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For the chance to live a long, happy life with Liam and Raine—and never look back at his past again.
As Liam watched the feds lead Hammer away in cuffs, the world disintegrated under his feet. But he clutched Raine against him at the top of the stairs and hid her face. She didn’t need to see the unfolding horror. He would damn sure keep his promise to Hammer and protect their girl.
Later, he’d think about the fact that life as they all knew it—wanted it—could be over.
Terrible silence fell, punctuated only by Raine’s struggles and sobs. His chest opened, bleeding out from a hollow, gaping wound. Anxiety rushed in to fill the chasm.
“Let go!” She pushed at his shoulders and tried to break free. “We have to do something. Help him. Now.”
Liam gripped her tighter, a hand at her nape, another at her ass, as he sat on the top step, plastering her against his torso. Though he forced her to straddle him so he could contain her, Raine still tried desperately to wriggle free.
Da stepped inside the house again and closed the door with a somber shake of his head.
So it was done. Hammer was gone.
Liam pressed Raine tighter against him. She might need him…but he would need her, too, now that he felt as if half his soul had been ripped away. And they would have to lean on one another for the next ordeal that would literally beat down their door in a handful of minutes.
“You’re right, love. We’re going to help Hammer. Be still while I call Barnes.”
She tried to stand. “I’ll go. Get dressed. I’ll demand the police—”
“It’s beyond the police, Raine.” He didn’t want to heap this on her, but he refused to withhold the truth. “This is a federal matter now.”
Raine paled. “The FBI took him?”
“I’m afraid so.”
If anything, she seemed more frantic. “What the… I have to talk to them. Maybe they’ll listen if I tell them what really happened.” She gave him another push, then a frustrated grunt when he wouldn’t let her free. “Liam, I have to fix this. Everything is my fault.”
He took hold of her face and forced her to look at him. “Nothing is your fault. Do you hear me?”
She shook her head, dark hair mussed and spilling around her. “I’m the one he stuck his neck out to save, so I have to make the FBI listen.”
“They don’t want you in the middle of this now. Neither do Hammer and I. Let me call Barnes so he can do his job.”
Liam gave his mother a mental nudge, and she appeared almost instantly.
Bryn eased beside Raine and drew his girl into her arms. “Shh. Try to calm yourself. You can’t think the worst.”
“How do I convince these people that Macen is innocent? Tell me what to do…”
“I don’t have the answers. What I know is that your wee one is taking on your stress. Neither of your men would ever want you both so dismayed.” Bryn stroked Raine’s hair, soothing her. “Have faith. Nothing has been decided yet.”
Instantly, the fight seemed to leave his lass. She let out a ragged breath, curled protective palms around her belly, and drew her legs to her chest. “I’m sorry.”
Liam didn’t know whether she meant her apology for him, their child, or whomever would listen. And she didn’t say anything more, just rested her chin on her knees and worked on breathing. But he felt the tension pinging off her. Anyone who didn’t know his girl might think she was sedate. Inside, she was a live wire. Watching her shut down tore at Liam’s heart.
Cursing, he tugged out his phone and rang Sterling Barnes, who answered immediately.
“Hammer is gone. How do we help him now?” Liam asked quietly as he paced away from Raine and his mother.
“Have the federal agents arrived to search the premises?”
Liam glanced through the living room window at the gathering throng. “They’re outside.”
“Nothing to do except let them in, give them access, and leave. Everything related to Hammer’s lifestyle, especially his relationship with Raine, is now open for scrutiny.”
“Fuck.” Liam hated feeling powerless to help the ones he loved. He despised being squeezed so tight by circumstances beyond his control that he couldn’t breathe. “We had so little warning. Raine’s not even dressed—”
A pounding on the front door drew everyone’s attention. Da looked his way for direction. Liam swallowed. He had to make a decision…but he didn’t actually have a choice.
“We’ll let them in.” Liam sighed into the phone. “Anything else?”
“I’m en route to see Hammer now. I’ll send you the numbers for some reputable federal bail bondsmen. Start arranging a substantial amount of cash, something in the six-figure range. Beyond that, you’ll simply have to wait. It’s time for me to earn my money. I’ll call when I have news.”
