Guilt crossed Liam’s face before he stifled it and glanced at his watch. “A few days ago, Seth promised to come out for a bit. I got a text from him early this morning saying he was leaving LaGuardia and would take a taxi to Shadows.”
“Seth, here?” What the fuck for? “He said he’d never step on land that might crumble into the ocean.”
Liam hesitated, then turned squarely to face him. “I called to ask his help with Raine.”
Whoa. Wasn’t that a kick in the nuts? In the past, Liam would have come to him, and Hammer didn’t have to guess what Seth’s visit said about the state of their friendship. He regretted it like hell. Then again, he’d withheld the details of Juliet’s suicide. Quid pro quo was a motherfucker.
The one piece of good news? Liam calling in reinforcements said that he was serious about helping Raine.
“I see. As usual, you have a plan. Want to clue me in?”
Liam rubbed at the back of his neck. “I already enacted the plan. It went out the back door when she ran off.”
“Let me get this straight. Uncollaring her was the plan?” Hammer stifled his opinion of that colossal screw-up. “Got a plan B?”
Liam gritted his teeth. “I’m working on it.”
A chime sounded from Liam’s pocket, and he pulled out his phone. “Speak of the devil. Seth says he’s in the parking lot and will someone open the fucking door.”
His friend smiled for the first time since Raine had fled, then left the room. Hammer looked again at the coffeepot, wondering if Seth could do any better than either of them. He remembered the other Dom from his club days back in New York. Smart, firm, fair, funny. If someone from the past had to come back and haunt him, Seth wasn’t a bad ghost.
A few minutes later, Liam and Seth rounded the corner. The other man hadn’t changed much in the last eight years. He might look a little older—just like Hammer knew he did—but Seth had remained a fit, good-looking SOB. He probably still had subs falling at his feet. Not a strand of gray in that neatly trimmed golden hair. He managed to get sun, despite the New York winters. His green eyes were sharp with wit, as always.
“Hey, man!” Hammer held out his hand. “Good to see you. It’s been a long damn time.”
Seth shook his hand. “Too long. How the hell are you? You’re looking good.”
“Well, then it’s better than I feel. Thanks for coming.” He turned to the coffeepot. “You know how to work this? Liam makes tar, and I brew motor oil.”
“That’s not true!” Liam protested.
“You’re right. That would be insulting tar,” Hammer quipped.
Seth shook his head. “You two and your puppy dog faces… There’s a fucking donut shop around the corner. Go buy a hot cup.”
Hammer’s hopes dwindled. “Shit. You can’t make decent coffee either?”
“I don’t step foot in the kitchen,” Seth admitted. “How have you been drinking coffee all these years if you don’t know how to make it and aren’t buying it?”
“Raine.”
“Ah… So she spoils you.”
“How are you drinking coffee without making it?” Hammer asked. “I don’t remember you being a Starbucks guy.”
“I eat pussy really well. It gets me coffee and anything else I want.” Seth flashed a cheesy grin. “It’s a far more important skill than working that thing.” He pointed to the coffee maker.
“We’re fucked, then,” Liam said.
“Why hasn’t Raine made the coffee? Get her out here. I want to meet the girl who’s got Liam’s balls in a twist.”
Hammer and Liam exchanged a glance, then Hammer gave his old pal an expansive gesture. “It’s all you.”
Liam shook his head and blew out a breath. “Let’s go around the corner and buy a hot cup or two. This may take a while.”
“Actually, we might need something stronger than coffee.” Hammer sighed. “It’s five o’clock somewhere, isn’t it?”
“In Russia, maybe…” Seth frowned. “What the hell is going on?”
Liam raised a brow. “How many blondes does it take to go around the corner and buy coffee?”
“None, asshole,” Seth shot back. “They delegate.”
After ten minutes and a bit more teasing, they’d made their way to the donut shop, bought a gallon of coffee, and walked back to Shadows. Hammer poured a mug the second they hit the kitchen and drank half of it down in one swallow. He gave a moan of relief. Liam followed suit. Seth shook his head.
“It’s not bad.” Liam peered into his cup. “But it’s not as good as Raine’s.”
No, it wasn’t.
“Oh, you’re both whipped by this girl and her voodoo pussy. Where is she? I want to shake her hand.” When neither of them said a word, Seth frowned. “Spit it out. I haven’t seen faces this glum in ages. Did you just find out there’s no Santa Claus?”