Total pages in book: 134
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 651(@200wpm)___ 521(@250wpm)___ 434(@300wpm)
He’d be alone and miserable, just like Pike.
“You know what I’m saying.” Liam clapped his shoulder. “I’m not trying to beat you over the head. I just hate to see you ache for something so fiercely yet be too afraid to go after it, like you do everything else.”
“Liam?” Raine called, bustling toward them, waving a cell phone in the air. “Your parents FaceTimed to congratulate us. They want to chat.”
“Thank you, love.” Liam’s face glowed with happiness as he took the phone and leaned into his ear. “Happiness is only as elusive as you allow it to be. Think about it.”
Liam’s words seared Seth’s brain when the Irishman snaked an arm around his wife, smiled into the camera, and strode away.
Seth let out a tense breath. First Beck had pushed, then Liam. Hopefully, all his well-meaning friends were done climbing up his ass for the night.
He turned to find Beck, standing at the end of the hall that led to the private rooms, now heading his way.
Beck frowned. “You good? You look pissed.”
He was, goddamn it. “Headache. What did Hammer want?”
“To give me the keys and security codes for the club. I’m the contact person in case anything happens while those three are on their honeymoon.”
Seth frowned. “I didn’t think they were taking one right away.”
Beck lowered his voice. “It’s a surprise for Raine. They’re taking her to Paris.”
“Nice.”
“Hammer also asked to see you in his office.”
“What for?”
“He didn’t say.” Beck shrugged. “Where did Heavenly go?”
“She was with Raine, but…” Seth scanned the dungeon, then pointed toward the bar. “She’s over there, with Zach.”
Beck nodded. “I’ll go see what they’re talking about.”
“I’ll join you two when I’m done with Hammer.”
At Beck’s thumbs-up, Seth wound his way through clusters of people laughing and chatting until he reached Hammer’s door and tapped on it. “Everyone decent?”
“Yep. I’m not getting naked for you, pal.”
Seth stepped in. “Thank god.”
Hammer wore a wide smile as he rounded the desk and gave Seth a hearty slap on the back. “Thanks for popping in. I’m trying to get everything tied up before we leave.”
“I heard you’re honeymooning in Paris. Congrats.”
He grinned and shrugged. “Raine has always wanted to go. What can you do? Happy wife, happy life.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“We’re pretty fucking happy, I’ll admit.” Hammer’s grin became a self-deprecating chuckle. “I need a favor.”
“Anything.”
“Beck agreed to be point man for the club. I was hoping you’d do the same for the house. Three of Liam’s sisters will be there watching the twins, but—”
“Absolutely.” Seth nodded. “Happy to.”
“Thanks, man.” Hammer’s smile was so wide now, it threatened to split his face.
Seth had seen Macen at his best and worst, but he didn’t remember ever seeing him loopy, flustered, and not in total control. Was that what happiness had done to him?
“If Caitlyn, Meg, or Aisling need anything, I’ll take care of it,” Seth vowed. “You focus on your time with Raine and Liam.”
“I will. And I’ll breathe a lot easier knowing you and Beck are looking after everything.” He handed Seth a ring of keys and an envelope. “These are for the house, garage, and cabana. Raine wrote out a list of phone numbers for Liam’s sisters. I think she also jotted down everyone from the pediatrician to the gardener, so…”
For the first time since he’d arrived, Seth genuinely smiled. “She’s covering all the bases.”
“She is,” Hammer confirmed with a sanguine shrug, then frowned. “How are you doing?”
“Fine.”
“No, I’m serious. You doing better?” Hammer’s stare delved deeper than Seth wanted. “You know there are no secrets between Liam and me, man. He’s…concerned about you.”
Are you fucking kidding me? Now Hammer is going to crawl up my ass, too?
“I said I’m fine,” Seth bit out.
Hammer scowled. “And I’m a Boy Scout. Listen, you helped Liam and me with Raine. Let us help you.”
“Oh, Liam already tried, thanks. Anything else?”
“How about you fucking listen? I get you, man. I really do. Juliet was pregnant when she killed herself. Besides the coroner and Liam, I’ve told almost no one…until now.”
Shock blasted at Seth’s fury. He slumped down into the nearest chair. “Jesus, Hammer… How did you deal—”
“With it? I didn’t. I ran away, clear across the country to escape the memories, just like you.”
Seth shook his head. “I wasn’t running. I came to help Liam. I moved here for Heavenly.”
“And you started a new life, like me.” Hammer’s smile was acidic as he perched on the edge of the desk. “You told yourself you were really moving on, didn’t you? Yeah, I did the same. It took a while for me to realize that changing scenery didn’t do a damn thing to erase my loss. It took me even longer to figure out that you can either learn from your mistakes or let them eat you alive.”
“Our situations aren’t the same.” Seth scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t there to protect my wife and child.”