Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(47)

Sighing, I leaned up against my car. “But you guys have your own training to concentrate on. Why would you put yourself out for me?”

Lifting up on her toes, she put her arms around my neck. “Because believe it or not, we care about you. And I want to help. Now say yes before I lose my temper.”

I returned the hug. “Okay, fine, you win. Do you always get your way?”

She let me go and winked. “Most of the time. Which is why I’m going to ask you to do something else for me.”

“What?”

“After all of this is over and you don’t have to worry about someone trying to kill you, I want you to go see Ryley. If you’re joining the UFC again, you’re going to be fighting against him. It doesn’t need to be with bad blood.”

I knew the time would come for me to confront my brother at some point. And I would have to make the first move. “I’ll go see him as soon as it’s safe,” I told her.

“Promise?”

“I promise. I just hope he doesn’t try to kill me.”





THE TIME FELT later than it actually was, but that’s what happens when you fly across three time zones. According to the GPS, I had one mile left until my final destination. My stomach was in knots and I had no clue what I was going to say when I got there. For all I knew, they would probably throw me out on my ass. Their driveway was long and desolate, surrounded by beautiful blossoming trees. The edge of the driveway neared and beyond that was a large, rustic cabin. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed there were cars out front. I took a gamble driving all that way and having them not be at home.

Taking a deep breath, I parked the car and slowly walked up the front steps. The sound of a child’s laugh echoed from the back yard and then I heard his voice. It was so much like Camden’s, I froze. Instead of knocking on the door, I walked around the house to the backyard. Ryley and Ashleigh had their backs to me, with their twins each in a swing. They had to be about five months old now.

My heart stopped when Ryley glanced over and saw me. He was the exact replica of Camden, minus the scar. I never knew Camden without it. It was strange seeing what he would look like if he didn’t have it.

“Can I help you?” he asked, narrowing his gaze. Ashleigh kept pushing the babies, but kept a wary eye on me as Ryley approached.

I held out my hand and smiled, hoping what I was about to do wasn’t a mistake. “Ryley Jameson, I’m Brooklyn Avery.” He shook my hand and waited for me to continue. “I’m really sorry to barge in on you like this, but I work with Mason Bradley. I’m the undercover agent who’s been keeping watch over your brother.”

His eyes went wide. “So you’re her? I’ve heard about you, but I didn’t know your name. Come, let’s go inside.” I nodded and waited on him while he spoke to Ashleigh, whispering something in her ear. Afterward, she turned to me and smiled. Hopefully, that was a good sign. Ryley led me up the back steps and opened the door for me to go inside.

“Thank you for speaking with me, Ryley.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, closing the door. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“No, thank you.” He nodded over to the couch and I took a seat while he took the chair opposite me. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him, but it wasn’t the same. He wasn’t my Camden. “It’s strange being around you. It’s uncanny how much you and Camden look alike. Well, except for his scar. I watched him for months before we became friends.”

“I heard you took a bullet for him. Can I ask you why?”

“Did Mason tell you?”

He shook his head. “No, Gabby did. For the past couple of weeks, she and Pax have been spending time with him. Apparently, he’s not doing so well. She says he misses you. I have to say that surprises me.”

Averting my gaze, I tried to keep from tearing up. “I didn’t know you kept up with him.”

“He’s my brother, Brooklyn. As much as I hate him for what he’s done, I can’t help but love him. When I found out what happened, it scared the shit out of me. I realized I didn’t want to lose him. I have you to thank for that.”

“You’re welcome. He’s changed since I’ve been with him,” I responded honestly. “I know about the horrible things he did to you and your wife, but ever since he’s been on the run, I’ve seen a different side to him. I can feel his guilt and see it in his eyes. He wants to make things right.”

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not going to be easy to forgive him. Don’t get me wrong, I hear what you’re saying, but I have to see it for myself.”

“I understand. It took me a while to see the good in him too. Now it’s all I can see.” I paused and bit my lip. “Never mind, I take that back. He still has a raging temper.”

Ryley’s eyes went wide and he laughed. “That’s Camden for you. Has he told you he loves you?”

Smiling, I looked down at my clasped hands and nodded. I would do anything to hear him say it to me again. When I looked up, he seemed shocked. “Does he not usually say that?”

He shook his head. “Never. I don’t think I’ve ever heard those words come out of his mouth. I have to say I’m intrigued. But you didn’t come all this way to chitchat. What’s going on?”