Bryn and Duncan appeared, setting a variety of drinks on the coffee table.
“Well?” Raine looked at her brother, barely able to contain her excitement.
Liam watched. What the devil was she up to?
Wearing a broad smile, River grabbed her, lifted her off the ground, and kissed her cheek.
Hammer tensed. Liam gripped his friend’s shoulder to calm him. Both River and Seth had the same violet aura pulsing around them, so they were in on Raine’s plot. Liam watched curiously as River set Raine down before reaching inside his jacket. He pulled out a DVD and handed it to her.
“Go ahead, storm cloud. You were right. This is your show. You did good. Finish saving your man.”
Wariness stamped Macen’s face. “Raine, what is he talking about?”
Liam couldn’t miss the hum of anticipation singing in the air. Something big was on the horizon. Huge. He fastened his stare on Raine.
“After we tried to determine which blonde had a vendetta against you, I couldn’t shake the feeling that a certain person was involved,” she explained. “Something in the back of my head kept telling me to check her out.”
“Who?” Hammer asked impatiently.
“I’m getting there.” Raine sent him a pleading stare. “I asked River and Seth to set a trap. She never saw River coming, and that’s a good thing, because I think they caught her. Everything should be on this disc.” She eased in next to Hammer and sent him a stare full of love. “Watch this. Especially you, Sterling. I think you’ll find it…educational. And from the look Seth is giving me, maybe even alarming.” Then she placed the DVD in Hammer’s hand and kissed him softly. “I love you.”
He stared at the flat plastic, turning it over and over in his hand. “Does this have something to do with my case?”
“It should keep you out of prison, Macen,” she softly whispered.
“Seriously?” Hammer blinked in total disbelief.
“One hundred and ten percent,” Seth promised.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet,” Sterling warned. “What exactly is on that disc?”
“Well, River took a big one for the team.” Seth chuckled.
Bryn’s eyes grew wide. “Oh. Oh, my. Raine? Dear, I think it best if you and I went upstairs for a wee bit.”
His girl cringed. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure I know what’s on it. I’d rather wash my eyes out with battery acid than see that.”
Bryn put her arm around Raine’s shoulder. “Your brother’s dedication to you is admirable but disturbing.”
She sent River a broad smile. “Thank you, big brother.”
“Anything for you, storm cloud.” River smiled lovingly.
Seth darted toward the front door, returning seconds later with an enormous bag of popcorn and a wide grin.
Liam felt as if Raine had passed her impatience on to him. If whatever they were about to view could solve Hammer’s case, he didn’t want to piss around talking.
“Gentlemen, let’s get this show on the road and adjourn to the media room, shall we?” he suggested.
“Did you know anything about this?” Hammer murmured as they paraded down the hall, the other men following, hope stirring.
“I suspected she’d been up to something, but no. I’m as anxious as you to find out.”
“What the fuck is on that DVD?” Beck asked from behind him.
“I can’t even begin to describe it,” Seth said wryly. “You’ll just have to see for yourself. Bear in mind, this is the uncut ‘director’s’ version. And tonight will be the only screening. You’ll see why.”
After they’d all settled back in the plush recliners with their legs stretched out, popcorn in their laps and beers by their sides, Hammer popped the DVD into the player.
The big screen came to life with the image of River and Marlie coming through the hotel door.
“What the fuck?” Hammer whispered, totally stunned.
That bloody, miserable bitch. He should have known. Why hadn’t he guessed—and decked Marlie when he’d had the chance? Liam was gobsmacked by the lengths that whore had gone to in order to carry out her obsessive vendetta.
I told you she was a woman scorned. His mother’s voice pierced his brain.
Liam watched as Hammer stumbled back into his seat. Shock etched on his face as he stared at the screen, slack-jawed.
“Holy shit,” Beck barked. “That fucking skank. You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Marlie?” Hammer choked. “She’s not smart enough to pull off something this complex.”
“She might not be smart, but she’s cunning,” Seth argued. “And she’s very guilty.”
“I’ve never been able to stand that bitch.” Liam cursed, watching the drama unfold on screen.
“Aw, look. River found himself a wild skank-muffin,” Beck drawled.
“Motherfucker,” Hammer murmured, eyes glued to the TV. “I can’t believe she’s behind all this.”
“I can’t believe you ever fucked her,” Liam chided.
“I can’t believe you fucked her more than once.” River shuddered.
When she dropped to her knees and began to claw at the man’s pants, Sterling sat up and leaned forward in his chair. “What the hell am I watching? Who is she?”