—him taking Kyle’s DNA, fucking with Gwyneth’s head, then walking out on her screaming and restrained to Beck’s kitchen chair.

She rolled her eyes. “Please… Looking at her in that killer lingerie wasn’t any sort of hardship. No living heterosexual man would turn her down. I can hear you still breathing. I know you’re heterosexual, so—”

“I rebuffed her,” Hammer cut in. “More than once. I refused her four years ago, and I did it again this afternoon.”

Raine’s blue eyes widened. “She hit on you?”

“More or less. I shut that down.”

“I did, too,” Liam added. “She took me by surprise when she popped out of the loo in that getup. I certainly didn’t ask her to put it on.”

“But hey, since she’s wearing butt floss and you just happened to have full use of Beck’s toys, why not relive the best parts of your marriage?”

Liam choked back a laugh. Even mad, his saucy wench had a quick wit.

“No. Gwyneth and I never engaged in anything remotely close to BDSM play when we were married. Today was the first time. And what you saw—the toys, the restraints, and the welt on her ass—that wasn’t for any sexual pleasure or because I wanted her submission.”

“He had to mindfuck her to get some answers because we owe them to you, precious,” Hammer insisted.

“Exactly. I used her desperation and my Domination to manipulate her. I owed her humiliation, and trust me when I say she didn’t enjoy it.”

“She looked pretty damn satisfied when I saw her.” Raine struggled against their hold again. “Let go.”

He and Hammer held firm, knowing they couldn’t give her any slack now.

“No.” Macen gripped her wrists tighter.

Liam brushed the hair from her face. “Never.”

“Seriously, Liam…” Raine gritted her teeth. “I don’t believe for one minute that you shoved your Dominant side away when you married her. That would be totally out of character.”

But he had. “After Juliet took her life, I did my best to deny myself the lifestyle that made her want to end everything. I buried my needs and swore I’d fly right. I knew abstaining wouldn’t bring Juliet back, but I felt compelled to give her some penitence. It wasn’t until after my divorce that I did some soul searching and realized I couldn’t deny my nature forever. I need to be who I am.”

“So you came here,” Raine stated flatly.

“Eventually, yes. Then I met you, love. But that’s why Gwyneth and I were purely vanilla. I didn’t believe I should live a D/s life with my wife.”

Raine didn’t say anything for a long moment, but her lips began to quiver. “But D/s is okay for your whore? Got it.” She struggled for freedom again. “I know my place. You can let go now.”

Liam almost did. Damn it. No matter what he said, she only heard the worst. He understood that she was hurt and angry…but she made him feel as if she would never trust his love.

“When have I ever treated you like a whore, Raine?” Liam wanted to say more but wasn’t sure what would convince her. He looked at Hammer, wordlessly asking for help.

“Never,” the man growled. “And she knows that. She’s thinking with emotion, not logic.” Macen turned on her. “Listen to him. You know damn well where Liam’s heart lies. Mine, too. We’re both in love with you or we wouldn’t be here fighting. And don’t you ever call yourself a whore again.”

Looking slightly chagrined, she stopped trying to pull from their grasps. Liam wasn’t sure they were reassuring her. Suddenly, he knew what would.

Liam sent a resolute glance at Macen. “I think we need to show her. Right now.”

Hammer looked blank for a moment, then he caught on. A slow smile spread over his face. “Oh, yeah.”

“Show me what?” she asked suspiciously. “Your penises? I’ve already seen those. If you two think you’re going redirect me with sex and cool my anger with orgasms, think again.”

Liam shook his head. “I’d like to, but no. We have something else in mind.”

Hammer issued an evil chuckle. “And if we take you someplace, you can’t act like a brat. Can you stop clawing, biting, and screaming for fifteen minutes?”

She leveled Hammer with a dry, derisive stare. “I don’t know. Can you stop being an ass that long? You’re on my shit list, too. You lied straight to my face.”

Remorse settled over Hammer’s features. “Yes, I did. And I’m sorry. Without consulting Liam, I decided the gas station on the side of the highway wasn’t the time or the place to tell you about Gwyneth suddenly appearing with a baby. I wanted to wait until the three of us could sit down so we could tell you privately.”

She sighed. At least she appeared to be mulling his words. “Don’t ever lie to me again, Macen.”

“I won’t,” he vowed softly.

She softened slightly, then raised her chin to scowl at Liam. “That goes for you, too.”

“Lying to you was never an option for me,” Liam assured as he leaned closer and brushed his lips over hers.

Thankfully, she didn’t object.

“So…will you come with us and not raise a fuss?” Hammer settled his lips against the pulse point of her neck.

Raine gave a shuddering little exhalation, part resignation…and just the smallest part excitement. “All right.”

“Wait here. I’ll be right back,” Liam instructed, then rushed down the hall to his room.

Yanking his suitcase from the back of the closet, he unzipped a side compartment and plucked the blue velvet box from inside. He flipped it open. Yep, the little gem still lay inside.

Though it had barely been two weeks since Liam had intended to surprise her, it seemed like a lifetime ago. Of course, chaos had ensued—a shit storm coming from every direction—and he’d never found the right moment to give her this gift. Maybe that had been for the best. The three of them had been through so much together. Liam felt a unity and rightness in surprising her with Hammer at his side. The time was now.

Liam hoped this would be the key to solidifying their future.

When he returned, Raine had sidestepped to put a bit of distance between her and Hammer. She wore a pensive expression.

He crossed the room and wrapped an arm around her waist. Hammer joined him and did the same. Together, they filed out the door.

Her posture was stiff as they led her down the hall, through the dungeon, past the bar, and finally outside. She didn’t utter a word as they made their way to the Escalade. Discreetly, he scanned the car park for any sign of Bill. He noticed Hammer did the same. With Kendall popping up to extort more money and making veiled threats, they couldn’t afford not to tell Raine for much longer. And Liam also suspected his old pal hadn’t come clean about bribing dear old Dad. Christ, they’d have to cross that bridge soon, too…

One catastrophe at a time.

* * *

As Liam slid behind the wheel of his SUV, Hammer settled Raine in the front passenger seat, ensuring she was buckled in. Then he folded all six foot three of him in the backseat.

“Ready?” Liam asked.

How was she supposed to answer that? “Where exactly are you taking me?”

Liam sent her a secretive smile and pulled out of the lot. “You’ll see.”

She tried not to feel hurt that they intentionally kept her in the dark. After all, they behaved as if whatever they meant to show her would make her happy. She couldn’t imagine what that would be. Sending Gwyneth off at the airport with a one-fingered sayonara, maybe. Of course, Raine could think of a hundred reasons Liam and Hammer would lie to her about what had really happened with the woman earlier today, but only one reason they would tell the truth.

Because they loved her.

After the strife they’d been through, Raine’s head told her they did. Her heart really wanted to believe it. Was she so broken that she simply didn’t know how?

The possibility filled her with wretched desolation.

She’d been so sure of their feelings for her at the lodge. If anyone had asked her last night, she would have insisted nothing could come between the three of them. How terrifying that at the first sign of trouble, she was questioning everything. Raine wished like hell she knew how to make it stop.

As Liam turned off Wilshire heading south on Crenshaw, he reached over and wrapped his hand around hers. Hammer caressed her shoulder. Raine didn’t pull away, but inside she felt frozen.

She hated being this scared girl who didn’t trust anyone. Other than her mother and grandparents—all of whom were gone—no one had shown her much kindness, at least until Hammer had taken her in. And then, he’d cared for her like a protective parent…while rejecting her as a lover. Liam was the first man to try filling both roles at once. In the last few days, Hammer had broken through the defenses he’d erected after Juliet’s suicide and, like Liam, become her Dom in every sense of the word. She wanted to trust them both so badly now, ached to be cocooned in their love and reassurance.

But she just kept seeing Gwyneth’s smug face, half-exposed breasts, and freshly paddled ass.

Had they really turned the woman down?

Lost in a chasm between painful hope and white-hot fear, she didn’t know how much time had passed. Suddenly, Liam turned up to the gate of a posh residential district.

When she’d been a girl, she’d sometimes sneaked away from her father and ridden her bike here, imagining herself in one of these big, character-filled houses. In her imagination, each one had been filled by a happy couple who looked on fondly while their children played on the manicured lawn, then enjoyed a hot meal every night before Mommy and Daddy tucked them into bed with kisses. Life was perfect here.

To Raine’s shock, the gate opened immediately for Liam.

“We’ll be there in two minutes,” he said suddenly.

Her heart stuttered. “Where?”

Raine already knew there wasn’t any thru traffic on this street, only more houses. Were they taking her to a private play party with the rich and famous? To meet some celebrity? Or…

She’d heard about houses that took in subs for training. Surely Hammer and Liam wouldn’t drop her off like dirty laundry and leave her to be tutored by strangers…would they? No. They were too damn controlling. If they’d wanted to do that, they wouldn’t have bothered taking her to the lodge.

“It’s a surprise,” he replied in a low, beguiling voice.

“A good one,” Hammer added softly. “Relax.”

She wasn’t very good at that. They might be with her now, but the part of Raine that knew she’d never been half as pretty as Macen’s usual conquests was petrified that Liam’s nasty slut of an ex-wife would steal him from her.

Follow where they lead you. Let go of your control. They’re not going to let you fall.Seth’s words earlier rolled through her head. Instead of believing that, Raine had stomped her way back to Shadows, looking for a fight because that was easy. In fact, she could fight all day long. She’d spent most of her life fighting—her abusive father, her feelings for Hammer, and now these stupid insecurities about Gwyneth. She even wanted to fight against the bleeding wound inside her after Liam’s remark that he wouldn’t sully his wife with BDSM.

But Raine couldn’t be mad at him because his commitment to her wasn’t strong enough for marriage. She’d just been dumb enough to think they’d have a storybook ending. Yeah, because the princess in the tower always got it on with two guys.

Liam and Hammer cared, absolutely. They would appreciate the woman with whom they shared good times, a few laughs, and lots of mind-blowing sex. It was her fault for wishing that meant forever.

Raine withdrew her hand from Liam’s and stared out the window, blinking away her tears while trying to hold herself together. Just a little while longer. She’d look at their surprise, then beg a headache when they returned to the club, lock the bathroom door, and cry this maudlin shit out of her system.

Then she’d just enjoy one day at a time with them, all the way to the inevitable end.

Liam made another left, and the houses just got bigger and bigger…until they passed one with a tennis court in the backyard. There, they made another left, onto a cul-de-sac. Toward the end of the street, Liam pulled into a U-shaped driveway lined by lovely manicured hedges with an interior filled by a patch of lush grass. A brick walkway, guarded by two marble statues of lions, bisected the foliage and led to the front door, illuminated by warmly glowing lights.

The house was huge but somehow still oozed charm. Big, beautiful windows dotted the front of the pale gray stucco façade. The French doors in the middle opened to a white Juliet balcony, which, along with a pair of traditional fluted columns, formed the portico over the massive front door with glass insets, which gave the house grandeur. Wrought iron planters spilling out with a profusion of colorful flowers framed all the other windows along the front.

Liam killed the engine. Hammer all but jumped out of the car to open her door. As he helped her out and Liam came around to take her other arm, Raine stared.

“Why are we here?” she asked them. “Do you know who lives in this place?”

“I do. Isn’t it lovely?”

“Incredible.” God, she’d give anything to stay here for even a night, just so she could pretend the house was hers.

Liam’s smile turned brighter. “Then come with us.”

Raine grew more confused with each step they took up the brick entrance, toward the front door. Had they rented it for the night since the lodge was so far away?

When the three of them reached the portal, Liam reached into his pocket. “Hold out your hand, love.”

With a puzzled frown, she did. He set a small blue velvet box in her palm, cupping the top of the soft case with his fingers and curling them around her own. “Raine, whatever you think, you mean everything to Hammer and me. We’re not planning to be with you for a day or a month or even a year. We’re committed to staying by your side, through thick and thin, day in and day out, sharing our lives with you. We love you, now and forever.”

As his words melted her, Raine looked at their joined hands, then glanced into Liam’s solemn face. “I don’t understand.”

Hammer wore a matching expression, cradling her hand from beneath so they completely surrounded her. “Liam is much better with words than I am, but everything he said is true. Open the box, precious.”

Why would they bring her to a stranger’s doorstep to give her a gift? Her heart started to race. A dangerous fantasy crossed her mind… But no. They couldn’t possibly give her a gift like this.

“What is this place?”

“Go on,” Hammer whispered as both men lifted their hands away.

Carefully, Raine gripped the sides of the box and tugged gently. It opened without a sound. Inside lay a key.

Raine stopped breathing as she looked first at Liam, then Hammer. More of that insidious hope filled her. She blinked away rapidly welling tears. “Y-you…” She shook her head. It wasn’t possible. “It can’t be.”

Liam stroked his finger down her cheek and nodded. “I never seemed to find the right time to give this to you, but I understand why now. It’s meant for all three of us. Put the key in the lock, love, and open the door to our new home.”

Her heart skipped a beat, and the buzzing in her ears felt as if a swarm of bees had taken over her head. “You’re serious? This is… It’s…”

Raine couldn’t finish her sentence through her onslaught of tears. She covered her mouth with her hands to hold in a shocked sob.

“Yes,” Liam confirmed softly. “I know how long you’ve wanted a home to call your own, something that no one can take away. So I bought this for you. Regardless of what happens between us, this is your house. You’ll always have these four walls and sturdy roof to shelter you, Raine.”

“I-I can’t accept this. It’s too much. It’s—”

“Too late,” Liam cut in. “It’s already done. The title and deed are in your name.”

His words shocked her system again. She tried to comprehend, but her brain whirled. Time seemed mired in a slow, thick honey. Nothing made sense except the key in her hand and Liam’s words echoing in her brain.

Hers. The house was hers. And Liam had done this for her.

“Oh, my god.” Sobs wracked her body.

Had anyone ever done anything half as wonderful for her? Why would they?

Suddenly, Hammer nestled her from behind, wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her close against his chest. His warm breath brushed her ear as Liam stood frozen, studying her expression intently.

“Are you happy?” Macen asked.

She nodded. “I’m speechless. It’s…amazing.”

Liam looked relieved. Had he actually imagined she wouldn’t be thrilled?

“You haven’t seen the inside,” he reminded her.

“It doesn’t matter.” She shook her head. “Whatever is inside is the most beautiful thing in the world to me. Why would you do this?”

Raine wasn’t under any illusions. This wasn’t some little one-bedroom cottage in the sticks. He’d bought her a palatial home. It must have cost a whole pile of pretty pennies.

“Because I wanted to give you everything,” Liam murmured. “Especially the security you should have had as a child.”

He was destroying her one word at a time in the best way possible. Had she really been wondering minutes ago if they could possibly love her?

“I always wanted to give you that, too, precious.” Macen’s voice cracked, thick with emotion. “It’s why I took you in…and why I couldn’t let you go. I should have bought you a place of your own years ago but couldn’t stand the thought of not having you near me every day. I was afraid I’d lose you.”

A cry filled with a confusing mix of shock, sorrow, regret, and delight tore from her throat. She launched herself into Liam’s arms, pulling Hammer with her. From behind her, he held tight.

Tears slid down her cheeks as she trembled, the reality finally registering. “You really bought me a house?”

“I did.” Liam pulled away and cupped her face, staring into her eyes with a fierceness she’d never seen before.

“When?”

He hesitated. “Before Thanksgiving.”

Guilt tore through her. He’d never given it to her because she’d run away, been a defiant, difficult handful.

“I see the self-reproach on your face. Don’t,” Liam insisted. “It’s worked out for the best. We’re all meant to live here together.”

Her tears started in earnest again. “That would be a dream come true.”

“For me, too.” Hammer leaned around to press a kiss to her cheek.

“Understand us, Raine,” Liam went on. “You’re not a whim. You’re not a sport or a conquest for either of us. You’re the center of our lives.”

Before she could say another word, Liam claimed her lips in a kiss somehow tender and primal at once, teeming with painfully pure love. She wrapped one hand around his neck and opened to him completely. He felt so solid pressed to her chest. Raine couldn’t imagine loving this man more.

When he broke away from her, the passion and fire still blazed in his eyes. “Forever, love. Don’t ever question that again.”

How could she? “Thank you, Liam,” she whispered, her voice quivering as more tears spilled down her face. “Not just for a gift that’s beyond amazing. Thank you for understanding me and what I need.”

“You ready to have a look inside?” Liam grinned.

“Yeah.” A big smile broke out across her face. “Beyond ready.”

“One more thing…” Hammer turned Raine to face him. “The previous owners lived here for about thirty years. It might not be decorated to your taste. But you can make it whatever you want. It’s empty, so I know we’ll need to buy furniture, but if you want to redecorate the kitchen or bathrooms or whatever…then do it. That’s my gift to you, precious.”

Her heart split wide open for the second time tonight. “Macen, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure it’s beautiful the way it is. I don’t need—”

“Let me. Liam has given us an amazing house to live in. Let me make the inside as beautiful as you.”

That might be one of the nicest things he’d ever said to her. She started to cry again and pressed her lips to his for a slow, reverent kiss before her face got too sloppy again.

“I’m overwhelmed. You two are the most wonderful men who ever happened to me. I love you both.”

“And we love you,” Macen murmured. “Now open the door.”