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Needing no further encouragement, they sprinted to their bedroom.
Raine turned and flashed them a glowing smile. “Well?”
They rushed to her and enveloped her between them, smothering her with kisses as she giggled like a schoolgirl. Excited. Happy. Free.
“Oh, precious.” Hammer exhaled. “How the hell am I ever going to be able to thank you for what you’ve done?”
“Just tell me it’s really over.”
“Sterling is on his way to meet with the judge as we speak,” Hammer explained. “He’ll call soon. Then, hopefully, we’ll have something to celebrate.”
“We will,” Liam assured. “Trust me. At least while Mum’s here. After she’s gone, I might lose my Spidey senses, but for now…”
The three of them simply laughed.
It felt good.
The possibility of freedom tasted sweet. They were all anxious to start their long and happy life together. The dark cloud that had been hanging over their heads for so damn long began to dissipate.
Hammer didn’t know how much time had passed since he and Liam had joined Raine in their bedroom. He didn’t care. All he wanted was to stay close to them, keep Raine wrapped in his arms, and sink deep into her mouth.
If there were two people who embodied love for him, it was Liam and Raine. Only they’d stood by him in his darkest hours. Liam had saved him from making an irrevocable mistake. Raine was staving off his certain insanity by trying to bring an end to his legal threat. Hammer didn’t even know how to express the depth of his gratitude.
A tap on the door drew his attention. Beck stood at the portal, wearing an early congratulatory smile and holding a copy of the infamous DVD.
“Seth and I are taking off. River is downstairs with Bryn and Duncan.” Beck looked pointedly at Liam. “Your old man is a fucking riot, but your mom? That woman scares the shit out of me.”
The trio couldn’t help but chuckle. Now if Sterling would just call with some good news, his life would be complete.
Beck sobered. “I’m pulling for you guys. I hope you can put this crap behind you for good.”
“Thanks.” Hammer nodded as the man waved and ducked out.
He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. What the hell was taking so long? Anxiety crawled through his guts. What if Judge Ayers wanted more proof?
Suddenly his cell phone rang. Hammer yanked it from his pocket and sucked in a bracing breath when Sterling’s name and number appear on the screen. He sank to the edge of the mattress, his heart slamming against his ribs in triple time. “Looks like it’s time for the fat lady to shut up or sing.”
“We’re beside you, brother. No matter what,” Liam pledged.
“Forever and always,” Raine seconded as she knelt in front of him.
Liam stood behind her, hands on her shoulders. Their nearness engulfed Hammer in a cloak of reassurance as he pressed the button to engage the speakerphone. “Sterling?”
“Good news, Macen. It’s all over. You’re free. Judge Ayers ripped the local cops and the feds new assholes. They’ve dropped all charges against you. The LAPD has issued arrest warrants for Marlie and Todd. They should be in custody tonight.”
The two-ton weight on his chest evaporated. A lump of emotion formed in Macen’s throat instead, preventing him from talking. His vision blurred but not before he saw tears of joy welling in Liam’s eyes and streaking down Raine’s cheeks.
“Macen? Are you there?” Sterling asked. “Did you hear me?”
Liam cleared his throat. “He is and he did, Barnes. We’re all a mite choked up at the moment, but thank you for all you’ve done to help us.”
“You’re welcome. I couldn’t be happier with this outcome myself.”
Hammer quickly wiped his eyes and tried to find his voice, but it came out rough and choppy. “Thank you, man.”
“I’d usually say anytime, but after this circus, I’m going to say…hopefully never again.” Sterling chuckled. “You kids have a nice night celebrating. I’ll be in touch. Good-bye.”
Hammer ended the call as Raine launched herself in his arms once more and Liam enfolded them in his embrace. “It’s finally over.”
“Indeed,” Liam sighed. “Now we can start living—really living.”
“It’s going to be better than amazing,” Raine whispered softly.
“Is there some news you might be wanting to share with the rest of us?” Bryn called from downstairs.
Liam looked at the ceiling as if searching for patience. “They’ll be going home soon. I promise.”
“Maybe. But then again, maybe not.” Bryn laughed.
Hammer shook his head, and Raine giggled. The exhilaration of his sudden freedom merged with colossal relief. After endless, wrenching worry, it was almost surreal.
Liam rolled his eyes. “We’ll have some bloody privacy soon.”
“If you wanted privacy, you two should have thought of that before you knocked up your wee lass,” Bryn hollered. “You’ll have none once that babe comes.”
“Love you, Mum,” Liam called as he wrenched open the door. “We’ll be there in a minute.”
