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He gripped hers in return. “Tell me what they wanted to know.”
She shrugged. “Probably a lot of the same stuff they wanted to know from you, like if you and I had a sex life when I was a minor and why you gave money to Bill.” She paused, looked down at her hands in her lap. “They said they have a video of you appearing to rape me.”
“A video?” He gave a thunderous scowl. He barely managed not to fling the table aside in rage. His entire life and the people he held dearest were being denigrated and threatened—and he was helpless to stop it. “What fucking video could the police possibly have?”
“I don’t know.” Raine shrugged. “They never showed me anything or gave me any information about it. Maybe they’re bluffing.”
Yeah. Maybe the cops were simply employing a tactic designed to encourage Raine to talk about her supposed abuse. Just like it was possible their mysterious witness was nothing more than a ruse to make him talk.
“They must be, because that never happened,” Liam added.
Raine nodded. “I told them that. Just like I told them I like rough sex.”
Hammer hadn’t thought his fury could get hotter, but his urge for violence thickened again. She should never have had to admit anything about their private life to those prying, lecherous bastards.
“What else?” he asked.
She spoke in halting words. It didn’t escape Hammer’s notice that she gave the barest answers possible. But the breadcrumbs she did leave him to follow had his vision narrowing to a fiery red haze. “I’m going to dismember your brother, precious. With my bare hands. I’m going to tear his fucking head off—”
“I’m plenty furious with him, too. But Detective Perez didn’t hurt me,” she promised. “The worst thing that terrible woman did was intimate I’m a sad sack doormat of a whore. Not like I haven’t heard that one before…”
“But you’re not, goddamn it.” He pounded a fist on the table. The rattling of glasses and plates didn’t give him an ounce of gratification. “I’d love to have that fucking bitch’s badge for judging you.”
“Macen…” Raine rose from her seat and slid onto his lap, working her fingers through his hair. “I don’t really care what some cynical, sexually frustrated workaholic thinks of me. In fact, no one’s opinion matters a whit to me except yours and Liam’s. Everyone else can go fuck themselves.”
Liam smiled. “I won’t even chide you for your language, love. That’s perfect.”
It was, but the fact she had to defend her life at all ate at Hammer.
He passed Raine onto his friend’s lap and stood with an angry jerk. “I’ll be back.”
She tried to leap up. “Wait! Where—”
Liam clamped his arms around her middle and held her down as Hammer tore at his clothes, doffing every stitch, and tossed the garments in the nearby laundry room. “Shh. Let the man breathe.”
Reminding himself to thank his brother later, Hammer wrenched the back door open, then slammed it so hard behind him the glass rattled. He headed for the pool and dove in.
He hit the water, gasping. That shit was fucking freezing. But nothing else was going to cool him down.
After some hard laps, he lifted himself out of the water and dripped all over the deck.
Raine hustled toward him with a concerned gaze. She clutched a big beach towel and wrapped it around him, along with her arms. “Feel better?”
He stepped back. “I’m getting your clothes all wet.”
“I don’t care.”
Hammer worked free from her embrace and looked down at her beloved face. Weariness pulled at her. “Go to bed, precious.”
“Liam just ‘suggested’ I head upstairs for a bath and bed, so I’m going. I think he wants to talk a little more. I made you two coffee.”
Always thinking of him, even when she’d had a terrible day, too. Even when she should be more worried about her future and the life growing inside her.
“Did you get enough to eat?” he prodded.
“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” She kissed him softly and headed back into the house.
He watched her go. “That’s like telling me not to breathe.”
Liam poked his head out moments later and handed him a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt. “Coffee’s ready inside, mate.”
Once he’d dressed, Hammer slid across the kitchen table from Liam, drinking his java and wondering how much longer he’d have the luxury of enjoying a brew and quiet moment like this with his best friend. So much to say…so little time to convey everything.
“What’s next?” Liam’s two soft words broke the silence.
“I have to see Sterling in the morning. After that, I should have a better handle on what to expect. If this goes to trial, I’m worried Raine will have to testify.”
Liam’s scowl said he didn’t like that, either. “I know. Even if she doesn’t cooperate with the prosecution, she’s the ‘victim.’ Barnes will need her to testify on your behalf. I wish there was a way that didn’t involve her reliving everything she’s already been through. But she’s stronger. She’ll manage, Macen. I know you were angry that the police questioned her today, but don’t underestimate our girl.”
