Avalyn’s stomach leapt with apprehension of what this challenge might be, hope that this would really end, and dismay that she might no longer be with Bridger every day and every night.
Ramsey grinned. “You’ve been wanting a chance to beat the life out of me, right, Bridge?”
Bridger shrugged and then smiled. “You know me well.”
“Yes, I do.” Ramsey laughed low and deep. The sound was eerie and foreboding. Avalyn didn’t know him well, but she didn’t like the little she knew. Even though he’d set her free last night, he’d used her as a pawn and almost killed her.
“So here’s our last challenge,” Ramsey added. “Bridger and I fight. No gloves, no protective headgear, no rules, no referees.”
Avalyn’s stomach churned more and more. What awful trick did Ramsey have up his sleeve? She looked closely at his hands, searching for brass knuckles or something shady like that. Her eyes then went to his ever-present bodyguards. Did they have a taser or worse to zap Bridger with if he truly thumped Ramsey? She didn’t doubt Bridger could win, but she doubted it would be a fair match.
“What happens when I pummel you?” Bridger asked.
Avalyn focused in on him. He stood there so brave and strong, like a fierce warrior who would never bow to the adversary. She loved his spunk and strength and especially his protectiveness of her. Yet she remembered one of his YouTube videos. He and Ramsey had sparred, and it had been awful to watch. They’d gone at it until they were both bloody, but the fight had eventually been declared a draw. How long and how hard would they fight today? She hated that it would be an even match. What if Ramsey won?
Ramsey laughed. “If you knock me out, you both go free and you’ll never see me again.”
Avalyn’s heart leapt. Going free and never seeing Ramsey again sounded wonderful.
“I like the thought of knocking you out and being free,” said Bridger, as if reading her thoughts. “How can you promise I’ll never see your ugly mug again? Maybe I’ll come with my own hired thugs and take you out.”
Ramsey grinned. “I’m all-powerful. You should know that, Bridge.” His smile left. “I can promise we’ll never see each other again … after you knock me out.”
Bridger studied him. Avalyn was interested in Ramsey’s terminology but couldn’t make much sense of it. She wouldn’t mind if Bridger did hire his own bodyguards to come track Ramsey down after what he’d put them through. Better yet, he could work with Creed and his Navy SEAL buddies, kick Ramsey’s butt, and then turn him in to the proper authorities. She was sure there was nothing Ramsey would hate worse than rotting in a jail cell. He should have to feel what she’d felt these past few days—fear, uncertainty, misery, and despair.
“Let’s do it.” Ramsey pulled his shirt off and dropped it on the floor before heaving himself up onto the ledge of the ring and slipping through the ropes. He stretched his arms behind his back, making his chest muscles pop. He was fit; there was no doubt about that.
Bridger turned to her. “A kiss for good luck?” he asked.
Avalyn’s mouth dropped open. “How can you think of kissing at a time like—”
Bridger pulled her in close and cut her off with his lips. She melted against him and returned his kiss, joy radiating through her from his touch and supple lips.
He released her and winked. “I can think of kissing you at any time.”
Avalyn pressed a hand to her lips, ignoring Ramsey’s laughter from the ring. “Come on, Bridge, don’t rub it in that you won the girl.”
Bridger lifted his shirt up and over his head and dropped it on a nearby bleacher. Avalyn’s mouth went dry as she studied the defined muscles of his chest, shoulders, biceps, and abdomen. The bruising on his shoulder reaffirmed that he’d go to any extreme to protect her. She framed his face, lifted onto tiptoes, and kissed him again.
She whispered against his lips. “A kiss for good luck, not that you need it.”
“I always need your kiss.” He smiled.
“Kick his trash,” Avalyn said.
Bridger chuckled. “You sound like my sister-in-law Cambree now.”
Avalyn smiled. Bridger turned and strode to the ring, jumping onto the side using only his legs, like a weight lifter doing a box jump, and then sliding through. He looked strong, confident, and irresistible.
The men strode toward each other and bumped both fists. Ramsey was grinning, as usual. “It’s been a great ride, my friend. Thank you.”
Bridger inclined his chin. “Not ready to thank you yet.”
Ramsey roared with laughter at that. “You will soon.”
Bridger shook his head. “Nut job.”
They backed away and started circling each other.