“Bridger, my friend. I wanted to say thank you and you’re welcome.” Ramsey eyes twinkled. “The thank you is for making my last days memorable.” He paused.
“Last days?” Bridger questioned Mike.
“Please just watch, sir,” Mike said.
Avalyn pressed into Bridger’s side and stared up at him. He tried to smile reassuringly.
“I have a brain tumor,” Ramsey explained. “It’s wrapped around my brain stem and growing rapidly.”
Avalyn gasped. Bridger felt dizzy. He sucked down another gulp of water, his eyes riveted to his former friend.
“I found out last week when I passed out surfing. The doctors all told me surgery was impossible, and as aggressive as the tumor is, it would put pressure on the brain stem and I would be dead very soon.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Not great news, so I decided to go out with a bang.” With a wink, he said, “I apologize for any stress on you or Miss Shaman. I am prepared to keep her safe, even though you have no way of knowing that. If you’re watching this, it means you’ve won and hopefully you’ve hit me hard enough to speed my miserable end. The research shows a hard hit to my head will end it all.”
Bridger’s heart hammered against his chest. Ramsey had used Bridger to kill himself? He hated Ramsey even more right now, but at the same time he felt sorry for him. The guy was certifiably crazy, but Bridger couldn’t imagine knowing you were going to die. What would he do? How would he act?
He felt Avalyn against his side. He wouldn’t have risked anybody else’s life; that was for sure. He’d never forgive Ramsey for that. Even though the man thought he had safety precautions in place, they’d come close to losing Avalyn in the water and in the air.
“So I thank you for being with me at the end and for ending it for me. I’ve always thought of you as a close friend, Bridge. I respect you and bow to your superiority. You always win, but I’m okay with that now.” Ramsey grinned again. “The reason I say you’re welcome is because of me bringing Avalyn Shaman into this.”
Avalyn pulled in a breath. Bridger wrapped his arm around her and hoped his touch was comforting. He probably stunk to high heaven.
“You think your love for her is so secret, but I knew about it years ago. Remember? We were doing a surf competition in Australia, and there was a live feed of Avalyn helping some village on the news. You were glued to it, and when I asked you about her, you said, ‘My dream woman, so out of my league it’s laughable.’”
Bridger grimaced as the memory resurfaced. It was still true.
“I watched you over the years, and no matter how many women you were with, I could see you only wanted her.”
Avalyn stiffened against him. Bridger wanted to correct the way Ramsey had phrased that, but the video was continuing.
“So I set this all up for a fun competition, to spend my last days with my favorite opponent, a man I respect above all others, and to hopefully push your dream woman into your arms. I hope you get the love I know you deserve. You’re the best, man.” He gave a thumbs-up.
“Avalyn,” Ramsey continued, “I apologize for what I’m going to put you through the next few days. I may die at any time, and then you’d avoid some of the challenges. It’ll be fun to see. I hope you give my friend Bridger the love he deserves, and I hope someday you won’t hate me as much as you probably do right now. You can tell your kids about their crazy Uncle Ramsey who brought you two together.” He wrinkled his nose. “A guy can hope, right?”
Bridger hoped she would love him also; the thought of kids made his heart swell. He wanted children, with Avalyn. He knew and understood her reservations. He would work through them, no matter how long it took.
“As you may know, I haven’t been able to burn through my close-to-a-billion-dollar inheritance yet.” He chuckled. “Dang money keeps making me more money. Each of my bodyguards has received ten million dollars and will disappear after the last challenge so they receive no repercussions for their part in this little idea of mine. They are my best friends, next to Bridger, of course. The rest of my money—I believe it’s four hundred million and change—I’ve donated to Health for All, your company.”
Avalyn leaned heavily into Bridger, putting her hand to her mouth.
“I know you have no problem fundraising with friends such as the Hawk Brothers, but I wanted to do my part.” He grinned and spread his hands wide. “Go save the world, pretty lady—with Bridger by your side, of course.” He saluted the screen. “See you in the next life, friends.”
The film stopped, freezing on his broad grin. Bridger’s emotions were all over the place. He hated Ramsey, yet he felt for him and they had been friends a long time.
The vehicle was silent, and Bridger played back his memories of the past four twisted days. His mind went beyond that, and he remembered all the times he and Ramsey had competed, joked, and pushed and challenged each other. It was insane, but he’d miss Ramsey.
Mike was navigating into the airport drop-off zone. Bridger caught his eye in the mirror as he stopped the Hummer. “What happens now?”
“You both fly home,” Mike said. “Miss Shaman’s pilot has the plane ready to go.”
Bridger was grateful for that, but he had to know. “And Ramsey?”
“They’ll take good care of him. They’re taking him to a private island that he loved. As soon as he passes, they’ll bury him there.” Mike offered a grim smile, then pushed his door open and stepped out to get their door.
Bridger slid out and helped Avalyn. Luckily, his nose had stopped bleeding, and he figured he had wiped off most of the blood. He looked at Avalyn. “Think FAA is going to let me into the airport?”
She wiped at his cheek. “You’re kind of a mess.”
Mike met them on the sidewalk with Avalyn’s suitcase and Bridger’s bag. He handed them each a passport.
“Where’d you get these?” Bridger asked.
Mike laughed. “You should know by now Ramsey is all-powerful.”
Bridger laughed too. He stuck out his hand.
Mike gave him a firm shake, then backed away. He nodded to Avalyn. “It’s been a pleasure getting to know both of you.”
“Where are you going to go?” Bridger asked.
Mike smiled, rubbing at his bald head. “I’ve been hankering to open a little sandwich and ice cream shop somewhere in the Caribbean. Maybe I’ll find me a local beauty to help me.”
Bridger nodded. “Put lots of sunscreen on that head.”
“Yes, sir.” Mike smiled, tipped his head to them, then strode around to the driver’s side. He slid in, and within seconds he was gone.
Avalyn wrapped her arms around herself. “Ramsey was completely insane, wasn’t he?”
Bridger nodded. He felt a strange letdown that it was over. Competing with Ramsey over the years had been challenging and exhilarating. Now that his friend was gone, what would he do? He glanced down at Avalyn. His first order of business was to convince her that he’d be there for her.
He zipped open his bag, found a T-shirt, and shrugged it on. Straightening, he grabbed Avalyn’s suitcase and his bag. “Ready to go home, Ava Baby?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Bridger had a lot more questions for her, but he’d save them until they were safely in her plane and he’d showered. He needed to smell and look his best if he was going to talk her into his future plans.
Chapter Nineteen
Avalyn reclined into the leather seat. What a relief to be on her own plane and flying toward Long Island. She wanted to hug her family members for a long time.
The sound of water running in the bathroom reached her ears. She longed to hug Bridger again. What was going to happen between them now that they weren’t thrust together in this insane challenge?
Bridger came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, looking handsome in a gray Henley and deep blue chinos. His dark hair was wet and his face was clean of blood. She winced when she noticed his nose looked a little bent.
&n
bsp; Avalyn gestured to the chair next to her. It would be much better to have this conversation without him pulling her close. She needed to remain levelheaded. Somehow. As his musky scent washed over her, she knew levelheaded was a lot to ask of herself.
“You look … nice,” she said.
Bridger grinned. “I’m like ranch.”
“What?”
“Dressing done right—smooth and creamy.”
She laughed, loving that he could always find a way to tease. He definitely was smooth. “You and your overconfidence.”
He winked, sat, and angled his body toward her. “You doing all right?”
Avalyn’s heart squeezed. How like him to be concerned about her. “I’m tired and emotional and angry and grateful.” She nodded to him. “Confused.”
Bridger took her right hand between both of his. “You don’t have to be confused about me, love. Just know I’m never leaving your side, and it makes it easy.”
Avalyn’s throat went dry, and warmth surged through her. What she wouldn’t give to agree with him. He should definitely never leave her side. Yet how could she figure things out with him nearby? His smell alone confused her thought processes. “Bridge …”
He bent his head closer. “I don’t like the sound of that ‘Bridge.’”
Avalyn pushed out a shaky laugh. “I think we need some time … and space, to figure out where we stand.”
Bridger’s mouth pursed. “I know where I stand—right next to you.”
Avalyn put a hand to her heart. “You’re killing me here.”
The corners of his lips lifted into a cocky smirk. He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. Avalyn trembled from his simple touch and the desire and dedication in his eyes. “After I’ve worked so hard to protect you?” he asked.
Avalyn smiled. “Thank you, Bridger. These past few days …” She shuddered. “The only good part was you.”
He studied her for a few beats. “Yet you still don’t trust me,” he said quietly.
Avalyn pulled her hand free, and she rested her hands in her lap. “I know you’re a good man, one of the best, but your lifestyle …” She shrugged. “I guess you’re right. I don’t trust that you won’t just fall back into old patterns with women as soon as we hit the ground and they flock to you as usual.”
“I can’t even see another woman when you’re around, Ava.”
She clutched her hands. “Can you please give me some time to see that for myself? To believe that you’re done being a player?” Ramsey’s testimony that Bridger had always loved her had touched her, but Ramsey had said in the next breath something about all the women Bridger had been with. She hated that.
Bridger’s brow furrowed. “How much time?”
“I don’t know. Let’s just deal with all the media that Ramsey probably created with this mess and go back to our lives. I’ll know when I can trust you.”
“So I’ll stay with you always. Then you can see that I couldn’t care less about other women.” He nodded as if it was all decided.
How Avalyn wished she could agree. The thought of being apart from him hurt deep down. “I’ve watched you through the media for a long time, Bridge. I think that’s the best way for me to watch and decide—from afar.”
“The media always skew things. You can’t trust those idiots.”
“They can’t skew your arms around a woman.”
He shrugged and blew out a breath. “So you’re going to go back to your life and I’m going to go back to mine, and then, what, in a week we’ll get together?”
“Not a week.” Even a week sounded too long, but she had to do this, had to know if he could be faithful to her. “Maybe a month.”
He clenched his fist and bounced it against his leg. “I hate this, Ava. I just want to be with you.”
“Maybe for the first time in your life you’ll have to wait for something, prove you really want it.”
His eyes narrowed. “That was hurtful.”
Avalyn laughed. “Really? You know I’m telling the truth. You’re naturally talented, handsome, and insanely wealthy. Everything you’ve wanted falls right into your lap.”
“Everything but you.” His gaze intensified.
“I guess you really do owe Ramsey for that,” she said flippantly.
Bridger undid her seat belt, wrapped his hands around her waist, and plucked her right out of her seat. Avalyn gasped as he transferred her quickly to his lap. “I’ll give you your month, if that’s what you want,” he said, his breath short and his gaze never leaving her face. “But I want you to know exactly what you’re missing out on every minute we’re apart.”
Avalyn had no strength to protest as his lips covered hers. The kiss was intense and full of passion and love. Bridger’s desire and commitment came through the kiss. She’d never felt so needed and wanted. His hands stayed safely around her waist, but his kiss promised a lifetime of passion, caring, and happiness … if she’d only say yes.
Avalyn pulled back, her chest heaving and her heart thumping out of control.
“I love you, Ava,” Bridger said. “I’ll give you all the time and space you need, but you have to know there’s no one for me but you. I’ll never give up on us.”
Avalyn’s eyes stung with tears and her throat tightened at his tender words. She wanted to throw her stupid month to the wind, but she had to be sure he would be true to her. She had to. She’d worked too hard to create, maintain, and implement her charity to throw it all away on a dream of a man who might not stay by her side. At the moment, though, she simply wanted Bridger. She cuddled into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I hope you don’t,” she murmured.
Bridger kissed her forehead, then simply held her close. Avalyn savored their connection even more than normal. A month apart was going to be more miserable than being in Ramsey’s power.
Chapter Twenty
Avalyn fell asleep in his arms. Bridger had no desire for sleep, only for her. He cradled her against his chest and prayed hard. Prayers of gratitude for them both being safe. Prayers of forgiveness for Ramsey and his stupid, crazy challenge and him making Bridger hit him hard enough to probably kill him. Mostly prayers for Avalyn’s heart to soften and trust him. It sickened him that he’d hurt her so many times throughout the years. He’d kissed many other women to try to forget about her. He’d had no clue his actions were the reason he couldn’t be with her. Hopefully over the next month he could prove to her that she was the one for him.
A month without her? He rubbed his hands along the curve of her waist. How was he going to survive?
The plane started its descent, and Avalyn stirred. She glanced up at him, her beautiful face irresistibly close. Bridger couldn’t resist one more tender kiss. Avalyn moaned and kissed him back. His heart raced.
A throat cleared. “Please buckle in for the landing,” the flight attendant said, laughter in her voice.
Avalyn pulled away from him, climbed into her own seat, and smoothed down her hair. “Thank you, Ivy.”
The woman nodded and exited the cabin through the back door.
Bridger extended his hand. Avalyn secured her seat belt, then rested her palm against his. Bridger wrapped his fingers around her hand. “You sure about this month idea?”
Avalyn didn’t smile. She nodded quickly. “At least a month, Bridge.”
He squeezed her hand. “You’ll be calling me to come to you within a week.”
Avalyn did laugh then. “Always with the overconfidence.” She squeezed his hand back. “Thank you for giving me time.”
He nodded. “I’m going to hate it, but I’d do anything you asked, Ava.” He hoped she hated their time apart as much as he knew he would.
“I know you will, Bridge.”
The plane touched down, and Bridger wished they didn’t have to face the real world. They exited the plane and were ushered through the airport. As soon as they cleared the security gates, their families and reporters rushed around them. Bridger clung to Avalyn’s h
and, but they were separated as they hugged family and reporters tried to elbow their way in.
Bridger’s mom was sobbing, and he held her close until she calmed down. “First Creed gets captured, dies, and comes back from the dead, and then you have to do these insane challenges. You boys will be the death of me.”
“I’m sorry, Mama.”
“It’s not your fault, love.”
Plainclothes FBI agents pushed their way in and took Bridger and Avalyn to a back hallway in the airport. Bridger watched as Avalyn was escorted toward a room. She raised her hand and said, “See you in a month.”
His chest tightened. He made a heart with his hands. “You’ll be calling me sooner.”
Avalyn simply smiled, and then she was gone.
The agents ushered him into a different room; luckily, they allowed Creed to come in also. Bridger told them everything that had happened the past four days, and they explained that Ramsey started releasing the videos yesterday morning, so they’d seen Avalyn’s near drowning and her being thrown from the helicopter. They’d been scrambling to trace Ramsey and his yacht. This morning, they’d gotten a notice from Ramsey’s attorneys that Avalyn and Bridger would be flying into the airport between two and four p.m. After confirmation from Avalyn’s pilot, Creed had taken a flight back.
The other agents and several of Sutton Smith’s men were trying to track down Ramsey and his men, while others were interviewing his accountants and lawyers, who all claimed innocence.
Bridger smiled. “I’m sure they are innocent, or Ramsey would’ve given them an escape hatch like he did his men.”
Creed arched an eyebrow. “Such as?”
“Ten million each, and they’re all disappearing. I wouldn’t waste time going after them.”
“You wouldn’t?” one of the FBI guys asked.
Bridger thought of Mike and Klein. “You can, but you’ll waste a lot of time and resources on guys who were just following orders.”
Risking it All (A Hawk Brothers Romance) Page 12