Raine flushed and lunged into Marlie’s face. “I might be white trash, but at least I didn’t pay a doctor for my assets. And let me tell you something... Hammer did put his big, gorgeous cock inside me everywhere, and I have bruises all over my body to prove it.”
She lifted her skirt to show the colorful marks on her thighs and up one hip. Marlie’s eyes widened. Yeah, that news had clearly rocked her little country club world. Score one for the white trash.
“If he won’t touch you again...” Raine couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll just consider that, since he’s had better, he’s no longer interested in a plastic whore like you. Go fuck yourself.”
She tried to stride past the bottle blonde, but all of Marlie’s time at the gym had apparently paid off. The bitch grabbed her arm, yanked her back, then shoved her against the dumpster. “Hammer should have left you here. It’s where you belong. He felt nothing but sorry for you. I’m not worried. He’ll get tired of slumming and come back to me.”
He might, and Raine wanted to crumble just thinking about it. Still, she refused to give Marlie any credit or hope. “You hold your breath, honey, and see what happens.”
Raine left a sputtering Marlie in her wake. Fuming, she jerked the club’s back door open and stalked down the shadowed hall, headed toward her bedroom.
And here came Hammer, up the hall of private rooms. She could still feel her cheek stinging. No way it wasn’t red. Once he found out she’d tangled with Marlie, he’d think they fought because she was jealous. And he wouldn’t be totally wrong. She pivoted on one heel and turned back toward the kitchen, wincing and praying that he hadn’t gotten a good look at her face.
“Raine?” The deep voice that always caused her heart to beat faster filled the small walkway. She turned to him halfway, shielding her blazing cheek. “All the way around, precious.”
Nibbling her bottom lip and praying there wasn’t an imprint of the plastic skank’s hand, she jerked her chin up, then eased around to face him. He was on her in two wide steps, his broad hand cupping her chin as he tilted her head back, angling her cheek toward the light.
“What the fuck happened? Who did this to you?” A tremor of anger vibrated through his body.
“Nothing. No one.” She closed her eyes as dread slid through her. “Just drop it. Please. If Liam sees us talking...”
“Fuck Liam, I don’t need his goddamn permission to speak to you; I’m not a fucking sub! I asked you a question and don’t you dare lie to me again!”
“But I need his permission to talk to you. I’ve already violated that rule twice today. Are you trying to fuck this up for me? You can’t care about me, but you can’t stand that someone else might?” She stepped back and clapped her mouth shut. “Forget I said that. Just...I’d rather not give Liam a reason to punish me. What happened isn’t important. I don’t think it will happen again.”
“No. I won’t forget you said that and we will discuss that later. I don’t see how he expects you to work for me and not speak to me, but that’s not your concern. I’ll deal with him. Did he do this to you?” Hammer’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Is that why you won’t tell me who slapped you? You’re protecting him, aren’t you? I’ll fucking rip him limb from limb!”
“It wasn’t me, you fucking wanker. Tell me now, lass. Who hit you?” Liam moved in front of Raine and tilted her chin up, mimicking Hammer’s last move, but swept a gentle thumb over her lip. “Out with it now.”
She seriously debated grappling for a story, but it wasn’t like she could say that she fell onto someone’s hand. Too many years had gone by, so she was out of practice lying about this sort of thing. And her dad had usually been more subtle about where he hit her. It rarely showed.
“It’s just...” She shook her head and raised her gaze to the ceiling. Feeling their intent stares unraveling her, and there would be serious consequences for lying. Of course, there might be for telling the truth, too. And not for anything did she want Hammer or Liam to think she’d been in a jealous catfight with Marlie. “It was a misunderstanding and it’s over. Really, I handled it. I’m fine. Problem solved. Thanks for caring.”
Suddenly, Hammer gripped her arm and spun her around to face him. Even the snarl curled on his lips didn’t stop the blast of arousal racing down her spine and pooling between her legs. God, this was so wrong. Liam was standing right here, and with a quick glance at the gorgeous Irishman, she was doubly turned on.