Risking it All (A Hawk Brothers Romance)

by Cami Checketts

  “You’re sure Ramsey’s dead?” Creed asked. “This could all be a ploy so we don’t search for him either.”

  “Could be.” Bridger shrugged. “But to what end? He’s never been on the FBI’s radar before this week. Why would he do all of this if he wasn’t dying?” He folded his arms across his chest. “I’m sure he went to the best brain surgeons in the world before he gave up. Research that avenue and you might have some answers.”

  They all nodded.

  The questions and philosophizing continued. Bridger answered, but his mind was in the next room, with Avalyn. Was she really going to ditch him for a month? That sounded harder to survive than Ramsey’s crazy challenges.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Avalyn was at a one-room clinic on the island of Cape Verde, Africa, helping administer immunizations to children. She didn’t have medical training, but it wasn’t really necessary to fill out paperwork, put Band-Aids on, and give the children hugs and lollipops. Her nurses were very competent.

  She’d stayed busy the past few weeks and only let herself think about Bridger and how much she missed him late at night as she lounged in a cot by herself. Sleeping in his arms had been heaven. Often she remembered Ramsey’s words about Bridger saying she was out of his league. That was ridiculous; Bridger was everything she’d ever wanted.

  When she’d finished with the questioning with the FBI, she’d gone home with her family. Bridger had honored her wishes and hadn’t contacted her. That had surprised her and hurt, which was silly, because he was honoring her wishes. She’d traveled to four continents and eight different countries the past few weeks, visiting and working with the children and arranging for the huge increases in funding with her clinics around the world, getting teams in place to start expansion with Ramsey’s money. As he’d promised, over four hundred million dollars showed up as an anonymous donation.

  “Would you look at that?” Callie, a bubbly blonde nurse, whistled. “I guess only you can imagine Bridger Hawk smiling at you like that.”

  Avalyn’s eyes darted to the television screen. Sure enough, there was her dream man. He was grinning at the morning talk show host, and they were highlighting the new program he’d started to host extreme sports competitions and donate all the proceeds to the anti-trafficking battle. She’d read about this last week, and she was proud of him. It was a fitting cause, considering what they’d gone through being captured. It seemed he’d found his purpose without her.

  She’d scoured the internet as she lay in her cot by herself at night, but she hadn’t found any new pictures of him with any women. Only lots of stories about his new competitions and how charitably minded he was. Of course it had only been three weeks. Surely the women would break through into his arms soon. Would he really find her in one more week? He’d said he’d give her a month. She wasn’t sure she wanted it any longer. She simply wanted him.

  She looked at his smile on the TV screen. Yes, she could imagine it. She’d been the blessed recipient of it many times, yet never enough. And now she’d pushed him away. Why she’d thought a month was a good idea when she was coming off of a highly emotional and horrifying experience was beyond her.

  “Yeah, she can imagine it,” a deep male voice said behind her.

  Avalyn whirled and dropped the Band-Aid and the lollipop in her hands. Bridger stood there in all his irresistible beauty, grinning at her from the doorway of the clinic.

  “She’s the only one I want to smile for,” Bridger continued. He strode slowly toward them, his smile turning into a smoldering look that gave Avalyn heart palpitations.

  “Oh my, I think I’m going to pass out and he’s not even looking at me,” Callie muttered.

  Avalyn smiled, but it disappeared as Bridger drew closer. She stood and backed into the counter. He kept coming. When he was less than a foot away, he stopped and his eyes slowly traveled over her. “I’ve missed you, Ava Baby,” he murmured.

  Avalyn swallowed and managed to squeak out, “What are you doing here?”

  “Let’s go outside and give them a minute,” she heard Callie say to the children and the other nurses. Bless her. Avalyn wanted much more than a minute alone with Bridger.

  Bridger lifted his hand and tenderly traced it along her jaw. “The thing is, I listened to what you said.”

  She arched an eyebrow, her jaw tingling from his warm fingers. “You did?”

  “Yeah. You had some valid points about me needing to prove that I was fully committed to you. But the part about us being apart for a month?” He pulled a face. “Yeah, that part was stupid.”

  “It was?” She grabbed on to the countertop behind her for support. She agreed with him entirely: the decision had been stupid, and all she wanted was him.

  “Very. I made it through three weeks, and I’ve never been so miserable. So the new plan is, I prove to you that I’m fully committed while I follow you around the world and help you with your causes.”

  “Bridge,” she whispered.

  “Can I follow you around, Ava?”

  She couldn’t say no to him. She bobbed her chin. “We could try it.”

  He suddenly dropped to one knee and pulled something out of his pocket. “If we’re going to be together, I can think of a way that will be a lot more fun.”

  Avalyn put a hand to her heart, but she couldn’t stop it from racing out of control.

  Bridger flipped the box open, revealing an exquisite diamond solitaire set in a gold band. “I love you, Avalyn Shaman. I’ve loved you my entire life. Will you marry me and let me follow you around the world?”

  Avalyn pulled in and pushed out several breaths. She was so in love with him, but she was still scared. “What if you stop loving me?” she whispered.

  Bridger stood quickly and wrapped his left arm around her back. “Not possible. I could never stop loving the woman who’s exceeded my every dream.” He tugged her away from the counter and against his chest. Holding up the ring box, he whispered, “Please, Ava. Give me a chance. I swear to you on my mama’s honor that you’re the only woman I have ever loved and will ever love.”

  Bridger adored his mama. He wouldn’t do anything on her honor unless he meant it.

  She stared into his deep brown eyes and whispered, “Yes.”

  Bridger whooped. He took her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger; then he dropped the box on the counter and lifted her off her feet, swinging her around and whooping again. Avalyn put her head back and laughed. Bridger slowly lowered her to her feet and gave her the smirk that used to infuriate her.

  Avalyn framed his face with her hands. “Just for the record, I’ve loved you longer than you loved me.”

  He shook his head. “Not possible.”

  “I’m two years older than you. I know it’s true.”

  “You just have to have something to argue with me about, don’t you?”

  Avalyn bit at her lower lip. “Why don’t you kiss me so I’ll stop?”

  “Now that is the best idea you’ve ever had.”

  Avalyn gasped in protest, but he cut it off with his lips. She melted into his arms, her legs turning to liquid heat. She loved this man, and she couldn’t wait to spend every minute with him and let him prove that he’d never leave her side.

  Bridger lifted her tighter. She was snug against his chest and had no plans of leaving his arms again as his lips took control of hers. His lips eradicated every other thought. They would travel the world together, and who knew when they’d settle down in the suburbs next to her parents? But that didn’t matter. Bridger was the only home she needed, and being in his arms was the haven she’d been searching for.

  Epilogue

  Avalyn had always dreamed of a traditional church wedding. As she sauntered down the aisle with a gauzy veil covering her face on her dad’s arm, she knew today was going to be perfect.

  Bridger stood up front with all of his brothers, looking so handsome in his tailored tux he took her breath away. That slight smirk on his lips rob
bed the oxygen from her lungs.

  “Impressive men,” her dad murmured.

  They were indeed. From Creed the Navy SEAL to Callum the billionaire tycoon and Emmett the Texas Titans receiver—they were all impressive. But nobody was as impressive to her as Bridger. He stood tall and strong and his smirk changed to a grin. That secretive, wonderful grin that Bridger reserved only for her.

  They finally reached the front of the chapel and her dad put her hand in Bridger’s. Her white gloves made it so she couldn’t feel his palm like she wanted, and her veil didn’t necessarily obscure her vision but it made him a little blurry.

  Her dad responded to the preacher about who gave this woman away and said the traditional, “Her mother and I do.” He tenderly lifted her veil and kissed her cheek before letting the veil drop and backing away.

  Avalyn turned with Bridger to face the preacher. The ceremony started and she felt happy and perfectly at peace next to the man of her dreams with all of their friends and family here for their special day.

  “Excuse me for a second,” Bridger interrupted the preacher’s monologue about the sanctity of marriage.

  Avalyn turned to her future husband, not sure what he was up to. He took one of her hands in his and tugged the glove off, handing it over to Kiera, who stood closest to them on the bridesmaids’ side. Then he repeated the action with the other glove.

  He wrapped both of his hands around hers and said, “Much better.”

  Avalyn and a lot of the crowd laughed. The preacher started talking again and Avalyn agreed—Bridger holding both of her hands in his, sans gloves, was much better.

  “Excuse me again, Pastor,” Bridger said.

  The man actually sighed and the crowd tittered with laughter.

  Avalyn bit at her lip but couldn’t help laughing. “What now?”

  Bridger turned her to face him and lifted the veil away from her face and back over her hair. His eyes swept over her face. “Much better,” he said again.

  Avalyn laughed. Her traditional wedding plan wasn’t really up Bridger’s ally.

  “Can we proceed now?” the preacher asked.

  Bridger cocked his head to the side and studied her, giving her a sly wink. “In a minute,” he muttered to the preacher.

  Then he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her flush against him, and kissed her as thoroughly and deeply as she’d ever been kissed.

  Avalyn dropped her bouquet, wrapped her arms around his neck, and returned the kiss wholeheartedly.

  When Bridger finally pulled back she registered the crowd laughing and cheering, the preacher muttering something under his breath, and Creed saying, “Did you expect anything less with Bridger?”

  Avalyn laughed and moved in to kiss him again. Bridger grinned against her lips and then he was kissing her and her traditional wedding and the disgruntled preacher would have to wait. This was their day and nothing about their life would be traditional so why should their wedding be?

  The kiss continued with joy, tenderness, passion, and a promise that Bridger would love and honor her always. No words or vows exchanged could say it as beautifully as his lips did.

  Don’t miss the rest of the Hawk Brothers Romances:

  Emmett Hawk - The Determined Groom - Available Here

  Creed Hawk - The Stealth Warrior - Available Here

  Callum Hawk - Her Billionaire Boss Fake Fiance - Available Here

  About the Author

  Cami is a part-time author, part-time exercise consultant, part-time housekeeper, full-time wife, and overtime mother of four adorable boys. Sleep and relaxation are fond memories. She’s never been happier.

  Join Cami’s VIP list to find out about special deals, giveaways and new releases and receive a free copy of Rescued by Love: Park City Firefighter Romance by clicking here.

  Read on for short excerpts of Emmett, Creed, and Callum Hawks’ stories.

  Happy reading!

  cami@camichecketts.com

  www.camichecketts.com

  The Determined Groom

  Emmett sidestepped and all the positive feelings he’d had for Gunner dissipated as the young man placed his hand on the angel’s back and she smiled sweetly up at him. “This is Cambree Kinley,” Gunner said. “Elite Warrior racer, sixth-grade teacher, Colorado native, and the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  Cambree laughed easily. Her tinkling laughter was as pretty as the rest of her. She shook her head slightly at Gunner and muttered, “Flatterer,” before stepping up to Emmett and putting her hand out. “Hi.”

  Emmett caught a breath as her hand fit into his like it was made to be there. She glanced sharply up at him, her smile disappearing as she studied him with those bright blue eyes.

  “Happy to meet the most beautiful woman in the world,” Emmett said, hoping it came across as teasing and not creepy.

  She found her smile again. “Gunner’s being a goofball. I already told him on the ride from the airport that I’m not into one-week flings, but he’s set on proving me wrong.”

  Emmett decided he was going to thrash Gunner before the week was over. “I hope you stay strong, Miss Kinley.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m the strongest chick I know.”

  Emmett couldn’t resist looking over the lean form revealed by her simple dress. She might be right. He liked how brutally honest she was. “This week will make you stronger.”

  “I worked six months to get here; it had better rock my world.” She gave him a challenging look, and he planned on pushing her to her limit and enjoying being right there with her.

  He had four other trainers on staff, so everybody was getting one-on-one training at this camp. Cambree Kinley was going to get his undivided attention this week, and maybe he could beat Gunner out of the contest for a one-week fling.

  No. Cambree wasn’t the type you had a fling with; she was too pure and intriguing. And he couldn’t risk falling for a camp attendee when he needed to prove to himself, his dad, and the world that these fitness camps were a brilliant concept and a career as viable as the NFL. His stomach sank. Nothing was as great as playing football.

  She pulled her hand back and glanced around. “This is incredible.”

  “Not as pretty as Colorado.”

  She smiled. “No. But don’t take it personally. It’s not your fault you have no mountains.”

  “We have something even better than mountains.” He liked bantering with her.

  “Oh yeah?” She elevated an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

  “Texas pride.”

  “I’ve heard about it. Can’t wait to finally watch some Texas pride in action.” She winked, all cute and sassy. Emmett’s mouth went dry.

  Find The Determined Groom here.

  The Stealth Warrior

  Kiera Richins clung to Creed Hawk’s broad back. She could feel the perfect ridges of muscle through his t-shirt. He’d been home on leave from the SEALs for less than a week, and in the morning, he would leave her again. Why did it feel like this was truly goodbye instead of see you soon? She ached more than if she’d been en pointe for hours on end. Physical agony, she could handle. Losing Creed? Her world would shatter.

  Creed pulled back slightly, and his dark gaze focused on her. The moonlight sparkled off of his handsome face. The waves rolled and gently crashed into the sand beneath their feet as they stood on the beach near his parents’ Sands Point home on Long Island. Kiera hardly took notice of the saltwater drenching the hem of her floor-length sundress. All she could focus on was Creed, and all she could wish was he wasn’t going to put his life on the line again. He was honorable and heroic, and she loved him for it, but why did it have to hurt so much to constantly be ripped apart from each other?

  “It’s all right, love,” Creed said, understanding her unspoken worries. “Only four more months, and then my enlistment’s up. Then you’ll never have to say goodbye to this handsome face again.”

  She smiled, knowing his over-confidence was more to tease her, keep
her from wallowing over his imminent departure. Creed didn’t actually care that he was the best-looking man on the planet. He and his famous brothers had heard it often enough. Her smile fell away. “I don’t want you to give up the SEALs for me. You live and breathe it.” Though it was true, she hated saying those words. Hated trying to be brave when she felt anything but.

  “I live and breathe you,” he murmured, touching his warm lips to hers. Their mouths got caught up in an intricate dance that was better than any ballet or salsa move she could perform with her body. That was saying a lot since she’d been focused on mastering both disciplines from the day she started to walk. She sometimes wondered how Creed choreographed their kisses to be so all-encompassing, so perfect, but right now, she couldn’t spend any time wondering, she simply let herself feel and savor.

  Creed pulled back, but Kiera tugged him closer, running her hands over his shoulders and his broad back. “I want to be with you,” she said quickly before she lost her nerve. She wanted to become one with him and know that they were bound together by something stronger than the promises they’d made. If she lost him, she wanted to have this memory, this night together. As her awkward words escaped, she knew all the saints in heaven were muttering prayers over her right now. Her staunchly Catholic abuelita would ring her neck if she was still around to curse and cuss Kiera like she had been wont to do.

  “You are with me,” Creed said.

  Kiera gulped and didn’t know if she could spell it out. She truly shouldn’t spell it out, should just hug him and move on, but she couldn’t resist him any longer. She needed the bonding of their love to sustain her when he left tomorrow.

  “All the way with you,” she whispered, guilt rushing in as quickly as the words escaped.

  Creed’s eyes widened, and then he studied her with a smoldering look that made fire rush through her. Kiera felt so alive yet terrified at the same time. They’d stayed strong for many years. One of them would always be sane enough to cool the fires before they raged out of control. What would the next step do to their relationship?