Hawk Brothers Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  Bridger gave her a forced smile. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  Avalyn’s breath was coming too fast. She clung to Bridger’s hand and begged, “Please just hold me.”

  Bridger’s eyes darkened. He looked her over with such desire and tenderness it made breathing even more difficult. He didn’t say anything, just walked with her to the bed. Slipping off his shirt and his shoes, he turned the bed down and waited while she slid off her sandals and climbed in, still wearing her sundress.

  He climbed in after her, wrapping his strong arms around her and cradling her against his chest like a priceless artifact. She wanted him to hold her tighter, but she’d take whatever strength she could glean from him. Bridger is strong. He’ll protect me. She repeated those words over and over again.

  Bridger brushed his lips across her forehead. “It’ll be okay, Ava,” he whispered. “It’ll be okay.”

  Avalyn knew he couldn’t assure that, but his confidence and his strength flowed into her. They hadn’t escaped, and they probably wouldn’t. Tomorrow loomed terrifying and much too close, but Bridger would protect her. She had to believe that or she’d crumble completely.

  Chapter Eleven

  Avalyn woke to the sun streaming across the bed through the blind she’d left open yesterday afternoon. Bridger’s beautifully formed arms were still wrapped around her back so she was cuddled into his chest. She could hardly believe she’d slept, but now, all the fears of last night resurfaced a hundredfold. Her breathing came faster and faster.

  Bridger’s arms tightened around her. “It’s okay, Ava. Calm down, just calm down.”

  Avalyn tried to listen. She tried to focus on his muscular chest pressed close to her. She tried to pray. Nothing helped.

  “Breathe with me,” he murmured, his breath warm against her forehead. “In.” She could feel his chest expand. “And out.” He kept repeating “in and out,” and she followed his breathing technique. Gradually, her body relaxed and she felt like she wouldn’t hyperventilate.

  Bridger scooted back a little bit and brushed the hair from her face. He smiled down at her. “You’re so brave and beautiful.”

  She stared at him. He was the picture of strength and bravery. “I feel like a complete mess,” she admitted. She’d never felt so helpless and unsure of her future. She was always in control, always doing for others. Right now, she could only think about her own miserable doom.

  “So do I.”

  Her eyes widened at his admission.

  “But we’ll get through it together.”

  Together. Avalyn didn’t know that she and Bridger could ever truly be together, but she needed him. She’d never needed a man like she needed Bridger. Not just to protect her during the challenges, but to hold her, to breathe with her, to make her smile when there seemed to be no reason to smile.

  “Do you trust me, Ava?” His gaze held her captive.

  Avalyn swallowed, not sure how to answer. She trusted him to protect her, to give his life for her if necessary, but she still didn’t trust him with her heart. She didn’t know that she ever could. “I trust you to protect me,” she finally said.

  Bridger’s gaze sharpened. He knew what she was holding back, and he didn’t like it.

  A rap came at the door, and then the lock turned and the door opened. “Mr. Hawk? Miss Shaman?”

  Bridger released her and sat up. Avalyn followed his lead, sitting up in the bed and staring at the guards, different men than the ones they’d confronted last night. A young man rolled in a tray of food.

  “Thank you,” Bridger said, standing.

  One of the guards nodded. “After you eat, please get dressed in comfortable clothes and make sure you wear socks and shoes.”

  “Okay.”

  They all walked out, shutting and locking the door behind them.

  Avalyn stood and stretched. She wanted to shower and then sleep for another few hours in Bridger’s arms again, if possible. She shook her head; she was getting way too invested in him. He was an amazing man and he was here for her now, but she knew nothing would last beyond this nightmare, if they ever escaped from it.

  She felt eyes on her and glanced at Bridger. He was staring unabashedly at her. When she met his gaze, he averted his and gestured toward the food.

  Avalyn followed his lead and sat at the table. Her stomach tumbled from the apprehension of the day. Last night in the dark, safe in Bridger’s arms, she could somewhat push today away, but now it was here. She tried to think about the children, wonder what Sadie, who ran the orphanage she was supposed to be at in Belize, was doing with the children right now. Maybe serving them breakfast, helping the older ones get ready for school. Sadly, Avalyn’s mind returned quickly to the terror from yesterday as Ramsey had pushed her off the yacht.

  Bridger claimed Ramsey didn’t want to kill her, that he’d brought a knife to cut her loose in the ocean and helped Bridger get her back to the yacht. She didn’t know if she believed that, and she knew all about the risks of extreme sports. Her Bridger obsession had led her to research the chances of death and injury in each of the sports he participated in. It had been sobering and terrifying, another reason she tried to not fall in love with the man. And now she was thrust in the middle of those alarming statistics. Even worse, she was relying on someone else to save her.

  She picked at her eggs and fruit while Bridger scarfed down an omelet, toast, and a banana and drank several glasses of milk. “How can you eat?” she asked.

  Bridger looked at her, his dark eyes filled with concern. “I’m going to need all my strength.”

  She swallowed hard and looked away.

  Bridger stood and then dropped to his knees next to her. He grabbed both of her hands in his. Avalyn’s breath popped out of her. He looked so handsome and intense as he studied her. She’d never seen Bridger serious like he’d been last night and this morning. “I won’t let him have you, Ava,” he said, “and I won’t let you die.”

  Avalyn bit at her lip. She felt like some queen whose best knight was promising to give his all for her. But Bridger was so much more to her than any loyal subject. She wanted to kiss him, which was insane. Who had time for kissing and thoughts of love when they were in the middle of a nightmare like this?

  Bridger’s gaze brimmed with determination and a deep commitment to her. Was it possible Bridger might truly love her? Love her even beyond Ramsey’s insane challenges? Her heart expanded and ached to let him in at the same time.

  The door lock clicked and then swung open. The guard cleared his throat. “It’s time.”

  Bridger studied her for a few more beats, then stood and pulled her up with him. “You can get dressed in the bathroom.”

  She nodded and hurried into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and leaning against it as she tried to catch her breath. Her heart was in as much danger from Bridger as it was from death. Normally, Bridger was hilarious and carefree; right now, he was serious and focused on protecting her. She’d never seen this side of him, and though she hated the circumstances, she liked knowing that he could and would rise to the occasion when it was necessary. Yet if they ever made it back to the real world, would he simply go back to his playboy ways? She liked his sense of humor, but not his lack of commitment and his disregard for his own safety.

  She forced herself to open her suitcase and pull out a sports bra, a neoprene T-shirt, and some running tights. She slid into them and put on socks and running shoes. Then she brushed the taste of the eggs off her teeth and secured her long hair in a ponytail. She didn’t waste time on makeup, not caring if she looked good for Ramsey’s stupid video.

  When she opened the door, Bridger was waiting in a fitted T-shirt and cotton shorts. He extended his hand to her, giving her a forced smile. She walked to him, wanting to be strong, but the tension inside her and around them grew with each second. Yesterday she’d almost drowned. What did Ramsey have planned today? She blocked it out. If she allowed herself to think about i
t, she’d crumple to the floor and sob.

  She took Bridger’s hand, his warm fingers surrounding hers, giving her the security she needed to put one foot in front of the other and keep her spine straight.

  “You look like my dream woman,” Bridger murmured. “Have you met her?”

  Avalyn laughed. “What?”

  Bridger gave her the infuriating smirk that had always drawn her in. “Yeah, her name’s Avalyn Shaman, but I like to call her Ava Baby.”

  Avalyn shook her head at him, grateful he could still tease and somewhat distract her from their impending doom.

  They followed the guards down the hallway, through the main areas, and outside. A tropical island rose out of the water maybe a quarter mile away. They ascended the stairs, the whir of the helicopter blades growing louder and louder. Avalyn’s stomach churned. She enjoyed being in the water, and look how horrific yesterday had turned out. She was absolutely terrified of heights. Maybe they were flying to that island for some kind of challenge. She prayed desperately, Please let it be better than yesterday. She had to trust Bridger and he’d said he didn’t think Ramsey wanted her dead. It sure felt like he did, though.

  Bridger helped Avalyn into the helicopter. Ramsey was waiting in a seat, grinning at them. The helicopter door shut behind them, and Avalyn glanced around at the four guards and the pilot.

  “Welcome.” Ramsey spread his hands wide. “Take a seat.”

  They obeyed, strapping lap belts on. The helicopter rose into the sky, and Avalyn’s stomach took flight with it.

  “You’re going to love today.”

  “What I love and what you love are very different,” Avalyn said.

  Ramsey chuckled. “Obviously. You love Bridger Hawk.” He wrinkled his nose. “Me, not so much.”

  How did Ramsey know she loved Bridger? Was she that transparent?

  Bridger held on to her hand, looking pointedly at Ramsey. “Call this craziness off, Ramsey. You’ll never get away with it. You’ll be hunted down by the U.S. Government, the U.N., my brothers, Sutton Smith …”

  Ramsey’s grin grew. “Will I, now?”

  Bridger glared at him. “Come on, Ramsey. You don’t want a repeat of yesterday.”

  Avalyn shuddered.

  “Let’s do a competition,” Bridger continued. “You and I. Anything you want. Just leave Avalyn out of it.”

  Ramsey’s blue eyes focused on her. “But then I wouldn’t get the chance to spend the night with her.”

  Avalyn’s heart dropped to her stomach. The only thing worse than dying would be spending an entire night at Ramsey’s mercy.

  “You will never spend the night with her,” Bridger growled, his hand tightening around hers.

  “Never say never, my friend.” Ramsey threw back his head and laughed. “Isn’t that your line? Never say never.” He stood. “We ready?”

  “Yes, sir,” the pilot said.

  The guards threw the door open and wind rushed in. No, no, no. Avalyn looked around wildly. The island was far below them. She could barely make out the ridges of mountains and the sandy beaches touching the blue water.

  Two of the guards set down their weapons and strapped on parachutes, then picked up camera equipment. The other two guards ripped Bridger away from her. Avalyn screamed.

  Bridger fought wildly. He kicked and clawed and punched. Just as Avalyn hoped he might get free, she felt hands grab each of her arms and rush her to the edge, and they plunged out of the plane.

  “Bridger!” Avalyn screamed, stomach acid clawing at her throat.

  Then the men released her and she was free-falling through the air, her body being flung around. She screamed and her stomach dropped like the worst horror ride she’d ever been on. She tried to see the helicopter and Bridger coming for her, but it was only blue sky and then the island below, blue sky and then the island below. The island was rushing up to meet her much too fast, and her head and stomach were spinning. The roar of the wind in her ears added to the terror.

  She was going to die. She’d never feel Bridger’s arms around her again, never bask in his smile. Why hadn’t she just kissed him last night? She closed her eyes shut tight and prayed desperately, Let Bridger catch me. Please let Bridger catch me.

  Chapter Twelve

  Bridger fought to free himself from Ramsey’s ugly thugs. He landed a solid punch to one’s abdomen, then kicked the other. He was almost free when the two other guards sandwiched Avalyn between them and leapt from the plane.

  “No!” he screamed. His arms were released and he rushed for the door, looking down as the guards released Avalyn and her body twisted in an out-of-control free fall.

  Ramsey grabbed his arm and shoved a parachute at him. “Let’s do this buddy.”

  Bridger hated Ramsey more than he’d ever hated anyone in his life. He hurried to strap the parachute on. Ramsey leapt a second before him. Bridger dove out of the plane, angling his body straight at Avalyn. Ramsey couldn’t get there first.

  He could hear Avalyn’s screams being carried by the wind draft, and it tore at him. He prayed and he tried to focus, streamline his body, and dive quicker. Ramsey was just in front of him and they were closing in on Avalyn fast. The ground was rushing up faster. Would they be able to catch her and pull the chute in time? The thought of Ramsey touching her couldn’t take a back seat to saving Avalyn’s life.

  Bridger couldn’t let him win, though. Avalyn’s virtue was too important to him. They were feet from Avalyn when Bridger grabbed Ramsey’s foot and yanked him the other direction. Ramsey hollered out.

  Bridger slammed into Avalyn, wrapping his hands tight around her arm. She cried out in pain.

  “I’ve got you!” he yelled, clinging to her arm. He tried to maneuver her around in front of him. The ground was probably only a thousand feet away now. They had to pull the chute, but she’d be ripped from him if he didn’t secure her.

  “Pull it,” Ramsey yelled, and from the corner of Bridger’s eye, he saw Ramsey’s chute deploy.

  “Ava!” Bridger commanded. “Turn toward me and hold on.” He tugged at her, and she wrapped one leg around the back of his thigh and clung to his waist. “Hold on!” He ripped the chute cord.

  The parachute blasted out above them and they jerked. Ava screamed out as her grip around his waist slipped. Bridger held tightly to her arm. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and held her snug against his body. Her body trembled against him, and he imagined he was trembling worse. But he had her. He’d caught her and he’d beaten Ramsey to her.

  The peaceful silence that always came after traveling at terminal velocity didn’t calm him down like usual. The ground was coming up too fast. He yelled, “You gotta hold on tight to me!”

  Avalyn obeyed, clinging to his neck with her arms, both of her legs now wrapped tightly around his lower back. Bridger grabbed the chute handles and directed their descent toward the beach. Hitting the sand or the shallow water would be much better than getting caught in the tropical forest or slamming into a rock. It looked like a dozen men were on the ground waiting for them. Ramsey was just above him to his right.

  Bridger landed on the sand, trying to run with the momentum, but Avalyn’s weight against him threw him forward. They hit the sand hard and rolled together, getting tangled up in the chute. But they were alive and Ramsey hadn’t won.

  Bridger lay there with Avalyn clinging to him. He tilted her chin up so he could look in her eyes. “You okay?”

  She nodded bravely.

  He could hear men’s voices, and the parachute was cut away.

  Avalyn stared at him as if he were a hero or something. Then she leaned in and kissed him right on the lips. Bridger savored the warmth of her lips. Sparks seemed to light the humid air around them. She pulled back much too quickly. “Thank you,” she breathed out.

  “The kiss was more than enough thanks.” Bridger gave her a confident wink, but inside he was reeling. The terrifying game of catching Avalyn took a back seat, for a moment, to her ki
ss. Avalyn Shaman had willingly kissed him. He had to remind himself it was in the middle of an intense, crazy situation, so he couldn’t place any value on it, but he wanted to shove the men away who were trying to help them to their feet and continue that kiss. Dared he hope she was changing her mind about him? Would she ever give them a chance?

  Mike helped him out of the chute and clapped him on the shoulder. “You did it. Great job!”

  Bridger acknowledged his praise with a chin lift, unsure how else to respond. This wasn’t some athletic event. The woman he loved had almost died, again.

  “Whoo-hoo!” Ramsey yelled out. Men helped him out of his chute and he jogged across the sand to them. “What a ride! And you win again. Good job, brother.”

  Bridger couldn’t take it anymore. This man was not his brother. He stepped up to pummel the guy, but Avalyn dodged in front of him and slugged Ramsey in the gut. Ramsey grunted, surprise registering in his blue eyes.

  “You’re a psychotic monster!” she screamed in his face.

  Ramsey laughed as his men lifted their guns and pointed them straight at Avalyn. He waved them off. “It’s okay. I deserved that. You guys got lunch set up? I’m starving.” Ramsey slapped Bridger’s shoulder on his way past; Bridger pushed his hand away. “Good times, man.” He chuckled and strutted off.

  Bridger pivoted after him, but several rifles pushed into his face made him stop.

  The tall guy from last night, Klein, was behind one of the guns. He nodded to Bridger. “Good jump, sir. Lunch is this way.”

  Bridger pulled in a ragged breath. He turned and wrapped his arm around Avalyn’s shoulders. She was still trembling. They walked slowly in front of the guards up the beach to where some tables and chairs and a small lunch buffet was set up. Bridger looked around and could see the speedboat anchored in a shallow bay. The helicopter had landed in a clearing a little bit away.