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How could he simply throw away their unconditional love? Was he actually going to tuck tail and leave them like a coward? How would they ever forgive him? He, of all people, knew the devastation left in the wake of suicide.
Panic clutched his chest. Sweat streaked down his face.
What choice did he fucking have?
“Goddamn it!” Hammer roared as he wound up his entire body and heaved his keys with all his might—and fury—across the room.
They landed with a clatter somewhere in the corner, behind several boxes yet unpacked. His entire body shook with volcanic anger and fear. He felt as if he were being ripped in a million pieces. Six months ago, he wouldn’t have thought twice about this decision. He probably could have managed it without too much second-guessing even a few weeks ago. But now? Now he couldn’t find the courage to open the car door, let alone crawl inside and end this fucking torture.
Because you’re not the same man you were then.
No. The man standing in this garage had finally learned how to love. Freely. Fully. Without the need to control or hold so much of himself back. He’d dismantled his walls, opened his heart, and spilled all his secrets. Then he invited Raine to climb inside him, where he’d suffused her with the truest devotion from the very depths of his soul.
And now you’re going to walk out on her and never come back? You’ll not only kill yourself but her and Liam, as well.
“Son of a bitch!” Hammer thundered.
A potent, white-hot blaze detonated inside him, blurring his vision. His composure disintegrated. His temper exploded.
Snatching the tire iron from the trunk, he stalked around his car. Fury rolled as Macen drew the weapon back with both hands and swung it full force into the driver’s-side window. The safety glass fractured but held together. The shimmering, cracked web mirrored his disintegrating life.
Might as well get on with destroying it…
With a blistering curse, he belted it again, obliterating bits of hope and peace in shards all around the car.
Then Hammer turned his acid rage on the hood of the glossy vehicle. Over and over, he swung the tool, gouged the top, then the panels, before swerving onto the next pristine spot until he’d dented every visible surface. Still, he continued to grunt and curse as he unleashed a storm of resentment and panic.
Why couldn’t he just do what he had to in order to save their futures?
Suddenly, the door to the garage burst open. He jerked his head to the sound. Liam thundered toward him, wearing nothing but a raging scowl.
Without a word, he yanked the tire iron out of Macen’s hands and tossed it down before pulling him in for a crushing hug. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, you stupid son of a bitch? You don’t get to fucking check out on us! I told you that.”
Before he could reply, Liam slammed his fist into Macen’s jaw with a jarring punch. The pain didn’t register, only the anguish rolling off his friend in palpable waves.
Then he jerked Hammer back into his arms with a feral cry and gripped tight. “You bloody fool! Raine loves you. I love you, too. Christ, Macen. More than that, we need you. How the fuck is killing yourself or running away going to do us any good?”
“It’s the only way to save you two, the baby…myself. Don’t you get it?” he spit out, his voice raspy. “Our lives—all of them—will be ripped open for the whole world to judge. Raine… Oh, god. She’ll either have to relive all the abuse her father heaped on her or admit she liked all the rough and dirty things I did to her for a room full of fucking strangers. I won’t let her lower herself to save my sorry ass. I love her too much. You, too. I can’t—”
“You stupid wanker! Do you honestly think Raine and I are so self-absorbed or weak that we wouldn’t endure anything to have you with us? We don’t give a shit about other people’s opinions. Christ, man.”
“Those cocksuckers have left us powerless.” He pointed to the whole fucking world. “They’ve stripped away our control. I won’t last thirty years in a goddamn cell. I’ll go insane if I can’t ever hold you both again. Or our child! Let me end this mess on my own terms. It’s the only way to make things better for you and—”
The door to the garage opened again. Bryn stepped out, a pair of trousers dangling from her fingers.
“I thought your knackers might be getting a bit cold out here, son.”
“I’m fine,” Liam bit out but reached for the trousers.
She rolled her eyes. “You woke me from a sound sleep with your angry lightning bolts crashing all around the room. So I came out here to bring you some britches and bang your stubborn heads together until I’ve knocked sense into the pair of you.”
