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“Raine didn’t eat much breakfast. I’m still worried about her, and that fucking pacifier didn’t help.” Hammer growled. “You have no idea how shocked I was when she slammed that damn thing on the table and asked me if you had an adult-baby fetish.”
Liam choked. “I hope you told her no.”
Hammer smirked. “Yeah. Don’t worry, I did. It wasn’t a lie, right?”
“Wanker,” Liam replied with half a snort. “Look, about tonight… After dinner, I’ve been thinking… Let’s show Raine the house. The fact that I bought her a home should make her feel more secure in our commitment. That also gives her a safe place to stay, one Gwyneth knows nothing about, in case my ex lingers nearby.”
Hammer smiled. “Great idea. Is the remodeling done?”
“Not quite. But I’ll give the foreman a call and tell him to clean up a bit when they’re done for the day. We’ll tell Raine we intend to move in by Christmas and to start thinking about what she wants in her new kitchen.”
“Double ovens, for sure.” Hammer nodded. “She’s going to be thrilled.”
“I think she will be, too. Where is she now?”
“Still sleeping in my room.”
Snakes of jealousy slithered through him, hissing, just as they had in the car.
“I guess you finally got to finish what you started on our way back, then?” The words spilled off Liam’s tongue before he could stop them.
Hammer turned and stared. Liam didn’t see anger or guilt in Macen’s hazel eyes, just pity. That stung even worse. Liam wished he could take back the snide remark.
“Stop right there.” Hammer held up a hand. “I took her to breakfast. When we returned, we both climbed into bed. I only held her and stroked her hair until she fell asleep. Even if I’d had sex with her, why would it matter? We share her. You know there will be times I’m not around and you’ll want her. Vice versa.” He shook his head. “I think Gwyneth being here has brought up bullshit you haven’t dealt with.”
Liam tossed back the last of his scotch. “Now who’s psychoanalyzing whom?”
Deep down, he knew he hadn’t resolved his bitterness for Gwyneth, but Liam didn’t want to sit here and dissect his emotions. “How did your talk with Bill go?”
Hammer shrugged. “He threatened… I threatened. Bottom line: I told him if he showed his face at Shadows again, I’d put a bullet through his head.”
“Sounds like a bloody good idea to me. I’ll load the gun.” Liam smirked.
“It’s already loaded and waiting in the top left drawer of my desk.” He took another swig of scotch.
Liam heard footsteps behind him. Had Raine awakened and overheard their conversation? Adrenaline slammed through his body. He and Hammer both whirled.
Beck walked toward them with a grin, clutching a white paper bag. “How are you holding up, Daddy?”
Taking the outstretched bag, Liam looked inside and spied the test kit. It brought relief…and dread. Whether he was ready to face fatherhood or not, he’d soon find out the truth. “I’m doing better now that you brought this. Thanks.”
Pulling the kit from the bag, Beck arched a brow. “I can collect the sample now, if you’d like.”
“The baby’s sleeping at the moment,” Liam replied. “Tell me what I need to do, and I’ll take care of it after he wakes.”
Beck nodded, then walked Liam through the necessary steps to gather the DNA. He also provided the name and phone number of a lab tech, Tom, who would run the sample and give Liam the results twenty-four hours later.
“By tomorrow, you’ll know whether you’re free and clear or writing child support checks for the next eighteen years.” Beck shrugged.
“No shit,” Liam grumbled.
“Where is your ex, by the way? I want to check her out.” He winked. “See if she’s really as psycho as you two say.”
“We’ve got her stashed in one of the back rooms.” Liam jerked his head in that direction. “But we still need to find a place to put her.”
“Put her? You mean like…stash a body?” Beck blinked. “You already killed her?”
“No. We haven’t fulfilled that fantasy yet,” Hammer scoffed. “We need to find her a hotel room. She’s convinced that she and the baby are moving in with Liam.”
Beck turned livid. “Don’t tell me you’re fucking dumping Raine to placate your ex-wife.”
“Bloody hell. No!” Liam barked.
“Good. Then I won’t have to kill you.” Beck shoved a hand into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a ring of keys. After plucking one off, he handed it to Liam. “Here. This is a key to my condo. Your ex-wife and the kid can stay there for a few days since I’ll probably be holed up at the hospital.”
Liam blinked. He and Beck hadn’t exactly hit it off, but he appreciated the gesture. “I’m… Wow. Thank you.”
“No thanks necessary.” Beck nodded at him. “You need all the help you can get.”
