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Liam had always been protective, and she wouldn’t have him any other way…but right now she needed support, not heroics. “If I take you with me, can you be calm and talk rationally?”
“Oh, there’ll be no talking. There’ll be my fist in River’s face.”
“This is why you can’t be going with her, son,” Bryn chided softly. “Let Raine handle this. She must.”
“River won’t lay a hand on her, man,” Seth assured. “You have my word.”
“Mine, too. And if the two of us aren’t enough incentive, there’s always my friends, Smith and Wesson.” Beck patted the bulge beneath his shirt. “The princess will be safe.”
Raine nodded. “I won’t do anything reckless.”
Liam paused as if seeking fortitude. Then he glanced at his mother and sighed. “I must be mad. Fine. I won’t stand in your way.”
“Really? You won’t?” She hadn’t expected him to give his permission—ever.
“Liam and I chatted over tea earlier, lass. He knows I’m right,” Bryn supplied. “He simply doesn’t like it.”
“I don’t.” Liam approached Raine and pressed his hand to her belly. “You’ll both be careful, won’t you?”
“I promise. I’m going to surprise River. This time, everything will be on my terms. Then I’ll come home to you and Hammer because you’re all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Then go.” Liam caressed her hair, concern pouring from his dark eyes.
“Thank you for understanding. Oh, and Macen is with his lawyer, right?” At Liam’s nod, she bit her lip. “Don’t tell him about this yet. He’s got enough going on without stressing about me. I plan to be home before him.”
“Christ, Raine. You’re asking me to deceive my best mate.”
“No, I’m just asking you to keep this between us until I have good news. Once I’m back here safe and sound, he won’t have anything to snarl and growl about. Well, not much.”
After finishing her breakfast, Raine rose with Beck and Seth in tow. As they headed for the door, Liam set his plate aside and wrapped her in his arms, holding tight before he begrudgingly released her and kissed her hard. “Hurry home. I love you, Raine.”
“I’m doing this for us.” She brushed a hand over the life growing inside her. “All of us. I love you, too.”
Once outside, they climbed into Seth’s rental and headed to River’s address. As they exited the car, the California sun beat down. A strong Santa Ana wind blew, and the hot air whipped at her hair, masking the pounding of her heart in her ears.
She rapped on the hollow wooden door and waited, feeling Seth and Beck hovering protectively behind her.
After pounding footsteps, the door swung open. River stood, frozen, his expression sharp. “Raine. Who the hell are these clowns, more johns?”
Here we go… “I came to talk to you like a reasonable human being. Stop assuming I’m a whore!”
“I didn’t say you were by choice.” The pity in his eyes stung her.
“These are my friends. They’re here to make sure you don’t pull the same stupid shit you tried at the spa.”
River looked downright skeptical. “So they’ve never seen you naked?”
They had—more than once—but not for sex. That answer would only confuse her brother. “Is that really your biggest concern? I’m here to talk to you about the mess you’ve made of my life. And unlike the last time you blindsided me, you’re going to fucking listen.”
“If Liam could hear you now, little one…” Seth murmured behind her.
Yeah, her Irishman hated when she cursed. But now wasn’t the time to think about that. She flashed a glare over her shoulder at the big blond PI.
Seth shrugged. “I think he’d be proud. Go get ’em, tiger.”
Shaking her head, Raine faced her brother, only to find him with his arms across his chest.
“There’s not much you can say to convince me I’m wrong. You’re embarrassed you’ve become a victim. I understand. I’ll help you out of your despair.”
“Oh, my god, are you, like, a brick wall?” She charged at him, poking her finger in his hard middle. “First of all, I’ve never been in ‘despair’ with Hammer or Liam. They have both loved me unconditionally, unlike my own family. Second, I don’t give a shit if you feel as if I haven’t justified my life to you. You left, and I owe you nothing. So don’t for one second, think I’m here groveling for your approval or asking you to rescue me. Third, I will not leave until you admit you’re an impulsive dumb ass who unjustly accused Macen. The police are in his face because you and that morality stick you’ve got shoved up your ass have decided—without hearing my side of the story—that I’m some damsel in distress you have to save. I don’t need you.”
“Wow,” Beck whispered behind her. “She’d make a bitchin’ Domme.”
Seth chuckled softly.
River scowled. “If you don’t need rescuing, why didn’t you say that at the spa?”
