“I can’t thank you enough, man. I’ll take care of everything from here. If anyone asks, you’re not a member of Shadows, and I don’t know you.”
Gorman nodded grimly. “Thanks. Sorry it has to be that way.”
“I completely understand. Don’t think twice.”
“We’ll keep your tracks here clean,” Liam added. “Is there anything else we should be doing to keep Hammer out of jail?”
“Listen to Sterling Barnes. He’s one of the best. Don’t lie more than you have to and don’t lose your temper. And one last thing.” Dean handed him a folded scrap of paper. “I debated about this but…in Raine’s shoes, I’d want to know. Of course, I didn’t give this to you, either. But here’s River’s current address. It’s a rent-by-the-week place. He refused to list a phone number. This might not be much help, but maybe you can get some answers from him.”
Hammer tucked the information in the pocket of his sweat pants. The last thing he wanted was Raine anywhere near the bastard, but he and Liam would go have a “friendly chat” with River. “So no one intends to charge him for attempted kidnapping?”
Gorman shook his head. “Somehow, he convinced them it was a ‘misunderstanding.’ Slippery bastard.”
“Indeed.” Liam looked shaken.
About like Hammer felt.
“Thanks for the heads-up.”
“No problem. Best of luck. If you need more information, it’ll be tricky but…get a burner phone and call me.” Dean slapped him on the back. “Sorry I didn’t have better news. Good night, you two. Hug Raine for me.”
“We will. Night.” He shook the cop’s hand, then showed Dean out the door, watching him hop in the car and drive south. Macen couldn’t help but feel as if his future was heading in the same direction.
Thursday, February 14
Liam awoke in darkness and sighed wearily, the silent summons heard.
What does a man have to do to get some shut-eye around here?
As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he saw that Raine lay facing him. Hammer spooned her securely in his arms as they slept. Liam was glad. No telling how many nights they had left together.
As much as he hated to face that reality, poking his head in the sand wouldn’t help any of them.
Quietly, Liam left the bed and dressed, then tiptoed down to the kitchen, smelling the teapot brewing.
Sure enough, as he rounded the corner, his mother sat at the table, sipping from her cup. The lights above warmed her auburn hair. She didn’t speak, merely gestured Liam to his waiting mug.
He joined her at the table. “Morning, Mum.”
“Mornin’, son. I’ll not keep you long, but ’tis best if we talk privately.”
He agreed. “I’m worried about Hammer. What do you see?”
“If you were listening to what’s inside you, you’d already have a clue.” She slanted him a chastening stare. “Why’ve you not paid attention to your gifts and developed them? They won’t go away simply because you choose to ignore them. Best to make peace, son. They’re a part of you.”
Liam frowned. “How are they gifts, Mum? A bloody burning ear when you decide to visit? Seeing the auras of animals and plants? Weirdly knowing things that don’t always make sense until after the fact? All that’s bloody useless when I need it most. And since I was a wee lad, your riddles have driven me daft at times.”
“Think of your abilities like a tool. You can’t be much good at using them without practice. But if you hone the skill, you’ll be a master craftsman one day.” Bryn touched his cheek. “So don’t be thinking your sight is of no value.”
“Maybe I’m just stubborn.”
“Maybe?” she parried back with a smile.
“I wanted to live my life my way, not with my future fixed by a fate I couldn’t escape.”
“Good grief, seeing doesn’t mean you have no choice. In fact, a whole world of limitless possibilities opens up. You have an innate warning system, while others rely on the information at hand and their judgment. Auras can be helpful. Tell me, when were you ever bitten by a dog?”
Liam paused. “Never, that I recall.”
“Animals are drawn to you. They know you sense them. Same with plants and trees. They’re living entities, so their auras are a clue about the state of their being.” Her smile became a fond grin. “Remember when you’d cry if someone gave me flowers? You’d tell me they were bleeding.”
“Mum, I was five. Knowing the state of my garden doesn’t help me with my problems now.”
“If you paid attention, it might. But you’ve been tuned out for years. What color was Gwyneth’s aura?”
“I don’t know.” Liam hadn’t thought much about it, and he didn’t want to dwell on the she-beast.
“Tune in and think.”
Liam sighed. Best not to fight his mother when she was determined.
He closed his eyes, and suddenly it filled his head. “Green. And muddy brown.”