The Brink by Shayla Black

Behind Raine, the bed dipped. As she lay on her side, an arm slipped around her waist. Moist breath on her neck, stubble grazing her nape, and a familiar, woodsy scent drew her up through the layers of consciousness. She woke to the feel of a hard male body, warm and naked, spooning her against him.

Liam.Raine was intimately familiar with his touch. His musk—like the man himself—was a seduction. Alluring. Everything about him flirted with her senses, tempted and drew her in. Hammer felt completely different. Sharp, aggressive, darkly masculine. Unyielding.

Liam pressed his ready erection against her backside as he filled his hands with her breasts and groaned. “I didn’t mean to wake you…”

“I’m glad you did.” She lifted her heavy lids, expecting to see Hammer lying next to her, where he’d been before he’d stripped her down and tucked her in. Instead, she only saw the glowing numbers of the clock, noting that it wasn’t even ten thirty. “I guess I drifted off. Where did Hammer go?”

“He’s got a club to run, remember?” Liam pulled her to him, clutching her close. “I missed you.”

She snuggled back against him. After his odd mood in the car this morning and his stinging refusal to touch her, having him here was an unexpected but reassuring surprise.

“I missed you, too.”

“You feel good,” he breathed in her ear.

As he spoke, the scent of Scotch hit her nose. He’d been drinking?

She turned in his arms. “Is everything all right?”

His grave expression took her aback. His dark eyes burned. “I need you to kiss me, Raine.”

She met his stare, unblinking. Usually, he held her and pressed his lips to hers if the urge moved him. But now, the gravity in his voice said he needed her—and he didn’t often admit that aloud. Was he feeling guilty about his rebuff this morning? Maybe, but this felt like more, like him reaching out for her love.

The woman in her responded. Maybe she should still be angry or hurt, but Liam had been her rock since their first day together. She sensed that now he needed her to be his. She ached to know why, but it wasn’t the time to interrogate him.

Raine cupped his face. “Always.”

She laid her lips over his in a soft caress, testing her welcome and his hunger. He tensed as she leaned in, then breathed through the initial brush of her mouth. He grabbed her hips, kissed her in return, but he didn’t move or make a sound through the achingly gentle press of lips. His fingers tightened on her. Long and slow, he inhaled as if drinking her in. Raine wondered what troubled him.

She pulled back enough to search his face. “Liam?”

“My sweet love,” he whispered against her lips, then rolled her to her back and covered her body with his own. He tasted of the tart, smoky Scotch he’d consumed—and of desperation.

Clutching her nape, he held her still for his pleasure and delved into her mouth as if he could fuse them together. He didn’t test or apologize with this kiss. As he crushed her mouth beneath his, he claimed her, screaming “mine” without saying a word at all.

Raine jolted. From the moment Liam had taken her into his arms as a lost girl aching to feel like a woman, he’d cradled her in his sure hands, always steady and strong, beside her, supporting her, helping her grow, and never asking for anything in return—until now.

Carnal and thorough, he ate at her mouth. She felt his trembling, tasted his longing. He wasn’t asking her for help. Obviously, he had no intention of telling her what upset him. But in that moment, it didn’t matter.

Flowing around and under Liam, Raine opened and gave him everything. She had a million questions, but they didn’t matter now, when everything about his demeanor told her that she’d become his life preserver in a raging sea. He entreated her by laving his tongue against hers again and again. He held her tight.

Time slid by, endless and meaningless, until he robbed her of breath and she turned restless in her own skin, until the ache to have him deep took over and she clung, spread her legs beneath him, and moaned for his next touch.

His swollen cock, hard and hot, slid against her sex. Raine basked in the intimacy as liquid heat rushed between her thighs.

“Liam…”

As if he realized he’d all but pounced on her, he pulled back and did his best to smile. “Did you rest well?”

The warmth of his body matched the concern in his voice.

“Yes,” she assured. “Did you get some breakfast?”

“I’ll eat a hearty lunch,” he promised.

Raine hated the thought that he’d gone without food. “I can make you something.”

When she moved to roll out of bed, he pinned her beneath him. “Stay with me.”

It was a command, brooking no refusal. She didn’t often see this side of her indulgent Liam. The only time she’d seen him uncompromising, he’d been very upset.

As if he realized how out of character he’d behaved, he tried to smile. “Tell me about your breakfast with Hammer.”

It set off all her alarm bells. “It was fine. I’m sorry you weren’t able to join us. Did you get everything taken care of?”

Liam tensed. She felt the spike of his anxiety all the way to her bones, especially when he nuzzled her neck again, as though needing the comfort of her skin. Raine wanted to give it to him, but she desperately needed answers.

“What’s going on?” She struggled to put some space between them so she could sit up.

He used his body to keep her down. “The business I need to attend to is more complicated than I thought. I don’t like that it’s made you doubt how I feel. I hate that I’ll be busy—and probably preoccupied—for another day or two. Hopefully, no more than that.”

Searching his dark eyes, she felt a flutter of fear low in her belly. “You’ll still be with us at night, right?”

“I’m hoping so. I promise I’ll do my best. I’m clearing my schedule tonight so that Hammer and I can take you out for a romantic dinner. Would you like that?”

Normally, she would, but the thick air of tension rolling off Liam made her insides knot. Something told her this invitation was more likely an apology or a precursor to bad news, rather than simply an amorous gesture. Raine didn’t like the worry notching up inside her…but she couldn’t seem to kill it.

She pressed her lips together. “Will you have to go back to New York?”

Liam cocked his head, then brushed his fingers down her cheek. “Don’t be putting the cart before the horse, love. Relax, will you?”

Liam wanted her to believe everything was wonderful when it wasn’t. Because he’d reached out to her, she was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. She was certainly willing to hold and love him if he needed her. But she refused to be placated.

Raine pushed at his shoulders until she made enough space to roll away and sit up. “What’s happening with you? With us? I’m scared.”

He cupped her chin. “There’s nothing to be scared about. The last thing in the world either Hammer or I want to do is leave you. I don’t know of any reason I’ll have to return to New York, so set that worry from your mind. Like I promised, I’ll do my best to be with you as often as possible. Trust me, I don’t feel whole when I’m away from you.”

His words warmed her. She felt the same.

Raine bit her lip and nodded. She’d let her insecurities get the best of her again, even though they’d both tried to reassure her. Maybe she just had to stop waiting for the worst and believe that whatever was happening didn’t mean the end of them. Maybe they were trying to protect her from something. No idea what, but God knew they both had the instinct.

“Can I do anything to help? I feel useless.”

“No. This situation will work itself out, but I’ll have to be on hand to steer it in the right direction. Believe me, I’m not leaving you. I never want to.”

The heartfelt vow made her sigh before he swallowed the sound with a searing kiss. He held her lips captive under his as if nothing in the world mattered more than making love to her mouth and cocooning her heart. Her uncertainty began to melt away.

Then he urged her to her back, covering her body with his own. He stroked her waist, easing down to the curve of her hip with his big hands before drifting up again to caress the plump weight of her breasts. Her breath stuttered. Her body caught fire again.

He loves me. They love me. It’s going to be all right.

She repeated the litany in her head, wanting so desperately for it to be true.

Raine caught his face in her hands, stilling his invasion as she held his gaze and lost herself in his dark, compelling eyes.

Tension tightened his face. His expression turned somber. “Nothing matters more to me than you, Raine.”

She tried to treasure the moment, but she still felt his disquiet churning the air between them.

God, why did he keep downplaying whatever was going on when she could plainly see how much it worried him? But questioning him again would get her nowhere.

“How long can you stay?” she asked instead.

“Never long enough to get my fill of you. Reach back and grab the headboard.”

Yes. Please…

Raine needed him—his time, his affection, his passion—so she didn’t hesitate.

Her breath caught when he pushed up and hovered, staring down at her. He pinned her hips, spread her wide with his big body, and slid his velvety-hard erection along her opening, back and forth, nudging her aching clit. Raine tried to wriggle under him. Needing more contact, more of him.

“Please, Liam. Please. Fill me. I want you inside me.”

“Not yet. Patience.”

“But—” Her cunt clenched hard as he ramped up the friction on her bundle of nerves, his unswerving stare drilling down into her. She trembled. Beyond being wet and ready, she needed to feel close to him. To bond with him completely.

“I said not yet. Hold on tight, Raine. Don’t move and don’t come until I tell you.”

He looked every inch the Dominant he was. She realized he needed more than a sweet tumble from her. He craved control of this situation, likely because he couldn’t control whatever troubled him. And because he needed to own her.

“Yes, Sir,” she breathed, giving him what he sought and giving herself over.

He bent his head to her breast, drew her nipple between his lips, and held the erect tip between his teeth before sucking it into the heat of his mouth. The delicious pull reached down to her pussy, like an invisible cord.

Liam plucked at her precisely and perfectly, in exactly the way he knew would make her melt in need and want to beg him for more pleasure. Then he gave her other nipple the same treatment, not stopping until she whimpered for more.

God, she loved it when he did that. Raine grabbed at him, plunging desperate fingers into his hair and rolling her hips, silently pleading.

“I told you, don’t move. Grab the headboard now.”

As she complied, he gave a shove of his lean hips and spread her thighs farther. Then he sat up enough to push her legs back, exposing her completely. He stared at her slick opening, making her wait for him, as he fondled the bud of her clit.

He worked her patiently, his free hand sliding up her body to pluck at her nipples again as he circled her needy button with his fingers until her breath hitched, until she felt a flush suffuse her, until the electric thrum of her heartbeat roared in her ears.

“You’re close.” It wasn’t a question; he knew.

“Yes.” She writhed under him.

“Spread your legs wider. Plant your feet on the mattress.”

Raine did it eagerly, ready to welcome him deep inside her. Less than eight hours ago, he’d made her scream out in pleasure. The way she needed him now, it felt as if she’d been waiting a decade. His impatience to tear open the condom and roll the latex over the head and down the smooth, thick shaft said he felt the same.

“We’re getting you on some damn birth control tomorrow,” he grumbled.

She loved the idea of having Liam and Hammer spontaneously, of feeling them bare and intimate inside her. “I can’t wait.”

“You’ll take all of me, love,” he growled before guiding himself to her drenched pussy. Without pause, he thrust deep.

Raine gripped the rungs of the headboard with all her strength. Her back arched, and she tossed her head with a wail, feeling every delectable inch of him slide home.

Liam didn’t give her a second to catch her breath as he withdrew, then slammed back inside her. Raine shrieked as rapture drizzled like warm syrup through her veins. He held her captive, so completely open to him all she could do was feel each stroke stripping her of composure bit by bit.

He braced himself over her body, staring down at her with those burning eyes again, his jaw tight, his breath sawing in and out of his chest. His hips pistoned as he slammed inside her with a dizzying rhythm. Every stroke drove her higher. She felt desperate for the end yet wished it would never come.

Liam clutched her, plowing hard, fast. Repeatedly. He gripped her hips, his lips crashing over hers as if he would starve without her. Every touch dripped with a desperation that swept Raine up and along with him, rushing toward the terrible beauty of a stunning demise. He’d told her she couldn’t move, couldn’t climax until he gave her permission, but she trembled with the urge to thrust against his onslaught and release headlong into the bright agony he gave her.

Just when she felt too close, he eased back, totally in control, and dangled her over a chasm of yearning so deep she couldn’t stop herself from begging.

“Please, Sir. Liam…” she panted. “Oh…please? Please!”

“Hold fast. Not yet.”

She mewled, clenching the slats harder, her body bucking, searching, needy. She loved this man—and everything he did to her. “I’m falling. Oh, god, Liam. I’m falling and I can’t—”

“No,” he barked. “You’ll stay with me now. Wait for it.”

Raine felt like a powder keg ready to explode. She could feel each ridge and every inch of him sliding against her flesh as he cleaved rhythmically inside her pussy. The friction burned her. She gasped. Every stroke sent his hard chest rasping over the tender flesh of her breasts.

She cried out once, then again, as he buried himself deeper still, gripping her hips and tilting her up for his pleasure. The powerful muscles of his shoulders, hips, and thighs bunched with effort. Pheromones surrounded them, and the animalistic hunger in his eyes consumed her. Everything about this moment—about this man—ignited her. Pleasure gripped her, squeezing out the need for everything but the agonizing release Liam held just out of her reach. When it came, she didn’t know how she’d survive.

“Fuck, Raine. Come for me. Now!” he roared as he surged up again and thrust his hand into her hair, forcing her to stare into his eyes.

Lightning caught her blood on fire. The conflagration gathered, burned, centering right where they joined. Then he pushed her over the edge with his next stroke, and she shattered, flinging herself headlong into the abyss and screaming his name.

But she wasn’t alone. Never again because Liam was right there with her as he emptied himself of seed, worry, anger, pain. In return, she wrapped her arms and legs around him, giving him all her love.

Their bodies pressed together beneath a sheen of sweat as the sounds of their ragged breathing hung in the room. Bliss filled Raine’s every pore. The haze of rapture left her languid and limp.

“I needed that, love,” he admitted between harsh sighs.

I know.“I did, too.”

“Oh, Raine…” Liam leaned in to kiss her gently.

The muffled ring of his cell phone from his pants puddled on the floor sent him cursing and scrambling across the bed, shattering their enchantment.

As Liam silenced his phone and shoved it away again, Hammer surged into the bedroom. The fact that he’d burst into the room didn’t startle her. His furious glare did. He darted a gaze between her naked body and Liam disposing of his condom and donning his pants. The rolling waves of tension pouring off Hammer as he sucked in a rough breath seized her with anxiety.

“Looks like you two had fun,” he drawled.

She swallowed a lump in her throat. “We did.”

It felt awkward admitting that to one lover when she’d just been busy with the other. Had she and Liam done something wrong? The three of them hadn’t had any time to establish do’s and don’ts. Hell, they’d only committed to trying to make this ménage work last night. Prior to that, they’d coupled off for sex—and jealousy had constantly brewed.

If she stopped to think about it, it made sense that each would demand some one-on-one time with her. Both men had sworn that if she shared her affection equally, nothing would ruin their relationship.

After this morning in the car, and now seeing Hammer’s face, she had doubts.

She frowned, searching for the right words.

Hammer sat beside her on the bed, brow quirked. “Problem, precious?”

She swallowed her questions. No sense in borrowing more trouble. They had enough. “No.”

Except… It dawned on Raine that Liam hadn’t truly answered any of her questions before he’d taken her to the heavens.

Raine glanced between the two men. They shared some look, a silent communication she would probably never understand. After years with Hammer, she’d developed a sixth sense when it came to his moods. Something was wrong. He’d been upset since before they’d left the lodge. Now he was seething. And he didn’t want her to know.

She’d had more than enough of their subterfuge. But Raine refused to sit on her hands and wait. She needed to figure out what they were hiding.

Liam eased onto the bed again and rolled beside her to cup her breast.

Raine watched Hammer as Liam thumbed her nipple. Macen didn’t give any outward hint that Liam’s touch bothered him. Instead, he threaded his fingers through her hair and kissed her.

“Is something wrong?” she asked as she stared into Hammer’s stark face. “You’re…tense.”

A faint flash of surprise skittered through his eyes—or maybe it was guilt.

“Just dealing with crap around the club,” he dismissed with a wave of his hand. “I didn’t leave my frustrations at the door and should have. Did you get a little rest?”

“Something I need to help with?” Raine ignored his question.

“I asked if you got some rest,” Hammer pressed her with a look of censure.

Now, they were both being evasive.

“I did. What is—”

“If Hammer needed your help, he’d be sending you out the door to tend to some task or another,” Liam said in a soft, steely tone that warned her not to refute him.

“I would.” Hammer nodded. “You deserve a day off. There’s nothing so important that it can’t wait until tomorrow.”

If that’s true for me, why isn’t it true for you?

“Why don’t you go start the shower for us, Raine?” Hammer suggested.

“I had one before breakfast.”

“But not with me.” Hammer dropped his gaze to her naked flesh. His nostrils flared, drawing in the scent of sex lingering in the air. Liam might be done with her for now, but Hammer hadn’t even started.

She swallowed and darted a gaze to Liam. His unreadable face didn’t tell her if Hammer’s demand bothered him.

“All right.”

Before she could climb out of bed, Liam skimmed a soft thumb over her cheek, then kissed her forehead, her nose, her lips. “Thank you, love. I enjoyed my time with you. I’ll see you tonight.”

“I can’t wait.” God, she hoped she got some answers then. They were driving her batty.

Hammer pulled her into his arms, onto his lap, and held her tight against his chest. His hold felt almost desperate, too.

Then he claimed her lips. As she surrendered to his potent kiss, Raine wished the three of them could have stayed at the lodge, far from the stress that now consumed the men she loved. Then she wouldn’t have to deal with the fears and uncertainty eating her alive.

Bittersweet moments later, Hammer helped her up and gave her butt a playful swat. “I’ll be in to join you in a minute.”

Raine felt their eyes on her as she made her way toward the bathroom. A strange foreboding filled her. Intuition told her that life as she knew it was about to change.

* * *

As Raine walked away, Liam rolled out of bed and shrugged into his shirt. She’d shut the bathroom door, but he waited until he heard the stream of the shower pounding tile before he turned to Hammer.

“Raine is waiting on you, and the baby is awake, so we don’t have much time. Tell me what happened with Gwyneth. You look like you’re ready to stroke out, mate.”

“Why the fuck did you say ‘I do’ to that vile whore?”

“I was listening to my cock then, not so much my head.”

Hammer scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Based on what you told me, the woman I just saw wasn’t the same teary, contrite one who begged you to parent with her. She tried to tell me she’d changed. When that didn’t work, she pleaded with me to end the friction between us and start over so I’d help her get you back.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Liam moaned. “She’s a head case.”

“And when that didn’t work, she basically told me Raine would be my next Juliet, that you’d get tired of my sloppy seconds one day, and I’d never find a woman who loved me.”

Liam clenched his jaw. “I’m ready to kill the bitch myself. She is still alive, isn’t she?”

“Yes, which wasn’t my first choice.”

“Bollocks. So I need to watch my back?”

“And your front, too. I was her only potential ally, but by the end of our conversation, she’d burned every bridge with me. Now she has no other option but to bring her A game with you.”

“She can try, but I won’t be playing by her rules,” Liam spat, but he still tasted her bitterness on his tongue. “I can’t believe she had the nerve to toss Juliet in your face like that.”

“Oh, I can,” Hammer snarled. “Desperate times call for desperate measures, and for whatever reason—which I seriously doubt has a fucking thing to do with that baby—Gwyneth is beyond determined to get you back.”

Liam clenched his jaw. “Don’t worry. I’m right beside you with Raine, mate.”

Hammer nodded, then darted a gaze toward the bathroom. Anger continued to roll off his frame, and Liam couldn’t help but worry if Macen would sate some of his frustration with Raine.

“Pack up Gwyneth’s shit and get her the fuck of out here.” Hammer sounded viciously mad. “Please.”

Liam had rarely heard such distress in Macen’s voice. Clearly, the fear of losing the closeness they’d just begun developing with Raine was consuming Hammer, too.

“I will. Take care of Raine.”

Christ, he wanted to tell Hammer to treat her gently, to be kind and loving, and to keep the beast inside him at bay.

“I’ll occupy her in the bedroom until I get the all-clear from you.” Hammer clapped him on the shoulder, then eased into the bathroom and quickly stripped off his clothes.

Liam had to dig deep and trust that the man would keep his emotions in check with their girl. He inched toward the open portal and watched the muted shadows of naked skin moving beyond the glass doors. He held his breath, expecting Hammer to shove Raine against the wall and claim her in a fierce rush. Instead, Macen simply wrapped his arms around the woman they loved and clutched her beneath the spray of water as if nothing else mattered.

With a sigh, Liam turned, stepped into his shoes, then left the room.

As he left Hammer’s bedroom and passed through the man’s office, he tried to savor the bliss he’d found while lost inside Raine. He’d sought solace for his worries and found it wrapped in her arms, along with a sense of balance, home…love.

As he exited into the hallway, he squared his shoulders and dragged in a deep breath, bolstering himself to do battle with Gwyneth. No doubt, she’d be more than stirred up when he dragged her out of Shadows, especially after her verbal spar with Hammer.

Macen had been rattled, so their altercation must have been more vicious than even he’d let on. Juliet’s suicide was still a gaping wound in Hammer’s psyche. He hadn’t let go of the guilt. And blast Gwyneth for knowing that fact and using it against him. It was why Hammer clung to Raine so tightly, why he sheltered her a bit too much. Someday, they’d have to deal with that.

Right now, enough was enough. Liam was ready to battle the dragon.

Gwyneth seemed willing to do or say anything to get him back. Why? She hadn’t given a shit about him when they’d been married. And he wasn’t buying that she simply wanted to atone. She might want a family for Kyle, but why the sudden urgency? Gwyneth had known she was pregnant over a year ago. Why wait until now to decide the time had come to be a family? Why arrive in the middle of the night and demand they start their domestic bliss that moment?

As far as he was concerned, once he dropped off this kid’s DNA swab, he’d be counting every minute of the next twenty-four hours.

Suddenly, Gwyneth rounded the corner at the end of the hall. He cursed under his breath. She looked startled to see him, then pasted on a look of wilted relief.

Liam frowned. Where the hell was the child? Had she left him alone in the room?

“Oh, thank goodness it’s you.” She raised a palm to her heart, gliding toward him.

“Why are you roaming the halls? I told you to stay put.” Liam ate up the remaining distance between them. No way would he have her near Hammer’s office—and Raine.

“I had to find you.” Gwyneth looked ready to burst into tears. “Hammer accosted me, and the things he said… I’ve never been so insulted or humiliated in all my life.”

“I know all about your run-in.” Liam gripped her elbow and tugged her toward the room she occupied.

“Only Hammer’s side of it. I’m begging you to hear me out.” She sucked in a deep breath, clearly preparing to launch into a tirade. Then her whole body stiffened. “Liam, I… How could you do this to me?” she gasped and covered her offended nose. “You reek of sex.”

“Damn good sex, in fact,” he quipped as he propelled her down the far hallway and pushed her into the bedroom, barely resisting the urge to slam the door.

Glancing toward the bed, he saw the baby playing safe and sound with his plush toys, still surrounded by pillows. For the love of god, if Kyle was Liam’s flesh and blood, he’d have to do something to protect the lad from his inept mother.

“Pack your things,” Liam ordered.

Gwyneth jerked from his grip and spun to face him, somehow managing to look both horrified and betrayed. “I came all the way from London to tell you about your son and confess that I still love you. And you…you just…” She reached out for him, curling her fingers around his shoulders, entreating him. “Liam, she’s not for you. I’ll take care of all your needs.”

He shrugged her off. I’d rather become a eunuch.

“Anything you desire. Everything. I’m here for you. Don’t do this to us!” she sobbed. “I know if you’ll give us another chance that—”

“You had your chance. Stop your bleating and move,” Liam growled.

“That tart you and Hammer are f…” She hesitated as if biting back the f-bomb. “Sharing. Perhaps she’s fun to play with, but you need love. An immoral slut can’t give you that.”

With every fiber of his body, he wanted to defend his lass. But Liam knew Gwyneth too well. Doing that would only put a bigger target on Raine’s back.

Liam didn’t reply, just narrowed his eyes and jerked his chin. “Do as I say. And make sure you get everything because you’re not coming back. Then gather up the baby. You’ve worn out your welcome here.”

“Where are we going?” Gwyneth blinked, wiping at her tears.

“I’ve arranged a condo for you and the boy for a couple of days.” He bent to fold up the playpen. “You even have a view of the ocean.”

Gwyneth stared up at him with seeming devastation. “Don’t stow us away like forgotten baggage. Stay with us.”

“I have a life, Gwyneth.”

“But…” she stammered and glanced over her shoulder toward the baby. “Don’t you want to spend time with your son? Get to know him?”

“If he’s actually my son, I will. Now start packing or I’ll do it for you.”

“At least let Kyle have some playtime—”

“Don’t try me,” Liam warned.

“This is Hammer’s doing, isn’t it?” She pursed her lips into a flat line. “He’s angry that I rebuffed his advances.”

“What?” Liam stared at her as if she must be crazy.

“Yes, your best friend—the man you share that woman with—he…touched me.” She shuddered. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. He pushed me against a door and…” She dissolved into trembling tears. “I barely escaped.”

If Hammer had touched her at all, it was to play games with her head. Obviously, it had worked. Liam wanted to tip his hat at his friend.

“Well, then, let’s get you far from Hammer. He won’t be able to bother you at the condo.”

“I’m shaken. I-I can’t seem to gather myself. I need you to hold me.”

“You’ll pack up and come with me now, or I’ll forgo the condo altogether and take you and the boy straight to the airport. We’ll let our lawyers sort out this mess.”

“Liam, please. Listen to me.” She shook her head imploringly. “I never once considered putting lawyers between us. I don’t want money or documents about parental rights. I want a full life for Kyle. I want my son to have his father. I want my husband back.”

Gwyneth might be singing a different verse, but it was the same song. He’d grown weary of these lyrics.

“I’ve told you more than once that until a paternity test tells me I fathered that boy, I don’t believe you. And I don’t care what you feel for me.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I brought our son here to show you that I love you and I’ve changed. W-when did you become so heartless?” She thrust her hands on her hips. “This is Hammer’s influence. He’s leading you down a terrible path of emptiness and depravity. My love can save you.”

Her “love” had already fucked his life up once. The thought of giving her the chance to hoodwink him again…no. Even being near her now made him crave a shower.

“I’m giving you sixty seconds, Gwyneth. Get your shit together or I’ll be dragging you out of the club empty handed.”

She opened her mouth to argue. Something on his face must have convinced her that was unwise. She snapped it shut and began shoving her belongings into a designer suitcase. Kyle’s things she tucked into the diaper bag. When she scooped up the baby, he started fussing.

Gwyneth shot Liam an icy glare. “If you’re satisfied, I’m ready.”

Repressing a smile, he snatched up her suitcase and the playpen, then led them down the hallway, toward the front door. As they passed the bar, Seth turned, coming face-to-face with Gwyneth. Sauntering into her path, he flashed her a cynical smile.

She didn’t return it. “I might have known you’d be here, too.” Turning to face Liam, she flashed him a look of pity. “Obviously, you’ve been lonely since our separation. I can’t think of any other reason you’d surround yourself with your most debauched friends. My poor Liam…”

He rolled his eyes.

Seth just laughed. “I’m doing well. Thanks for asking, Gwyneth. I wish I could say that it’s good to see you, but I could go another hundred years without the privilege.” He turned to Liam. “You finally getting her the fuck out of here?”

“I am.”

“Hot damn. We’ll throw a party. After the exorcism, of course.” With a smirk, Seth sidestepped Gwyneth and continued down the hallway, whistling as he left.

She stared after him for a moment, then turned back to Liam and shook her head mournfully. “Oh, Liam. I should never have left you.”

“I’m so glad you did.”

He all but pushed Gwyneth out the front door. Having her in a common area worried Liam. Hammer should be occupying Raine now, which distressed him for other reasons. But even if Macen couldn’t control his beast, she’d be safer with him than with Gwyneth.

Once outside, he raised his key fob to unlock the doors of his Escalade. After tossing her suitcase and the playpen into the back, Liam closed the hatch, then turned to find Gwyneth staring at him with a wounded expression.

“Well, looky here.” That familiar voice turned him to stone. “It’s the slick Mick who’s fucking my daughter.”

Liam whirled to see Bill strolling toward them across the car park.

“Get in the car, Gwyneth,” he demanded.

His ex-wife froze and stared at Bill. Why didn’t she ever bloody listen?

Liam didn’t have any more time to insist again before he stepped in front of Gwyneth and Kyle to glare at Bill. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Just paying you and Master Pervert a friendly visit.” Bill leaned and settled his stare on Gwyneth, undressing her with his eyes. “Is this another kinky whore you tie up and beat? She sure is pretty.”

Gwyneth gaped indignantly. “How dare—”

“Shut up,” Liam snapped, wanting to slam Bill’s teeth down his throat. No woman should have to endure Bill’s vile nature. And his protective instinct now extended to Kyle. “Get in the bloody car.”

“Did you knock this one up?” Bill winked. “Good job. Maybe you’ll plant a seed in Raine’s belly soon, too. I’ve always wanted to be a grandpa. I think I’d make a good one, don’t you?”

“So you could try to rape that child, too?”

Bill waved him away. “Don’t make me out to be some villain. Master Pervert popped Raine’s cherry when she was underage.”

Liam surged forward and lunged in Bill’s face. “Hammer never touched—” No, he didn’t owe Raine’s father any explanation. Nor would Bill believe the truth. Blood boiling, he shoved a finger in the old man’s face. “Turn around and leave while you still can, Kendall.”

“Does my daughter know you’re fucking this blonde, too? ’Cuz I’ll bet Raine will get pissy if she finds out you’re shoving your deviant dick into this beauty’s juicy cunt,” Bill taunted gleefully, then turned to Gwyneth. “It is juicy, isn’t it, honey?”

She clutched Kyle tighter to her chest and glanced nervously at Liam.

“Get in the bloody car, Gwyneth,” he growled. “Now!”

Finally, she scurried into the backseat with the baby, then quickly shut and locked the door.

Liam narrowed his gaze on Kendall. For the hundredth time, he wondered how the sorry sack of shit had had any part of making their beautiful Raine.

The violence Liam wanted to unleash on the man scared him. He’d seen the photographs of the abuse this animal had heaped on her. It made him crazy that Bill continued to breathe. Liam had to beat back the urge to fix that.

“Did you think Hammer was kidding when he said he’d put a bullet in your head? I’d be happy to do it in his stead. Turn the fuck around and leave. You won’t get another warning.”

Bill plucked a toothpick from behind his ear, seemingly unconcerned, and picked at his tobacco-stained teeth. “I ain’t going anywhere without my money.”

Cold fury poured through Liam. “Your money tree has dried up, old man. Fuck off.”

“I don’t think so. You two don’t get to plow my daughter every which way for free. If you freaks want to keep boning Raine… Well, Hammer has been paying for the pleasure since she was seventeen. You two will have to keep paying.”

With a roar, Liam snapped and grabbed Bill by the scruff of his grimy shirt. As he slammed the devil against the SUV, the car rocked. Gwyneth shrieked. Kendall’s mouth fell open in shock, the toothpick tumbling from between his lips. His face turned red, making the scar Raine had slashed across his cheek look even whiter.

“She’s not a whore,” Liam spat. “And the thought of you trying to be her pimp is revolting. If you talk about the woman I love like that again, I will kill you myself.” Liam dropped Kendall to his feet.

The man scowled at him furiously. “Pay me. Or you’ll all be sorry.”

Finally, the shitbag skulked across the parking lot, heaved into his truck, and pulled away.

The wind ruffled Liam’s hair, holding a bit of a nip. He dragged in the air, hoping it would cool him down. No such luck. He prided himself on being a man in control. Bill Kendall made him want to strip away his civility and murder the miscreant with his bare hands.

As he rolled out of sight, Liam scrubbed a hand down his face, then yanked his phone from his pocket. He fired off a text to Hammer about Bill’s visit, as well as his threats. He also advised Macen that Gwyneth was clear of the club before tucking his mobile away.

Liam closed his eyes. When is this bloody day going to end?

Forcing himself to carry on, he climbed into the driver’s seat. At least delivering his ex-wife to Beck’s would mean one fewer problem.

He glanced in the rearview and spied Gwyneth’s pale face. He suspected she’d heard every word of his exchange with Kendall, especially since the window beside her was open an inch or two. Hammer must have left it cracked. Liam muttered an inward curse.

Swiveling in his seat, he turned to see his ex buckled up with Kyle still clutched in her arms. She looked honestly shaken.

“Are you both all right?”

Gwyneth remained silent for once.

Liam frowned. He didn’t know much about babies, but he’d watched the telly. “Do you have a car seat for the boy?”

She froze. “No. I… The airlines lost it. They promised to call me when they found it.”

Liam gritted his teeth. “We’ll stop and get one, then. He isn’t safe otherwise.”

With a curse, he started the engine and pulled away from Shadows.

Two blocks later, Gwyneth cleared her throat. “Is that horrid man actually the father of the woman you and Hammer share? Is Raine her name?”

“I won’t discuss her with you—ever. She’s none of your business.”

“I’m on your side, Liam. I found that man positively frightening.”

“Drop it,” he warned.

She ignored him. “I hope that man’s psychotic tendencies didn’t pass to his daughter.”

Liam gripped the steering wheel so tightly his fingers turned white. He bit back a vicious roar.

Gwyneth cupped his shoulder. “We’ve both made mistakes, haven’t we? I’m more than willing to forgive yours, darling.”

He shrugged off her touch. “Don’t bother. And I told you, I’m not your darling.”

She sent him a pouty expression. “I don’t understand. You were so distraught by my unfortunate lapse of judgment, yet you seem perfectly content to let Hammer defile Raine, whom I gather you care for. Why is that? Is she with him now?”

He tensed. Jealousy rolled through his belly in a horrifying wave. Liam knew he had to control his irrational urge to hoard Raine for himself or he’d lose her.

“I finally see what’s going on.” Gwyneth seemed to measure her words. “You’re looking for some solace or belonging in this wanton relationship. But you can’t possibly love a slut you share with Hammer. Thankfully, Kyle and I are here to rescue you. We’ll give you the true happiness you’re searching for.”

Liam tried hard not to let his anger override his sense. But if she called Raine a slut one more time… Only a few more miles, and he’d be rid of her.

“Are you listening to me?”

“I am.” Liam glared at her in the rearview mirror. “Trouble is, you’re not listening to me.”

“Of course I hear you. But I’m confident you’ll make the right choice.” She smiled back at him, her face glowing with conviction. “After you’ve spent time with your son—with me—and see how much I’ve grown as a wife and a mother, you’ll understand. I’m never giving up on you, darling. Never.”