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.”