The Bond (Unbroken Raine Falling 4)

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.” Raine forced herself to stare down the detective. “None of what you just said proves anything except that I’m attached to one of the men I love.”

“We have video evidence of him appearing to rape you.”

Raine flipped an alarmed glance at Calvin, then remembered he didn’t know anything. But she knew her passion for Hammer.

“You don’t have to comment on that,” the lawyer put in.

Oh, but Raine wanted to.

“I don’t know what video you’re talking about…” Probably club surveillance she had no idea how they would have gotten their hands on. “But what may appear like rape to you is bliss to me. I like rough sex, and that’s not a crime. I consented every single time.”

Perez sent her a quelling glance. “You’re telling me that a fragile little thing like you enjoys being mauled by a man who’s bigger, older, and far stronger?”

“Yes. It’s called submission, sweetheart.” Raine couldn’t resist.

“So you admit you’re a slave?”

“No. If you don’t know the difference between a submissive and a slave, you’ll never understand a word I say. I choose to give my power to him and I can take it back like that.” She snapped her fingers, then she looked over at Calvin. “Get me out of here. I won’t stay since she’s not interested in any truth that doesn’t crucify Hammer.”

“I agree.” Calvin rose and grabbed his briefcase. “Let’s go.”

Beside him, Raine leapt from her chair. She wanted to go home. She wanted to see Hammer and Liam. She wanted to put this shitty night behind them.

“Wait!” Perez called out, finally getting off her high horse. “Ms. Kendall, you don’t have to protect Hammerman. We see victims like you all the time, manipulated by some experienced charmer who knows how to lure an innocent girl into the sex trade. What did he give you that you lacked at home? Money? Affection? Did he prey on your insecurities and make you feel pretty before he took you to bed? Before he shared you with his friends and associates?” The detective rounded the table and cupped Raine’s shoulder. “Don’t let him get away with this. Just say the word, and we can lock him up. He’ll never hurt you—”

“Don’t touch me.” Raine jerked away. “And don’t patronize me. You and your lurid fascination need to get a life. Hammer is an amazing man, and no matter how you try to put the most salacious slant on our relationship, we love each other, and I’ll defend him with every breath. If you’re looking for a witness to testify against him, it won’t be me.”

She didn’t wait for either Calvin or Perez to reply. She jerked open the door and marched out without looking back.

At the end of the hall, she caught sight of Liam pacing, waiting for her. She ran to him and threw herself in his arms. “Are you all right?”

“Fine, love. Are you? What did they ask?”

“Terrible questions that made me out to be a spineless puppet. I lost my temper.” She turned to Calvin, who had just caught up. Apprehension twisted her stomach. “I screwed that up for Hammer, didn’t I?”

“No.” Calvin looked like he was still laughing. “I think it’s safe to say if this goes to trial, the prosecution won’t be calling you to testify on their behalf.”

Probably not. But Raine still worried there would be a trial, followed by a prosecution and a railroading of justice. She was terrified that Hammer was going down—and she could do nothing to stop it.

On the drive home, Hammer bitterly recounted his interrogation to his grim-faced friends. Seth shook his head at the detectives’ allegations.

“All I want to know is where to find River,” Beck piped up. “I’d like to ignore my Hippocratic oath for a few hours and unleash a shitload of non-consensual pain on that cocksucker.”

“Get in line,” Hammer grumbled.

The rest of the ride seemed unusually quiet. Beck was never one to mince words, but after that quip, he exchanged a few glances with Seth that had Hammer frowning.

“Something else going on?” he asked them.

Seth pulled into the U-shaped driveway as dusk turned to night. He and Beck seemed to share another silent conversation.

Now Hammer was downright suspicious.

“Nope,” Beck quipped. “Now…do you want to hang out in the car with us, connect to your inner vagina, and discuss your feelings? Or would you rather spend the night with Raine and Liam?”

No contest.

“Find your own vagina,” Hammer shot back. “I’m going inside.”

Garden lights illuminated their house. As he stared at the warm gray stucco structure, fear and what-ifs gnawed at him. His heart was behind that glossy black door, shining from those big picture windows. He ached to lock himself inside with the two people he loved most, find respite in Raine’s body, and spend every moment giving her memories with Liam.