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“You wanna die?” Hammer asked

Lia anatorabbed their dry clothes, then hurried to the fireplace

The heat felt good on Ha his shirt to wipe away the blood that dripped froe their friendship and love Raine together? He wasn’t sure, but Raine blurting out her fantasy—her hope—had sharpened his He wanted her But he wanted her with Liah thick and thin Haree with Liaood intentions It was a place to start

Seth joined the towels at both of thelasses with liquor

“First things first, we need to discuss whether you can continue guiding Raine together or if you need to call it quits”

“I’rowled

Liam didn’t answer

Seth swiveled a gaze in O’Neill’s direction “You?”

Pain tore across Lia the whole fucking night over the sa on track, soain I’m bloody tired of it”

The desolation in Liaut Hammer wipedas the drops expanded on the silk in a starburst of crimson “Look, if it’s about the conversation today”

“It’s not just her pregnancy scare” Lialanced up His expression was unreadable, which worried Hammer even more “That was just the straw that broke the camel’s back I honestly didn’t think you cared whether she’d be pregnant or not I knohat with Juliet and all, that it’s a touchy subject for you But you never wanted children in all the years I’ve known you So I’d decided to adopt the kid and raise it asfairy tale all laid out in my head What a joke!”

Liam sank wearily into the chair next to Macen and mopped the blood fro his pain

“Think oflike, but I want you to take her and be happy,” Liao back to New York I won’t stand in your way”

“You can’t do that! You’ll crush her,” Hammer insisted “Remember? She loves you There’s no way you can tell rown because of e’ve done these past two days”

“I’ve seen it,” Liam admitted “But—”

“But nothing” Hammer shook his head “Raine needs us both She loves us both I think what’s got you so fucked up inside is the reality that nothing you or I can do will change that Aht?”