Raine hesitated before glancing at him, then back to Liam. She turned to leave as Liam’s eyes fastened on Marlie. And suddenly, he unleashed his rage on her with a ferocity that had the woman backing up against Hammer in a hurry.
“You’re a viscous, pathetic excuse for a human being, and if you were a man, I’d knock you into next week. How dare you lay hands on Raine? You aren’t fit to so much as wipe her ass for her. You’ll never have and never be what she is, and do you know why? Because she’s real and decent, full of life. And she has a heart. How fucking dare you raise a bloody hand to her, you miserable plastic bitch! Get the hell out of my face before I forget you’re female. Hear me well, though. If you come within a hundred yards of Raine again, I’ll make you wish to christ you’d never been born!”
Marlie stared at Liam in abject fear. Hammer had never seen this side of his friend—ever. The calm, cool, collected Liam who never lost his temper was long gone. This startling transformation was something he’d best keep in mind.
Liam turned. Sweet Raine blinked at him with soft eyes.
“Damn it,” he muttered. “I told you—”
She threw herself into his arms. He caught her with a groan and wound his arms around her, pulling her into his body. He didn’t pause, but kept walking as she wrapped her legs about him and kissed him soundly before they disappeared into his room. The door slammed shut so hard the walls vibrated.
Suddenly, Hammer found himself alone with Marlie. He dragged her to his office.
It would be a long time before the image of Raine locking lips with the asshole and crawling up his body like he was some fucking hero left Hammer’s mind. And damnit, he probably missed a golden opportunity to wrap Raine in his arms and shield her from Liam’s tirade. But as pissed off as Liam was, Hammer was certain that if he’d jostled one hair on Raine’s head, Liam would have gone berserk.
Mentally, Hammer sank to his knees. When had the fucking bastard fallen head over heels in love with Raine? The realization that she’d burrowed deep into Liam’s heart disturbed him. It shouldn’t shock him as much as it did; after all, Raine had captured his heart long ago. She still owned it.
Was all that tonsil-swabbing she’d played with Liam just gratitude…or was she falling in love with the fucker?
“Are you going to let him talk to me like that?” Marlie batted her lashes in a pathetic attempt to look fragile and helpless. She faked a sniffle. “She said that you fucked her.”
“Nope. I didn’t fuck her. I made mad, passionate love to her.”
Marlie dropped the faux sadness. “Are you kidding me? Did you want to see how the unwashed performs in bed?”
Hammer gave her his sternest glare of contempt. “We shared something magical. Meaningful. Something I never had with you.”
“She’s so...gutter. How could you want her? All that dark hair tangles and hangs down her back in a disheveled mess and into her eyes. All that fake innocence...” Marlie made gagging noises. “Seriously, she must have fucked half the dungeon over the years. No polish, no class. She’s so short and her boobs are too big to wear designer. I’m sure that’s why she looks so thoroughly average.” She shuddered, and Hammer felt his blood pressure rise. “That, and her grooming. Does she do her nails with a chainsaw? Cut her own hair wearing a blindfold?” Marlie curled her fake claws around his shoulder. Hammer shook off her touch, feeling a sudden, violent urge. “Macen, really. You’re too sophisticated and smart to prefer that little urchin to a more worldly woman. You and I are so alike. We make sense. Be reasonable, lover...”
He’d never punched a woman before, but if he didn’t get the conniving whore out of his office soon, he’d do just that.
Glaring at Marlie with a look that should have turned her to stone, he jerked the phone off his desk and punched in the code for security. “I need an escort from my office. Now!” He slammed the receiver back down and sucked in a deep breath, his body shaking in rage.
Clenching his jaw so tight he thought his teeth might shatter, he balled his hands into fists. “You’re banned from Shadows until hell freezes over. But let me be clear. Raine is a beautiful woman who’s real and warm. She’s got a heart of gold. I don’t know why, but she actually tried to protect you. Christ, I’m so damn glad we made her tell the truth. Don’t ever darken my doorstep with your shallow cattiness again, you miserable cunt!”
“You actually prefer that unkempt whore?” Marlie stared, open-mouthed. “Oh my god, you’re in love with her? Ugh! My opinion of you just went down ten notches. That ‘heart of gold’ won’t look so good on your arm since I’ve seen better-dressed women who just crawled out of the projects. She wouldn’t know the difference between Versace and Prada if someone held a gun to her head. But, oh, that’s right. She won’t be on your arm. She’s busy fucking your what...best friend? So I guess that leaves you all alone.” She smiled coldly as she grabbed his thumb. “Have fun with Polly and her four sisters. That’s all the sex you’ll be getting because you won’t be getting it from me, you stupid ox!”