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“Macen?” Her voice shook.
Even Liam froze behind her, waiting with a scrutiny he could feel.
They wanted his reaction. Words jumbled in his head.
This baby would need him someday. And he needed his son or daughter, too. Hammer closed his eyes.
With one reckless act, River might well rip him from this blissful family and all his wildest dreams. A ragged breath tore from his lungs.
While everything inside him seemed to crumble—his control, his future, his fucking soul—the silence in the room screamed through his head.
They were both still watching, waiting. It seemed crazy to him they’d actually worried he wouldn’t find a pregnant Raine attractive.
Hammer shoved aside the looming ugliness for later and focused on the two people he loved. He pressed his lips against the life growing inside Raine. “You’ve never looked more beautiful.”
Liam relaxed against her. “It’s true, love.”
Jaw clenched, Macen sank his fingers into Raine’s belly, desperate to brand their child with a father’s touch. He wanted to beg them all not to forget him. But that would be selfish.
He said nothing and began to pull his hand away.
Before he could, Liam anchored his palm over Macen’s knuckles.
Understanding sheened his best friend’s eyes. “Whatever happens, I’ve got this. You need never worry about Raine or our bairn, my brother.”
“Our baby will always be safe and loved,” Raine swore.
Hammer choked. He couldn’t say how fucking grateful he was. Instead, he nodded and memorized the feel of Liam’s hand mingled with his as they covered their woman’s swelling belly.
A sob tore from her throat.
As much as Hammer struggled to regain his composure, he refused to allow dread and what might happen to destroy their remaining time together.
Positioning himself between her legs, he took her hips in his hands and brushed a kiss on the inside of her thigh. “Give everything to us, Raine.”
“Always,” Raine vowed, forcing herself to breathe.
Inside, she unraveled. She wanted to rail and scream and ask a million questions. The LAPD had upset her, but to see that they’d rattled the usually unshakable Macen Hammerman…
His interrogation must have been grueling, brutal, and painfully personal.
They obviously believed he was guilty of their terrifying array of charges. Oh, god… Would he go to prison for the heinous crime of helping her when she’d needed it most?
And the last thing he needed now was to hear that she and Liam had been questioned, too. Liam had been right about that. At this moment, Hammer simply needed their love. No matter how difficult it was to shut out her fear and grief and put him first, Raine vowed to do it.
“Anything you need. I belong to you two.” Under him, she spread her knees wider, inviting him deeper into her.
“Raine…” He choked.
As her heart shredded, she gripped Liam’s hand, silently begging him for strength. He hovered beside her, a gentle command in his eyes. She would surrender. She would set Macen at ease. Then he scooted closer to lay an affirming kiss on her lips. “I’m here.”
As she nodded gratefully, Hammer dropped his head and kissed the bare pad of her pussy as if he’d never touched anything more fragile and treasured. As if he never wanted to leave.
The reverent gesture both humbled and undid her.
For years, he’d been the master of his domain, able to bend life to his will. He’d been her everything. Everyone else had left her. Not Macen. He’d been steadfast. He’d protected her against all odds. He’d earned her trust, even as he denied himself the love she’d ached to give him—love he’d needed so badly—while he waited for her to mature and bloom.
Now that they shared something so special and real, he couldn’t be leaving her.
Liam caressed her cheek, offering more of his strength. Her insides twisted again. Her Irishman had always shown her such tenderness and patience. He’d listened, offering either exquisite understanding or punishment—whichever she needed—at precisely the right time. Like now.
Both men loved her, even when the personal cost had been deep and harsh and almost impossible.
How could she pack a lifetime of love into this small sliver of time? How could she do anything less than surrender her everything to them?
She nodded Liam’s way. His tender smile was full of heartbreak as he dropped a kiss onto her lips and nudged her open to sweep inside at the same moment Hammer licked his way up her most sensitive spot.
Shocking pleasure slashed through her grief. It had been so long since the three of them had become one. She wanted them with every cell in her body, every beat of her heart, every thought, every breath. Every way they could take her.
With a cry, she arched up to them.
They knew precisely how to work together to dismantle her resolve and ramp up her desire. They had an unspoken communication she’d be forever grateful for but would never fully understand. It was almost as if they were halves of the same soul. Raine feared one would never be whole without the other.
