The Bold and the Dominant

  Liam heard footsteps behind him. Had Raine awakened and overheard their conversation? Adrenaline slammed through his body. He and Hammer both whirled.

  Beck walked toward them with a grin, clutching a white paper bag. “How are you holding up, Daddy?”

  Taking the outstretched bag, Liam looked inside and spied the test kit. It brought relief…and dread. Whether he was ready to face fatherhood or not, he’d soon find out the truth. “I’m doing better now that you brought this. Thanks.”

  Pulling the kit from the bag, Beck arched a brow. “I can collect the sample now, if you’d like.”

  “The baby’s sleeping at the moment,” Liam replied. “Tell me what I need to do, and I’ll take care of it after he wakes.”

  Beck nodded, then walked Liam through the necessary steps to gather the DNA. He also provided the name and phone number of a lab tech, Tom, who would run the sample and give Liam the results twenty-four hours later.

  “By tomorrow, you’ll know whether you’re free and clear or writing child support checks for the next eighteen years.” Beck shrugged.

  “No shit,” Liam grumbled.

  “Where is your ex, by the way? I want to check her out.” He winked. “See if she’s really as psycho as you two say.”

  “We’ve got her stashed in one of the back rooms.” Liam jerked his head in that direction. “But we still need to find a place to put her.”

  “Put her? You mean like…stash a body?” Beck blinked. “You already killed her?”

  “No. We haven’t fulfilled that fantasy yet,” Hammer scoffed. “We need to find her a hotel room. She’s convinced that she and the baby are moving in with Liam.”

  Beck turned livid. “Don’t tell me you’re fucking dumping Raine to placate your ex-wife.”

  “Bloody hell. No!” Liam barked.

  “Good. Then I won’t have to kill you.” Beck shoved a hand into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a ring of keys. After plucking one off, he handed it to Liam. “Here. This is a key to my condo. Your ex-wife and the kid can stay there for a few days since I’ll probably be holed up at the hospital.”

  Liam blinked. He and Beck hadn’t exactly hit it off, but he appreciated the gesture. “I’m… Wow. Thank you.”

  “No thanks necessary.” Beck nodded at him. “You need all the help you can get.”

  “You’re not wrong there,” Liam grimly agreed.

  “If you want to cause your ex some pain, I’ve got a nice big toy bag in the bedroom closet.” He leered.

  “I’ll bet.” He snorted at the sadist. “If I have to touch her to use those, then no thanks.”

  Beck chuckled. “I’ve got to run. Text me if you have any questions. Hell, text me and let me know how Raine’s doing.”

  “Will do,” Liam replied, surprised by the emotion thick in his throat. “I appreciate all you’ve done, Beck.”

  “You can thank me after we find out that kid’s DNA doesn’t match yours.” He saluted, then turned and rushed out the door.

  They sat quietly for several long minutes, Liam digesting the conversation. Then he turned to Hammer. “Is there something you’re not telling me about Raine? About Bill?”

  “Not at all,” Hammer assured. “I’m just thinking… I know you said Gwyneth didn’t ask for money, but she’s got to have a price.”

  “She’s got more money than god, Macen. She’s here for me.” Even Liam could hear the defeat in his own voice.

  “Well, then, I guess for the first time in her pampered life, Gwyneth’s not going to get what she wants.”

  “I could give a shit what she wants. I’m more worried about Raine.”

  “We’re going to take care of her tonight,” Hammer reassured.

  “What if it turns out I do have a son? Will she still want me then?”

  “Of course. Raine’s heart is huge. There’s room in it for me, you, and Kyle. If he’s yours, she’ll love him, too, because he’s a part of you.”

  “Thanks. I needed to hear that.” Liam sighed. “I want you to know that no matter how the test comes out, I am committed to you and Raine. I’ll do whatever I have to, but I won’t let Gwyneth come between us.”

  “Now you’re talking.” Hammer smiled and raised the bottle.

  They drank a toast, and for the first time all day, Liam felt as if he had a bit of solid ground beneath his feet.

  “Listen, why don’t you go back to my room and slide in bed with Raine,” Hammer suggested. “She’s missing you. She could use the reassurance.”

  “I’d like that.” Liam was damn grateful for the suggestion. He needed to feel her wrapped around him, breathe in her warmth. “I’m not very centered at the moment. I may sound like some damn Nancy, but just being near her calms me, Macen.”

  “It’s the same for me.” Hammer nodded, then grim determination lined his face. “I’ll be in to join you two shortly. First, I want to talk to Gwyneth.”

  “I don’t think that’s a wise idea.” It wasn’t that Liam didn’t appreciate his friend’s help, but things were already fucked up enough without Hammer shoving his stick into the pot and giving it a big stir. “I’d rather you let her be.”

  “I know, and I understand why. But she’s put on her best face for you. She might slip up with me, give some hint about why she’s suddenly so eager to make you three a family.”

  “You’re only going to piss her off. And if she comes screaming down the hall—”

  “I’ll cuff her to a cross and duct tape her mouth shut before I let that happen.” Hammer’s lips curled in a wicked smile.

  “And you’d enjoy every fucking minute of it, too, no doubt.” Liam stood. “I’ll put this DNA kit in my car so I’m ready when the baby wakes and I’ve moved him far from Raine. If you can’t possibly live without grilling Gwyneth, I won’t stop you. But for Raine’s sake, keep the fatalities in the war zone to a minimum, will you?”

  “Boy Scout’s honor.” Hammer smirked.

  Liam rolled his eyes and stood, tucking the sack under his arm. “We both know you were never a Boy Scout, mate. I’ll be back.”

  * * *

  As Liam left the bar, Hammer stood. Squaring his shoulders, he marched down the hall, jaw clenched. The day had been a fucking circus. He itched to keep all the animals in line with his whip, but circumstances prevented that. He didn’t like things being out of his control.

  The thought of waiting twenty-four hours before he knew whether Liam had gotten Gwyneth pregnant seemed as interminable as a life sentence in prison. Which was where Macen would find himself if Raine’s father made good on his promise.

  While Hammer had competent, cutthroat lawyers, he knew paying off Raine’s father for so many years made him look guilty. Innocent men didn’t resort to bribery. Even if Raine testified that Hammer never touched her sexually when she was a minor, the DA could claim Raine suffered from Stockholm syndrome or some other bullshit to convict him.

  At least Liam would be here to care for Raine if the worst came to pass…unless Gwyneth sank her claws into him.

  Pausing outside the newly renovated suite, Hammer dialed back his anger. He couldn’t afford any chink in his armor. If Gwyneth sensed one, she’d go for blood. The bitch had come halfway around the world in hopes of ensnaring her ex-husband. She was in for a rude awakening.

  He raised his hand to knock. Fuck that. Instead, he turned the knob and sauntered into the room.

  With her blond tresses falling down her back, Gwyneth hummed a soft melody. Her relaxed posture looked smug. In fact, the succubus had a serene air, as if she believed her conquest was imminent. If Hammer let her anywhere near Liam, she’d suck the life out of him.

  But she was on his turf, and Hammer intended to get the answers he sought and put her in her place.

  He cleared his throat, and Gwyneth turned with a start. When her gaze fell on him, her warm greeting vanished. Ah, she’d been expecting Liam. He gave her a cold smile.

  She snapped her polite mask in place over al
l her flawless ivory skin, big eyes, and plump pink lips. But he saw the calculating cunt lurking underneath.

  “Macen, I wasn’t expecting you. I’d ask you to come in, but since you already have…” She sent him a little shrug. “What a surprise.”

  Sauntering to the bed, Hammer studied the dark-haired boy. Cute kid, but he saw no particular resemblance to Liam. But then, he knew shit about babies.

  “It’s a surprise to see you, too.” He raised a brow at her. “But since you’ve come all this way to my club to see Liam, didn’t you think you’d have to deal with me?”

  “I didn’t anticipate you barging in. I see now that I should have.” Gwyneth’s tone, while passive, held censure.

  Time to draw the battle lines.

  “My place. My rules,” he pointed out.

  “Indeed.” Her expression looked placid and matched her noncommittal tone.

  Hammer bet she was biting back what she really longed to say. Once upon a time, she wouldn’t have bothered, but Liam was right; this 2.0 version of Gwyneth seemed stealthier.

  “If you’ve come to talk, I’m sorry. Now isn’t a good time.” She swept a hand toward the sleeping baby. “Jet lag has taken its toll on Kyle. He’s just like his father. You know how Liam needs his sleep. Another time.” She glided forward as if to usher him out the door.

  Hammer met her halfway and wrapped his fingers around her arm. “I prefer now.” He hauled her into the small bathroom and closed the door behind him, leaning against the wooden surface to trap her in. “Here will do. So we don’t wake the baby.”

  Gwyneth’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. “Kyle will be unsettled if he wakes alone in a strange place.”

  “We’ll make this quick, then, sweetheart.” Hammer slid a slow, appraising stare down her body, before settling on her breasts. “I see you spent Liam’s alimony on a good cause.”

  The air around them shifted slightly, and he sensed her subtle rise of temper. He smiled again.

  “I know that isn’t what you came to discuss.”

  Macen licked his lips and stared as he captured a few strands of her blond hair, rubbing them between his thumb and finger. He dragged her closer. Heat rose from her body.

  As much as he hated the whore, he’d play the seduction card if he needed.

  When he glanced down at her breasts again, her nipples had peaked. A pink flush blossomed on Gwyneth’s cheeks. He spied a barely perceptible tic of her arm, as if she fought the urge to cover herself.

  Bingo.

  “What exactly did you want?” She tried to jerk away.

  Hammer didn’t let go.

  “Remember the night you tried to seduce me?” he murmured as he continued to fondle her hair. “Do you still think about it? Wonder what if—”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m sorry if you misunderstood my attempt to make my husband’s best friend feel welcome.”

  “You know, the year I came to visit Juliet’s grave after you and Liam were married. Surely you haven’t forgotten that night.”

  Gwyneth refused to meet his direct stare. The pulse point at the base of her neck accelerated. The blush in her cheeks darkened.

  Hammer released her hair and brushed his knuckles across her jaw. He relished the opportunity to make her squirm.

  She jerked from his touch. “I’m afraid I have.”

  “Liam and I were in the study, hitting the scotch hard. You joined us.”

  “You must be mistaken.”

  Funny how breathless she sounded.

  “Oh, but you did, sweetheart. Liam went to bed not long after that. And you climbed in my lap. That ring a bell?”

  Her face tightened for a moment, then smoothed again. “I do recall tripping on the leg of the coffee table and falling onto you. Is that what you mean?”

  Hammer laughed—long and loud and totally at her expense. “So you just happened to straddle me? And rub your pussy all over my cock?”

  She tossed her head primly. “I merely attempted to stand again and had difficulty finding my balance.”

  “For nearly seven minutes?” Hammer scoffed. “I’ve had shorter lap dances.”

  Another flush swept up her face, this one angry. “You think rather a lot of yourself. I never tried to seduce you.”

  Without warning, he gripped her shoulders and spun her against the door. Pressing his body against hers, she gasped. Nudging his knee between her thighs, he rubbed it against her pussy.

  Gwyneth’s breathing turned suddenly shallow, telling Hammer she was either pissed off…or aroused. He didn’t care which. Either would make her reckless.

  “Maybe you should have. You still look beautiful.”

  “You’re standing too close.” She braced her hands on his chest, as if she meant to push him away. But she didn’t.

  Hammer glanced down at where she touched him. “What are you doing with your hands there, sweetheart? You going to unbutton my shirt? Cop yourself a nice feel?”

  She yanked her palms from his shirt as if he’d scalded her. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “So you only wanted me when you were married to my best friend?” He sent her a mock look of pain. “I suppose it’s not as much fun unless you’re betraying someone you profess to love.”

  “You bastard.” She gritted her teeth, then raised her hand to slap him.

  Hammer snagged her wrist and shook his head. “Don’t be a bad girl, Gwyneth, or I’ll have to take you over my knee and spank you.”

  Her nostrils flared, along with her eyes. “I don’t play your depraved games. Did you come simply to insult me? If you have no point, let me out of this room.”

  He’d definitely rattled her. Time to finish her off.

  “You know I don’t obey commands. I give them.” He released her wrist, his stare drilling a hole into her. “How much?”

  She understood exactly what he meant, and the little air of triumph he’d seen earlier returned. She batted her lashes. “How much what?”

  “Stop playing innocent. You’re not good at it,” he bit out. “How much money will it cost for you to take the kid, leave the country, and get out of Liam’s life for good?”

  Somehow, she managed to look stunned. “You think this is about money?”

  “You bet your ass I do.”

  Gwyneth frowned. “I’m disappointed you think I’d be satisfied by something so vulgar. I just want Liam. After all, Kyle needs his father.”

  “Then I suggest you approach whoever knocked you up and talk to him. Because that baby isn’t any more Liam’s than he is mine.”

  Gwyneth shook her head. “Kyle is his. I don’t expect you to believe me, but I brought proof.”

  “You brought documents you doctored.”

  “The baby is Liam’s,” she reiterated between clenched teeth. “I’ve been chaste since the night we spent together after the benefit.”

  Hammer couldn’t stop himself from throwing back his head and laughing. “Please. You’d fuck the stick shift in your Ferrari if you thought it would get you off.”

  She shot him an icy glare before lifting her chin indignantly. Then she pinned her mask back in place. “I’ve changed, Macen. I’m not the same woman I used to be.”

  Hammer could test that claim in a matter of seconds. While