The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

“Another?” the bartender asked.

“Nah.” The booze would only make him wearier, and he still had to find Hammer and Raine, explain his night at the hospital with Gwyneth. But he had to tuck away this irrational anger first, remember that Raine was not his exclusively.

“You missed Raine and Hammer center stage earlier,” Nick said. “They scened for a good, long while. One of the most amazing connections between a Dom and a sub I’ve ever seen.”

A shockwave of anger jolted Liam where he stood as he tried to process Nick’s words. Liam resisted the urge to smack his pretty-boy Australian teeth down his throat.

Instead, he tapped the counter. “I’ve changed my mind. Another.”

“Sure thing.” The bartender poured again and frowned. “Hey, are you okay?”

He ignored Nick and tossed back the drink, then turned away.

“Did you see Hammer take Raine in the middle of the dungeon earlier?” he overheard one Dom ask another.

“No, but I heard about it the second I walked in the door,” the other answered. “About fucking time, if you ask me. They’ve been hot for each other for years.”

“Yeah, and it showed. That scene was an act of pure Dominance. She subbed out for him just like that.” The stranger snapped. “Like she’d been falling over for him for years.”

“In a way, she has. I wonder where Hammer’s Irish friend fits into all this.”

No shit. Liam wondered that himself. Or if he even did.

“Hammer declared that he and Liam own her,” the first Dom said. “But who knows?”

Who indeed?

Liam slammed his empty glass on the bar with a scowl. One of the Doms looked up and noticed him, then elbowed his peer. Both men quickly melted into the crowd.

Heart thudding in his chest, Liam couldn’t breathe. His jealousy returned in spades to bury him where he stood, somehow stunned—though he probably shouldn’t be.

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Seth warned. “Those two are talking out of their asses.”

“Actually, I think they’re spot on, Seth. Now if you don’t mind, fuck off.” Liam pushed away from the bar and left the dungeon. It was high time he found the pair of them and confronted whatever was going on.

The little bit of Liam still capable of rational thought understood that he’d lost the plot. But Hammer sceneing with Raine—without him—felt like a boulder breaking his back. Suddenly, logic had left the building. And he didn’t give a shit.

Would their relationship always be like this, him feeling like a third wheel in their twosome? Yes, Raine claimed to love him, too. Why didn’t he quite believe it? Probably because he couldn’t figure out what the hell he gave Raine that Hammer didn’t. Liam couldn’t think of a single thing. Now it seemed as if they’d just been waiting for him to piss off somewhere so they could fuck without him.

They’d done more than fuck, though. Hammer had claimed her with the members of his club as witness, and Raine had probably been all too eager to kneel for Hammer in front of everyone they knew.

Liam cursed. He sounded like a maudlin pansy. Time to shove down his heartache and man up.

As he stomped down the hall, he tried to clear his head, but all he imagined were the sounds of Raine’s moans and pleas for Hammer to take her in every way. Jealousy flared hotter than a furnace. Were Hammer and Raine laughing at him? Rolling their eyes at how fucking predictable and gullible he was? He must be, after all. How else could Gwyneth have succeeded in duping him for nearly two years?

Raine didn’t need him. She had her house now—and the one man she’d always wanted.

But she needs you, too.

And his best fucking mate?

Hammer loves you. He’s still your friend.

Who happens to want your girl.

But all to himself? Hours ago, Hammer had insisted that Liam spend some much-needed time with Raine. Had Macen thrown a hissy when he’d realized that Liam had made love to her? Not at all.

Liam didn’t know what to think anymore as he made his way toward Hammer’s private rooms.

When he reached the door to the office, he opened it and crept inside. The soft glow of a muted desk lamp lit the place. He stood frozen as he strained to hear the sounds of sex from the adjoining bedroom. When only the tick of a clock intruded, he crossed the room and carefully opened the door to Hammer’s quarters.

The heavy aroma of sex filled his nostrils and slammed into his brain. When he’d last touched Raine, he’d found that scent erotic as hell. Now, it choked him, cloying and thick.

As he forced himself into the room, he saw that half of Hammer’s bed lay empty. Light seeped under the bathroom door as he stepped closer to where Raine sprawled out in sleep.

She’d kicked off the covers and lay naked on her stomach. The pale light of a bedside lamp illuminated her body. At first, Liam couldn’t wrap his mind around the numerous mottled bruises in the shape of fingertips and palms, the myriad bites impressed into her skin everywhere, and her bright red ass.