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As his words melted her, Raine looked at their joined hands, then glanced into Liam’s solemn face. “I don’t understand.”
Hammer wore a matching expression, cradling her hand from beneath so they completely surrounded her. “Liam is much better with words than I am, but everything he said is true. Open the box, precious.”
Why would they bring her to a stranger’s doorstep to give her a gift? Her heart started to race. A dangerous fantasy crossed her mind… But no. They couldn’t possibly give her a gift like this.
“What is this place?”
“Go on,” Hammer whispered as both men lifted their hands away.
Carefully, Raine gripped the sides of the box and tugged gently. It opened without a sound. Inside lay a key.
Raine stopped breathing as she looked first at Liam, then Hammer. More of that insidious hope filled her. She blinked away rapidly welling tears. “Y-you…” She shook her head. It wasn’t possible. “It can’t be.”
Liam stroked his finger down her cheek and nodded. “I never seemed to find the right time to give this to you, but I understand why now. It’s meant for all three of us. Put the key in the lock, love, and open the door to our new home.”
Her heart skipped a beat, and the buzzing in her ears felt as if a swarm of bees had taken over her head. “You’re serious? This is… It’s…”
Raine couldn’t finish her sentence through her onslaught of tears. She covered her mouth with her hands to hold in a shocked sob.
“Yes,” Liam confirmed softly. “I know how long you’ve wanted a home to call your own, something that no one can take away. So I bought this for you. Regardless of what happens between us, this is your house. You’ll always have these four walls and sturdy roof to shelter you, Raine.”
“I-I can’t accept this. It’s too much. It’s—”
“Too late,” Liam cut in. “It’s already done. The title and deed are in your name.”
His words shocked her system again. She tried to comprehend, but her brain whirled. Time seemed mired in a slow, thick honey. Nothing made sense except the key in her hand and Liam’s words echoing in her brain.
Hers. The house was hers. And Liam had done this for her.
“Oh, my god.” Sobs wracked her body.
Had anyone ever done anything half as wonderful for her? Why would they?
Suddenly, Hammer nestled her from behind, wrapping his arm around her waist and holding her close against his chest. His warm breath brushed her ear as Liam stood frozen, studying her expression intently.
“Are you happy?” Macen asked.
She nodded. “I’m speechless. It’s…amazing.”
Liam looked relieved. Had he actually imagined she wouldn’t be thrilled?
“You haven’t seen the inside,” he reminded her.
“It doesn’t matter.” She shook her head. “Whatever is inside is the most beautiful thing in the world to me. Why would you do this?”
Raine wasn’t under any illusions. This wasn’t some little one-bedroom cottage in the sticks. He’d bought her a palatial home. It must have cost a whole pile of pretty pennies.
“Because I wanted to give you everything,” Liam murmured. “Especially the security you should have had as a child.”
He was destroying her one word at a time in the best way possible. Had she really been wondering minutes ago if they could possibly love her?
“I always wanted to give you that, too, precious.” Macen’s voice cracked, thick with emotion. “It’s why I took you in…and why I couldn’t let you go. I should have bought you a place of your own years ago but couldn’t stand the thought of not having you near me every day. I was afraid I’d lose you.”
A cry filled with a confusing mix of shock, sorrow, regret, and delight tore from her throat. She launched herself into Liam’s arms, pulling Hammer with her. From behind her, he held tight.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she trembled, the reality finally registering. “You really bought me a house?”
“I did.” Liam pulled away and cupped her face, staring into her eyes with a fierceness she’d never seen before.
“When?”
He hesitated. “Before Thanksgiving.”
Guilt tore through her. He’d never given it to her because she’d run away, been a defiant, difficult handful.
“I see the self-reproach on your face. Don’t,” Liam insisted. “It’s worked out for the best. We’re all meant to live here together.”
Her tears started in earnest again. “That would be a dream come true.”
“For me, too.” Hammer leaned around to press a kiss to her cheek.
“Understand us, Raine,” Liam went on. “You’re not a whim. You’re not a sport or a conquest for either of us. You’re the center of our lives.”
Before she could say another word, Liam claimed her lips in a kiss somehow tender and primal at once, teeming with painfully pure love. She wrapped one hand around his neck and opened to him completely. He felt so solid pressed to her chest. Raine couldn’t imagine loving this man more.
