Breaking the Silence (Hard Drive Book 2) (20 page)

Chloe’s eyes grew wide as she caught sight of Avery’s left one. She rushed onto the mat and grabbed it, gazing at the brilliant diamond ring on her finger. Glancing back and forth between Avery and Rico. “Oh, my gosh. Are you engaged?”

Avery beamed as she pulled her hand free to sign. “Yes. Rico proposed in Florida.”

“But you didn’t have the ring in Florida.”

Rico grinned as he joined in the conversation. “The ring was here. It belonged to my mother. I had my aunt send it to me before Avery broke up with me.”

Avery spun on her toe and wrapped her arms around her fiancé, pressing a long, sweet kiss to his lips. Chloe sighed as she watched.

She signed.
“Have you set a date?”

“We have.” Rico gazed proudly at Avery. “Independence Day, next summer. My beautiful girl fought bravely for our freedom and sacrificed her hearing for it. I want to honor her by making our big day the day we celebrate our freedom as a nation.”

“And he doesn’t want to forget the date,” Avery teased.

Before Rico could tickle her again, the glass door slammed open. Phoebe stormed into the gym and headed straight for Rico.

“What the hell are you doing here, Phoebe?” he demanded. “I know my lawyer called you about the new restraining order.”

“I want answers,” she countered. “I turned on your fight and see her,” she pointed accusingly at Avery, “walking with you to the octagon. How could you do that to me? You belong to me, and you betray me like that!”

A split second after she stopped speaking, a fist flew through the air, striking Phoebe in the nose. The cross landed Phoebe on her rear on the mat. Avery towered over her, her fists now clenched to her hips. Instinctively, Chloe flanked her friend for support.

“Stay away from my fiancé,” Avery barked.

“I thought you were deaf,” Phoebe whimpered as she clenched her bleeding nose.

“She’s deaf, not mute, you moron,” Chloe growled. “Get out of my gym. Stay away from our men.”

“Not your gym.”

“Bull crap, it’s not. It belongs to both Max and me. Together. Married couple.”

“Phoebe, you need to get out before we call the police,” Max warned.

The sounds of sirens echoed in the room. Chloe turned to Max, puzzled. The four of them hadn’t called…

“Too late.”

Mark grinned impishly from the hallway. Beside him stood Dan, his cell phone pressed to his ear as he reported the scene to someone on the other end.

A couple of cops stepped inside the gym and were met by Max and Rico. After a quick conversation, the officers led Phoebe kicking and screaming out the door to their car. Both Dan and Mark were chuckling as the joined the couples.

“Nice, Dan,” Rico complimented.

“It needed to be done,” Dan grinned. “Hopefully, we’re done with her. She’s never shown interest in me.” He glared at Mark.

Mark threw up his hands in defense. “She could care less about me, either.”

Avery tugged on Mark’s arm with a warm smile. “I am glad you are both here too. Rico and I have a request of all of you,” she said.

Mark responded. “Of course. Anything.”

Chloe watched Avery glance at all four of them. Then, she smiled at Rico before she began speaking. “We want all of you to stand up with us at the wedding. Just the four of you and Lindsay of course. You are Rico’s best friends. You are already family to me. Would you consider it?”

Chloe nearly knocked Avery to the ground with a huge hug. She didn’t sign. She just nodded excitedly. As Max responded with both his voice and his hands, she lightened her grip. “It looks like Chloe answered for all of us. We will be happy to stand up with you.”

Summer sunlight glistened off the lake. From the French doors of the cabin, Avery watched the waves lap against the rocks along the shore. She smoothed her form-fitting, sleeveless, white, satin dress as she sighed deeply. This was it. A day she had never dreamed of living her entire life, yet she was excited to get started. Her wedding day.

The road to this moment had been a wild one. She hadn’t known that when Rico had asked for his mother’s ring before they broke up, he had also summoned the courage to fly to California to ask her father for his blessing. Her dad certainly hadn’t been pleased that this man who hung drywall and fought in a cage wanted to marry his little girl. Dad must have thought he knew Avery well enough that she would turn down the proposal.

The whole family had been stunned when they had flown back to San Diego to announce the engagement. It had taken nearly the entire two weeks they were there to warm everyone up to the upcoming wedding. Fortunately, by the time they left, the family too had fallen in love with Rico.

Lindsay traveled with them against his better judgment. He’d had no desire to see any of his family. They had been at odds ever since he joined the Army Rangers instead of the Marines. Avery was ready for the war to begin. To this day, she wasn’t sure how it happened, but Rico stepped in as an intermediary. He helped each side see the other’s point of view. It wasn’t long before her warrior made peace in her family. She hadn’t thought she could love him more. But after that, she did.

Through the winter, they made plans for this day. She tried on dresses and tasted cakes. Rico watched her sample the sweets with a frown. He was back in fight camp with Max. They would be heading to Las Vegas, each with a shot at a belt.

A week before Valentine’s Day, Rico, Avery, Max, Chloe, Mark, and Dan flew to Las Vegas for the fight. The time between their arrival and the fourteenth—when the fight was scheduled—there was appearances, interviews, lots of practice, and finally, the weigh in. Both men were more than ready and willing to walk into the octagon.

Avery had watched Max’s fight with Dan and Mark from the mouth of the tunnel after they had walked him to the cage. Chloe and Rico had stayed to coach him from the opposite side of the chain link. The fight hadn’t lasted long. Neither man had taken the battle to the mat. It had ended before the conclusion of the first round, when Max had fired a head kick to his opponent, knocking him out. Chloe had kissed him triumphantly as he had held his new belt over his head.

One fight later, Rico stormed to the octagon, his fingers gently wrapped around Avery’s. Pressing a kiss to his lips for luck, she followed Max to their places. After the announcer had rambled off the long-winded introduction, the fight started.

Avery watched the men stalk each other around the mat, attacking with jabs, crosses, and a couple of near lethal uppercuts. Rico’s opponent had left a small gash over his eyebrow with a weak head kick. The round had ended before Rico crumbled.

Not long into round two, the battle went to the mat. Avery caught the wicked glimmer in Rico’s eyes. This was where his strength lied. The fight hadn’t lasted much longer. Before the bell ended round two, Rico locked his opponent in a triangle, causing the man to tap. Avery leapt to her feet and rushed to the cage door. She was in Rico’s arms before the belt was in his hand.

They returned home to finish their wedding planning. Shortly after they arrived, they found out the venue that they chose was double booked. Avery had been crushed, wondering if that was a sign.

Dan was the one to come to the rescue. He told them of this resort north of the Twin Cities that he used to go to with his family when he was a child. On a cool, spring day, she and Rico made the drive to take a look. They had fallen in love with it instantly. The gazebo at the lodge was the perfect place for the ceremony. The lake reminded them of their own spot near the college.

There was going to be a fantastic fireworks display the night of the Fourth of July. And the fact that they could rent a beautiful cabin for a honeymoon getaway less than a mile from the location of their wedding had sealed it. They had booked it immediately then raced home to make the changes. Several wedding showers and a joint bachelor and bachelorette party had led them to the present. Now, here they were, ready to start their forever together.

Avery startled as she felt a hand on her arm. Chloe smiled at her. She smoothed her own crimson, ankle length gown before she signed.
The car is here to take us to the ceremony. Are you ready?

Can’t wait. Let’s go.

The two women slipped into the waiting vehicle outside the cabin. Avery’s heart thundered in her chest as they wound along the forest roads to the lodge. Rows of cars appeared then the roof of the building. Hopefully, the love of her life, along with his friends and the minister, would be waiting for her in the gazebo that overlooked the lake.

Her dad opened the car door, helping Chloe out first then Avery. She saw the tears pooling in his eyes as he glanced her over.
Avery, sweetheart. You look beautiful.

She placed a kiss on his cheek.
Thank you, Dad.

Avery noticed Chloe’s gaze locked on someone approaching them. Avery smiled warmly as her father gave Lindsay a hug. Lindsay looked sharp in his dress uniform.

Even though he was her brother, Avery had to admit Lindsay was devastatingly handsome. Lindsay beamed at her as he signed.
Dad thought since we have been so close over these past few years that I should walk you down the aisle also. If that is all right with you.

Avery grinned.
I think you might like Rico.

She watched Lindsay laugh.
Yes. It has grown on me. Like a fungus.

All of them chuckled at Lindsay’s comment. Lindsay gently weaved his arm around Chloe’s to escort her up the walk, pressing a cordial kiss to her cheek. Avery’s father did the same with Avery as they followed them behind the lodge toward the gazebo.

Avery anxiously watched Chloe as she slowly made her way down the aisle to stand beside Max. Lindsay wrapped his arm firmly around her free one before they began a similar journey.

Avery read the minister’s lips then glanced to her Dad to see him speak. Her father nodded to Lindsay then let her go and sat beside her mother. Lindsay placed her hand in Rico’s then looked Rico in the eye. “Welcome to the family. I’m proud to call you my brother,” Avery saw him say to her future husband.

Rico’s deep blue eyes misted with tears. It nearly made Avery cry. She knew that this was the first time since he had been a child that Rico had an actual family to claim as his own. Sure, he loved the makeshift family he was a part of at Hard Drive. But it wasn’t the same.

Lindsay smiled at the both of them then took his spot next to his parents.

Avery watched intently as the minister spoke his message. Then, Avery recited her vows clearly, as she had practiced. When it was time for Rico to make his vow to her, he pulled his hands from hers. He smiled gently. Then he carefully signed his marriage vows to her. Avery couldn’t stop the tear from slipping down her cheek.

She understood it all. He, Rico Choate, was promising her forever. She knew each word was full of truth and confidence. He needed her as much as she needed him. Once the rings were exchanged and the minister pronounced them husband and wife, they sealed their marriage with a kiss.

Then, the party began. A picnic of fried chicken and salads led to conversation and games. Max started a bonfire when the sun set. Avery cuddled with Rico on a blanket laid on the ground as the fireworks began. After she returned from Afghanistan, she avoided these displays. Normally the flash of the explosions terrified her. But being held tight in her husband’s arms made her feel safe enough to enjoy the show.

Before they were over, he helped her to her feet and led her to his Jeep. The night sky above the trees was filled with bright color as they drove back to the cabin.

Her heart raced again as they stepped inside, and Rico locked the door. He pulled a long, velvet box from his tuxedo jacket and handed it to her. “My wedding gift to you.”

She slowly opened the lid. A beautiful, white gold, double heart pendant lined with diamonds held on a fine chain rested on the satin. She gasped as she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you. I love it. But I didn’t get you anything.”

Rico’s smile was pure sin as he pulled her back to look at her. His eyes roamed over her. “Actually, I have been waiting all day to open my gift from you. It has been killing me.”

“What gift?”

He ran his tongue along his bottom lip. “I will admit—the wrapping paper is absolutely beautiful. But I am ready to rip off the gift-wrap and get to my present.”

She felt her face grow hot as she met his hungry eyes. She understood then that she was his present. It was their wedding night, and they had yet to sleep together. Would she be able to compete with his other lovers?

That thought fled her mind as he tugged her back into his arms and engulfed her lips with a devouring kiss. She gasped softly as he jerked the zipper of her dress down and let the garment pool on the floor. Suddenly, there was no doubt in her mind that this would be the best night of her life.

»»•««

Avery squinted her eyes against the bright summer light. As brilliant as it was, it couldn’t be early morning. She glanced over at the digital alarm clock before snuggling again against Rico’s bare shoulder. It was well past noon, which made sense. They had watched the sunrise before they had finally drifted off to sleep.

Their reception was more than she could have ever dreamed of. Her parents and all her family was there to celebrate with them. Nearly all her friends and classmates came too, along with several of the fighters from Hard Drive. However, none of it compared to being with Rico. They had stolen kisses as they had visited with guests. They had fed each other pieces of cake. He had protected her from the fireworks.
Not to mention, he was to-die-for hot in his tux.

She gently ran her fingertip along his jawline as she gazed at him. She was the luckiest woman in the world. She was married to Rico Choate. He was strong. Sexy. Confident. Gentle. Funny. Puppy dog devoted. And he firmly believed that she was the sexy, courageous one, not him. He hated being away from her, even dragging her to the gym when she wasn’t in school or at work. He trained with her more than the guys. They shared everything like best friends. After her injury, she had thought she would never find love. Now, it was lying here in her arms.