The Bond (Unbroken Raine Falling 4)

He looked at her as if that possibility had never occurred to him and he liked his chances with the nurse volunteer if Raine talked him up. “Would you?”

She led them back to Hammer’s office with a laugh, then inserted the drive into the USB port of Seth’s computer, fast-forwarding to the footage in the alley. Once she found Marlie following her out, cursing her existence, and slapping her, she stopped the video.

“What a cunt,” Seth spit out.

“Pretty but…a fucking bitch.” River sighed. “I see what you mean about hating you.”

Seth nodded. “Absolutely. And not having the firmest grasp on reality.”

“She’s pretty damn entitled,” her brother added.

“Because she’s the sort of woman who’s had every man she’s ever wanted her whole life. Why should Hammer be different?” She gasped and pressed her hand to her chest, imitating Marlie. “How could a perfect Barbie lose him to mere white trash?”

River cracked up.

Raine joined in the laughter. “Unfortunately, this footage only proves that she hit me once. Liam blessed her out. Ugly. I’ve hardly ever seen him so angry. Hammer took her aside. I’m sure he had choice words before he had her permanently removed. And everyone clapped.”

“I like her as a suspect, Raine,” Seth said. “I just don’t know how we figure out whether she’s guilty or not. We can’t go to the police with a hunch.”

Yeah, because everyone investigating this case had already made up their minds.

An idea rolled around in her head. Raine glanced between Seth and River. They’d object, but she was right, damn it. “Let me talk to her.”

“What?” They both turned to her in unison.

“No.” Seth shook his head.

“Hell no,” River put in. “She could be dangerous. If she’s got a gun—”

“She doesn’t,” Raine assured. “I’ll see her in public, surrounded by people. If I lead her into a conversation, provoke her a little…”

“No matter how you incite her, I doubt she’ll confess anything to you.” Seth sounded like the voice of reason.

“You’re right, and that’s okay. See, you only understand how to get women into bed. You don’t understand how they really operate.”

“Do tell,” he drawled.

“Yeah, I want to hear this.” River leaned forward like he was hanging on every word.

“Women like her aren’t that different from the playground bullies you grew up with. They’re all tough and full of themselves—until you call their bluff. I won’t challenge her. If I actually got her to confess, she might do something drastic—try to hurt me or go into hiding or…I don’t know. But if I poke her temper and dance around the subject, I’ll bet she’s so proud of what she’s done. Something will show on her face. I’ll see it.”

They were both quiet for a long moment. Their expressions said they weren’t thrilled.

Raine went in for the kill. “You got a better idea?”

Seth looked at River with a grimace. Her brother sighed.

The answer neither of them wanted to admit was no.

“We’ll have to talk to Liam and Hammer first. I won’t put you in her path—”

“We can’t tell them.” Raine grabbed his shoulder and willed him to understand.

“I’m not your Dom, and risking you without their knowledge or consent is damn irresponsible.”

Okay. Good point. “It’s all right. I’ll go alone.”

“Over my dead body.” Seth didn’t even blink at her.

“I’m with him on that,” River said. “No.”

“This is my family and my future. I’ll do whatever I have to.” Raine wanted to stamp her foot. “I just can’t ask their permission. I don’t want to get their hopes up unless I know I’m on to something. Macen is… Something is really wrong. He came home on Monday and—” Raine wasn’t even sure how to explain without saying too much. “He opened up to me in a way he never has. It was amazing but…he hasn’t been himself since. He’s frustrated, angry, withdrawn. I’m not supposed to see that but I can’t help it. I’m scared. And Liam has had to shoulder so much since this nightmare began. He’s constantly worried about me and the baby while trying to figure out how to keep Hammer out of prison, juggle his parents… I can’t lay more on him.”

“They would want you to,” Seth pushed back.

“And I love them for it…but I won’t do it.”

“If you’re not comfortable with this idea, man, it’s cool.” River shrugged. “I’ll go with your hunch, storm cloud. It’s our only lead and our best shot right now. I’ll take you to find Marlie. What the hell? Liam and Hammer aren’t fond of me anyway.”

Raine turned to her brother. “Really? I mean, I could go alone, but I would feel better if I didn’t have to face the crazy cunt without backup.”

River pulled her into his lap and hugged her. “I wouldn’t want you to.”

“Thanks, big brother.”

“Oh, all right.” Seth sighed and shot her an irritated glance. “I’ll go.”