The Betrayal (Unbroken Raine Falling 1)

“Is that what you think?” Hammer hissed. “Did she neglect to tell you that she came into my room uninvited while I slept and wrapped her mouth around my dick?”

“She told me.”

Hammer’s jaw tightened. “And when I spanked her for crossing boundaries, she fought me. I denied her orgasm for three days, so she masturbated on my bed. As soon as I found her, she chose that moment to come.”

Liam hadn’t known that. “You hurt her feelings, mate. It’s no surprise she lashed back.”

“Instead of talking to me, she made a fucking mess on the floor that someone else had to clean up. I even gave Raine an easy out of this punishment. All she had to do was apologize, but the girl was too stubborn to do it. I don’t answer to you, mate, so get your hand off me.”

This confrontation was accomplishing nothing except getting Hammer’s back up. Liam uncurled his fingers from the man’s arm and strode back through the parting crowd to Raine.

She stiffened, looking so brittle, it was a wonder she didn’t shatter. “Can we get this over with?”

“Yeah.” Beck prodded, uncoiling the whip at his side and rolling it, the tattoos on his biceps bunching with movement. “Is this fucking gabfest done?”

Liam opened his mouth to warn Beck off, but Hammer cut in. “Absolutely. Do it.” He stared Raine down. “Strip, girl. Now! Your safe word is ‘lesson.’”

“Oh, that’s clever.” She rolled her eyes.

“Keep up the insolence. You’ll get extra punishment.” With a clenching of his jaw, Hammer strode away and settled into a nearby chair. Everyone around them fell utterly silent.

Liam turned to Raine, whispering in her ear. “I’m here, lass, and I’ll not be leaving you.”

At her tense nod, he plucked at the ribbon holding her baby-doll together and eased it off her shoulders. God, the sight of her bare skin and pretty nipples nearly made his knees weak. She turned her gaze to her own reflection in the mirrors surrounding the padded table, holding her head high, even as she shivered. So bonny and brave…and stubborn. He cupped her shoulders and brought her forward to face Beck, who sidled closer with a burning stare that looked a bit too happy to promise anything but pain.

As Liam released her, he glanced down the graceful line of her spine, to her pert backside, then reared back in surprise. She wore nothing beneath the nightie, except minuscule black boy shorts. Emblazoned across her ass in bold print were the words Fuck You Very Much.

“Bloody hell!” Was she trying to incite Hammer to turn Beck loose on her?

Liam saw now exactly what the man had meant about the brat’s claws coming out when she felt threatened.

Raine peeked over her shoulder at him from beneath dark lashes, flashing him an anxious look. “Um, that wasn’t meant for you, Liam. Sorry.”

Normally, he wouldn’t condone disrespect, but as far as he was concerned, Hammer had earned it. He spun Raine around so his friend could read her sassy message.

Immediately, Beck chuckled. Half the crowd gasped. That only seemed to set Hammer off more.

With a low growl, the dungeon owner narrowed his eyes. “That’s going to cost you a few more, precious. Beck, rip those damn panties off and begin.”

“It’ll be my pleasure. I’ll make sure she pays.” The sadist flashed a broad smile as his big steps ate up the floor. Then he tore the panties from Raine’s ass with a loud rip and snaked his big hand around her arm, yanking her from Liam. “Up on the bench, brat. Time for me to have some fun.”

As Raine swallowed and glared at Hammer one last time, she positioned herself on the padded apparatus, head up and eyes forward in the mirror as she draped her slender body over the top and lifted her tender white ass in the air. Liam would have appreciated the view more if he hadn’t been so riled.

Circling her, Beck inspected her with a critical eye. Letting loose a hearty laugh of satisfaction, he reached between her knees and shoved them apart. Raine yelped. Beck didn’t pay her any mind, just locked her ankles in the cuffs.

“Remember what I said to you,” Liam growled in Beck’s face as the man sauntered past and restrained her wrists.

Beck snorted as he ripped off his tank to reveal his wide, muscled chest. The idea of him unleashing all his strength on wee Raine made Liam insane. She hadn’t been without blame in the spat with Hammer, but she didn’t deserve the kind of beating Beck would give her.

The sadist raised a mocking brow. “Before I start, you want to make sure she can tug her wrists out of those cuffs so she can reach back and cover her ass? We wouldn’t want her butt to sting or anything.”