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“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.”
