by Avery Aster
Once I start moving, Stanton ignores me. He shifts his focus entirely on Rider. His sick grin widens—
Suddenly the gun in his hand goes off. He pulled the trigger. My heart almost stops. Ryder!
Ryder’s falling to the side. It must be the impact of the shot. He could die and I’m shaking in shock and I run toward him—
With a roar, Ryder leaps on top of Stanton and rips the gun from the bastard’s hand. He moves so fast, like he does in the ring and takes Stanton by surprise. I hear a sickening crack and Stanton howls in agony. Somehow the shot missed Ryder—or Ryder’s split-second reactions from fighting saved his life, and he evaded a bullet by a sheer, freaking miracle.
Ryder’s fists pound Stanton’s head. There’s blood everywhere. Jakey screams and I rush into the basement to our son. He looks so normal, so okay, but my heart thunders and I’m so afraid he’s not okay. I gather him in my arms and bury my face for one second in his thick blond hair. Then I wheel around and run for the basement stairs. I’m not hanging around where Stanton can get at us. I sprint like a wild woman, so fast I’m going to puke, and I run past Ryder and Stanton to get Jakey to safety.
Sirens scream outside. I reach the bottom of the basement stairs and realize what Ryder intends to do. Beat Stanton to death—
“You fucking monster,” Ryder growls and Stanton’s face is almost unrecognizable as human. He’s screaming and sobbing, trying feebly to fight Ryder off.
“Ryder, you can’t kill him,” I cry. “You don’t need to do this. The police are almost here. Please. Please.”
Ryder stops hitting Stanton, but he has the monster pinned down. “Where are the other kids’ bodies? Tell me where you buried them, you asshole, or I will kill you.”
Stanton laughs. A sick, pathetic laugh.
Ryder raises his fist—
“No, Ryder!” But I realize this is what he’s yearned for ever since he was abducted. Vengeance.
I set Jakey on the stairs and I run toward Ryder. “No. You’ll go to prison. I don’t want to lose you. Don’t do this!”
Ryder lowers his fist. Holding Stanton down, he looks at me. His face still bears the punishment from his fight. “I want to make sure he never does this to anyone else. He messed with my kid. And he’s got to pay.”
“But I don’t want you to pay.”
Then the basement is filled with cops, weapons drawn. Stanton is so bloodied and battered, he can barely move. They have to call for an ambulance.
Ryder had stopped hitting Stanton—for me. He fought against the revenge he’d wanted for years and he did it for me.
“Jakey,” Ryder breaths. He drags me over to the stairs, then we both drop on either side of our son. Ryder rips off the cords around Jakey’s wrists and ankles. When he gathers Jakey in his arms, buries his face in our little boy’s neck and sobs, I almost collapse.
I hurry to his side and rest my hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Ryder. It’s over.”
He’s muttering words. Suddenly I realize what it is. “I’m so sorry, Jakey. So sorry.”
“Daddy.” Jakey starts to cry.
Ryder strokes his slim back. “No, baby, don’t cry. Daddy was just scared. But everything is okay now. You’re safe. You’ll always be safe.”
“Yes, you will,” I say. “Because Daddy is going to be living with us now. If he wants to.”
Ryder turns to me. “Tessa, are you sure?”
“I love you, Ryder. I thought I loved you before, when we first got married, but now I know that was like a match compared to a lightning strike. You are my hero, Ryder. The most amazing man in the world.”
“Daddy is going to come home, Mommy?” Jakey asks.
“Yes,” I whisper.
More sirens shriek through the night. And suddenly there are EMT guys around us. They want to ensure Jakey is okay. Detective Shear says we should take Jakey to the hospital.
Ryder helps me up in the back of the second ambulance. The other one has already gone with Rob Stanton. He holds my hand and his palm feels wet, sticky. I pull my hand free, grab his wrist and turn his hand over so it’s in the light.
“You’re bleeding. Ryder! For god’s sake, you were hit.”
God, god. He can’t be badly hurt. I can’t stand it. I shout, “He’s been shot,” before I realize I’ve stupidly scared Jakey. He sniffles and I sit on the bench beside him—he’s on a gurney—and stroke him. “It’s going to be okay, Jakey.
Through the open doors, I see Ryder jerk up his shirt, which has a huge, dark circle of blood on the side. “It grazed me,” he said. “Hurts like hell. But worth it to get the chance to hurt Stanton a hell of a lot more.”
The EMT guys take a look at him, and then Ryder is in the ambulance beside me, holding a pad to his wound.
“Everything is going to be okay, Tessa,” he says.
“I’m with the two guys I love most in the world,” I breathe. “It has to be okay.”
* * *
“The ocean is huge!” Jakey declares. “But I don’t see a triangle. Daddy said there is a triangle in the ocean, but there’s just water. Lots of water. And cool waves, Mommy.”
“It’s called the Bermuda Triangle, Jakey,” Ryder says. “It’s an imaginary triangle.” Pointing down, Ryder explains the location of the famous mysterious triangle.
Strapped into a booster seat on the puddle jumper, Jakey peers down at the swells of the Atlantic, following Ryder’s every word. I have to admit I’m nervous—my entire family is returning to the island of Eden. This was Ryder’s idea. Now I wonder if the fates will do something terrible because my whole family—my mom, Ryder, Jakey—are on the one small plane flying in the Bermuda Triangle.
Eden is filled with positive magic, the brochure promised me. I remember reading that on the day I flew out for my decadent vacation. That was two months ago.
A lot has happened since then. Jakey was kept in hospital for two days for observation. Thankfully, there were no signs of sexual assault. Jakey explained that Rob Stanton had cuddled him but hadn’t touched him in “wrong” places. From what Ryder told me, I realized Stanton liked to draw out the anticipation with his victim. He had done that with Jakey, which meant he had not assaulted Jakey before we found him.
Ryder’s wound wasn’t bad, thank God. He was stitched up in the hospital and when he was released he stayed by my side in Jakey’s hospital room until we all went home together.
As for Stanton, whose real name was Kenneth Williams…
Ryder beat him badly, but Stanton survived. The bastard was recovering from his wounds and transferred to prison. But on his first night there, he had a massive heart attack. They tried to save him, but failed.
A massive excavation was started on the land around the bungalow. After Ryder’s escape, Stanton had left the area, but he returned once he’d learned Ryder had a little boy. Taking Jakey was a warped revenge he’d plotted to pay Ryder back for getting free. Sadly, the excavation turned up bodies buried in back of the property, but many families also got closure.
For many nights Ryder held me while I cried. I cried for those poor children. I cried for Jakey when I thought of how scared he must have been and what could have happened to him if we hadn’t found him.
But I always knew Ryder would fight to save him. Fight with every fibre of his being.
I cried for Ryder too. For the horror he’d lived through. And I cried because I loved him and admired him for the strength he’d had as young as twelve—the strength to save himself and another innocent boy.
When I watched Ryder confront Stanton to save Jakey, I knew how deeply and intensely I loved Ryder. I cared about Xavier, but it was Ryder I loved.
Suddenly, the interior of the small plane darkens and I let out a small cry of surprise. Grey clouds surround the plane. Ryder holds my hand. His fingers stroke mine, soothingly, and I don’t want to panic in front of Jakey.
Joely lowers her altitude and we fly below a growing mass of dark clouds.
“I
t looks like we’re going to get more than rain on our wedding day this time. I think we’re going to get a full-fledged storm.” I try to act light-hearted even as I panic inside. We’re flying into a storm. In the triangle. Even if we make it to the island, I imagine us hit by hurricane-force winds. I imagine my dress being shredded as I cling to a palm tree for dear life.
“Don’t worry,” Ryder says. “I think we’re going to get our happy ending.”
Joely flies up into the dark clouds and I have to close my eyes. I squeeze Ryder’s hand. Then we drop, below the clouds. Around us, the ocean is lit up by late afternoon sunlight, and ahead, like a jewel in a crown, sits Eden and its fairy tale castle.
* * *
I’m in a different room at the Eden resort, but in the same beautiful 19th century English country house. This time it’s a three-bedroom suite and I’m sharing it with Mom and Jakey. Mom loves the room and she deserves a vacation. She blames herself for not recognizing Stanton was evil, even though I keep assuring her she is not at fault.
We put Jakey to bed for a nap, then Mom and I share a chilled bottle of wine. I could have had a female stag party before my wedding or a bridal shower. But that seemed wrong since I did that all once before, and it’s my husband that I’m re-marrying. And since Ryder and I were only separated, not divorced, this ceremony is more for…the romance of it.
Mom and I go out on the balcony as the sun sets, bathing the ocean in a last spray of gold. The sky is already violet and lavender, streaked with red.
Mom sips her wine. “I always knew you and Ryder belonged together. I am so happy you came to your senses and took him back.”
“Mom,” I protest, “We worked things out because Ryder confided in me. Once I knew what he’d been through, I understood everything.” And because he told me, we saved Jakey’s life.
She leans on the balcony railing. From here we see the reef, then the dark blue stretch of ocean.
“I did the right thing.” I glance at her. “Are you certain you don’t mind watching Jakey tonight?”
“Of course not. Mr. Vardalos has arranged a delightful evening for Jakey and me. But it is bad luck for a groom to see the bride before the wedding.”
But I see she’s smiling. She’s teasing me.
“I think the magic of Eden will ensure it isn’t bad luck.” I hug Mom, set down my empty glass, then I hurry downstairs. When I reach the pool, I don’t see Ryder. But Xavier is there.
He came to be Ryder’s best man.
I walk up to him. “Hi,” I say, suddenly feeling awkward. With rescuing Jakey, being at the hospital, and dealing with the police over Rob Stanton, I haven’t really talked to Xavier.
“Hi, Tessa. Good to be back on Eden with you.”
I wince. Because this time there isn’t going to be a competition. Or sex between the three of us.
“I’m sorry,” I say quickly, before I lose my nerve. “I should have told you I realized I needed to be with Ryder. I am so sorry that you found out when Ryder asked you to come here as his best man.”
I expect he’ll walk away from me. I must have hurt him. But Xavier says, “Can I hug you, Tessa?”
I walk into his embrace. He whispers, “God, I love you. I knew what Ryder had been through and that’s why, when we were teenagers, I didn’t pursue you. I felt I owed him, because he was the one who got taken. But you love him and he loves you with his heart and soul. He’s worthy of you. You’re happy, Tessa. And because I love you so much, I’m glad you’re happy.”
I gaze up at him. Xavier is so gorgeous and such an incredible man. “Thank you. I want you to find happiness too. I fear you waited for me and I’m scared that I’ve cost you years of happiness.”
“You haven’t.”
Xavier puts his arm around me and walks me to the outdoor bar near the pool. He takes a beer with a slice of lime in it. I sip a margarita—less lethal than the drinks named for Eden. I’m not going anywhere near the one called ‘Original Sin.’ I think I’d end up asleep, not sinning.
But there is still was one mystery I want to solve about Xavier Malone. “Xavier, your tattoo reads ‘Endless Fight,’ doesn’t it?” I gaze into his dark blue eyes. They look almost black since the sky is dark now, and only the hanging lights around the pool illuminate us.
“It does,” he says.
“Do you really feel you are in an endless fight?”
He takes a swallow of his beer, then he meets my gaze, his eyes soft and full of sadness. “Ryder and I got tattoos to remind us of our pasts. My life has been like an endless fight. First with the assholes my mom dated, then in the octagon, then as a businessman—though I didn’t know I’d be fighting in that arena until long after I got the tattoo.” He takes another drink. “But I had one other fight. A big one. A fight with my heart. I kept telling myself I had to stop loving you when you and Ryder got married. But it was a fight I couldn’t win.”
“I’m so sorry.” I keep saying it, but I don’t know what else to say. “You’re an amazing guy. Gorgeous, and noble, and so—so good.”
“But I got beaten by Ryder for your heart.” Then he grins. “And I’m going to lose you again right now. Ryder’s here.”
I turn around and I can’t help but give Ryder a huge, glowing smile.
Xavier gives me a last squeeze. “I can see how much you love him. I’m happy for you both, Tessa.”
Then he’s walking away, drinking his beer, and Ryder is at my side. I lean into Ryder, resting against the solidity of his chest. He smells so good—of soap, the ocean and a slightly musky, seductive scent that is all Ryder.
Ryder and I walk down to the beach. I let him lead and he takes me to a small beach I’ve never been to before. It’s deserted except for us. When we reach the water’s edge, I squeal with delight. It’s Eden just as I remember it—a trillion stars in the sky, rolling waves, beauty and peace.
“I saw you talking to Xavier. What about?”
“I asked him about his tattoo. What he meant by ‘Endless Fight.’ I know what yours means—you chose it because you survived hell.”
“That’s close but it’s not exactly the reason, Tessa. It was a reminder to me that I might not have survived. I might have died. It was a reminder that I had to ensure I fought for my survival. Even when all I wanted to do was forget what happened…forget it forever.”
He looks in such pain. I touch his arm. “What do you mean?”
“I thought about killing myself. But I didn’t do it.”
“Thank God,” I breathe. Then I ask, “How did you find the strength to not do it? Was it your family?”
“No. They didn’t know how to handle me. Xavier talked me out of it. He made me see I’d be letting that bastard win. So I dedicated myself to getting strong, to learning how to fight, so one day I would win.”
“And you did win.” I wrap my arms around his muscular neck and kiss him. “You destroyed a monster.”
Ryder’s strong hands rest gently on my arms. His lips part and his tongue plays with mine. When he breaks the kiss, he gives the most erotic groan. “Sharing you with Xavier was fun, Tessa. I thought about doing that tonight, but I want you for myself. I can’t share you anymore.”
“That’s okay,” I whisper. “I want to focus totally on you, Ryder.”
I stand on tiptoe and put my lips to his again. His arms wrap around my waist. We kiss endlessly, as waves wash over our feet and more stars come out to twinkle in the night sky. Ryder draws me down, then he falls onto his back on the sand at the edge of the water. He pulls me on top of him.
With water splashing over us, we struggle out of our clothes. There’s no one around.
I have to bite my lip. Tears want to come again. Tears because I ache so much for Ryder and for what he has struggled with since he was twelve.
I want my love to erase his pain.
His hard cock presses between my legs.
“Damn,” he mutters. “Forgot the condom in my shorts.”
“We don’t
need one,” I say. Reaching down, I wrap my hand around his shaft. I liked the dungeon and being tied up, but I don’t need any of that right now. This is all I need: making love with Ryder on a perfect night in paradise.
He lifts his hips and his cock slides deeply in me.
On top of him, I can be in charge. I get to kiss his full, beautiful lips. I get to kiss his eyelashes in a flirty, tender gesture. Run my fingers over his soft, stubble of blond hair. Bite his jaw playfully and nip his earlobes—
Then he lifts his hips, thrusting deep in me, and I become his slave. With his thumb, he finds my clit, and he lets me rub against his thumb while I pump on him.
It’s sooo good.
I’m so much in love.
His gaze holds mine as his cock goes so deep he almost touches my womb. “I was fucked up about sex for a long time, Tessa. Making love to you made sex special for me. Perfect for me.”
I cup his face. “It’s always been perfect for me, with you.”
There’s such determination on his face as he drives into me. And it is…perfect. Pleasure builds and builds and then I rush to the peak wildly, riding hard. I clutch Ryder’s shoulders and grind my clit against his hand and I burst. Shatter. Explode.
God, oh God.
“I love you, Tessa.”
Thrashing in my climax, I barely hear Ryder’s tender words. He cups my face, holds me steady so he can kiss me, then he comes too. I feel his body tense. I feel his hips surge up to me.
He kisses me with a hot, open-mouthed kiss as he rides out his orgasm, coming deep in me.
I collapse on him. “You were right,” I whisper beside his ear. “This is perfect. This is finally our happy ending.”
“I should have told you the truth a long time ago. I should have been ready to fight for our love from the beginning.”
“You did it when you were ready, Ryder.”
“I needed you to make me strong enough,” he says. And he kisses me again.
* * *
An arbor of vivid pink flowers sits atop an outcrop of rock. The lagoon and ocean are in the background, sparkling like a blanket of diamonds. But the two most gorgeous things I see are Ryder in a tux, waiting for me at the arbor where we will be married, and Jakey in an adorable suit, bearing the rings which are pinned to a satin pillow.