Page 7

Chapter seven

Ryder

I wait a few days before I reach out to Ava. I want to give her the space to process everything that has happened to her. But she hasn't left my mind since that night at the ER.

Finally, I decide to make a grand gesture and send an arrangement of flowers, and a gourmet brunch spread to her apartment for her and Danie. I want to let her know I am thinking of her, and I am here for her if she needs me through her recovery. I don’t want to push myself on her though.

A couple hours later, my phone buzzes with a text from Ava.

Ava: Thank you for the beautiful flowers and the delicious brunch. You really didn't have to do that. ??

I wanted to. How are you feeling? Really feeling?

Ava: Honestly? I'm feeling a bit of everything—sore, embarrassed, angry, you name it. It has been a lot to process.

You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Ava. What happened with Clint wasn't your fault.

Ava: I know that rationally, but it's still not easy to shake the feeling, you know ?

I sit for a minute staring at the screen of my phone, considering how to phrase my next message carefully.

For what it's worth, the way you've handled this whole situation has only made me respect and admire you more.

A long, drawn-out pause follows before her response finally comes through.

Ava: Thank you, Ryder. That honestly means a lot coming from you.

I smile, feeling a sense of relief. Hopefully that helps to ease her mind a little.

I mean it. You're a lot tougher than you even think you are. Enjoy the food. I have to get back to work.

Ava: Thanks again.

I begin looking over some reports, but I can't shake the urge to see Ava after our text exchange.

Fuck it, work can wait.

I hop in my truck, and within twenty minutes I am knocking on the door to Ava and Danie’s apartment. Danie opens the door, her warm smile welcomes me inside.

"Ava said she is doing okay, but how is she really doing?" I ask as I follow her to the couch and take a seat.

"She's doing much better. The swelling has subsided, and a lot of the bruising is starting to fade."

"Has Clint tried reaching out to her at all since he attacked her?”

Danie rolls her eyes, her anger palpable. "He sent a text saying he was sorry and that it was just stress. His typical bullshit apologies.”

She picks up a book and begins reading, clearly needing a distraction from the topic at hand. "Ava is in her bedroom. She's been working in there. It's the first door on the left down the hallway." She makes a shooing gesture in the direction of Ava’s room.

I knock on the door and when there is no response, I open the door letting myself in. The motion of the door opening catches her attention and Ava looks up. She pu lls her earbuds out and asks, "Ryder? What are you doing here?"

"Sorry for barging in on you." I take in her slightly mussed appearance—she must've been really into her work. "I just… I miss you and want to see you. I need to make sure you are alright after..." My words trail off, not sure what to say.

Ava seems to read my mind and offers a soft smile while walking over to me. "I'm okay, really. Just taking it easy per doctor's orders. I am getting some writing done while I have the down time." She gently touches the fading bruise around her eye, trying to downplay the damage.

But I can see the emotional toll all of this has taken on her by the weariness etched on her face. Without a second thought, I reach out and pull her into a hug, and I bury my face in her hair. "You don't have to be strong for me. I want to take care of you if you’ll let me."

Ava gradually relaxes against me, wrapped in my arms. My hand instinctively finds its way to her back, rubbing in small, soothing circles.

"I've got you," I murmur, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Ava nods mutely, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. All the bravado and fiery spirit that first drew me to her seems dimmed by the trauma she has suffered. The sight of her so vulnerable, so unlike her usual self, nearly breaks my heart. I want nothing more than to shelter Ava from any bad in the world and be the strength she can lean on to get through this.

Gently, I pull back just enough to cup Ava's chin, tilting her face up to mine. I brush my thumb over the fading bruises, I search her warm brown eyes. "I'm not going anywhere, you hear me?"

"Thank you," she whispers. Those two words carry more weight than she probably realizes. Instinctively, I bend to capture her lips in a slow kiss. Ava sucks in a harsh breath and I pull back.

"Shit, I'm sorry." My dumbass totally forgot about her lip and nose. I just really want to kiss her. To feel that connection with her again.

She giggles, and God if that fucking giggle doesn’t go straight to my dick.

"It’s okay Ryder. My lip is still tender, and you have to be mindful of my nose. We can try again, just try to be gentle this time."

I take Ava's sweet invitation and brush my lips against hers, tentative and gentle. I hold myself back, giving Ava the chance to take the lead and deepen our kiss. And she doesn't disappoint. Tangling her fingers in my hair, she pulls me closer, taking what she wants.

That's my girl.

When we finally break apart, Ava's eyes remain closed for a few seconds. I watch as her lips curve into the faintest of smiles, the first hint of light returning to her.

I gently brush an errant strand of blonde hair from her face, "Why don't you get some rest?"

She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off with a look. "Please, Ava. Just let me take care of you."

After a moments hesitation, she gives the slightest nod of agreement. I feel the knot in my chest loosen slightly at her willingness to lean on me, even if just this once.

Keeping one arm securely around Ava, I guide her over to the bed and gently help her settle back against the pillows. She exhales a soft breath as she relaxes into the mattress, her eyelids already looking heavy.

"Rest up, beautiful. I'll be right here when you wake up." Within a few minutes, her breathing evens out and she is already asleep. With her resting, some of the tension finally bleeds from my shoulders and I sink into the armchair beside the bed. She's okay. Everything is going to be okay.

I trace the faint outline of her cheekbone with the pad of my thumb, marveling at how beautiful she is. This woman is strong, resilient, and unbreakable. Even after everything she has endured at the hands of her fucking ex. The fact that she is still willing to let her guard down enough to accept my care, only makes the feelings I have for her burn hotter.

****

The next day, I enter the private offices above Club X. Ethan and Keith are already waiting for me in the lounge area when I arrive.

"About damn time," Ethan's usual joking tone is noticeably absent.

My Uncle Chuck, in an expensive dark gray suit, stands up and shakes my hand firmly. His time-worn face betrays a hint of approval as he meets my eyes.

"Looks like this time the bastard actually deserved it." I notice the slight tremor in his hand as my hand grips his firmly. A telltale sign of the toll his business has taken on him over the years.

I smirk at him. Of all the times I have needed his help, this is probably the first time he isn’t pissed at me. There was a time, not too long ago, when Uncle Chuck would get these calls because someone so much as looked at me the wrong way.

Those were the days when my temper ran hotter than a furnace, and my fists were quicker than my common sense. "Tell me straight Uncle Chuck, this bastard can't really have a leg to stand on, can he?" I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I want to hear it from the old man himself.

“If he does, I’ll fucking break it.” Keith snickers from behind me.

Uncle Chuck's hand reaches out, picking up the manila file laying on the polished mahogany table. He flips it open, his eyes scanning the contents with the practiced ease of a seasoned lawyer.

"Actually," he drawls, "He might." My smirk falters a bit as he continues. "You won't get thrown in jail, that's for sure. But he could sue you to cover his medical bills due to the injuries he sustained. He might also get pain and suffering." He looks up at me from the file folder he’s holding in front of him. "You may have had good reasons this time, Ryder, but the law doesn't always see things our way."

I take a seat at the oblong table and lean back in the chair. It's not exactly the news I wanted to hear, but I trust Uncle Chuck's judgment. He's been pulling my ass out of the fire since I was old enough to throw a punch, and he hasn't steered me wrong yet.

"So what's our play here, Uncle Chuck? I'm not about to let this scumbag walk away thinking he can get away with hurting Ava."

Uncle Chuck's eyes narrow, a hint of the shrewd lawyer I'd known all my life peeking through. "We gather the evidence and document everything. The restraining order Ava filed, witness statements from the club, her medical records. We build a case that shows this wasn't just some bar fight. You were protecting a victim from her abuser."

Ethan chimes in, "I've got the security footage from outside the club. Clear as day, shows what that bastard was doing to Ava."

"Good," I nod. "Keith, can you reach out to your contacts at the police department? See if there's any history of complaints against this guy?"

"I’ve already done that Ryder. The only thing they have is the report Ava filed."

"Now about this lawsuit he could file against you. He may be able to squeeze some money out of you, but if we can get Ava to file one against him, he may back down. I presume I am representing her as well?" Uncle Chuck looks at me for confirmation.

I give him one curt nod.

"Very good. I will start the paperwork on that as soon as I get back to the office. Is there anything else I need to know about?" Chuck asks in an almost scolding tone, and I feel like I’m fucking 17 years old again.

"No Sir, that’s all there is to know."

Uncle Chuck closes the file with a snap. "Okay then. In the meantime, Ryder, you need to keep your nose clean. No more confrontations with this Clint character or anyone else, understood? Let the system work."

I clench my fists under the table, fighting the urge to argue, but I know Uncle Chuck is right. I have to play this smart.

"Alright," I concede. "But I'm not leaving Ava unprotected. I want the security detail kept on her until this is resolved. Also, make sure they are watching Danie as well. I don't want to take any chances with this guy."

Ethan raises an eyebrow. "You sure that's wise? Danie might not take kindly to being watched."

“Then we do it discreetly.” I don’t really care if either one of them likes it or not. “I'm not taking any chances with either of their safety. Danie can suck it up."

Uncle Chuck nods, "Smart move. I'll draft up some paperwork, make it all official and above board. We'll present it to Ava as a precautionary measure given the circumstances."

As the meeting wraps up, I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning. Clint has opened up a can of worms, and I am determined to see it through to the end. For Ava's sake, and for my own peace of mind.

As everyone file out of the conference room, Keith lingers behind, his serious expression catching my attention. I can tell he has something important to discuss.

"Chase called," he says. "I informed him on what has been going on around her e."

I nod, appreciating Keith's initiative. I wonder how Chase reacted to the news of my current situation. Knowing him, he'd probably want to get involved personally. I make a mental note to give him a call later.

Keith shakes his head, "He wants to assess things in person before making any calls. You know Chase, always thorough."

"That's Mr. Boss for you." The nickname we'd all given Chase years ago still felt apt. He’s a total control freak. "In the meantime, we'll keep pushing forward. Any word on when exactly he'll touch down?"

Keith glances at his watch, "He mentioned possibly Tuesday, but it's not set in stone. I'll keep you posted."

I clap Keith on the shoulder. "Appreciate it, man." Looking at him, I can tell he has more to say, and most likely I'm not going to like it. "What is it Keith?"

"Look, I get it—Clint had it coming. But we're in talks with the Russians right now. This deal could be huge for us, for Axiom. What happened to that girl is awful, no question. But you just met her, Ryder. There's no way she's worth all this chaos. I'm just making sure you're thinking clearly here, not letting your dick cloud your judgment."

"Watch it Keith," I say, leaning against the conference table. "We've got history."

Keith's eyebrow raises slightly, a rare show of surprise on his usually unreadable face.

"Remember how I told you guys I grew up in Seattle before moving to Texas?" I continue. "Well, Ava was my next-door neighbor back then. Her brother, August, was my best friend. We were inseparable for years."

Keith nods, processing this new information. "You've known her for a while then."

"Yeah, and seeing her again, it's like no time has passed. But it's different now," I admit, running a hand through my hair. "I'm starting to have feelings for her, Keith. Real feelings. It's not just some fling, or some girl I’m fucking."

"I see," he says after a moment. "That does change things. But Ryder, you've got to be careful. Mixing personal and business can be dangerous, especially with the Russians breathing down our necks."

"Trust me, I'm not al lowing this to impact our operation," I guarantee him. "But I can't simply watch while Clint does whatever he fucking wants to her. She's far too important to me." The gravity of that statement strikes me with sudden force. This gorgeous, headstrong woman has truly got me by the balls.

Several days has gone by without me laying eyes on Ava. I've been touching base with Danie to ensure she's holding up alright, but I've intentionally avoided pestering Ava. She deserves some peace to recuperate and mend.

I've spent my time poring over the file on Clint my uncle left for me. It has copies of all the documents Ava handed over to law enforcement to secure the protective order against him. I'm utterly floored by the extremes this fucker has went to in order to indulge his twisted fixation with Ava. The vile things he's said to her, no man should ever treat a woman like that.

As I come upon the images of Ava's perfect skin marred by bruises, I nearly snap. This wasn't his initial act of violence against her. According to the file, it's what drove her to leave him. Following the fourth incident, Danie came in, gathered Ava's belongings, and moved her into her apartment in Seattle. I knew I liked her. Danie is tiny, but she takes no shit from anyone.

After going over the file for the hundredth time, I can’t take it anymore. I need to see Ava for myself. Picking my phone up from my desk, I send out a quick text to Ava.

How's my girl feeling today?

Her reply comes almost immediately.

Ava: Your girl? A little sore still, but better.

Shit, I really did just say she was my girl. Fuck. Might as well roll with it now that it's out.

Yes, my girl. Do you have a problem with that Miss Jade?

Ava: Not at all, Sir.

Fuck me.

Good to hear. I was hoping you might be up for getting out of that apartment tonight? I'll come pick you up around 5 and cook you my famous chicken parm at my place.

There is a brief pause before the typing bubble appears.

Ava: You know what, that actually sounds really nice. I could use a break from Danie. She has turned into a mother hen. I'm surprised I'm allowed to wipe my own ass at this point.

I can’t help the grin that tugs at the corners of my mouth as I type back.

Then it's a date. I'll grab a bottle of cabernet. You just focus on relaxing, angel. I'll take care of everything else tonight.

By 4:45 PM, I am pulling up outside Ava’s apartment building. When Ava opens the door, my breath catches in my throat at the sight of her. The fading bruise around her eye does little to detract from her natural beauty.

"Hey you," she says softly, giving me a warm smile.

"Hey yourself," I say back while leaning in to graze my lips over her uninjured cheek. "Are you ready to get out of here for a bit?"

Ava nods, and grabs her purse and keys. We head towards the elevator, I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close against my side. She seems to relax into my embrace, a sense of comfort washing over her features.

I inhale her familiar vanilla scent, as I lean in and tenderly press my lips to hers. A quiet sigh escapes her, a single thought consumes me... mine.