The Bond (Unbroken Raine Falling 4)

“That will slow the remodeling around the house, but with the kitchen mostly done, Raine will be patient about the rest.”

“She’ll have to be.”

It was Liam’s turn to pace. “I’ve got to tell you, I’m beginning to feel as if the pin is out of the grenade and I’m just waiting for the next explosion.”

“Don’t fucking ask what else could go wrong.”

“Not saying a word.” Liam shook his head. “At least we’ve got Valentine’s Day to look forward to tomorrow. Would you mind picking up Raine’s gift while you’re out?”

“You sure you don’t want to? It was your idea, man. Your design. I’ll get her some flowers and chocolate, I guess. Pregnant women like chocolate, right?”

Liam rolled his eyes. Macen might have fucked his way through half of Los Angeles, but he was clueless about romance. “I intended the gift to be from both of us, something special for our first Valentine’s Day with our girl. After all, she’ll be the mother of our baby come August. We have to show her how much we love her.”

“You already bought her a goddamn house. Maybe I should buy her a new car or…” He tossed his hands in the air and gaped at Liam. “Jesus, man. I don’t have a fucking clue.”

“I hadn’t noticed.” Liam snorted. “I’m sure she’d appreciate the sentiment, but since she won’t be driving herself anywhere—at least not while River is lurking—a new car seems pointless. But I wouldn’t mind you buying me one.”

“Oh, fuck off. You’ve got money. Buy your own damn car.”

Liam flipped him off. “You can find something else to add to the gift if you like. I want you to feel as if it’s from us both.”

The ringing of Macen’s mobile cut into their conversation. He yanked it from his pocket and frowned at the screen. “It’s Dean Gorman.”

“The cop?” He was a member of Shadows and had helped them through the investigation the dark morning Raine had been in Bill’s clutches.

“Yeah. Maybe he’s got information.” Macen pressed the button to power the speakerphone. “Hi, Dean.”

“Hey, Hammer. Liam there with you?”

“We’re both here,” Liam answered. “Got any news?”

“Raine’s brother is at the precinct. The captain is interrogating the shit out of him now.”

Relief deluged Liam, and he exhaled a burst of tension. Beside him, Hammer did the same, a smile slowly spreading from ear to ear. Liam followed suit as they high-fived each other.

“Where did they catch the bastard?” Hammer demanded.

“Well, they—” A chime pealed in the background, and Dean swore. “Shit. Armed robbery in progress. I’ll call you back.”

The line went dead, but Liam didn’t care. “River is behind bars. That’s bloody brilliant! Let’s hope the wanker gets what’s coming to him. Why don’t we tell our girl?”

“That he won’t be scaring the shit out of her again any time soon? Absolutely.”

Hammer crossed the living room and shoved into the kitchen. Liam followed, inhaling a sweet, spiced scent. His stomach rumbled. Based on the smell, Raine had baked them something wonderful.

Suddenly, Macen halted in his tracks, a dead stop just inside the portal.

Liam barely managed to keep himself from plowing into his friend’s back. “What the…”

When he glanced around Hammer’s shoulder, Raine knelt near the door, holding a plate of warm snickerdoodle cookies—and not wearing a stitch. Liam nearly swallowed his tongue. She blinked up at them, her expression imploring. A sensual electronica tune, punctuated by chanting and panting, hung in the air like an unspoken seduction.

“Something sweet, gentlemen?” She batted her lashes their way.

“Oh, fuck,” Hammer murmured under his breath.

“If you’re offering, I’d love to. Liam, you…in?” Raine sent him a bewitching smile.

“Hell yes.” He peeled off his coat and reached for his belt. He’d been waiting for this moment forever.

Their girl was smart. She had listened to every word of advice he’d given her after their unfinished breakfast the other morning. She was taking charge. Normally, the Dom in him would object. But Hammer needed the encouragement—and the orgasm with their girl. Frankly, he could use one himself.

Macen grabbed the plate of cookies from her hands and chucked it onto a nearby counter. Then he bent and wrapped his hands around her still-small waist, lifting her onto the island in the middle of the room. He shoved her legs apart, stepped between them, and grabbed her face in his hands. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Trying to get your attention. Is it working?” She bit her lip and began unbuttoning Hammer’s shirt.

Liam watched his friend. One little shove and he’d tip over.

“Why?” Hammer demanded.

“Because I want you and I miss you. And when you two touch me, I feel safe. Nothing that happened to me today was your fault. Don’t think it was.”

He pulled away and swallowed hard. “I didn’t protect you.”

“You did everything except hold my hand and help me across the street like a two-year-old. Hammer, you can’t plan for crazy.”