The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

“Don’t use that language in front of the baby.” She covered one little ear.

Liam rolled his eyes. “He can’t even talk.”

“But he’s beginning to form his linguistic abilities. That’s not the sort of speech he should hear. I’ve been reading—”

“I’ll take his DNA sample this morning. Until the lab results come back, we’ve nothing more to discuss.”

“But he is our son,” she beseeched.

“We’ll see. I’ll be back with a swab shortly. Wait here.”

As he turned to leave, she clutched his arm. “Don’t go. I’ve brought Kyle here so you two could bond.” She paused and sent a tender glance into the boy’s face, then stared at Liam again. “He needs his father.”

“If he’s mine, then I will be a part of his life.”

“If? Look at him. You can’t deny that face.”

“I can until I have proof.”

“Please don’t take your anger for my mistakes out on Kyle. I’m sorry I’ve ruined everything.” Tears welled. “Had I not been so impulsive, had I realized I was throwing away a loving husband…” She paused, her chin quivering. “Being a mother has forced me to grow up. I’m not the same woman you married. I hurt you deeply, and you’ll never know how sorry I am.”

She sounded remorseful, but he wondered if she was actually capable of giving a shit about anyone else, much less feeling regret.

Liam pursed his lips. “I’m not buying it, Gwyneth. It’s unlike you not to hound me for more—more money, a bigger house, child support, a bigger fucking wardrobe. Why haven’t you?”

“I…” She seemed to shrink before his eyes. “I was ashamed.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Are you really going to make me explain? I was ashamed by my actions, Liam.” An aching sadness spread across her face. “I know the trust we once shared is long gone, even if my feelings for you remain. I understand if you’re too wounded to find it in your heart to forgive me now. But don’t turn your back on our son.”

Liam frowned at the sleepy-eyed tyke. “I’ve told you, I’ll be a father to the child, if he’s mine.”

She laid a trembling hand on his arm. “You were always such a wonderful husband. I know you’ll be an amazing father. He’ll need that, especially now…”

The babe gave a huge yawn, looking as if he were bored.

“Meaning?”

She sniffled, taking a long moment to pull herself together.

“For pity’s sake, woman.” Liam shook his head. Open your mouth as easily as you open your legs. “What are you trying to say?”

“Kyle is suffering from some…issues you should know about.”

A little knot of worry formed in his gut. “Is he sick?”

“Not physically. His psychotherapist says—”

“His what?” Had she gone daft? Liam stared at the boy. “He’s not even six months old. Why would he need one of those?”

She laid the child down on the bed, boxing him in with pillows and covering him with a fuzzy blue blanket embroidered with a train.

“I told you this was a matter of life or death. Kyle has serious emotional issues.”

“Christ, what in-depth conversations could he possibly be having with a shrink?”

“Liam, these are his formative years.” Her voice hitched. “Kyle is withdrawn and unhappy. According to his doctor, he isn’t bonding properly. This kind of thing could ruin his life.”

Liam inspected the now sleeping baby’s demeanor. “He looks perfectly normal to me.”

“What ails him isn’t visible on the outside,” she protested. “Spend time with Kyle, and you’ll see that his emotional development is thwarted by the lack of an active male figure in his life. We cannot allow him to suffer, Liam.”

“Are you serious?”

“Try to keep up.” She placed a hand over her trembling lips. “He needs a family, a loving mother and father—together—to give him a sense of stability and security.”

So that’s what she wanted, to play happy family? Liam felt sick. “Let me be clear about one very important thing: If the paternity test bears out, we’ll share custody, not a life. You and I will never be together again. Until we have the results, I’ve nothing more to say.”

Turning for the door, Liam swallowed his shock. If he had to deal with Gwyneth for the whole of Kyle’s childhood, he would need a bloody psychotherapist. He wished to hell he could wake up from this nightmare and find himself lying next to Raine.

Raine.

Just the thought of her caused something to shatter inside him. His plans, hopes, and dreams of a future with her and Hammer looked precarious. They’d worked so hard and come through so much together already. Now, it seemed as if he was losing them. No relationship—especially one less than a day old—could withstand such a test.

At that realization, a giant fist reached into Liam’s chest and squeezed his heart.

Gwyneth grabbed at his sleeve. “You can’t turn your back on our son, Liam.”

He whirled on her. “How the hell do you expect me to react? You come here uninvited, tell me I’ve knocked you up, and that the boy you claim is mine suddenly needs a daddy. You honestly expect me to drop the life I’ve made since our divorce and play family man? With no proof?”