The Brink by Shayla Black

“Besides my blue balls?” Hammer quipped.

“That’s a problem we can fix.” She flirted with a little grin. “But you’re overdressed for the occasion. Here I am, all naked, and no one is joining me.”

They both rushed to tear off their clothes, and Raine had to repress another smile. Today’s conversation had been difficult. She’d made a huge mistake earlier, but Liam and Hammer had calmed her, talked to her, explained. The resulting dialogue hadn’t been easy, but it had been fruitful. Now she felt like the three of them stood on more solid footing. And they had an absolutely beautiful house in which to start their forever.

Then the sights around her completely derailed her thoughts. Hammer yanked off his shirt, exposing a pair of broad shoulders and a wide, muscled chest that never failed to make her hot. Beside him, under him, she felt so small and feminine and protected. Then Liam shucked his pants, and her breath caught. Under his lean shoulders and the muscles bunching all the way down his back, his body tapered to the most sigh-worthy ass she’d ever seen on a man. Taut, lightly dusted with hair, and just round enough for her to want to bite.

She gave a happy little shudder of a sigh.

Suddenly, Liam turned to Macen. “Look at her, gawking at us like we’re a couple of slabs of beef.”

Raine felt a flush rise on her cheeks. “You can’t blame me. You’re both incredible. And not just to look at.”

“As much as I’ve enjoyed fucking you when you’re mad, pliant, or solemn, I think I’m going to enjoy it a lot more when you’re happy.” Hammer wrapped an arm around her and guided her toward the bed, then glanced at Liam. “Hurry up, man. I don’t know how long I can wait before I start without you.”

Liam laughed, then kicked free of his underwear before lunging at her and grabbing her face. He crushed her mouth under his.

Macen’s lips feathered up her neck before he breathed against her skin. “You’re going to be so well fucked, precious.”

Raine’s breath caught. “Promise?”

They merely smiled, and Liam nodded. “If you’re not able to walk out of here, oh…what a pity that would be. But we’ll carry you.”

She never wanted to leave this golden house that represented all their tomorrows, but she knew they had to return to duty and Shadows—at least until they could furnish this place and move in.

“I like the idea of being carried.” She strolled closer, wrapping her hands around their cocks at once and giving them both a long stroke. “Let’s see if we can make that happen.”

Hammer hissed out a curse. Liam groaned, his face contorting with pleasure.

“I think my balls are turning blue, too, mate.” His voice already sounded gruff.

“That’s it.” Macen stared at the little foil packet in his hand and tore open the condom. “Why the hell haven’t we managed to get you on birth control yet?”

“I wondered the same thing earlier today,” Liam said as he slowly rolled the thin latex over his ready erection.

“I have an appointment next week.” She’d hoped to surprise them at Christmas, but it seemed like the perfect time to tell them. And she couldn’t wait to feel them bare and deep, raw, without barriers, spilling inside her. Someday, maybe they’d tell her to stop taking birth control and…

One step at a time.

For now. Raine drank in the sight of their strong, masculine bodies. Already, their faces were sharp and flushed with desire. The mere sight of them made her heart race and her sex weep with need. Liam watched her with a lusty stare as he slathered lube over his proud cock with long strokes. She shivered in anticipation.

“Bend over the bed,” Hammer demanded. “Let Liam prepare you so he can fill that sweet ass of yours.”

Raine didn’t hesitate. She bent, legs slightly spread, and rested her head on the thick mattress. She didn’t have to wait long before she felt him—smelled him—just behind her. Her body turned tense and needy.

“Liam…”

In answer, he palmed the small of her back, then traced his finger down the line of her spine, that velvet touch skimming close to her rosette. She arched with the movement, then stilled. God, she was beyond eager to feel him taking her in the most dominant way possible. She craved his possession, that tender way he somehow managed to use her thoroughly.

He touched his lubed fingers to her tightly drawn tissue, rimming it, coaxing her open. Raine tossed her head back, grabbing the sheet as his fingers probed insistently, silently urging her to cede to him. To submit.

Raine groaned with a shaky exhalation. Closing her eyes, she focused on relaxing every muscle in her body. She started with the frown creasing her forehead, then moved down to her shoulders, her back…little by little until she unclenched and arched even more, offering herself up.

Liam clutched her hips. “So beautiful. I love having you open to me.”

Hammer leaned in and tucked her hair behind her ear. “I can see you trying to please us. It’s stunning…”

Their touches and praise nearly made her purr from the back of her throat as she turned her head and managed to capture his thumb with her teeth and suck it inside her mouth.

Hammer growled. “That tongue…”

She circled his digit with the tip and sent him an inviting stare—until Liam slipped in another finger and made her gasp.

“Please hurry.” She wriggled her ass at him.

“Greedy minx,” Liam chided.

Hammer leaned back and watched with fire blazing in his eyes. “That’s it. Let him ready your velvet walls so he can slide balls deep inside you.”

“I’m bursting to do just that.” Liam breathed harshly. “How does that feel, Raine?”

“So good…” She groaned. “I’m ready. I need you. Please.”

“Good. I can’t wait,” Liam growled as he helped her upright. “Every time with you is…” He shook his head on a rough sigh as he met her stare. “Only enough to make me want you more.”

Raine’s heart skipped as he eased behind her to sit on the edge of the mattress. He drew her between his masculine, slightly spread thighs. His cock stood straight up, as if reaching for her.

She wrapped her arms around him and filtered her fingers through his hair. “It’s the same for me, Liam.”

He didn’t speak again, simply pinched her nipples, then laved his handiwork before drawing them into his hot mouth. Raine held tight as he alternated between one breast and the other, a frantic, thorough tease.

Hammer sidled up behind her, his body heat seeping into her skin. He palmed her ass and nipped at her lobe. As she turned her face to meet his kiss, Liam dragged his lips across her stomach, soft, stinging little nips with a flare of tingles that awakened her skin. Hammer possessed her mouth, stroking deep inside as Liam flicked the tip of his tongue over each of her erect nubs. She was happily drowning in them and the desire swirling inside her.

Liam ripped himself away. “Now, Macen.”

Before she could process what he meant, Hammer pulled back and bit at her lower lip. The sting excited her even more as he gripped her hips and turned her to face him—only to find him stroking his hard cock. Her body trembled in anticipation.

Liam grabbed her around the waist and lowered her to his lap. The tip of his hard cock pressed against her sensitive rosette. Raine’s whimper only seemed to urge him on, and he pushed against her fragile rim. She arched and opened. The smoldering pressure built. Pleasure flashed inside her as he breached past her barrier. As he slowly eased inside, stretching and filling her with thrill and pain, Raine keened to the rafters.

* * *

As Liam worked Raine onto his cock, Hammer’s balls tightened. A vivid memory of squeezing through her tight little ring and thrusting into nirvana filled his head. His blood thundered.

Ecstasy skittered across her face. Her eyes fluttered closed. Her head fell back, exposing the graceful arch of her neck as Liam thrust deep. Her soft, needful moan made Macen’s cock jerk.

Damn, he’d caged his desire this morning when he’d told her to strip and climb into bed for a nap after breakfast. The shower they’d shared when Raine had come to him smelling of sex had rattled his restraint, especially when he’d put his hands all over her wet skin. Mere minutes ago, he’d sweated, watching her shatter under Liam’s insistent mouth. Though he’d ached for a taste himself, Hammer had held back.

Now, his self-control was shot to hell.

Hammer cupped her pussy, dragging his fingers over her hard little clit. She gasped.

“Oh, shit. She just clamped down on me.” Liam dug his fingers into her slender hips as he yanked her up his shaft, then shoved deep inside her. “So fucking hot and tight.”

Hammer gritted his teeth, wanting to feel her close around him, too. Claim. Now. Fuck yeah.

Liam glanced at him, then paused his voracious thrusts to recline on the bed. Hammer supposed his urgency—or insanity—must have shown, and thanked fuck Liam could read him.

“Lie back against his chest,” Macen demanded, guiding Raine down.

She did, blinking at him with big eyes that didn’t just turn him on but also inside out. He gripped her pale thighs, spreading them wide and draping them outside Liam’s. Her musk pervaded his senses as her hips tilted up. He stared at her bare cunt, pink, glistening, swollen, and pouting—just waiting for him to slam deep. Macen knew how fucking perfect she’d feel.

“There.” He stepped between her thighs and traced a fingertip from her navel down, down…all the way to her eager clit. He toyed with her. “Now you’re splayed out the way I want you, precious. I’m going to drive inside you and feel your cunt ripple around me as you melt between us.”

He parted her shimmering flesh with his thumbs, spreading her open even farther, and fastened his mouth over her drenched folds, eating at her clit, drinking her in.

After years of coveting Raine, he’d barely had her a handful of times—certainly not enough to cool his fever. In fact, every time, she’d heated him up hotter. Right now, it raged inside him.

“Please, Macen,” she whimpered, threading her hands in his hair. “Oh… God, I can’t—”

“You can’t what?” Hammer snarled, furious at having to pull his tongue from her.

“I-I can’t wait.”

The supplication in her tone burned him. “To feel us plow into your soft, slick body together?”

“Yes,” she cried.

“You want us to fuck you?” He bit into the tender flesh of her inner thigh, then laved the imprints of his teeth and watched the welts rise.

Raine keened out a high-pitched screech. “Macen…”

“Is that a yes?”

Before she could answer, Liam pinched her nipples. As she gasped, he planted his feet on the mattress, spreading her legs wider. He thrust long and slow into her ass with a groan. “Beg Hammer to fuck your pretty, tight cunt. And hurry it up.”

“Please. Macen.” Her high-pitched plea sounded beautifully desperate. “Please… I need you, too.”

Something inside him snapped.

Gripping his cock, Hammer nudged his blunt head against her sweltering pussy. He didn’t wait another second before he gripped her hips, then shoved up and inside her—balls deep in the first tight thrust.

Jesus… Like heaven.

“About damn time…” Liam moaned. “Fuck her. Hard.”

With pleasure.

He surged into her again. Her fragile body yielded, taking every inch he slammed deep. She wrapped her legs around him with a cry. Her pussy contracted. Her blue eyes glazed in ecstasy as her fingers bit into his shoulders. He growled.

Below them, Liam drove into Raine’s ass. The friction of them both buried deep burned. Her back arched. Macen thumbed her clit. Raine shuddered and cried frantically, bucking, clamping down, so close to coming undone.

Hammer slapped her pussy. “No. Don’t. You do not have permission.”

Raine mewled as she rippled around his cock, then dragged in a breath. Too close… With a curse, Hammer pulled back.

She shrieked, writhing and trying to force him deeper. “For the love of… I can’t take this. Fuck me!”

“When we’re ready,” Liam insisted in her ear.

Hammer withdrew completely and glowered at her. “You don’t make the demands. I told you to hold back.”

Raine scowled at him. Before he could reprimand her, her expression dissolved. She whimpered and stabbed her nails into Liam’s thighs.

The other man hissed, grabbed her wrists, and crossed them over her body and under her breasts. “Stop that, hellcat.”

Hammer bent and bit down on the fleshy mound above her clit.

Raine’s scream filled the room. He watched, seeing the moment her pain turned to bone-melting bliss, witnessing the little red marks on her vulnerable, bare pussy. He caressed the pretty brand.

She trembled, breathing hard, fast. Her feverish blue eyes begged, telling Hammer that he’d become the devil and her savior all at once. He sent her a sinful smile.

“Please…” Her voice sounded hoarse, raw.

His inner beast loved stripping her down to a pale, pleading mass.

Take her. Now.

“Damn it, Macen,” Liam cursed impatiently.

Hammer clenched his fist. No fucking way he could wait now. He needed to finish this, annihilate her defenses, remind her who she belonged to.

Cock in hand, Macen impaled her again in one long stroke. She thrashed between them, pinned, immobile, helpless. He fucking loved it.

“Help.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m on fire. The burn is…too much.”

“That’s exactly how we want you.” Hammer reared back and plunged deep again, sending her grinding up and down on Liam’s cock. “Burn hot and high for us.”

“I am,” she gasped. “Oh, god, I am.”

With a grunt, Hammer unleashed the last of his restraint, plowing into her at a blistering pace. Their skin slapped. Sweat broke out at his temples, between his shoulders. His whole body coursed with need. Raine closed her eyes with an animal cry, working between them. Liam’s length rubbed his own through the thin barrier of her skin, back and forth.

Hammer grabbed her hips, snarled, bent his knees to work deeper. A low, guttural cry tore from her chest, and he relished the sound.

Now.Hammer didn’t refuse his inner beast’s demand.

As he drove fast and hard into Raine, she yelped and she tossed her head from side to side. Hammer hovered over her, bracing his palms flat on the mattress. With every plunge inside her, her breasts bounced in his face. He bit and sucked at her.

Beneath them both, Liam shuttled Raine up and down his cock, a frown creasing his face. Raine’s eyes were closed, but her mouth split wide open in a silent scream. Grinding into her, Macen tried to work deeper than his last stroke, deeper than ever, plant himself inside her forever.

Own.

Claim.

“Who do you belong to?” Hammer seethed out the words between clenched teeth as he fucked into her tight walls again.

“You and Liam, Sir,” Raine panted, grinding her hips against them.

“Yes.” His fingers tightened on her thighs, and Macen knew they’d leave bruises on her fair skin. He loved the idea. His next hard thrust felt impossibly deeper. “Ride your Masters’ cocks. Feel our power and strength surging into you.”

“I feel it. I feel everything!”

“We own you, precious. All of you.”

Hammer bit her breasts again. Her screams filled the air. He snarled in satisfaction.

“Macen,” Liam snapped.

Hammer blinked and found his friend glaring in a furious scowl. His eyes narrowed. Liam better not be killing his buzz.

“A bit easier, mate,” Liam insisted. “Let’s make sure our girl knows she’s loved.”

Darting a glance over Raine’s smooth, writhing flesh as Liam rocked inside her, Macen caught sight of the red imprints of his teeth stamping her. He spied even more at the arch of her mound and inside her thigh. The Dom inside filled with pride, but the man winced. Fuck, they were christening the house, cementing their bond, not using her to the fullest. Tender Raine was new to being shared. And as a fresh submissive, she wasn’t ready to be anything near a slave he could brand at will. She might never be.

Hammer looped the chain around his inner beast’s neck and yanked hard. He withdrew, leaving only his crest throbbing inside her as he tried to catch his breath, slow his thoughts.

What was it about Raine that drove him to the brink of insanity? He’d marked Juliet before, numerous times, but never compulsively. Not with the intensity Raine conjured inside him. What the hell did that mean?

“No!” Raine struggled, screamed. “Don’t you dare stop. I need more. I need you both now.”

Macen wanted to give Raine what she begged for, felt need breathing down his neck. But he’d also asked Liam to keep him in line and not let him break her.

Sweat ran in rivulets down his chest. He eased inside her gently, panting, undecided. He flicked a questioning stare Liam’s way.

“It’s all right, brother,” Liam reassured with a nod. “Let’s let our girl fly. What do you say?”

“Yes!” Raine broke free of Liam’s hold and pressed his palms over her breasts. “I need you both. I’m dying without you…”

Liam pinched her nipples. Raine’s soft kitten moan brought Hammer back to the present. Yes. They needed to set her free, then follow her into ecstasy.

Focused on Raine’s pleasure, Hammer rocked into her, finding a steady rhythm that alternated with Liam’s. When he glided his thumb over her clit once more, Raine sighed blissfully.

With every stroke, he picked up the pace. The sounds of their flesh slapping accompanied by Liam’s grunts and Raine’s whimpers echoed in the cavernous room. The musky scent of sex surrounded them.

As she clutched and released his driving shaft in impending climax, tingles shot up his spine. He tossed his head back, jaw tight, and roared at the searing ecstasy burning through his bloodstream.

He might not be marking her at the moment, but the memory of those he’d left now and the first time he’d taken her to bed rolled through his mind. Nothing like knowing Raine looked as if she belonged with him… Even the thought was decimating his self-control.

“Say the word, man,” Hammer rumbled. “I’m on the edge.”

“Right there with you,” Liam assured, his voice low and torn, as he squeezed Raine’s breasts and thrust up beneath them. “Oh, love… You feel so perfect. I don’t want this to end. But you’ve brought us to our limits. Are you ready?”

Raine clawed at Liam’s arms. “More than ready.”

“You want it?” Hammer knew she did, but he craved hearing it again.

“Yes!” she croaked.

Macen gritted his teeth and staved off his need to come for just a moment more. “Tell us how much.”

Her eyes flew open. Her pools of blue had darkened. Her expression speared him with fire that shot straight to his balls. “I fucking need this. Let me come for you. God, let me…”

“Do it,” Liam barked. “Come. We want to feel you. I’ve got to have it.”

As soon as Raine climaxed, she would drag him over the edge with her.

Beyond eager to feel the painful, exquisite death of this sweltering demand, he bellowed as he drove inside her again.

“Now!” Hammer commanded her.

Her body seized on their cocks, strangling so tight he couldn’t move or breathe. Fuck yeah. Blackness swam in his vision as he tried to delve deeper into the molasses grip of her cunt. Rapture gripped him by the balls, squeezed his heart, and flattened him with a steamroller of pleasure even as he soared into a blinding, piercing euphoria he’d never experienced.

Oh, he’d never get enough of this.

Liam let out a ferocious roar as he pumped into Raine from behind while she spasmed around them, her velvet walls fluttering and clutching, and howled out her release in an endless hoarse cry that echoed even after she fell silent.

As the three of them lay, panting and sweating, in a tangled heap, Hammer floated back to earth one boneless limb at a time. He loved the feel of her body, steaming and lush, pressed against him. He felt dead and yet more alive than he’d ever felt in his life.

“Holy crap,” Raine gasped, sounding dazed.

Liam fought to catch his breath. “What the hell just happened? I only thought I’d had my mind blown before.”

“No idea what that was,” Macen added, skimming a palm down Raine’s thigh. “But I can’t wait to do it again.”

“Amen.” Liam laughed.

Raine giggled. “I’m going to love playing house with you boys.”

Telling himself he’d remind her soon that he wasn’t a boy at all, Hammer wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her with him, slumping to the bed on his side. Liam turned in tandem as Raine slowly opened her eyes. Love, pure and unfiltered, reflected there. Hammer felt Liam’s hot breath spilling over her shoulder as he cupped her breast.

“We love you, Raine,” Liam whispered in her ear.

“Forever,” Hammer added solemnly.

A soft, contented sigh slipped from her lips as she closed her eyes. “I love you both, too.”

One at a time, they eased from inside her. Liam rolled out of bed first, returning with a warm washcloth. Hammer stood and watched for a moment as his pal cleaned her off with such gentle reverence. Drugged by contentment, Hammer sauntered to the bathroom, trashed the condom, and returned to join them in bed.

As their bodies pressed together, Liam skimmed his hands over her soft flesh. Raine smiled softly. Hammer tugged a strand of her hair and watched as she forced her heavy lids open, peeking up at him beneath her dark lashes. Christ, she was beautiful.

“Yes?” she croaked.

“We haven’t forgotten your earlier rant…” he began, biting back a smirk. “Fourteen fucks, one damn it, one bullshit, one regular shit, and you called me an ass.”

“Tsk, tsk, Raine,” Liam added.

Raine blinked. “But I was—”

“A very bad girl,” Liam scolded in her ear. “We’ll have to broaden your vocabulary and work harder on your communication skills.”

She arched a brow as she peered over her shoulder.

Hammer expected her to toss out some smartassed comeback, but he tugged on her hair, cutting her off. “Don’t go there.”

She barely managed not to roll her eyes. Life with her would never be easy, but then…anyone could do easy. Hammer lived for a challenge. Raine would give him one every day.

“There will be repercussions, lass,” Liam warned.

“Yes.” He yawned, suddenly feeling twice his age. “But not right now. This feels too good. But soon. Very soon.”

Raine let out a low moan just as a cell phone began to ring. Hammer felt Liam tense.

What the fuck now?

If Gwyneth was calling to cause more shit, Hammer would drive to Beck’s place and set the bitch straight for good.

Raine rose up on one elbow as Liam rolled out of bed. Macen could see the anxiety crawl across her face.

He pulled her to his chest and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Don’t worry, precious. If that’s Gwyneth, she won’t get the chance to hurt you again.”

She tensed as Liam pulled out his phone.

Confusion wrinkled the man’s forehead as he pressed it to his ear. “Beck?”

* * *

Liam pressed the phone to his ear and closed his eyes, rubbing at them with his thumb and forefinger. Every time the damn phone rang, something else fucked up was about to happen. “What’s going on? I thought you’d be in surgery.”

“Me, too. The hospital in Cleveland took the donor off life support, but apparently the patient is hanging on. They’re anticipating another eight hours or so. Looks like the surgery might not happen until tomorrow. So I went back to my condo.”

That rattled Liam. “My ex-wife is there.”

“Right. I was focused on getting some decent sleep, and I’d forgotten.” Beck hesitated. “What a hellacious, stick-up-her-ass—”

“I know.” Liam sighed. “Neither Seth nor Hammer can stand her. Raine had the misfortune of running into Gwyneth earlier. It didn’t go well. We’ve been…talking about it since.”

Beck chuckled. “With your pants off, I’ll bet.”

In fact, Liam wasn’t wearing a stitch now, but he didn’t admit that. “The baby is swabbed. I doubt he’s mine, but when I prove that tomorrow, I’ll move my ex-wife out of your place and put her on a plane back to London. I know it’s an inconvenience, but I’ll gladly put you up in a hotel room tonight.”

“No worries. I’ve got a house to crash in, man. The condo is just for convenience. But that’s not why I’m calling. When I met Gwyneth, she was rocking Kyle and crying. And behaving like a shrew, but she was worried, and I digress… Anyway, once I proved my medical credentials, she let me examine the kid. I’m no pediatrician, but something is definitely wrong. He’s running a fever and throwing up green. We’re at the emergency room now. I hate to ask this of you, especially since you don’t think this is your kid, but I have to get some shut-eye before this surgery, and she’s falling apart.”

“And you want me to come there?” Liam challenged, then rolled his eyes.

“I think it’s a good idea.”

Liam was so bloody exhausted. A decent meal and a night in bed with Raine and Hammer were all he wanted. But Gwyneth was in an unfamiliar hospital, surrounded by strangers in a city she’d never visited. Even if Kyle wasn’t her son and she lacked mothering instinct, she still seemed to care for him on a basic human level…maybe more. Would he want to be stuck alone in a waiting room, pacing the floor, anticipating news that might come in five minutes or five hours?

That sounded like the worst torture.

Yes, he’d wanted to humiliate Gwyneth, but that didn’t mean he wanted anything to happen to the boy. And maybe, if she was truly shaken, her defenses would be down and he’d finally get some answers.

“I’ll be there in less than thirty.”

“Thanks,” Beck said.

“Thank you for taking care of Kyle and letting me know.”

When they hung up, Hammer glowered, appearing as if he’d like to grind his teeth into dust. Raine had gone quiet.

“You have to go,” she murmured, clearly wanting an explanation and not asking.

Was she so disappointed that she wouldn’t ask? Or was she trying to show him her trust? Liam wished he had time to puzzle through it now. Nothing was more important to him than Raine, but damn it if life hadn’t prevented him from having the time to make certain she felt emotionally secure.

“I do and I’m sorry about dinner,” he said with regret, dressing as he explained the situation.

She opened her mouth, then closed it. He thought for sure she’d clam up and force him to drag an answer out of her, but she surprised him.

“Kyle is a baby. Whether you’re his father or not, he needs someone to champion him.”

“I’m not going because I want to,” Liam swore.

“I know.” She nodded solemnly, and he believed she did.

He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. The emergency room is never quick.”

Hammer wrapped an arm around Raine’s shoulder. “I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry.”

That set his mind at ease…mostly. He worried about Raine crawling down another mental black hole. Thankfully, she wouldn’t be alone, but then he worried about Hammer’s tendencies as well. “I’ll do my best to be back shortly.”

“But…” She bit her lip. “You haven’t slept or eaten enough. I’m worried about you.”

Liam’s heart softened at her words. Raine’s submission showed so well here. She wanted to take care of the people she loved—feed and nurture and ensure their wellbeing. She’d make an amazing mother someday, and he couldn’t fail to notice the contrast to Gwyneth. He’d been praying Kyle wasn’t his son mostly so that he didn’t have to parent with his ex-wife. But taking in Raine’s soft concern while standing in the house they’d soon share, he hoped someday that he and Hammer would fill her belly and these bedrooms with their children.

He wondered how Macen would feel about that after losing a pregnant Juliet…

“They have a cafeteria, love.” When she would have objected, Liam laid a finger over her lips. “Granted, it’s not your cooking, but I’ll be all right for a night. I can doze in a chair if I need. Don’t worry about me. Just keep working on all the things we’ve discussed here. Will you do that for me?”

She sent him a slow nod. “Or I could come with you, help out—”

“No,” he and Hammer both answered at once.

Raine reared back, looking a bit hurt. Liam took her hands. “There’s nothing you can do there but worry, and I’d rather do that for all of us.”

“Besides…” Hammer cut in. “You met Gwyneth. She’s a vicious, scheming cunt. I don’t want to give her the chance to hurt you again.”

“Precisely.” Liam nodded.

“She took me by surprise. That’s all. I can handle—”

“But you shouldn’t have to,” Liam shot back.

“Precious.” Hammer turned her to face him and stroked her cheek. “That woman is probably already thinking of other ways to run you off. Don’t make it easier for her. It’s tempting to say that you simply wouldn’t believe her, but she’s a master of manipulation.”

“And your heart is far too delicate to have to deal with the likes of her.” Liam handed Raine her clothes. “Let me drop you and Hammer off back at the club. Cook him some dinner. He’s looking a little peaked,” he tried to tease. “I’ll be back in two shakes.”

She clearly didn’t like it but nodded and pulled on her clothes. Hammer followed suit. Within a few minutes, they were all walking out the door and locking it behind them.

Hammer buckled her into the front seat again, and this time Raine reached out for Liam’s hand—a far cry from their drive over. He and Hammer were opening her soul. Maybe not as quickly as they’d like, but he had to believe that someday she’d feel deep in her heart what he knew: the three of them belonged together.

“I’ll make you a hot meal when you get home,” she promised. “And I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too, love.”

Hammer clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry about a thing here. Just make sure Kyle is all right and deal with the bitch.”

* * *

Down the hall, Evanescence pounded as Raine glanced at the clock in the kitchen. Though working the dungeon, she’d escaped for a few calming moments in the kitchen. She stirred the batter for Hammer’s favorite apple spice muffins. Just after midnight. She pressed the phone lying beside her on the counter to make sure she hadn’t somehow missed hearing from Liam. Nothing. She’d left two voice mails and half a dozen texts. She’d received no reply.

Her stomach tightened. It wasn’t like him not to respond at all.

As she prepared the muffin tin and dished the batter inside, Raine wondered what could be taking him so long. Yes, the emergency room could be slow and crowded, but he’d been gone over three hours. Did that mean the little boy was seriously ill? Or… Frowning, she slid the pan into the oven, then tapped her palm nervously against her thigh. What if Gwyneth had somehow manipulated or lied her way back into Liam’s good graces? Raine couldn’t imagine him falling for that. But she was clever.

What if the woman had done something more sinister than merely deceive Liam? Gwyneth seemed awfully determined to have her ex-husband back, and Raine had no idea why. How far would she be willing to go?

Setting the timer on the muffins, Raine turned and took her sugar cookies off the cooling rack, then headed to the pantry and the refrigerator to see what other ingredients she had. And honestly, she’d really like to know if she only had enough time before Liam returned to make brownies…or whether she should start something more involved like a lemon meringue pie.

She wrinkled her nose, wishing he’d just walk through the door and put her out of her misery.

“Raine?” Hammer walked into the kitchen and shut the door behind him, taking in all her cooking with a scowl. “You’re baking in fet wear?”

Her heart skipped, and she ignored his question. “Did you hear from him?”

“Not yet.”

“So he didn’t call or text you? I’ve been trying for the past few hours, but I’m not reaching him at all. It’s beginning to freak me out.”

Hammer relaxed a bit and pulled his phone from his pocket. “Neither of us has had a spare second to charge our phones for over twenty-four hours. Mine is just about dead. I’ll bet his is, too.”

That made sense but somehow didn’t comfort her at all. “True.”

“So…you’re baking?”

Raine understood his question and hated to worry Macen, but if she lied about this, especially after their time together earlier today, he’d be beyond disappointed and have every right to punish her but good. Besides, they’d all had enough drama for one day. “Just a little.”

He sniffed. “Apple spice?”

At his almost hopeful question, she managed a smile. “For you.”

“Hmm…” He sidled closer and dropped a kiss on top of her head. “I knew there was a reason I loved you.”

She gave him a little elbow. “It better be for more than my kitchen skills.”

“You have other stellar qualities.” He slid a hand under her skirt and cupped her pussy. “Are you sore?”

Discerning the point of his question wasn’t hard. She flushed. “Nothing I don’t like and didn’t enjoy.”

Lust lit his eyes, and he looked ready to pursue something more appropriate to the bedroom than the kitchen. “Well, precious…”

But Raine just couldn’t focus when she was this worried. “Macen.” She pulled away and began to pace. “What’s taking him so long?”

He shook his head. “We don’t know yet. He’ll tell us when he comes back.”

“What if he doesn’t?”

Hammer frowned. “He bought you a house for the three of us to live in. What part of that says he’s bailing on you? We really have to work on your trust and confidence—”

“That’s not what I meant.” She huffed, then crossed the kitchen again. “I believe he wants to be here with me, with us. It’s her I don’t trust.”

Understanding lit his eyes. “You shouldn’t. But Gwyneth can’t do anything to Liam. He’s in public and he’s far bigger than her. They have armed security there. He’s fine.”

“I’m having a hard time believing that she would somehow acquire a baby who looks enough like Liam and is the right age, fly halfway around the world to rekindle whatever she thought they had, only to give up the second he said no.”

“You understand he completely humiliated her, right? I doubt she’ll keep pursuing him after what happened this afternoon.”

“I don’t think she’ll just shrug it off and go home. She’s after something.”

Hammer sighed. “Well, it’s not money. I offered her a chunk to go away. She refused.”

Raine shook her head. “I don’t think it’s about money, either. If Gwyneth never loved Liam in the first place, why go to so much trouble to trap him into a relationship? What is she up to? Revenge?” She paced again. “I don’t like any of this. It gives me a bad feeling.”

“Raine…” He cupped her shoulders and tried to give her a soothing caress down her arms.

She refused to be placated and shrugged him away. “It’s all I can think about. I’m worried. If she’s half as terrible as you say, then she’s got some trick up her sleeve. I just know it.”

Before he could waste his breath trying to calm her with another platitude, Raine crossed to the pantry and grabbed the ingredients to start a piecrust. She suspected it was going to be a long night.

Hammer grabbed her arm, exerting just enough pressure to make her pause. She glanced at him over her shoulder.

“Don’t.” She bristled.

“Put the flour down. Now.”

That low and commanding tone grabbed her belly and squeezed. He’d given her an unequivocal order. Raine really wanted to argue that she needed the distraction baking provided, but that voice wouldn’t let her.

With a little sigh, she set the flour back on the shelf and turned to face him, head bowed. “Yes, Sir.”

He crooked a finger under her chin. “Let me take your worries away. Come with me.”