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He gazed up at the illuminated glass shelves behind the bar, eyed the rows of colored bottles that called to him, promising sweet oblivion. But he couldn’t risk it. He needed to keep his wits in case they got a lead on her whereabouts. There was too much at stake to have his brain muddled with booze.
Still, remaining on the tall barstool and not pacing the floor like a lunatic was a bloody chore. Shadows felt haunting and empty without Raine. Every moment clawed at his composure.
Over and over, he kept reliving their last morning together. He’d seen the love pouring from her eyes. He’d felt it. Hell, he’d nearly been able to taste it in the air. In that moment, he’d believed with every fiber in his being that he had finally, unequivocally reached her.
The unadulterated bliss had vanished when Raine had been unable to tell him how she felt. She’d backpedaled behind her walls and shut him out. Why had her love for him frightened her so badly? She hadn’t trusted in their bond, despite his painstaking effort to build it. Surely she knew he’d never let her fall, that he would be her safety net, no matter what.
Then again, maybe she didn’t know.
His visit to the Kendall house rolled through his brain like a bad horror film. Her vile excuse of a father, coupled with the pictures of her frail body beaten and bruised, had gouged out a chunk of his soul. And he’d only witnessed the heartbreak. She’d lived it, and he could only imagine what that had done to her psyche.
If he’d known then what he knew now, he’d never have removed her collar. He’d change everything, wrap her in his arms and reassure her that she’d never have to feel lost and alone again. He’d promise her that she could reveal all the secrets she hid deep inside, and no matter what, he’d still be by her side, protecting, nurturing, and loving her.
Seth said something and Hammer laughed, drawing Liam’s attention back to their conversation. He smiled as if he’d heard the comment instead of being lost in the dream he’d let slip through his fingers.
A strange creaking from the vicinity of the front door broke the hush of conversation. Hammer snapped to attention. Liam didn’t recognize the sound, but Hammer tensed, braced his hand on the bar. The lines of worry on his face gave way to something like anticipation. Liam didn’t know what the hell was going on, but he turned to the sound, damn near holding his breath.
“Anybody home?” a deep voice echoed from the entrance.
Beck.
Liam’s heart stopped, then started pounding ninety to nothing against his ribcage. He shoved away from the bar, and his stool crashed to the concrete floor with a deafening boom. Hope soared. If Beck had come, maybe he’d brought Raine. Right on the heels of that thought came the worry that the prick had stashed her somewhere and simply meant to rub more salt into their wounds. If so, Liam vowed he’d beat the bloody crap out of the bastard.
Heart chugging, blood surging, Liam charged for the front door. Hammer dashed beside him. They rounded the corner. Beck slid past them and headed toward the sleeping rooms, holding a familiar suitcase as he and Hammer both stopped and stared toward the portal.
With raven hair pulled away from her bare, pale face, wearing a sweatshirt that nearly swallowed her whole, there Raine stood.
Her blue eyes said she was both wary and contrite. She looked spent.
For a split second, he wondered if he were dreaming, but there she was, meeting his stare with a pensive expression.
Relief gushed through Liam’s bloodstream. The gods had finally granted him mercy. “Raine.”
“Thank fuck.” Hammer barreled toward her. “Where the—”
“Bloody hell have you been, love?” Liam finished Hammer’s question and raced toward her, trying to beat Hammer. “Do you have any idea how—”
“Wait.” Raine held up her hand, forestalling them both. “Please.”
As confusion pelted him, Liam’s steps stuttered. She didn’t want to talk to him? His brows furrowed. Hadn’t she come back to him?
“I…” Raine swallowed tightly, casting her eyes down for a heartbeat before she raised her chin and licked her lips.
“What the hell’s wrong?” Hammer barked. Concern stamped itself all over his face. “Precious?”
“There’s something I need to say…to both of you.” Raine’s voice held an edge of unease. She cast a vaguely questioning glance to Seth, who’d followed them into the foyer and lingered behind. Then she dismissed him and carried on.
Liam could tell she was nervous. The suspense gripped him by the throat. “Speak up. We’re listening.”
His directive seemed to make her even more nervous. Fuck! He watched her gaze travel first to him, then to Hammer, before she sucked in a deep breath.
“I’m sorry. I should never have left you both the way I did. I know you’ve been worried, but I…” She hesitated, then cast her contrite gaze at Hammer. “You’ve done so much for me over the years. I owed you more than just running off without saying thank you.”
