Seeing her so completely withdrawn gutted him. He couldn’t indulge in this pity party. He wasn’t the only one with feelings, troubles, and worries. As her Dom, his job was to give Raine what she needed. Right now, that was reassurance. Liam loved her too much to let her believe he didn’t want her.
Groaning, he gathered Raine into his arms. She held herself stiffly as he cradled her against his chest. Then she blinked up at him with an ache that nearly destroyed him.
“I’m sorry for being an ass, love,” he murmured.
With a cry, she threw herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She clung. Little sobs shook her.
Combing his fingers through her hair, Liam held her tighter, rubbing her back and kissing her face. “I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?”
Raine sniffled and nodded, gripping him as if she feared he would disappear—or leave her. Remorse stabbed him again.
Beck weaved the SUV through the congested Southern California traffic as Raine drifted off in his arms. Without her cries, the car went completely silent. Liam felt waves of disapproval coming from every direction. He closed his eyes, knowing he’d earned it. What the devil had gotten into him?
When Shadows finally came into view, the sight filled him with dread. He didn’t want to let Raine go. He didn’t want to face his ex-wife.
He didn’t have a choice.
Beck killed the engine. “Welcome home.”
Let the games begin.
Hammer glanced down at Raine. Thankfully, she still lay sleeping peacefully in Liam’s arms. He really wanted to slam his pal against the nearest hard surface. Evidently, Liam hadn’t purged his jealousy via his fists last night. Instead, he’d let his cheating ex crawl up his ass and flip his switch again. Hammer didn’t want to disturb Raine until Beck and Seth were ready to lead her safely inside. Then…all bets were off.
“Hold tight. I’ll be right back. Then we’ll wake her together.” He tamped down his anger to whisper to Liam before tapping Beck and Seth on the shoulder. Jerking his head, Hammer motioned the other two to join him outside the car.
They each opened their doors and exited, shutting them softly, then clustered behind the vehicle.
Hammer turned to Beck. “Do you have time to bring us a DNA kit before your surgery?”
“Yeah. I can swing it. It should only take an hour or so. Once the lab has the swab, I’ll have it rushed through so you’ve got results in less than twenty-four hours.”
“That would be great. I owe you. Thanks.” Hammer kept his voice low, hoping that by this time tomorrow, they would have concrete answers.
So they would know whether their future was fucked.
Sighing, he glanced at Seth. “While we were en route, Gwyneth spied and found Liam’s room—and Raine’s things inside.”
“It would be my pleasure to hurt her,” Beck volunteered with cheer.
Hammer smiled, appreciating a little comic relief. “I’d enjoy watching. Hell, I might even help. Sadly, there’s no time for fun. Liam is going to remove the bitch from my club, so I plan on taking Raine out for a while until the coast is clear.” He faced Seth again. “For now, I need you to escort her to Liam’s room so she can shower. In the meantime, he and I will talk to Pike and get the scoop.”
“No problem,” Seth assured. “While you two are gone, I’ll make some calls and see if I can dig up any info on Gwyneth’s recent activities, try to find out who else might have fathered that baby and what she’s been up to.”
Seth’s skills as a private investigator would be an asset, and Macen was in favor of anything that would make her go the fuck away.
“Much appreciated.” Hammer nodded. “Before we bring Raine inside, would you go in first and make sure the she-beast is contained? We don’t want her springing any nasty surprises on Raine.”
Seth chuckled. “No problem. I’m not sure anyone can hold Gwyneth back with a whip and a chair, but I’ll try. Oh, maybe I could use a tranq gun instead?”
“If I had one, Pike would have already emptied that bad boy in her,” Hammer drawled. “Let’s get the car unloaded and get this nightmare over with.”
Beck hauled out the luggage as Seth ducked inside the club, then emerged a minute later and gave Macen a thumbs-up.
With a little sigh of relief, Hammer opened the passenger door. Liam greeted him with a grim look of determination before he gently roused Raine. She rubbed her eyes as she eased off of Liam’s lap. Hammer helped her from the car.
“Why don’t you go inside and take a long, hot shower?” he suggested, ushering her across the parking lot. “I’ll take you to breakfast.”
“That sounds heavenly,” she moaned, then glanced back at Liam, who followed them. She looked like she wanted to say something more, but Beck sauntered up with a suitcase.