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And that had to change now.
Because no matter what Liam said, he didn’t have his shit together. The man had a dark side Raine hadn’t seen…yet. Eventually, he’d chew her up and spit her out, and Hammer meant to do whatever it took to keep the bastard from hurting her.
Jogging down the stairs, he plotted, waiting for just the right moment...
Hammer paced his room like a caged animal. Liam’s words rolled in his brain over and again… If she’s pregnant… If she’s pregnant... But what if she were pregnant and decided not to tell him? He’d know eventually, but that wasn’t the point.
He scrubbed a hand through his hair as uneasiness ricocheted through him. Stepping from his office, he prowled the hall, checking the kitchen, then the liquor storage room, then the sanitation room. No Raine.
Hammer passed through the hallway again, pausing at Liam’s closed door. Holding his breath, he pressed his ear to the wooden surface and listened intently. All was quiet. He spun on his heel and quickly rounded the corner into the dungeon and there she was, cleaning the equipment and readying things, like she always did, for the evening members.
Quickly scanning the room, a smile of triumph spread over his lips. She was alone. As he watched her work, calmness settled over him, and for the first time in two days, he was able to take a deep breath without feeling a knife slicing his chest. Beneath her short skirt, he eyed the ugly bruises on the tops of her thighs that Beck had left and clenched his teeth. As she turned to throw the cleaning cloths in the trash, he also saw the deep purple marks on her arms and neck that he’d left on her. His fingers itched to touch her again, to feel her silkiness upon his naked body once more.
Sucking in a deep breath, he quietly walked toward Raine, stopping a few feet behind her. As if sensing his approach, she turned and stared into his eyes for a half second before she lowered her gaze. She didn’t look away fast enough to mask the guilt flitting through her blue eyes. He shouldn’t be talking to her. Her body language screamed that she was dishonoring Liam. He should walk away and leave her alone, but he couldn’t.
“I know I have no right, but I need to ask a favor of you, precious.” He balled both hands into fists to keep from touching her as she raised her cautious stare to him again. “I’ll do my best to respect your choice of Liam.” His brain screamed a resounding like hell. “But if you miss your next period, I’d like to be the first to know, not the last. Would you do that for me, please?”
Raine hesitated, and his heart stuttered. He prepared arguments to convince her, but finally, she nodded. “It’s putting me in an awkward place, Hammer, and you know that. But...this concerns you. You have a right to know.”
Relief eased through his veins, and she looked like she had a thousand other things to say, but she fell silent.
Hammer hated the idea that she felt she couldn’t talk to him anymore. Liam had done that. Well, Liam and his own stupidity. But if he wanted to at least keep the lines of communication open between them, he couldn’t let her shut them down now.
“Whatever it is, precious, say it.”
He saw the debate flit through her head, then she sighed. “I owe you my life, and I know that. But I owe him now, too. I’m going to do whatever it takes to make things right between you two again.”
She licked her lips, and he noticed they were swollen, as if she’d been kissed a lot. Jealousy burned.
“You don’t have to bother. I’m more concerned with you. Be careful, Raine. He’s not what you think he is and—”
“Stop. I won’t discuss Liam behind his back. Don’t put me in that position.” She stood and put her hands on her hips. “I don’t know what’s happening with you or why Beck had to call me home to help you. Don’t make me regret my decision.”
“Beck?” He had a vague recollection of begging the sadist for help. Had Beck called Liam to find her? Had Beck spilled how drunk Hammer had been? How much like a pussy he’d behaved. Now, he had one more reason to kill the asshole.
“Yes. Liam talked to him, but Beck was shouting and pretty damn...darn insistent that we get back here.” She shrugged. “So Liam and I, um…talked about it and here we are.”
Meaning Raine had put her little foot down with Liam? She wasn’t going to confirm that now, but he’d dig into it a bit deeper soon. He had to think about the best way to do that without making the asshole suspicious. But fuck, all the thinking wasn’t helping his hangover.
