Dismissing Marlie altogether, he pinned Dean with a forbidding glance. “Get her the fuck out of my sight.”
“With pleasure.” Dean grinned.
As he dragged Marlie toward the door, she spun and spat at them. “This isn’t over.”
“Yeah, it is,” Hammer vowed.
Raine laughed, raised her hand, and waved. “Hey, bitch. Buh-bye.”
Chapter 19
Saturday, February 23
* * *
By six thirty Saturday evening, Macen looked a little distracted.
Holding back an amused smile, Liam watched his friend fidget. “What’s got under your nettle?”
Not that he didn’t have an idea or two why, but it would be interesting to hear Hammer’s answer.
“I tried to call a few people, see if they wanted to come over for a drink tonight since your parents are leaving tomorrow. I thought it would be a nice send-off. Beck, Seth, River, Pike… They all have plans.” He shrugged. “No idea what the fuck they’re doing. I guess I’m a little disappointed.”
Trying not to laugh, Liam turned away and pretended to pour himself a drink. Keeping Macen in the study while everyone else put the finishing touches on his surprise birthday party had been a challenge.
All day, he and Raine had been forced to get creative to keep Macen out of the house and away from all the preparation. Pike had called Macen back to the club for an “emergency” that might have involved a teeny bit of preplanned vandalism and destruction. Liam had rushed over to help, then hustled his best friend off to a guys-only lunch after the incident had been resolved, giving Hammer the argument that his mother wanted to spend more girl time with Raine.
They’d stayed for a while at the club, and Liam had noticed Hammer texting her, wanting to come home because he’d missed her. On the pretext of running errands, she’d dropped by, left them both with a gigantic smile, then driven off with a wave.
Afterward, he and Macen had decided to pay Lewis a visit. The little tech worm had tried to slam the door in their faces, but neither Hammer nor Liam had been willing to leave without making clear their opinions, as well as laying down a few threats to his pecker if the twerp ever came near Raine or Shadows again.
Satisfied they’d made their point, they’d grabbed a beer at a nearby pub before Macen had returned to Shadows to finish some long overdue paperwork. Liam had sneaked home to help with the last of the decorating and preparation. And the minute Hammer had pulled his SUV into the garage for the evening, Liam had dragged him directly into the study to stall for more time.
Thankfully, he had something important on his mind.
“My parents will be perfectly pleased without a boisterous good-bye. Hell, Mum bought half the city. It’s no wonder she’s still packing.”
“As furious as I was the moment they rang our doorbell, they came at the perfect time.”
Liam smiled fondly. “Mum has that knack.”
“I’ll say. All right. I’ll drop the party idea. I guess I was just looking for some way to publicly thank them for all they’ve done to help us.”
Grabbing his drink and one for Macen, Liam crossed the room and handed his friend a glass. “They know, mate. They’re just glad we’re together and happy.”
“You’re right.” Hammer shot back his drink. “Still, they saved my ass.”
“So did Raine.”
“Yeah. Did you have any idea she’d tracked Marlie down and talked to the bitch?”
“No. Part of me wants to give her a red ass for going behind our backs—again. The other part is in awe of the size of her balls. She poked and goaded that plastic whore into all but admitting she knew you were in legal trouble.”
Hammer just nodded. “If I’d walked into that bar to confront her, I’d have ended up strangling her. No way I could have simply left once she’d made that guilty comment. But Raine just plucked up and walked out. I’m still trying to decide if we should knock River’s and Seth’s heads together…or shake their damn hands.”
“I think, for the sake of family peace, shaking hands is the better option,” Liam mused. “But that wasn’t what I meant about Raine saving you. I meant years ago. Think about who you’d be now without her. I suspect I’d still be a bleak bastard in denial about all my anger. My point is, we’ve got a house and a baby on the way. But I’d like to make it impossible for her to refuse us if we propose something like marriage again. What we need is a foolproof way to get her to accept the idea—and us—and I might just have a plan that’ll work…”
Liam filled him in on the details, including some of the other joinings he’d seen online and been imagining in his head.
“I haven’t allowed myself to think about that since all this legal shit exploded. I didn’t dare to hope. But now that it’s behind us, you’re right. We should be thinking of the future. We need to make our commitment more concrete.”
“Permanent.” Liam nodded.
“Yeah.” Hammer knocked back more of his drink. “Real for her and in the eyes of others.”
They batted around a few more ideas, narrowing the possibilities into a concept that felt like them. The plan appealed, and from Macen’s grin, it was obvious he felt the same.
“Tomorrow?” Hammer confirmed.
“Can you think of a better time? My parents will be gone. It will be our first day alone, happy and ready for the future. And oh, I guess it’s your birthday, too,” Liam teased. “Old man.”
“Fuck off. I can still beat your ass.”
“I don’t know.” Liam shook his head. “Thirty-five. Are you sure gout hasn’t set in? Need some arthritis pills?”
Hammer jumped to his feet, glaring and trying to hold back a laugh.
Duncan pushed the double doors open with a disapproving stare. “What’s this, then? Less than twenty-four hours after vanquishing the wild skank-muffin, you two knuckleheads are back to fighting one another?”
“No, Da. We’re just teasing.” Still, Liam threw a mock punch to Hammer’s shoulder.
“The women are out in the backyard, enjoying the evening. Come toss back a couple with us.”
Hammer picked up his drink and gave Duncan a warm smile as he headed out. Behind Macen’s back, Liam gave his father a questioning stare, which Da answered with a proud little nod.
So they were ready.
Liam jogged his way up to Hammer and reached the back door first, blocking the portal. “So everyone was busy tonight, right?”
He flung open the door and shoved Macen out to a rousing chorus of “surprise!”
Their guests mingled all over the backyard. The bifold doors on the main level had been folded back to extend the indoor living out onto the patio and beyond. Floating candles with rice-paper shades in pastel colors filled the pool. Fairy lights had been strung through the trees and shrubs. An open space had been cleared for a band and dance floor at one end. At the other, a huge banquet table overflowed with delicious morsels. More tables and chairs had been set up. The fire pits had been lit to provide light and warmth. Inside, their kitchen had been transformed into a wet bar, and seating had been subtly rearranged all around in conversational clusters.
Macen looked stunned.
Camera phones flashed. The gathering laughed at his expression. Raine jumped toward him, clapping and smiling.
“Are you surprised?” She hung around his neck and kissed his jaw.
“Shocked.” He glared between her and Liam. “You two cooked this up?”
“Guilty, mate. My parents helped, along with Heavenly. But our wee wench was the true instigator. She’s been working nonstop since yesterday morning. What do you think?” Liam asked as he moved in beside Raine.
Hammer didn’t answer him, just paused to send Raine a mock glower. “Precious…”
“Oh, have fun.” She pouted. “Everyone is here to celebrate you.”
Not just his birthday but the fact that he was free. It dovetailed nicely with a send-off for Duncan and Bryn, too. Just one of
those shimmering pearls of an evening where everyone gathered, happy, raising their glasses and celebrating life together.
“I’m not mad,” Hammer confessed. “It’s perfect.”
“Good.” Liam slapped his back. “Oh, Pike even helped. You can thank him in a bit.”
Hammer turned to him with a raised brow. “So that fire at Shadows?”
The Dungeon Monitor stepped forward with a hearty laugh. “I liked playing with matches as a kid. It came in handy.”
“River, Beck, Seth… They all helped, too.” Liam grinned.
“Because they love you, just like we do. So be the center of attention for one evening and smile,” Raine pleaded. “We have something else for you…”
Macen peeked down the front of her dress. “Under that sexy red halter number I wish you weren’t wearing?”
She rolled her eyes and skipped away. “No, perv. Over there.”
Liam followed her finger. Macen did, too. The group stepped aside. A new sporty Audi sedan in a sexy, sophisticated gray came into view. Raine raced down the steps to the yard and dragged a huge red bow she’d made onto the hood.
“Happy birthday!” she yelled.
Macen gaped for a long moment, then broke out in a huge smile as he caught Liam in a headlock and shook him while everyone clapped. “What the hell did you two do?”
“Well, there was an empty spot in the garage that needed filling. Some asshole took a crowbar to the last vehicle parked there, so we’ve removed all those from the house, brother. This car seemed to have your name on it so…” He shrugged. “And Raine thought you’d like it.”
“I love it.” He kissed her. “I love you both. Thank you.”
A pile of presents grew in one corner of the living room that made Hammer scowl and Liam grin. The music and food were a hit, and everywhere Liam looked, people were enjoying themselves.
For once, dread wasn’t breathing down their necks…
While Hammer and Raine danced, Liam made the rounds, visiting and checking their guests.
“Hello, Master Liam—”
“Good evening, Vivian. It’s just Liam here. Are you enjoying yourself?”
The older woman smiled. “I’m sorry, Sir. I mean Liam. Yes. Donald and I are having a great time.”
“Thank you for coming. It means the world to Hammer.” Liam hugged her warmly.
He liked these two. They were totally committed to one another and beautiful to watch together.
Moving on, Liam joined Beck, Seth, Heavenly, Dean, River, and Pike. Heavenly held all their attention, which clearly didn’t thrill Beck and Seth. Liam grinned. It was a rare sight to see those two actually united on anything, even if it was simply scowling.
A few single submissives sat on the outskirts, watching the byplay, hoping for a glance—mostly from River, by the looks of it. Like bees to honey… Liam wondered how long before River realized it. If it took him more than two shakes, no doubt Pike would be content to pick up the slack.
“Well, I’m not really sure…” Heavenly said nervously. “I’m just a volunteer. I made the mistake of asking about his scar—”
“Well, shit. Who hasn’t got scars?” Pike grinned at her, twitching the metal stud in his brow.
Beck gave him a glare that ordered him to zip it. Seth looked ready to punch him.
Liam chuckled, beyond glad that he didn’t have to swim through the kinky singles scene anymore.
“I got shot once.” Dean lifted up his shirt to expose his corrugated abs with a little circular scar between his ribs.
“Put that shit away.” Beck rolled his eyes.
“That’s nothing.” River tugged up his shirt to reveal a whole collection of scars—and muscles. “I’ve been tagged and have so many holes and repairs from back-to-back tours—”
“Oh.” Heavenly leaned in to peer closer.
“Stand down, soldier boy,” Beck growled.
“She doesn’t need to see your”— Seth waved in the general direction of his abs—“stuff. Put it away, man.”
River and Dean shared a glance, then cracked up.
“Just making conversation.” River winked.
“How about you fuck off, too?” Beck suggested.
Heavenly blinked at him, looking like she’d never heard that word in her life.
Suppressing a smile, Liam grabbed a couple of drinks from a passing waiter and handed Heavenly a fresh one. “You all right?”
“Um, yes. Fine. Thank you. Your home is really lovely. I appreciate you inviting me.”
Liam cocked his head at her. While the Emily Post answer was deeply polite, he’d bet her actual thoughts weren’t anything close to that. Beck and Seth were going to have a devil of a time figuring out what was going on in that lovely head of hers. He sensed it was dark—and getting darker. He made a mental note to warn them both.
For now, he simply nodded at her. “It’s our pleasure. We’re glad you could join us.”
Beck sidled over to Heavenly and took her hand, guiding her back to his side. Funny but Liam had never imagined the good sadist could hold anyone so tenderly. “Thanks, man,” he said to Liam. Then he turned his attention back to her. “Stay close to me. Lots of riffraff here tonight.” He glared at Seth.
The smile she gave them had the group of men circled around her hooked. Shaking his head, Liam moved on.
Barnes was sitting in a quiet corner having an in-depth conversation with Knotty Master about…the law?
“Gentlemen, anything I can get you?”
They paused and looked at him.
“No, we’re good. Thanks, Liam.”
“Good piece of legal work, Sterling. Thank you for presenting our evidence to Judge Ayers.”
“He hated Wellington anyway, so he grinned from ear to ear when I showed him everything. He was also damn amused by Marlie’s aggressive blow job technique. He got divorced last year, you know. He asked me why he couldn’t find a woman half so comfortable on her knees.”
Liam laughed. “Send him over to Shadows. I’m sure we could find him one.”
The other men chuckled as Liam drifted toward the dance floor. He watched his parents sway to the music. It brought a lump to his throat. He’d grown accustomed to having them here and would miss them terribly when they left for Ireland in the morning. But his mum had already assured him she would be back when Raine gave birth. Knowing he’d see her again in a few months made him less wistful.
A sentimental ballad played. As Liam circled the dance floor, Hammer and Raine came into view, all smiles, clinging to each other like two people in love. He decided to join them, crowding in behind Raine and latching on to her hips.
“This looks like an excellent party to crash,” he murmured.
“I can’t remember ever being this happy. Tonight is like a dream come true.” Raine clutched Hammer as she leaned back, putting her head on Liam’s shoulder.