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“Because he’s a violent drunk,” Hammer snarled. “Did you catch anything he said?”
Remorse tightened Gwyneth’s face. “I came to you because I didn’t know how what else to do. I’ve already paid Kendall fifty thousand dollars. He threatened bodily harm if I didn’t pay him the other fifty, which he wasn’t supposed to get until we came back from Vegas.”
“Raine would have been dead before we even left L.A.,” Liam hissed. “There’s a good chance he’s already killed her.”
“I offered him double to let her go,” she cried. “But he said that since he had her now, he planned on having himself quite the party.” Gwyneth looked at him with pleading green eyes. “I tried to call you earlier and tell you, Liam. You didn’t answer. I left a message and rushed over here… I never meant any harm.”
Hammer roared, then punched a hole through the drywall. Powder and plaster rained down to the floor as he thrust his fist in Gwyneth’s hair, squeezing until she let out a cry. “Tell us where Raine is. Now.”
At his deadly tone, more tears spilled down Gwyneth’s cheeks. “I believe at a warehouse near the airport. He had me meet him there early yesterday evening.” She trembled in fear. “I’m sorry, Liam, I—”
“Shut up,” he commanded, his tone ice cold. “The address?”
“I-I wrote it on a scrap of paper. It’s in my purse by the bar.”
Hammer released her, then plucked out his cell phone. He fired off a text to Beck, instructing him and Seth to be ready to roll.
“I want it now.” Liam grabbed her by the arm and hauled her out of the office. “And if Bill has harmed one hair on Raine’s head, the fucking universe won’t be big enough for you to hide from me.”
Gwyneth sobbed with each step. Hammer didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy for her, only seething rage.
When they reached the bar, Vivian and Donald had taken Kyle out of his car seat and were playing happily with him at the far end. Beck and Seth stood, waiting and tense. No one spared more than a glance for Gwyneth, who quietly fell apart as she dug through her purse.
The second she handed the paper to him, Liam punched the address into his phone. “Less than ten minutes away, maybe more with traffic.”
Still, they had a lead. Fresh hope rolled through Hammer. He leaned closer to Beck and Seth, careful to keep his voice down. “Gwyneth might know where to find Raine. If she’s there, let’s rescue her. You ready?”
“Y-you’re not going to tell the police?” Gwyneth asked.
“Not yet.” Liam knew he and Hammer both intended to silence Bill, once and for all. “And you’re coming along to show us exactly where he’s hiding Raine.”
“But it sounds dangerous.” She shuddered.
Beck sent her a mocking brow. “Oh, boo hoo.”
Seth held up his hands. “We need to leave someone behind to coordinate with the police in case they have questions or find anything.”
Hammer and Liam exchanged a glance, then looked Seth’s way. “Will you do it? And ask Vivian to watch the baby while we’re gone?”
“On it.” Seth nodded. “Go.”
“But…Kitty and George are expecting Kyle and me to meet them at the airport in two hours,” Gwyneth protested.
Hammer snatched paper and pen off the bar, then shoved them at Gwyneth. “Write down your sister’s cell number. Seth can call Kitty and tell her where to pick up the boy. You are coming with us. That’s nonnegotiable.”
Hammer watched her fingers tremble as she wrote. Every second they spent at Shadows left Raine at Bill’s nonexistent mercy.
When Gwyneth finished, she set the pad and paper down.
Hammer shoved the number at Seth. “We’re out.”
“What will you do about Bill if you find him?” Seth arched a brow.
“You know the answer to that,” Hammer snarled.
Seth sent him a long stare. “Liam, why don’t you and Beck take Gwyneth to the car?”
“We’ll load up in my SUV.” Liam dragged his ex-wife toward the door. “Come on. No more theatrics, do you understand me? Or I’ll turn you over to the police now. You’ll go to jail.”
“And you’ll be forced to eat pussy instead of cock for the rest of your life,” Beck snarked.
Gwyneth’s nostrils flared as she pressed her lips together.
Hammer tossed Beck his car keys. “Get your medical bag from my trunk and bring it.”
“You got it,” Beck assured, helping Liam shepherd Gwyneth out of the club.
Once alone again, Seth stared Hammer down. “Listen, I’ve been thinking about this. What you’re suggesting is called premeditated murder. When it comes time for sentencing, it’ll be labeled first-degree, and that puts all of you on death row. Or merely life in prison, if you’re lucky.”
“Only if witnesses talk.” Hammer gritted his teeth. “And if Raine is gone, I don’t care.”
Seth cursed. “Call me when it’s over. If you need a cover story, I’ll help you with one since I’ve been a cop. If possible, we need everyone to be copacetic with the final version before you call 911.”
