Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(58)

Camden narrowed his gaze. “You’ve met?”

“And that’s my cue,” I said, backing away toward the door. “Ryley, I’m glad you’re here. I’ll just let you explain how we met.” I mouthed the word ‘sorry’ to him and shrugged innocently at Camden before leaving. Once out the door, I shut it gently and leaned against it. With Ryley there, I could only hope their feud would finally come to an end. However, it wasn’t just Ryley he needed to convince; he needed Ashleigh’s forgiveness as well.

It just so happened she was in the waiting room with Mason. A sad smile splayed across her lips as I approached. “Mason told me what happened. I’m glad you’re all okay.”

“Me too. I’m just happy I was able to get to him before it was too late.”

She nodded, but I could see the hesitance in her eyes. Camden was still an uncomfortable subject for her. “I’m also sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk to you when you visited. I’ve heard a lot about you from Gabby. She’s dying to meet you.”

“And I her. Camden’s really fond of her. I heard the way they speak to each other. I’m glad he had a friend he could talk to while he was away. He’s changed a lot in the past few months.”

“So I heard,” she said. “Ryley’s missed him. You’ll have to excuse my lack of enthusiasm, it’s just hard to picture Camden as a changed man.”

“I know, and believe me I would’ve wanted to kill him after everything he did to you and Ryley.”

“You know about all of it?” she asked incredulously. I nodded in reply. “And you’re in love with him?”

“It’s crazy, I know. He even asked me to live with him.”

Her eyes went wide. “Are you going to?”

“I am.”

“And you believe in him that much?”

Again, I nodded. “I do. Which is why I want to talk to you now. Seeking Ryley’s forgiveness is one thing, but getting yours is another. He may get his brother’s blessing, but if he doesn’t get yours he’ll never fully recover. I know it’s a longshot, but I’m asking you to please find it in your heart to forgive him. He wants to be a part of your lives and if I’m going to be a part of his, I want to get to know you all too.”

She stared at me for the longest time and I almost gave up hope until she shook her head and chuckled. “No wonder he fell for you. You’re strong and determined, and obviously kick ass if you’re a cop. He needed someone to tame him down.”

That made me laugh. “So does this mean you’ll try?”

“I guess,” she replied with a wink. “And it’s only because I like you and have faith you’ll keep him in line. If he so much as messes up again, I can’t promise I won’t kill him.”

“If he messes up again, I’ll be the one to kill him. You have nothing to worry about.”

We both laughed while Mason sat in the corner, shaking his head. “I sure do hope Jameson knows what he’s getting in to.”

“If he doesn’t, he’ll have not one but two women coming to kick his ass,” I laughed.

“Three,” Gabriella chimed coming through the door. Paxton shook his head and grinned, taking a seat beside Mason. “You weren’t planning on leaving me out were you?”

Ashleigh smiled and put her arm around her, leading her over to me. “Wouldn’t dream of it, babe.” She pointed to each of us and said, “Gabby, this is Brooklyn. Brooklyn, Gabby.”

Gabby held out her hand and I took it. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

She smiled. “Same to you. Although, I think I should bow in your presence.”

“Why?”

“You tamed the wild beast.” We all laughed, but little did they know, he wasn’t tame. He was still wild, only now he had purpose. And I was going to see him through it.





THE SECOND RYLEY and Brooklyn looked at each other, I knew something was up. It didn’t take me long to put the pieces together. If Mason didn’t tell her where I lived, there were only a couple of other options.

“So you told her where I was,” I stated.

Ryley sat down to my left and snorted. “Yeah, she kind of showed up out of nowhere. At first, we thought she was some kind of psycho fan who found out where we lived. Once she told me who she worked for, I knew who she was.”

“How?” I asked, even though I pretty much already knew.

He lifted his brows. “Really, dumbass? You’ve been confiding in Gabby and you didn’t think she’d squeal? You know she can’t keep a secret for shit.”

That was for damn sure. “I didn’t think you’d care what happened to me.”

Lowering his head, he looked down at his hands and shrugged. “For a time, I wanted to pretend you didn’t exist. I hated you and I wanted to kill you for what you did to Ashleigh.” When he lifted his head, his jaw clenched but in his eyes there was great sadness. “I couldn’t understand what the f*ck was wrong with you. Why you would hate me so much for being happy.”

I hurt him out of petty jealousy and nothing could erase those sins. All he ever did was be my brother, a protector. I nodded quickly, averting my gaze. “It’s because I wanted it too. Not Ashleigh, but what you both had. You had our friends, their loyalty. Even when we were the Twins of Terror, the fans wanted you more. I couldn’t understand what was wrong with me when we were both alike. I just felt so alone, and I pushed everyone away. I didn’t think I’d ever have what you had.”