Risking it All (A Hawk Brothers Romance)

by Cami Checketts

  It was fake bravado, but he was proud of her for it. She was Avalyn Shaman, and nobody was going to conquer her. At least, he hoped not. “I’m going to shower quick,” he told her.

  She nodded, her shoulders straight and her chin tilted at a proud angle. “I’ll be fine while you shower, Bridge. I’m not a helpless female.”

  “I know that, it’s just …”

  She met his gaze. “We’re in a horrid situation. I know. Shower quick.”

  He gave her a smile, grateful she wanted him close by, and then rushed into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. It smelled like vanilla cupcakes, and he felt heat rush through him. Why did she have to look so good and smell so good? He rushed through his shower and within minutes was pulling on some gray shorts and a white T-shirt.

  He hurried out of the bathroom door. Avalyn was curled on her side on the bed. Her body trembled as she sobbed.

  “Oh, Ava,” he murmured. He hurried to her side.

  She sat up, brushing angrily at the tears.

  “I’m fine. You were too quick.”

  Bridger laughed in surprise. She was so tough and brave. He shouldn’t have been surprised by how well she was dealing with this nightmare; she was one of the most impressive and independent people he knew. It just made him fall for her even harder.

  “You are not fine.” He sat down on the bed and pulled her against his chest. Thankfully, she didn’t resist. She laid her head against his shoulder, and Bridger knew he could conquer anything for this woman, but for the first time in his life, he didn’t want to conquer. He wanted to get her far away from here and hold her like this until she tired of him.

  Avalyn’s arms wrapped around his waist and she clung to him. Bridger trailed his fingers along her back.

  After much too short of a time, she gazed up at him, her dark eyes bright with more tears. “What do you think he’s going to do to me tomorrow?” she whispered.

  Bridger’s breath caught. He hadn’t let himself go there. “I don’t know.” Her eyes were so full of fear it ripped at him. “But Ramsey doesn’t want you to die.”

  She blinked at him. “You’re insane. I think he only wants to hurt you, and he thinks by killing me—or close to it—he can accomplish that.”

  Bridger didn’t know what Ramsey’s motivation was. Until a few hours ago, he’d thought they were friends. Yes, they competed fiercely and Ramsey always wanted to beat him, but to want to kill the woman Bridger loved? That was insane, even for Ramsey. How Ramsey knew Avalyn was the woman of Bridger’s dreams was beyond him. They’d spent a lot of time together competing and at parties after competitions, but Bridger didn’t realize he was so transparent when it came to Avalyn.

  “It shook him up when you weren’t breathing,” he said. “He brought me the knife to cut you free and helped me pull you back to the yacht. He had a paramedic there to help. I think this truly is about publicity and a fun time for him, plus he would love to best me.” He shuddered just thinking about that, imagining if Ramsey won. Avalyn would be in Ramsey’s arms instead of his.

  He forced himself to release her and stand, extending his hand. “Let’s eat dinner and let them get good and high—Ramsey drinks or drugs out most nights. Then we’ll sneak out of here and find a way off this ship.” The lack of women on this ship disturbed him. Ramsey loved women, and he loved partying. Who would he party with? His bodyguards? Something was really off, and Bridger had no clue how to get to the bottom of it.

  Avalyn took Bridger’s hand and let him lead her to the table and the cart full of food. He uncovered the trays, and the scents of steak and freshly made bread floated out. His stomach rumbled. So weird he could be hungry in the midst of all of this, but he hadn’t eaten since this morning in Cancun. This day felt like it had stretched forever, and he didn’t like the thought of facing tomorrow and Ramsey’s next challenge. They had to get out of here.

  “How are we going to do that?” Avalyn asked, taking the plate he offered and filling it with some salad and steak carbonara.

  “The helicopter we came in on is still here, and if I can’t find keys or hot-wire it, there will be rescue boats or sometimes even a speedboat on a yacht this size. The rescue boats would be equipped with emergency sensors. See? Lots of options.” He gave her a brave smile but wasn’t feeling as hopeful as he tried to pretend. Ramsey might be a cocky druggie, but he was also a brilliant and successful businessman. The chances of him leaving Bridger an opportunity to escape were one in a million.

  Chapter Ten

  Avalyn tried to act normal—well, as normal as a person could act knowing they’d most likely die in the morning—as she and Bridger ate dinner and then waited for the yacht to settle down. They talked about their families and all of his new sisters-in-law and which projects her charity Health for All was working on.

  She told him a story about a darling little girl who had been scratching Avalyn’s back with a pen during a long church meeting in Cebu, Philippines. Neither of them had realized the pen had been clicked on, and Avalyn’s white shirt was covered with blue pen marks. The girl had looked up at her when her mom scolded her and asked hopefully, “Miss Shaman, do you have another shirt?” Avalyn laughed again as she told the story, though it still tore at her that having another nice shirt for church was a novel thing for the child.

  She enjoyed talking to Bridger, but there was an underlying strain with the fear of what may come, the gratitude that they’d survived this day, and the desire to come out and ask him if Ramsey was right and she was the love of Bridger’s life. He looked at her like he cared deeply for her, but Bridger Hawk wasn’t capable of a lasting relationship and Avalyn couldn’t settle for a shallow hookup. She loved him far too much and would never recover.

  It had been dark for a couple of hours, and the only sounds were the water lapping against the side of the boat. As they’d eaten dinner, the yacht had started moving, which terrified Avalyn even more. They were on their way to the spot for the next extreme event that could result in her death, or her being left alone with Ramsey for the night. She wasn’t sure which was worse. She’d rather join the angels in heaven than be defiled by the likes of Ramsey. He was truly a twisted and evil person.

  Bridger inclined his head toward the door, and her stomach clenched. This was it. If the good Lord above was watching over them, they’d find a way to escape, but the thought of creeping around the quiet yacht looking for that out and praying they didn’t run into Ramsey or one of his gun-toting lackeys didn’t seem very likely. She just wanted to get back to the children and off this insane yacht. She loved the little ones, and every time they gave her a smile or clasped her hand, it made the long hours she put in to bring them clean water, food, and healthcare all worth it.

  Bridger took her hand and they crept toward the door. He paused and listened, then unclicked the lock, pushed the handle, and pushed the door open.

  Two men stood at the door, aiming their scary-looking guns in Bridger and Avalyn’s faces. The taller one smiled. “We were placing bets on how long until you tried to escape.” He tilted his head to the other guy. “You owe me a hundred bucks.”

  The other guy chuckled, but his grip on the gun stayed steady. “Double or nothing? You know he’s gonna try again.”

  Bridger nodded to them. “Put your guns down and I’ll bet you a thousand bucks I can kick both your butts.”

  Avalyn clutched his hand tighter. She hated violence, but at the moment she would’ve loved to watch Bridger knock them both out.

  The tall guy’s eyebrows drew together. “That sounds really appealing, but Ramsey pays us far more than that.”

  “I’m worth a lot more than Ramsey,” Bridger said, as confident as ever. “You help us escape and I’ll give you any dollar figure you ask for.”

  Yes! Avalyn hadn’t thought of that. Maybe these hired mercenaries could be bought.

  The men exchanged a look as if they were considering it. Finally, the taller one spoke again. “As appealing as that so
unds, and as big of a fan of yours as I am, there’s no way to escape. Ramsey made it pretty clear. The helicopter’s buttoned up tight, as is the speedboat, and the lifeboats have been disabled. He knows you too well, sir.”

  Bridger studied him. “So you want to help us?”

  No one spoke.

  “What’s your name?” Bridger asked.

  “You can call me Klein.”

  “Please help us, Klein. You saw what happened today. Ramsey’s gone crazy. He might kill Avalyn tomorrow. She spends her life helping children throughout the world. You can help save her.”

  The other guy focused on Klein.

  Klein’s eyes flickered to Avalyn, and she felt hope for the first time today. Just as quickly, the man’s jaw tightened and he pushed the gun up against Bridger’s shoulder. “You will find that every guard here is committed to Ramsey and cannot be bought or reasoned with.”

  Just like that, Avalyn’s stomach dropped. She swayed and leaned against Bridger. He stood tall and strong like their one hope of escape hadn’t just been terminated.

  “Our instructions are to maim you, sir, not kill you,” Klein continued. “If you force me to do that, who’s going to rescue Miss Shaman tomorrow?” His eyes filled with a darkness that terrified Avalyn. “You’re his friend. You know what Ramsey is capable of with women.”

  “Was his friend,” Bridger muttered.

  Avalyn’s breath caught in her throat. She clung to Bridger’s hand. Escape wasn’t going to happen, and if Ramsey bested Bridger, how would she defend herself from him? She’d taken some self-defense courses in college. Would they be enough? As she remembered Ramsey’s glistening strength, she feared they wouldn’t be.

  “Please get some rest. Your best hope is to run his gauntlet.”

  Slowly, Bridger nodded and tugged Avalyn back into the room. He closed and locked the door.

  Avalyn’s body trembled, and she bit at her lip to hold back the sob that was working its way up her throat. They would never escape from the psychotic Ramsey. Even though his men were sympathetic to their plight, they wouldn’t help them.

  She’d been in a village in Africa last month that had been decimated by human traffickers. Some of the children had been recovered, but hopelessness and fear still lurked in their eyes. She’d been sympathetic but had no way to empathize, until now. Being helpless and in an evil person’s power could easily strip a person of their will to thrive.

  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.