Camden's Redemption (Gloves Off #4)(59)

“It’s because you never gave any of it a chance,” he snapped, getting to his feet. “But look what happened after you left. Mason hasn’t left your side, and neither have Gabby and Pax. Hell, you even got Brooklyn to fall in love with you. You f*cked up royally, and yet they still care about you. I care about you, or I wouldn’t have spent every goddamned day worrying about you. You’re my brother and I love you. I can’t forget what you did, but I can move on from it if you’re willing to try. The choice is yours.”

“What about Ashleigh? She’s never going to forgive me, with good reason.”

As if she’d been summoned, she chose that moment to walk through the door. “And that’s what I’m here to talk about.” She marched the rest of the way into the room, her gaze hard.

“What are you doing?” Ryley asked, putting his arm around her shoulders.

She glanced up at him and then turned back to me. “I’d like to kick your ass myself, but after all you’ve been through, I guess it’s enough. Besides, you have a great girl in your corner and if she says you’ve changed, I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt.” Ryley smiled and squeezed her shoulder, but she held up her hand, clearly not done. “However . . . if you so much as screw up again, or mess with my family, I’ll give you a matching bullet hole in your ass. Are we clear?”

Ryley shrugged, trying hard to keep from laughing, but Ashleigh wasn’t backing down. I nodded my reply, appeasing her. “I think my brother rubbed off on you,” I laughed.

“That he has. But it’ll be good to see him completely happy again. Just don’t disappoint us.”

“So does this mean you forgive me?” I asked.

Smiling, she glanced up at Ryley and then turned back to me. “Only on one condition.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“All right,” she said with a wide grin. “I want you to be the best man at our wedding.”

Ryley chuckled. “How did I know you were going to ask that?”

She winked at him. “Because I know it’s important to you.”

“Didn’t you two already get married?” I asked.

“We did,” Ryley replied, “but it was just our parents that were there. We wanted to have one where all of our friends could celebrate with us. It’ll be this fall.”

“Also,” Ashleigh cut in, “our deal includes Brooklyn. She has to be there too. With that being said, you have four months until the wedding . . . so whatever you do, don’t mess things up with her.”

“Don’t worry. She’s not going anywhere.” I wasn’t going to let her.





Two Months Later




SO MANY THINGS had happened in the past two months it almost felt surreal. Once Camden’s case was closed, I quit my job at the department and officially moved to California. Blake was freed shortly after Gabe’s death and his life was now back on track. He visited me before I left North Carolina and thanked me for helping him.

Saying goodbye to everyone was bittersweet. I wanted to leave, to make a fresh start, but I sure was going to miss everyone; especially my brother. Camden and I tried convincing him he needed to move. It would be nice to have him close by, but unfortunately, he’s a country boy and didn’t want to leave North Carolina. Once Camden was able to travel, he flew with me home and helped me get my affairs in order. He even met my parents, who were happy for me. For once, it felt like my life was normal.

The news of his brother’s death hit Scar hard, but he had himself to blame for it, and the rest of his life to think about while rotting in jail. Putting all of Gabe’s secrets aside, I couldn’t deny I missed him. I grew to hate him because of his betrayal, but before I knew of his intentions, he was my friend. He’d never left my side when my sister died. I couldn’t help but wonder if all of that was all a lie. Unfortunately, it was too late to find out.

Camden and I had been living in an apartment while we searched for another house. After the accident, he refused to step foot in his old one, so he had everything packed up and put into storage until we could find our new place. Little did he know, I had a surprise for him. My house back in Charlotte sold for way more than my asking price and I’d decided not to tell him just yet.

“I can’t believe you’ve done all of this behind Cam’s back,” Gabriella laughed. “He’s going to shit bricks when he finds out what we’ve been up to. What do you think he’s going to say when he finds out you bought a place two houses from mine?”

“That I’m a genius?” I replied with a chuckle. “Think about it . . . we’re at your house every single day so he can train. The house is on the beach like he wanted and not to mention, you and Pax are our friends. I think it’s a win-win.”

“When are you going to bring him here?” she asked, glancing around the room. The house was gorgeous and completely different from the one he had in Malibu. This place was going to be a new beginning, one with new memories we could make together. While he’d been busy working out with Paxton every day, I’d managed to have some of his things brought out of storage and into the house, along with lots of other new things. The house was finally complete.

“I think I’m going to bring him here tonight,” I told her. “I don’t see the point in waiting.”