The Brink (Unbroken Raine Falling 3)

“I have a life, Gwyneth.”

“But…” she stammered and glanced over her shoulder toward the baby. “Don’t you want to spend time with your son? Get to know him?”

“If he’s actually my son, I will. Now start packing or I’ll do it for you.”

“At least let Kyle have some playtime—”

“Don’t try me,” Liam warned.

“This is Hammer’s doing, isn’t it?” She pursed her lips into a flat line. “He’s angry that I rebuffed his advances.”

“What?” Liam stared at her as if she must be crazy.

“Yes, your best friend—the man you share that woman with—he…touched me.” She shuddered. “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. He pushed me against a door and…” She dissolved into trembling tears. “I barely escaped.”

If Hammer had touched her at all, it was to play games with her head. Obviously, it had worked. Liam wanted to tip his hat at his friend.

“Well, then, let’s get you far from Hammer. He won’t be able to bother you at the condo.”

“I’m shaken. I-I can’t seem to gather myself. I need you to hold me.”

“You’ll pack up and come with me now, or I’ll forgo the condo altogether and take you and the boy straight to the airport. We’ll let our lawyers sort out this mess.”

“Liam, please. Listen to me.” She shook her head imploringly. “I never once considered putting lawyers between us. I don’t want money or documents about parental rights. I want a full life for Kyle. I want my son to have his father. I want my husband back.”

Gwyneth might be singing a different verse, but it was the same song. He’d grown weary of these lyrics.

“I’ve told you more than once that until a paternity test tells me I fathered that boy, I don’t believe you. And I don’t care what you feel for me.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I brought our son here to show you that I love you and I’ve changed. W-when did you become so heartless?” She thrust her hands on her hips. “This is Hammer’s influence. He’s leading you down a terrible path of emptiness and depravity. My love can save you.”

Her “love” had already fucked his life up once. The thought of giving her the chance to hoodwink him again…no. Even being near her now made him crave a shower.

“I’m giving you sixty seconds, Gwyneth. Get your shit together or I’ll be dragging you out of the club empty handed.”

She opened her mouth to argue. Something on his face must have convinced her that was unwise. She snapped it shut and began shoving her belongings into a designer suitcase. Kyle’s things she tucked into the diaper bag. When she scooped up the baby, he started fussing.

Gwyneth shot Liam an icy glare. “If you’re satisfied, I’m ready.”

Repressing a smile, he snatched up her suitcase and the playpen, then led them down the hallway, toward the front door. As they passed the bar, Seth turned, coming face-to-face with Gwyneth. Sauntering into her path, he flashed her a cynical smile.

She didn’t return it. “I might have known you’d be here, too.” Turning to face Liam, she flashed him a look of pity. “Obviously, you’ve been lonely since our separation. I can’t think of any other reason you’d surround yourself with your most debauched friends. My poor Liam…”

He rolled his eyes.

Seth just laughed. “I’m doing well. Thanks for asking, Gwyneth. I wish I could say that it’s good to see you, but I could go another hundred years without the privilege.” He turned to Liam. “You finally getting her the fuck out of here?”

“I am.”

“Hot damn. We’ll throw a party. After the exorcism, of course.” With a smirk, Seth sidestepped Gwyneth and continued down the hallway, whistling as he left.

She stared after him for a moment, then turned back to Liam and shook her head mournfully. “Oh, Liam. I should never have left you.”

“I’m so glad you did.”

He all but pushed Gwyneth out the front door. Having her in a common area worried Liam. Hammer should be occupying Raine now, which distressed him for other reasons. But even if Macen couldn’t control his beast, she’d be safer with him than with Gwyneth.

Once outside, he raised his key fob to unlock the doors of his Escalade. After tossing her suitcase and the playpen into the back, Liam closed the hatch, then turned to find Gwyneth staring at him with a wounded expression.

“Well, looky here.” That familiar voice turned him to stone. “It’s the slick Mick who’s fucking my daughter.”

Liam whirled to see Bill strolling toward them across the car park.

“Get in the car, Gwyneth,” he demanded.

His ex-wife froze and stared at Bill. Why didn’t she ever bloody listen?

Liam didn’t have any more time to insist again before he stepped in front of Gwyneth and Kyle to glare at Bill. “What the hell are you doing here?”