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With a slap on Seth’s shoulder, Liam turned to the lads. “Thank you both for watching over our girl and bringing her back safely.”
Hammer leveled a cold glare at them. “I’m sure I’ll thank you one day, but it won’t be today.”
Beck laughed. “Didn’t think it would. If you want pointers on really making her ass glow—”
“We don’t,” Liam cut in.
Seth tried to repress a smile. “Raine did a fine job of getting her point across.”
Beck scoffed. “She lit a fire under River’s ass that would put an Eagle Scout to shame. I should have snapped video of that shit for you. Hammer, she made you sound like a fucking saint.”
Raine bit her lip. “I really did.”
Liam wasn’t surprised in the least. He took their girl’s hand.
“C’mon, Hammer,” Seth ribbed him. “You’re berating her for trying to help you, and it’s Valentine’s Day.”
Macen glared. “Someday, I hope you love a woman who scares the shit out of you.”
The smile slid off Seth’s face. “I have, and you know it.”
Liam wanted to smack Hammer upside the head for opening his mouth and inserting his loafer.
At least he had the good grace to wince. “I didn’t mean—”
“I know,” Seth cut him off. “Just remember to enjoy your someone special. Not everyone has that. Beck and I are going to raid your refrigerator, give you three a minute.”
“That cool, princess?” Beck shot Raine a meaningful glance.
She looked a little nervous but smiled. “Perfect. Thanks.”
The whole exchange struck Liam as odd.
Hammer frowned as he watched the guys amble into the next room. But with a shake of his head, he turned to Raine. “Before you tell me everything that happened with River—and I mean every last detail—Liam and I want to give you something.” He reached into his pocket and drew out a little red box, then placed it in her palm. “Open this, precious. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“There’s a lot happening now, but we wanted to give you something memorable.” Liam stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to her temple.
Raine lifted the lid and her eyes widened. She sucked in a happy gasp as she plucked the delicate silver bracelet from the box.
“Oh, my… It’s beautiful!” Tears of joy filled her eyes as she clutched it to her heart. “The pendant my mother gave me… You found it.”
“In your closet back at the club.” Macen nodded.
“Mom gave me that necklace when I turned seven. She said that although I was her baby, I was grown up enough for something pretty.” Raine pressed a hand to her trembling lips. “I wore it every day after she died. The chain it came with broke the night Bill…” She shook her head and refused to finish the sentence. “I put it in my pocket, then tucked it away at Shadows. Thank you so much. And more charms!”
She examined the three entwined filigree hearts—one representing each of them. She had to wipe her eyes again when she spied the tiny silver baby booties. Unconsciously, she placed a palm on her belly.
Liam turned to look at Hammer. They shared a glance of uncertainty.
“We didn’t mean to make you cry, love.”
“These are happy tears. It’s perfect!”
He grinned in relief. “I designed the trio of hearts myself. Hammer and I found the baby booties together.”
“I can’t thank you enough.” She wrapped her arms around them and held tight.
“It’s just as beautiful as the photo you texted me when you picked it up. Her mother’s pendant was the perfect addition. See, you’re not all bad with the touchy-feely shit,” Liam whispered in Hammer’s ear.
Macen smiled. “We’re glad you like it, precious.”
“I love it. I couldn’t have asked for anything more meaningful.”
He and Hammer worked together to latch the bracelet around her wrist. She beamed as she looked at it gleaming in the light.
“I hope you like what I got you at least half this much.” She hurried across the room and drew two small wrapped boxes with white satin bows from her purse. Dashing back, Raine handed one each to him and Hammer.
They unwrapped their gifts in unison. Liam smiled when he noticed Macen pluck up a key ring identical to his, attached to a thick silver medallion. He flipped it over and read the inscription. “Love has a beautiful new meaning with you in my life.”
Liam bit back the emotion lodged in his throat and brushed a kiss over her lips. “Thank you, lass. You bring a beautiful new meaning to my life, too.”
“I loved you yesterday. I love you still. I always have. I always will.” Hammer’s voice sounded thick and low as he read her gift to him. “Oh, precious. You know that’s precisely how I feel.”
She stroked their faces. “Good. Please keep that in mind…”
Liam pierced her with a suspicious stare. “What have you done?”
She wrung her hands—always a bad sign. “I need you to take a deep breath and keep an open mind.”
