“Oh, you!” Avalyn pushed at him, but she laughed. “Always with the overconfidence.”
“It’s one of the many things you love about me.”
“Yes, it is,” she admitted.
Bridger’s cocky smile disappeared. “Is it really?”
Avalyn gave him a quick nod, then wiggled out of his arms and stood quickly. She was still in the silky dress from last night, and it felt ridiculous in the light of day. She didn’t know where she and Bridger stood, and she realized it was in her court to decide. Maybe today would be the day this awful competition ended. Maybe, when they got back to the real world, she and Bridger could find a way to make a relationship work with their very different lives. If he reverted to his old style and countless women in his arms, she’d have to learn to deal with her broken heart. Somehow.
“I’m going to shower and get dressed,” she said.
He nodded, still studying her much too seriously.
Avalyn rushed into the bathroom, where her suitcase was, and hurried to shower, not bothering to wash her hair. She got dressed in a comfortable pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Her stomach tumbled as she thought of kissing and loving Bridger, but she forced those thoughts away and wondered what today would bring. Ramsey. How would he act after last night? She felt indebted to him for letting her go, letting her return to Bridger. Yet this nightmare was all Ramsey’s creation, so she didn’t want to feel any gratitude to the man.
Breakfast was waiting when she exited the bathroom. She waited while Bridger showered and dressed. When he walked out looking fresh and irresistible in a blue tank top and gray shorts, she sharply sucked in air. How could she resist this man?
Her eyes traveled over his handsome face and down to his chest and arms. She gasped and rushed toward him. “What happened to your shoulder?” His right shoulder was black and blue.
Bridger glanced down at his shoulder and grinned. “I rammed it into the door a few … hundred times.” He pointed at the door, which looked more battered than his shoulder. “Sadly, the door won.”
Avalyn half laughed and half cried. He’d bruised himself trying to get to her. She wrapped her hand around his forearm, then bent down and pressed her lips to his shoulder. Bridger groaned, and heat filled her belly.
He cupped her chin and tilted her face up. “You missed the spot. My lips are up here.” He grinned, but there was nothing cocky about it. This grin was downright sexy and meant for only her.
Avalyn laughed for real this time. “I guess I’m not a very accurate markswoman. Can you help me out?”
“Gladly.” He cupped her cheek with one hand and wrapped his other hand around her lower back to pull her flush against him.
Avalyn melted against his broad chest, and when their lips connected, she trembled under his touch. His lips maneuvered hers in a pattern that was becoming familiar, but it was still so exciting she could hardly stand on her own two feet. Luckily, she didn’t need to stand with his strong arms supporting her.
There was a rap at the door. The lock turned and it swung open to reveal Mike. “Oh, sorry to interrupt.” He pushed a hand over his bald head. “Chopper’s ready to go.”
Bridger smiled down at Avalyn. “I’m sorry he interrupted too.”
Mike chuckled, and Avalyn winked at Bridger. Bridger released her, and they both filled plates with food and cups with juice. Mike said, “You eat quick. The chopper will wait.”
Bridger arched an eyebrow at Avalyn as Mike stepped back out of the door but left it open so they could come when they were ready. “You’d think we were honored guests or something.”
She sank into a chair and speared a bite of eggs. “Or something. I’m so ready to be done with this crazy train.” She smiled. “Or crazy boat and helicopter ride, I guess I should say.”
He nodded, but his eyes grew serious. “I worry when we’re done you’re going to slip away from me again.”
Avalyn’s bite of eggs caught in her throat. She coughed and then took a long drink of apple juice. She couldn’t promise anything at this point. Bridger’s actions when and if they ever escaped Ramsey would determine their future.
They ate the rest of their breakfast in silence, then took turns brushing their teeth before they followed Mike to the helicopter.
Ramsey’s grin was so broad as they settled into the helicopter that Avalyn didn’t know what to think. Should she be afraid of what he was planning, or hope that maybe he was their friend now?
“You two have a good night?” he asked.
Bridger grunted in response. Avalyn squirmed. She’d loved sleeping in Bridger’s arms, but the tension between them was growing worse as her fears and indecisiveness lay between them. Part of her wanted to throw her worries out the helicopter door and simply love Bridger until the day she left this earth, which sadly might be today. No matter what Ramsey said about her not being involved today, she didn’t trust him after he’d almost drowned her on day one, thrown her out of this very helicopter without a chute, then terrified her last night that he would take advantage of her.
Yet she couldn’t commit to Bridger when they were in this delusional reality. She wondered what it would take for her to commit to him, to believe he wouldn’t ditch her for another model as soon as those options were available again. Bridger Hawk just wasn’t the type of man to settle down and live in the suburbs—but then again, neither was she. Could their dreams come together?
“We’ve got a shorter flight today. Settle in and enjoy the scenery.” Ramsey winked and then took his own advice, leaning back and staring out the window.
Bridger and Avalyn strapped on their seat belts, and the chopper took off. They flew over the ocean but soon were over land. It was the Caribbean, so the island was lush and green. They flew over a sprawling city, and Avalyn wondered if it was Belize City. It looked a lot like it.
They landed at a small, overgrown airstrip. A few Hummers were waiting for them, and some of the guards from the boat were already there. Had they come earlier in the chopper or taken the speedboat in? They all piled into the vehicles. Nobody said much as they drove through city streets.
They stopped behind a large warehouse-looking building. The guards slid the doors back, and everyone walked inside. Avalyn’s eyes adjusted to the dimly lit open room. There were sets of temporary silver bleachers situated around a boxing ring. She glanced at Bridger. He looked at her and shrugged.
Ramsey strolled in front of them down to the ring. He turned and spread his arms wide. “Today could be our last challenge, my friends, and you’ll say goodbye to me forever.”
Avalyn’s stomach leapt with apprehension of what this challenge might be, hope that this would really end, and dismay that she might no longer be with Bridger every day and every night.
Ramsey grinned. “You’ve been wanting a chance to beat the life out of me, right, Bridge?”
Bridger shrugged and then smiled. “You know me well.”
“Yes, I do.” Ramsey laughed low and deep. The sound was eerie and foreboding. Avalyn didn’t know him well, but she didn’t like the little she knew. Even though he’d set her free last night, he’d used her as a pawn and almost killed her.
“So here’s our last challenge,” Ramsey added. “Bridger and I fight. No gloves, no protective headgear, no rules, no referees.”
Avalyn’s stomach churned more and more. What awful trick did Ramsey have up his sleeve? She looked closely at his hands, searching for brass knuckles or something shady like that. Her eyes then went to his ever-present bodyguards. Did they have a taser or worse to zap Bridger with if he truly thumped Ramsey? She didn’t doubt Bridger could win, but she doubted it would be a fair match.
“What happens when I pummel you?” Bridger asked.
Avalyn focused in on him. He stood there so brave and strong, like a fierce warrior who would never bow to the adversary. She loved his spunk and strength and especially his protectiveness of her. Yet she remembered one of his YouTube videos. He and Ramsey had sparred,
and it had been awful to watch. They’d gone at it until they were both bloody, but the fight had eventually been declared a draw. How long and how hard would they fight today? She hated that it would be an even match. What if Ramsey won?
Ramsey laughed. “If you knock me out, you both go free and you’ll never see me again.”
Avalyn’s heart leapt. Going free and never seeing Ramsey again sounded wonderful.
“I like the thought of knocking you out and being free,” said Bridger, as if reading her thoughts. “How can you promise I’ll never see your ugly mug again? Maybe I’ll come with my own hired thugs and take you out.”
Ramsey grinned. “I’m all-powerful. You should know that, Bridge.” His smile left. “I can promise we’ll never see each other again … after you knock me out.”
Bridger studied him. Avalyn was interested in Ramsey’s terminology but couldn’t make much sense of it. She wouldn’t mind if Bridger did hire his own bodyguards to come track Ramsey down after what he’d put them through. Better yet, he could work with Creed and his Navy SEAL buddies, kick Ramsey’s butt, and then turn him in to the proper authorities. She was sure there was nothing Ramsey would hate worse than rotting in a jail cell. He should have to feel what she’d felt these past few days—fear, uncertainty, misery, and despair.
“Let’s do it.” Ramsey pulled his shirt off and dropped it on the floor before heaving himself up onto the ledge of the ring and slipping through the ropes. He stretched his arms behind his back, making his chest muscles pop. He was fit; there was no doubt about that.
Bridger turned to her. “A kiss for good luck?” he asked.
Avalyn’s mouth dropped open. “How can you think of kissing at a time like—”
Bridger pulled her in close and cut her off with his lips. She melted against him and returned his kiss, joy radiating through her from his touch and supple lips.
He released her and winked. “I can think of kissing you at any time.”
Avalyn pressed a hand to her lips, ignoring Ramsey’s laughter from the ring. “Come on, Bridge, don’t rub it in that you won the girl.”
Bridger lifted his shirt up and over his head and dropped it on a nearby bleacher. Avalyn’s mouth went dry as she studied the defined muscles of his chest, shoulders, biceps, and abdomen. The bruising on his shoulder reaffirmed that he’d go to any extreme to protect her. She framed his face, lifted onto tiptoes, and kissed him again.
She whispered against his lips. “A kiss for good luck, not that you need it.”
“I always need your kiss.” He smiled.
“Kick his trash,” Avalyn said.
Bridger chuckled. “You sound like my sister-in-law Cambree now.”
Avalyn smiled. Bridger turned and strode to the ring, jumping onto the side using only his legs, like a weight lifter doing a box jump, and then sliding through. He looked strong, confident, and irresistible.
The men strode toward each other and bumped both fists. Ramsey was grinning, as usual. “It’s been a great ride, my friend. Thank you.”
Bridger inclined his chin. “Not ready to thank you yet.”
Ramsey roared with laughter at that. “You will soon.”
Bridger shook his head. “Nut job.”
They backed away and started circling each other.
Mike gestured to the bleachers. “Would you like to sit?” he asked Avalyn.
She shook her head. “I don’t think I could.”
He nodded and stayed standing next to her. Oddly enough, Avalyn had grown to like some of these bodyguards. Besides the fact they upheld Ramsey’s wishes, were paid mercenaries, and had tasered Bridger last night, they seemed like good guys.
She focused on the men in the ring, who were slowly moving toward each other. Bridger was strong, but Ramsey would most likely do something underhanded. It was his typical mode of operation.
Ramsey led with a solid swing to Bridger’s abdomen. Bridger grunted, but the hit hadn’t fazed him at all, and he moved in close and his fists started swinging. He hit Ramsey with repeated punches, the muscles in his broad back flexing with each punch. Ramsey got in his fair share of hits. Avalyn cringed each time, sometimes crying out, especially when Ramsey slammed his fist into Bridger’s bruised shoulder. After one vicious roundhouse to his shoulder, Bridger fell back, his face contorted with pain.
Avalyn wanted to go to him, hold him. Instead, she stayed rooted to her spot, praying and wringing her hands together. If Bridger won, they would be free and maybe they could figure out their relationship. If he lost … who knew what Ramsey’s next challenge would be?
Bridger had been aching for this fight for the past four days. He came out swinging, and Ramsey didn’t disappoint, trading hit for hit with him. It felt great to slam his fists into Ramsey’s body and let out his frustration and anger over his former friend putting him and Avalyn through these insane challenges.
They pummeled each other for who knew how long, and though the hits hurt, especially the ones to his sore shoulder, he didn’t slow down. Last time they’d fought, neither of them had won, but today he had to win this battle. He would. It was past time to get Avalyn away from this monster and prove that he would love her and only her.
Ramsey popped him in the nose, and in the resulting burst of pain, Bridger heard the crunch and felt blood gush out. “I had to give you something to remember me by,” Ramsey said.
Bridger wiped it away with his hand and moved back in. “You keep thinking you’ll escape once you set me free.” He slugged him hard in the abdomen, and Ramsey grunted. “Have you heard of Sutton Smith and Creed Hawk? We’ll come for you and you’ll be rotting in a prison cell before the end of the week.”
Ramsey laughed and jabbed him in the shoulder again. “That looks sore, Bridge.”
Bridger hit him with an uppercut to the chin. Ramsey’s head flew back, but he simply danced around and grinned. Bridger wiped the blood off of his nose again with the back of his hand.
“You’re ticked at me, right, bro?” Ramsey taunted.
“You have no idea,” Bridger said, slamming his fist into Ramsey’s side. The man had endangered and terrified the woman Bridger loved desperately. Ticked didn’t begin to describe the way he felt toward Ramsey right now.
Ramsey pointed at the side of his head. “Then take me out!” he yelled. “I’ll give you a free shot. You deserve it after these past few days.”
Bridger eyed Ramsey, waiting for the trick. He might break his hand on Ramsey’s skull, but that point on the side of Ramsey’s head—right below his ear—would definitely knock the guy out. It would be worth a broken hand to end this and be done.
“Come on!” Ramsey hollered at him, turning his head to give him an easier shot.
A primeval yell ripped out of Bridger’s throat as he took the shot. He smashed his fist into Ramsey’s head. Ramsey went down hard. His head whiplashed as he hit the mat, bounced, and then settled.
Bridger wanted to dive on him and keep hitting, but he forced himself to unclench his fists. Ramsey’s eyes were shut, but Bridger could see his chest rising and falling. He heard footsteps and looked over to see Ramsey’s men infiltrating the arena. Bridger put up his hands and stepped back. “He told me to take the shot.”
“We know, sir,” Klein said. He gestured out of the ring as other men dropped to their knees next to Ramsey.
Bridger was amazed once again at their devotion. He shrugged it off and strode to the edge of the ring, slid out, and then jumped to the ground. One of the men handed him a wet towel and a water bottle. He used the towel to mop up his face, gingerly touching his nose, which was probably broken. At least the bleeding had slowed.
He focused in on Avalyn. She stared at him for half a beat; then she ran and threw herself into his arms. Bridger pulled her in tight with his free arm. He was sweaty and bloody, but she didn’t seem to care. He held her close, loving her in his embrace.
Avalyn glanced up at him. “You did it. We’re finally free.”
&nb
sp; He smiled down at her, but his stomach felt sick. He’d just knocked Ramsey out, but Ramsey had let him, had told him to hit him in the head. Why? He glanced back up at the ring. Men were still surrounding Ramsey.
“I hate to interrupt,” Mike said at Bridger’s elbow, “but our instructions are to get you two back to Miss Shaman’s plane and send you on your way. Her pilot and stewardess have been informed and are awaiting your arrival.”
“What about Ramsey?” Bridger couldn’t believe he cared, but Ramsey had yet to stir. Why had Ramsey given him a fair fight? Why did he taunt Bridger to hit him in the head and end it all? What did that mean? What if Bridger had hit him hard enough to cause brain damage or something?
“They’ll take good care of him, sir.” Mike ushered them toward the door.
Bridger kept one arm around Avalyn, clutching the bloody towel and water bottle with his other hand. He glanced back as they exited the door. He could only see Ramsey’s feet and a cluster of men bent around him. Ramsey still wasn’t moving.
Chapter Eighteen
Mike got them settled in the back of a Hummer and handed Bridger an iPad. “He requested that you see this after you won, sir.”
Bridger met Mike’s gaze. “What’s going on Mike?” Nothing in his racing mind could explain the turn of events today.
“It’s all working out like it’s supposed to.” Mike tapped on a video displaying Ramsey’s smiling face and then shut the door.
Avalyn took the iPad from Bridger, and he smiled his gratitude as he drank from the water bottle, then wiped at his face with the damp towel some more. He must look like a total mess. He’d forgotten to grab his shirt, and his sweaty back stuck to the seat. But all he cared about was that Avalyn was safe and they were done. A feeling of relief washed over him. He said a silent prayer of thanks that they’d survived and Avalyn’s virtue had been preserved.
Avalyn pushed the play button as Mike climbed in and started the vehicle. The video spun for a second, then started playing. Bridger hardly noticed the vehicle pulling out onto the quiet street. His gaze was fixed on the image of Ramsey, standing on the deck of his yacht, grinning like he always did.
Risking it All (A Hawk Brothers Romance) Page 11