The Bond (Unbroken Raine Falling 4)

“I suspect you should be. I’m sure you and Macen welcomed River with open arms,” she said tartly. “And thoroughly explained your relationship with Raine when he came callin’, right?”

“He’d already made up his mind. He hurled ugly accusations, jumped to conclusions—”

“Just as well it wasn’t your foot in that shoe, I’m thinking. Imagine how things might have seemed to you if Caitlyn, Maeve, or any of your sisters were in Raine’s situation.”

Liam growled. Raine had said something eerily similar. “That’s not the point, Mum. The man’s a menace and not to be trusted. He wouldn’t listen to a bloody word any of us said anyway, even Raine. He meant to take her from us. He threatened to abort our child.”

“That’s River’s fear talking. Yours is barking, too,” she pointed out. “Why are men so bloody hardheaded at times? Your da can be the same.”

“Because we’re men.”

She huffed. “You listen to me. Raine has to save Macen from himself. She’s the only one who can. And to do that, she needs her brother…without you two interfering.”

Anxiety ripped through him. “What if you’re wrong? We can’t take a chance he’ll hurt her or cart her away.”

“Oh, Liam.” She sighed. “River loves her. He believes he’s doing right by his sister. He’s only concerned for her well-being. His heart is in the right place, even if he is going about things a mite cockeyed.”

“A mite?” Liam scoffed. “I don’t like it. And neither will Hammer.”

Bryn’s face softened. “No matter. She’ll go. Why don’t you send the lads with her? Seth and Kenneth are good boys. They’ll watch over her.”

“Who? Oh, you mean Beck.” Liam frowned. “Don’t call him Kenneth. He hates it. And you know that.”

Bryn just gave him an impish smile. “He needs a woman to put him in his place now and then.”

“God help me.” Liam gave a mock scowl. “I’ll think about what you’ve said.”

“Best do it quick.”

That meant Raine already had a plan. Damn it.

“We appreciate you coming to visit, and I know you want to help…but I have to ask, where were you when Gwyneth tormented me last winter? Couldn’t you have warned me she was full of tripe when she presented me with the boy she claimed was mine? Or when Raine’s mongrel of a father kidnapped her and—” Biting back the memory, he hung his head and fought to control the burn behind his eyes.

“I tried to help with Gwyneth,” she reminded gently. “Before you even married her. But you were set on the shrew. I warned you, but you wouldn’t hear a word of it. Told me to keep out. I respected that, though I don’t mind telling you, ’twas difficult.”

Bryn had never been one to hold her tongue.

He grimaced. “No doubt. And I should have listened.”

“As for your ex-wife’s return and all that led up to Raine’s kidnapping, you know the sight is not always clear. The future’s not set in stone, like the past or present. That’s why I know the sex of the babe and who fathered it. ’Tis already done.” Bryn paused as though choosing her next words. “But what might be…that’s fluid. A whim can change circumstances and alter the future. I am sorry for all Gwyneth put you through. But you’re stronger for it.”

“I felt helpless at the time, Mum, like I was chasing my own bloody tail. I made mistakes that could have cost me the people I hold dearest.”

“None of that happened. I felt your pain at the time. Your worry. But you had everything you needed to choose the right path. Next time, listen more carefully to the voice inside you.” Rising, Bryn retrieved the teapot and topped off both their cups.

“How do I know it’s right?”

“How do you know it’s wrong?” she countered.

His mother’s semantics sometimes drove him mad. “Couldn’t you have just whispered in my ear?”

“I wasn’t meant to interfere, Liam. Sometimes, there’s no way around the obstacles in our path. Can’t go under or over them. The only way left is to plow straight through. It was Bill’s time to die, and Raine was meant to vanquish him. One of the hardest things I’ve had to accept over the years is that seeing things doesn’t mean I can stop them. I had to let that play out.”

“But Raine’s father—”

“Got what he deserved, and your young woman is a warrior, too. She fought tooth and nail for all of you and the future you could have together. If I’d dabbled in that, I could have changed everything.”

“Then what makes this situation so different?” he asked wearily.

“Macen will sacrifice himself for you both if you don’t stop him, and none of you will live the life you should have together. This love you three share is special. It’s been a long time coming to you all. I’ve known you were meant for something different since you were a wee lad. Now you’re where you should be, son. With the people you should hold forever. Use every tool you’ve got to fight for that.”