The Betrayal by Shayla Black

Nearly five years later

August 31

New York

“So now that we’ve left Graffiti, I have to ask… Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”

Liam O’Neill watched as his pal, Seth Cooper, skated a hand across the laminated table at this dive of a twenty-four-hour diner and reached for his sandwich. Liam yanked his plate away. “What does that mean? And you’ve got your own meal. Keep your hands off my food.”

“What did you say?” Seth was faster, snagging up half of his sandwich and shoving it in his mouth with a smirk. His cheeks bulged as he all but inhaled it.

“Choke, you bastard.” Liam shook his head with a laugh. “It would serve you bloody right. And if you touch the other half, you’ll lose a hand.”

“Spoilsport.” He mumbled around the ham and cheese. “Now, seriously. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Seth taking his food was one thing, but dissecting him? Hell no.

“Yeah? That scene you did tonight with Dominique was awfully…intense.”

Liam raised a brow. “Meaning?”

“I watched you work her over with that single-tail. It isn’t your usual, man. At least not until recently.”

“Are you accusing me of sceneing when I’m not in the right frame of mind?”

“Nope. I’m accusing you of having unresolved feelings about your divorce.”

Liam glared. “Are you really going there? We could talk about unresolved feelings all night. You first.”

“I’ve been working through that shit for a long time, and you know it. So stop deflecting and talk to me. I’m your friend.”

“You are, so stop acting like my shrink. It’s been nearly a year. I’m fine.” Well, mostly. “So stop worrying. I simply gave Dominique what she said she needed.”

Seth swallowed down the last of his bite and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I know she’s a masochist, but you’re no sadist. If the need to give pain was in your psyche, you would have been dishing it out for years. Instead, it’s like you flipped a switch and went from melting subs with pleasure to whipping them into blissful agony. The change in your MO has me worried, man.”

With a scowl, Liam devoured the remaining half of his sandwich, chasing it down with a swig of beer and using the moment to craft his words. “I discovered I’m good with a whip. Why does that require explanation? After all, I seem to recall you’re decent with one yourself.”

“How about I give you my theory?” Seth put in. “When you found your ex-wife in bed with two guys—”

“Fuck you.”

“Fuck you, too,” the brash New Yorker tossed back. “We can trade fucks all night, but I’d rather you think about what I’ve said.”

“Gwyneth has nothing to do with what happened at the club tonight.”

“Bullshit.”

“She doesn’t,” Liam growled. “There’s nothing wrong. People change.”

The last thing he wanted to do was rehash everything weighing on him. Most days, he felt like the cocky Irishman he’d once been. Other days… Well, didn’t everyone deal with anger, frustration, and regret from time to time? Admittedly, he had more of that than he used to, but he was doing all right.

Maybe, but if Seth had noticed his means of coping, maybe he’d ventured too far to the “dark side.”

“Look, I’m choosing subs who seek pain because it’s filling a need in me, too. Everyone is happy.”

Seth scoffed. “You’re not.”

“I’m enjoying giving a woman her pleasure of choice. If you can’t say the same, maybe we should review the birds and the bees.”

“Oh, now you’re a fucking comedian?” Downing the last of his beer, Seth set his mug on the table. “Can it. Have you seen your ex since that benefit you were forced to attend with her last fall?”

“No, thank god. I haven’t even heard from her since she moved back to London.” He pushed his plate away. “Can we not talk about her? It makes me queasy.”

“I believe that,” Seth shot back. “Look, there’s nothing wrong with being righteously pissed off about what that bitch did to you. Maybe what you need is time to chill. Why not take a vacation? A change of scenery might do you good. Hey, maybe you should go see Hammer, work over some of his subs. You say he talks about how great Los Angeles is. I’m pretty sure it’s going to fall into the ocean someday…but you should enjoy it until then.”

Liam grinned. “I’ve never seen a grown man so afraid of an earthquake.”

“Yeah, make fun, asshole. I like my ground stable, thank you.” Seth glowered. “Seriously, visit Hammer. The weather here will turn cold in a month or two. You could take in the warmth and new sights out west. Relax. Get away from all the reminders.”

The notion of leaving everything behind for a while was tempting, and Seth made it sound so easy.

“I don’t know…” Liam said to the big blond Dom.

“Sure you do. You can run your business from most anywhere. I’ll stop by your brownstone every so often to make sure it’s still standing. And I can take care of your casuals while you’re gone.”

Liam sat back, considering. He had this feeling, a tingling at the back of his neck, that he should listen.

“Maybe I’ll go for a wee spell.” Since Hammer had asked him to visit more than once, he shouldn’t mind the company. “I’ve not seen him since he came for his annual visit last November.” And Macen had seemed off then. The last few years, actually. Liam worried that, while he’d been dealing with his own shit, he’d let the man’s troubling aloofness fester. “Maybe while I’m there, I’ll get up to that lodge I inherited and check on the place.”

“Absolutely. And while you’re in Cali, get a suntan for me.”

“Thanks.” He clapped Seth on the shoulder. “I just might.”

They paid their tabs and exited the booth. Liam hadn’t taken two steps before his mobile rang. He slipped it free from his pocket and glanced at the screen, then scowled over his shoulder at Seth. “Jesus bloody Christ. Why is my mum calling in the middle of the night?”

Seth laughed. “She’s so uncanny it’s scary. You know that, right?”

Did he ever…

Striding out the door, he tapped the screen to accept her call. He’d been avoiding Bryn O’Neill for weeks because he’d suspected she intended to dispense her brand of sage advice. But he could probably use it now…even if she wouldn’t make it easy to understand. “Hi, Mum.”

“Hello yourself.” Her sweet Irish lilt traversed the three thousand odd miles between them as clearly as if she stood before him. “’Bout time you answered. Anyone would think I pester my own son senseless just for a chat.”

“You don’t. I’m sorry.”

“Nothin’ to be sorry about. I only call because I care. We all do.”

Liam rubbed at the back of his neck and tried not to sigh aloud. “I know. Thanks for that. I’m fine.”

She scoffed. “If you were, I’d not be ringing you in the middle of the night and you’d not still be in limbo. Seth is right, son. Head west. Go see Hammer. It’s time.”

He didn’t bother to ask how she knew about his conversation all the way from Ireland. “Mum…”

“Your future—”

“Is something I’ll figure out in good time.” He sighed.

“Aye, you will,” she agreed. “So let me remind you that sublime happiness can be had, but not until you take a step in the right direction.”

He shook his head in frustration. “You always speak in riddles. What does that mean?”

She laughed, and the sound reminded him of home. “Take that first step and you’ll find out. If you do, you’ll start a whole new adventure.” And she sounded positively giddy. “Now I’ve got to run. Love you. Your father and the rest of the brood send their love, too. Bye, son.”

“Give my love back to them. Bye, Mum.”

Since his oddly wise mother often seemed to know precisely what he needed, Liam took her advice. The following week, he stepped off a plane at LAX and headed down to baggage claim to find Macen Hammerman waiting with a smile too stilted to be real.

Whatever had bothered Hammer during his annual visits to New York troubled him even more here. Liam was determined to get to the bottom of it.

They gave each other a brotherly beating on the back. Despite Hammer’s reserve, Liam still felt the bond they shared, once deeper than best friends. It was good to be standing next to the man somewhere other than a cold graveside. Liam suspected he’d done right in coming here.

Hammer looked tanned, healthy, and sophisticated in his smart suit and tie—like a walking advert for sex. The smile lines around his eyes only added to the man’s allure, if the admiring stares he drew were any indication.

They claimed Liam’s luggage, climbed into Hammer’s Audi, and left, enveloped by the golden California sun. He could get used to that…

“Thanks for coming to get me. I could have rented a car and driven out to you,” Liam said as Hammer wound his way south through the traffic and headed for Shadows.

“Fuck that. Of course I’m going to pick you up. The rental company will deliver your car tomorrow.” Hammer zipped around a slow-moving van and powered ahead. “Your room at the club is ready and waiting. Any particular reason you decided to visit now? Don’t get me wrong; I’m glad you’re here. Just curious.”

“I only see you in November, and it’s always a quick trip. Your visits the last few years have been even shorter. I’ve missed your ugly mug. Besides, I’d like some California sun before the New York winter sets in. Good enough?”

Hammer nodded. “We’ve got plenty of sunshine and warmth.”

“Excellent. How’s the club going?”

“It’s always packed. Great members. You’ll like them.”

“Has any special sub caught your eye?”

After a pause, Hammer sent him a tight smile. “You know me, man. I do what I can to help them all.”

Liam laughed. “It’s a hard life, mate, but someone’s gotta live it.”

“Damn straight.” Hammer gave him a fist bump. After a minute of quiet, he turned a sober gaze Liam’s way. “You didn’t want to talk much about it when I saw you last fall, but was it a particularly nasty divorce? I can’t imagine that she-devil taking her claws out of your hide without first scratching every penny out of you.”

“She was about as cold and calculating as you suspected. Suffice it to say I’m done with commitment. Once was definitely enough. And I’m assuming there will be plenty of desirable distractions at Shadows?”

“Absolutely. You’ll like Monica. Gorgeous, eager to please. Right up your alley. And then there’s Eden…”

As they made their way to the club, Liam listened with half an ear, wondering who was responsible for Hammer’s aloofness. It likely wasn’t either of them.

When they arrived, Shadows was tucked discreetly into an industrial part of town, blending in with its neighbors, appearing nondescript. No one driving by would pay the building any mind. But once through the private entrance, the place was everything Liam had expected and more. Clearly, Macen had spared no expense.

As the man showed Liam around his pride and joy, he was thrilled to see Hammer’s visions in brick and mortar now fully operational. Thankfully, his friend had put tragedy behind him and found some contentment on the West Coast.

Liam wondered if he might find the same for himself.

“This is bloody brilliant, Macen. It’s exactly as you envisioned when we discussed the possibilities over a dram or two in New York years ago.”

Hammer held a door open for Liam that led from the dungeon. “Some things had to be adjusted slightly for practicality and purpose. But overall, it came together exactly the way I wanted.”

“It’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be. Certainly bigger than Graffiti.”

“The building had good bones to start with, which allowed me to turn many of the original offices into private rooms for the members. That’s where we are now.” Hammer gestured to a stairway as they walked the corridor. “Security is tucked neatly between here and the dungeon. All the public places and playrooms, except for my suite, are under surveillance. And down here is the kitchen.”

Macen traversed a long hall, then stepped aside and held one of the double doors open to allow Liam through. Kitchen was an understatement. As with every other part of Shadows, it was modern, well laid out, functional, clean, and bright. Any chef would be pleased with such a space.

But the decor wasn’t what caught Liam’s eye. No, it was the raven-haired woman with the alluring heart-shaped ass who washed dishes at the sink.

As Macen sidled up beside him, she turned to them, blinking and startled.

Instant lust zapped Liam as if he’d been punched in the chest. She was petite. Intense blue eyes. Lush mouth. Painfully young.

When she smiled in welcome, his desire—among other things—swelled. Her dazzling warmth burned him. She was a gorgeous, wee thing.

Fuck, how soon could he talk her into bed? She’d be a great balm to help him forget his divorce…

Her gaze zeroed in on Hammer, her expression filled with worship. “Macen, you’re back.”

Liam froze. His old friend only let those closest to him call him by his first name, and never in that breathy tone.

Curious now, he turned to observe Hammer, stunned to see his mate stare at the brunette with hunger. The tension between them bubbled thick.

Who was she? Clearly not just another female in a long, long line of them.

Was she the cause of Macen’s disquiet?

He hadn’t taken this girl to bed yet; Liam would bet his life on that. But it was only a matter of time.

He smothered his disappointment.

Hammer finally ended the awkward silence. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”

“You know me.” She shrugged. “Since I’ve taken care of the payables and the restocking, I came here to relax.”

Hammer smiled—the first genuine one Liam had seen on his face in years. “As always.”

His mate had learned this beauty’s habits. Just how well did he know her?

“Who’s this, then?” Liam asked.

“Uh…yeah.” Hammer turned grim as he shuffled closer to her. “Precious, meet one of my oldest, dearest friends, Liam O’Neill. He’s just arrived from New York.”

Hammer towered over the woman. Hell, they both did.

Liam stepped forward, hand outstretched. “Hello, Precious.” Though that must be her club name, it fit her. “Lovely to meet—”

“No,” Hammer bit out. “Her name isn’t precious.”

“It’s Raine.” With a hint of a laugh, she sent him a long stare from under her thick lashes. “Nice to meet you.”

In all the years he’d known Hammer, Liam had only once ever heard the man call a sub anything other than girl. The fact he called this one precious shouted Raine’s importance.

The relationship must be developing. Maybe that’s why Hammer hadn’t mentioned it yet. But even a blind man could see they were gone for each other. The air between them sizzled and hummed.

Liam arched a brow in his friend’s direction.

Macen didn’t meet his gaze, merely clapped him on the back. “Why don’t I show you to your room?”

“Wait,” Raine called. “I’m starting dinner. Any preferences?”

The domestic question, spoken as if she’d uttered these very words a thousand times, stunned Liam. If they were a couple, why hadn’t he heard about it?

“Don’t bother. Since it’s Liam’s first night here, I’m going to take him out. We’ll be back before the club is in full swing. Can you make sure everything is ready?”

Her shoulders drooped with disappointment, but she nodded. “Of course.”

“Thanks.” As if he couldn’t get away fast enough, Macen turned and grabbed his arm. “Your room is this way. Let’s drop your luggage and go.”

Liam wanted to keep observing Hammer with his…what? Raine’s ring finger was bare, but she was definitely someone to him. Girlfriend? Sub? Significant other? “I don’t mind staying in, mate, if you and Raine already have plans. Or we could bring her with us.”

“Oh, I-I wouldn’t want to intrude…” she demurred.

But she did—badly.

Hammer scowled. “It would be better if you stayed—”

“Nonsense,” Liam cut in. “I’d love to have you join us, lass.”

“Really?” She might have said the words to Liam…but she looked at Hammer with pleading eyes. “I already have the dungeon set up for tonight.”

Hammer sighed. “Fine. We’ll go out.”

Liam frowned. If Macen cared about Raine—and he had no doubt the man did—why the reticence? Why the cold shoulder?

A huge smile lit her face. “Okay. Should I change?”

She made a vague gesture to her oversized T-shirt and short shorts, which exposed her sleek thighs. Liam did his best not to gawk at her.

And Macen couldn’t quite bank the heat in his stare. “Quickly. Wear your yellow dress. Cream-colored heels. Hair up.”

“All right. I’ll be ready in five.” Raine shouldered her way past them and raced down the hall.

Hammer watched her go as if he couldn’t stand not to look at her.

Liam turned to his friend. “So…you and Raine. How long has this been going on? She’s a beauty and obviously besotted with you.”

Hammer gave a sharp jerk of his head. “She’s my employee. There’s nothing going on.”

The lie rolled so smoothly off Hammer’s tongue. Anyone who didn’t know the man well might believe him. Liam wasn’t fooled. His old pal wasn’t merely being dishonest with him; he was lying to himself.

Liam had seen Hammer during some of the most intimate moments of his life. Granted, in the past. But Macen would never look at Raine with such longing if he wasn’t at least half in love with her. Clearly, he hadn’t yet acted on his feelings.

“So she’s not your sub?”

“Raine isn’t a sub at all.”

Was Hammer blind? Liam had barely met the girl two minutes ago, and he knew better.

“And she’s off-limits to everyone,” Hammer added.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Even you?”

“Especially me.” Macen peeked around the corner, into the hall. The coast must have been clear, but he still lowered his voice. “I took her in as a runaway. She’s had a rough life, and she’s got a fragile heart. I do my best to give her the roof, job, and encouragement she needs.”

Runaway? The woman was admittedly young, but she looked in her early twenties. Why would Hammer imply she was some sort of rebellious teenager who’d suddenly left home to run wild?

“You took her in off the streets? That’s kind of you.”

Hammer relaxed, as if this was a topic he could warm to. “She had nowhere else to go.”

“How did you two meet?”

His expression turned grim. “I found her injured and hiding behind the dumpster in the alley out back one night.”

He could hardly imagine the vibrant siren he’d seen inhabiting Hammer’s kitchen huddling behind the rubbish. His mate had obviously done well as her protector, but Liam had no doubt Hammer ached to be her lover. Yet his friend was denying himself. He knew why—and Hammer’s guilt would serve neither of them.

Liam also knew now why his pal had been reluctant to welcome him once he’d finally agreed to visit.

“Poor thing,” he muttered. “She must have had a time of it.”

“You have no idea.” Empathy and pain crossed Macen’s face, along with concern. Longing. Love.

Bloody Christ.

“How long has she been living here with you?”

Before Hammer could reply, Raine bustled around the corner, wearing a sunny summer dress with wide straps that hugged her unexpectedly lush breasts, accentuating them with a bow beneath. A pair of off-white strappy heels gave her a few inches of height. Red gloss slicked her lips, making her look somehow vampy and innocent at once. She’d piled her inky hair into an artless bun at her crown.

Interest stirred again, but Liam did his best to extinguish it. When he turned to Hammer, however, he found the man sucking in his breath and staring as if he’d rarely seen anything so beautiful.

Raine curled her arms around her middle self-consciously. “Do I look okay?”

“Absolutely lovely.” Liam smiled her way.

Macen merely cleared his throat. “Fine. I’ll drive.”

When he brushed his way past Raine and hightailed it out of the kitchen, Liam watched disappointment crush her. He wanted to rail at Hammer. How could the man hurt her so thoughtlessly?

“Shall we?” He gestured toward the door.

She pasted on a stilted smile. “Thanks.”

When she made for the door, he caught an eyeful of her nearly bare back. Other than a bow at her nape and a narrow strip of fabric across her shoulder blades, nothing impeded his greedy stare from touching all her glowing pale skin. Liam swallowed back lust.

Out of habit, he settled his palm at the small of her back. Instantly, he wished he hadn’t. Soft. Supple. So sweet. Even her musky lily scent teased the devil out of his nose.

Though the ride to the restaurant wasn’t long, it felt endless and uncomfortable. Hammer remained stubbornly mute and surly, turning up the volume on the radio a bit too loud to allow conversation. Liam stared at the traffic, noting the number of times the man reached down to adjust his fly. Unfortunately, Hammer wasn’t the only one. Raine’s scent wafted through the vehicle. Behind him, Liam swore the girl’s breath caressed his skin. He could feel her there, so close.

But so far out of reach...

Finally, they arrived at a steakhouse on the ocean. As they were shown to a table directly over the beach, Liam marveled at the view. Despite the fact everything so far had been unexpected and uncomfortable, he was glad he’d come to California. At least he finally knew why Hammer’s behavior had been so off lately.

“Wow.” Raine’s eyes widened and danced as she took in the sight of the sea rolling in a few dozen yards from their table. “Look at that. I’ve never been to a place this nice.”

Vague guilt twisted Hammer’s mouth. He hid it behind his menu until the cocktail waitress took their drink order.

Raine enjoyed a white wine while he and Hammer sipped beers. They ordered, appetizers came, and alcohol flowed. Finally, so did the conversation. Soon, they all started laughing about a female patron with her freshly groomed poodle in a Vuitton carrier. Her orange spray tan, collagen-overdosed lips, and designer clothes made her look like an Instagram-ready Oompa Loompa.

After fine steaks, Raine took a picture of him and Hammer smiling and clinking beer mugs.

In that moment, he had no doubt he’d come to the right place at the right time for the right reason.

Before dessert and coffee arrived, Hammer excused himself for the restroom.

Liam seized his moments alone with Raine. “So tell me about you. When did you meet Hammer?”

“About six years ago. He’s probably told you the story about how he took me in.” Her gaze flitted away in embarrassment before she pasted on a bright, fake smile. “But things are much better now. He’s been really kind to me.”

Six fucking years?

Hammer had never—not once—mentioned Raine in all that time. He’d never even hinted the girl existed.

How the bloody hell had Macen managed to keep his hands off of her for so long? Since Hammer was neither blind nor stupid, he must know how Raine felt about him.

“You were a teenager then?” Liam asked.

“Seventeen.”

“It must have been a dreadful time,” Liam murmured softly, then fished for more information. “How long have you been Hammer’s girlfriend?”

She looked startled. “No. Oh, no. We’re not…” She blushed. “We’ve never…um. No.”

As he’d suspected.

Liam sat back in his seat and resisted the urge to shake his head. How long did Hammer expect to hoard her? A glance around the swanky restaurant proved he wasn’t the only man intrigued. Easily ten others stared at Raine with more than passing interest. She didn’t seem to notice even one, but rather appeared suddenly fascinated by the napkin in her lap.

“So he’s not your Dom, either?”

“No.” A little frown creased her face.

A wealth of meaning—and longing—lay in that expression.

God, she had a soft innocence, the sort that drove a man to protect and corrupt her at once. Liam definitely wouldn’t hate giving it a try.

But his friend needed her far more.

“Does Hammer already have a collared sub, then?”

She looked away, obviously uncomfortable with the subject. “I think that’s a better question for him.”

“I haven’t seen much of the man since he left New York. After he moved here, I worried about him, and I’m hoping you can help. Does he seem happy?”

Raine shrugged uneasily. “I don’t know much about his personal life. In fact, you’re the first of his friends outside the club I’ve met. It seems like you two might be close, but he’s never said anything.”

Ever? In six years? “So he’s never mentioned me, his best friend?”

She shook her head. “Sorry. No.”

“He’s never mentioned you, either, lass.”

She sipped her wine, trying not to look crestfallen. “That’s no surprise. I’m no one to him.”

Liam barely managed not to gape. How the devil had Hammer convinced her of that whopper? Probably through his tomcatting and seeming indifference. Stupid bugger…

“So…what brings you here from New York?”

A not-so-subtle change of subject.

Hammer reentering the dining room saved Liam from answering her. Instantly, the man’s stare lasered in on Raine, as if reassuring himself that she was unharmed and untouched. Still his, despite the fact he’d never taken her for his own.

That had to change.

Hammer needed to admit his feelings for Raine, and Liam would happily assist, especially if it gave him a necessary diversion from his own problems. All he had to do was tuck away his inconvenient interest in the girl and persuade his old mate to claim her.

Until today, Liam would never have called Hammer a jealous man. About Raine, though? Macen was both shockingly protective and possessive. Liam had every intention of using that against his old friend, until Hammer was forced to take the girl as his own—or lose her to another Dominant all too happy to treat her right.

Like him.

Watching them through the rest of dinner, Liam hid a smile and began to form a plan…

Ready to see what happens when Liam enacts his plan? Start the epic, dark romance journey with Raine, Hammer, and Liam in The Betrayal now!

Two friends. One woman. Let the games begin…

ABOUT THE BETRAYAL

Two friends. One woman. Let the games begin…

Raine Kendall has been in love with her boss, Macen Hammerman, for years. Determined to make him notice her, she pours out her heart and offers him her body—only to be crushingly rejected. When his very sexy best friend, Liam O’Neill, sees Hammer refuse to act on his obvious feelings for her, he plots to rouse his pal’s possessive instincts by making Raine a proposition too tempting to refuse. He never imagines he’ll fall for her himself.

Hammer has buried his lust for Raine for years. After rescuing the runaway from an alley behind his exclusive club, he’s come to crave her. But tragedy has proven he’ll never be the man she needs, so he protects her while keeping his distance. Then Liam’s scheme to make Raine his own blindsides Hammer. He isn’t ready to give the feisty beauty over to his friend. But can he heal from his past enough to fight for her? Or will he lose Raine if she gives herself—heart, body, and soul—to Liam?