The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

Liam watched in the rearview mirror. Gwyneth reared back as if slapped, her face flushing crimson. Her lips pinched together in a tight line. She tried to wedge herself in a corner of the backseat as far from Hammer as possible, but Beck held her firm.

“Liam!” she cried.

“No one here gives a fuck about you, least of all me. You only told me about your involvement in Raine’s abduction because your father died and Bill threatened you. If not for that, you would have hopped on a plane this morning and left, never caring what happened to her. You’re like a bomb, exploding whenever you feel like it and hell-bent on mass destruction wherever you go. And worse, you’re incapable of comprehending the misery you leave in your wake, much less caring,” Liam growled.

She gaped. “But that’s not true. How was I to—”

“Shut up,” Liam snapped. “You know the difference between you and Raine? Why I love her? When I asked you to marry me, your first question was about the size of the diamond and whether it would sparkle enough on your finger.” He scoffed. “The first time I asked Raine to be mine, she hesitated because she was concerned about my feelings and whether she could love me well enough to make me happy.” He sent Gwyneth a rebuking shake of his head. “You and I were married for two years, and you never knew or cared how I felt. In five weeks, Raine has done her best to overcome a lifetime of abuse and heartache to be what I need because she cares that much.”

“Liam, I cared about you. I still do.”

“You don’t know how to give a shit about anyone. You’re not even good enough for Raine to wipe her feet on.” Liam dragged in a shuddering breath. “I’m done with you.”

Gwyneth seemed to wilt. They rode in absolute silence for a few tense, grating minutes, broken only by the robotic voice of the GPS.

As Liam turned onto Imperial Highway, a row of industrial buildings and warehouses appeared on their right.

“There. Over there!” Gwyneth called out. “Across that road. The building with the black doors. I think that’s the one.”

“You’d better hope you’re right.” Liam heard the menace in his own voice.

Gwyneth’s eyes flared wide in horror as their stares connected in the rearview mirror. She finally looked as if she understood the deep shit she’d stepped in.

“Slow up a bit, Liam,” Hammer interrupted. “It’s too deserted here. If Bill hears a car approaching, it might spook him. That plane just taking off should pass overhead and provide us cover.”

Liam turned onto the side street, then pulled the car to the curb, studying the warehouse in question. There were no windows. Liam was confident Bill wouldn’t spot them.

Sliding double doors painted in a chipping black stretched across most of the front of the building, tall enough that, when opened, a truck could back into the facility. It looked older than most of the buildings around it, lacking a proper dock. Tufts of weeds grew through the cracks of the asphalt. Neglect hung in the air. It seemed as if it had been long ago abandoned…but looks could be deceiving. Gwyneth had taught him that.

“Beck, when we pull up to the building, keep my ex in the car with you, please? If you need to restrain or hurt her, feel free.” At the man’s wicked grin, Liam added, “We’ll be back.”

“My pleasure,” Beck sneered. “Blondie and I have lots to talk about, right?”

She blinked at him. “What? No. You can’t leave me with him.”

Liam ignored her as the plane flew almost directly overhead. He punched the Escalade’s accelerator, then pulled up beside the warehouse, getting a closer look at the entrance.

Urgency pumping through him, he parked the car in the wide, empty lot and killed the engine.

The instant the vehicle stopped, Hammer bolted out of the SUV, drawing his gun and holding it close against his leg. Liam followed. Together, they darted forward. Macen gave him a look clearly asking if he was ready. Liam nodded grimly. Hammer rounded the corner, stopping to examine the doors. They weren’t locked. In fact, a small gap between them attested to the fact that Bill hadn’t even closed them completely.

Hammer tried to peek through, then shook his head. “It’ll make noise if I open it.”

Which would alert Bill.

Liam looked at the rusting tracks. “It will. There’s a smaller door to the left.”

When he jerked his head in that direction, Macen followed. Liam reached it first and wrapped his hand around the knob, then gave it a little turn, praying for a break.

Thankfully, he got one. The door shimmied a crack.

He eased it open farther, hoping the hinges wouldn’t squeak. He managed to push it wide enough to squeeze through. Hammer slipped in behind him.