Forever My Ranger (The Ryder Brothers): The Ryder Brothers, #2

By Dani Ryan

Can a Ranger with a big personality and even bigger heart convince the woman of his dreams that he's worth letting her guard down for?

 

 

Once my faulty parachute landed me in a dangerous situation on my last mission, I officially became retired Army Ranger Damon Ryder. I don't think I'll ever get the chance to settle down and build the family I want. But I'm given a second chance at life, and all I want now is to find the woman I want to spend it with. Sabrina makes me feel like myself again and I can't seem to get her out of my mind. She's beautiful, smart and funny. If only she'd let her guard down long enough to let me in. But there's something from her past she won't tell me about and it's stopping her from fully trusting. I'm not giving up on her, though, I'm going to get her to let me in and show her that I'm worthy of her love. I will act as her shield and protect her from the storms ahead. I will be her everything if she'll let me.

 

 

Note: Every book in The Ryder Brothers series stands completely on its own and there are no cliffhangers! Start reading today!

 

 

*The Ryder Brothers series in order (if you so choose to read them that way)*

Forever My Protector

Forever My Ranger

Forever My Soldier

Forever My Guardian

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dani Ryan
• Release date: Mar 5, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223893875

Book preview

Prologue

3 years ago

My family and friends looked at me, each with a different emotion in their eyes—concern, glee, love—but I felt a whole host of other emotions, mostly excitement. I was home for a short leave from Georgia where I’d just spent eight weeks going through the ranger assessment and selection program. Everyone called it RASP, but I called it the beginning of the end. The end, the ultimate achievement of my goal, that was. I finally made it, graduating to Army Ranger, joining the 75th Ranger Regiment—a dream I had since I was young. I had done it and it felt so good.

Of all the stories my father told my brothers and I when we were growing up, I was always drawn to the ones about his buddies who served as rangers. It felt exhilarating, even to me as a youngster. My interest in mechanics and engineering maybe made it a stretch, but the way I saw it was that interest led to my love of cars and planes, and it felt only natural for me to join that way, taking on that job—working on the planes. From there it was an easy leap into applying to be a ranger.

After a weekend at home, celebrating and spending quality time with those I loved, I was expected to deploy tomorrow morning. My first assignment as a ranger. I knew what it meant, and so did many of them, but I wasn’t worried. Besides, us rangers had it pretty good with nights and weekends off. When I wasn’t on a mission, I was expected to train and focus on my physical fitness. Not a bad deal at all, if you asked me.

My dear mother broke me from my spell, patting me on the shoulder. You be safe, you hear? And I expect regular updates.

When he can, my father inserted, knowing regular updates wasn’t always part of the deal.

I sighed. Mom, it’ll be no different than before. I promise. I’ll be fine and I’ll keep in touch.

She shook her head. I don’t know why I was given four boys, all of whom had to be like their father. Wasn’t watching him go off enough for me, praying for his safe return? Now I have to live in constant fear for all my boys.

But I was always safe, as are your sons. Stop worrying, Mary, he implored.

Listen to Dad. Plus, this is a good job and it’s not like I wasn’t already in combat as a soldier. Now I’m just going to be a ranger. Not much is changing except my title and the way I spend my time. She looked unconvinced, but I knew she’d come around. I leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Before turning on my heel, I looked around the room and surveyed everyone. So many people came out for the farewell dinner Mom insisted on having for me. As far as my brothers were concerned, only Wyatt was home, on leave himself, but I had a video chat with Colton today and one with Deacon yesterday, so I felt good. I turned to hug Dad and then Wyatt.

Be safe. Don’t tease too many foreign women, my smart-ass brother remarked.

I don’t tease. I winked and Mom rolled her eyes. As if there’d be time for that. We both knew there wasn’t.

Enough. If you’re going, then please go. Mom’s brown eyes looked down and she stalked away, Dad letting her go. It was hard on her each and every time, I knew, but she also lived for this. Without us, and being first an Army wife and now mother, she’d be lost.

Turning back to Wyatt, I smiled. Maybe I’ll see you. He nodded. It was unlikely, but it gave us both something to cling to for a second. Of all my brothers I was closest with Wyatt, then Colt. Deke, well, he was a tough nut to crack most days, but I loved him just as much as the rest.

Dad ushered me out and clapped me on the shoulder. Take care of yourself, son. I’m so proud of you, you know. I nodded. Dad had a complicated relationship with all of his sons, likely stemming from his own time overseas, but it was the only way I knew him, so unlike my brothers, it didn’t bother me. I never did care much for calling him sir like they did and he let me get away with it. I accepted him, faults and all. It probably didn’t hurt matters that I was fulfilling his greatest wish of one of us becoming a ranger. It was something he always wanted to do, but had a different calling at the time and served as an officer instead. My son, a ranger. He smiled wide and I hugged him again before he turned to go back inside.

One glance around and I noticed a small, delicate figure sitting on the bench outside our front door. Kelsey. She must’ve slipped out before.

I sighed. Saying goodbye to you is never easy.

For me, either. You know how much you mean to me, Damon, she said, but didn’t sound happy about it.

I waited, unsure what to say. Instead I sat down beside her and squeezed her knee. We sat like that, in silence, for a few minutes. Then I couldn’t stand it anymore. Kels, I started, but she put her finger to my lips.

Don’t. This isn’t easy for so many reasons, but most of which that I have to tell you I’m leaving.

I looked at her, surprise in my eyes. What?

Tomorrow, in fact. Just like you, she reminded me. I got a job in fashion merchandising for a big department store in New York.

Way to bury the lead. I was happy for her, but I knew this was it. We’d been on and off for so long and with my being gone more than ever lately, it was no way for her to live her life. She deserved more, not just a part-time lover. We hadn’t officially been boyfriend-girlfriend since high school and it seemed unlikely we’d ever get back there. You always wanted to go to New York.

I guess both our times have come. She knew that I had waited to be a ranger for so long and my commitment to the regiment was no joke—five years.

I shifted and looked her in the eyes. I guess so. You know, I’m happy for you, just bummed.

Why? Because I won’t be waiting around for you anymore, Damon?

It’s not like that.

Isn’t it? She shook her head. I don’t want to fight, but you have to know that this was never what I wanted.

I agreed. You didn’t deserve it, either. I’m sorry about that, but not that you’re leaving. I’m glad you went out and grabbed hold of your dreams, Kels. I’ll miss you, for sure, but this is good.

After tonight, Kelsey started, we’re never going to see each other again, are we?

I spotted a rogue tear running down her cheek and wiped it away with the pad of my thumb, letting my finger linger next to her lips. Soft, full lips that kissing was like a dream. Always had been, whether they were covered in her signature watermelon lip balm in high school or that red lipstick she wore so often these days as an adult.

I don’t want to think about that right now, I admitted. Because the truth was, we probably never would see each other again. I raked a hand through my hair. I meant what I said, Kels, I’m going to miss you. We’d been together so long and she taught me so much, especially what it meant to love someone so totally and completely that you want the best for them, even if it meant letting them go.

Then I couldn’t resist, so I pressed my lips to hers and relived so many moments, it was like an old movie reel was playing in my head.

When we broke apart, she smiled and leaned her forehead on mine. I know.

What’s next? I asked.

In the lowest whisper she could manage, she said, Come home with me tonight. Let’s have a proper goodbye.

Truthfully, there was nowhere in the world I’d rather spend my last night, so I took her hand and lead her to my car, the very car that brought her here to my parents’ house this evening. Tonight would be my last night before starting on a whole new path, but before that new beginning I had to close the door on the past, set Kelsey free once and for all.

Chapter One

Damon

Present Day

I wiped the condensation off the bottom of my glass and subtly checked my Rolex.

You gonna order a drink, sugar? my date probed for the third time in the last forty-five minutes, breaking me from my reverie.

When my mother said she had a friend whose daughter was single, I thought, why the hell not have her set me up? She had been wanting to set me up with one of her friends’ daughters for a long time and I always turned her down. Now, this was why. This woman, my date, better known as River, was the perfect example as to why I was dead-set against blind dates. They never worked out.

She pushed again. Sugar?

I cleared my throat. I’m sorry, what was the question?

It wasn’t that I wasn’t listening, it was that all I’d been doing was listening, and I knew within the first ten minutes that she was not my person. She was beautiful, don’t get me wrong. She was well-endowed with long, dirty blonde hair, blue eyes and legs that went on for days. Physically I was attracted to her, but I wasn’t looking for a just another good lay. I was at a place in my life where I was looking for the real deal.

I had been out of the Army for a while now, even if it wasn’t my decision to leave the Ranger Regiment. I had a head injury that left me no other choice. Even with all my tactical training, skills and experience, there was no way I could return to duty. I might’ve been lucky I survived, but things just weren’t the same. There was no going back. I faced that fact a long time ago, having little say in the matter. With some therapy and the support of my family, I accepted things and was able to build a good life for myself as a civilian.

Although, as much as I tried to move on with my life and settle down, start a family, I had no luck in the love department. I wasn’t as lucky as my little brother, Colton, who ran into his now-fiancée mere days after returning from service.

River placed her manicured fingers on my knee and began inching them upward. Forget it, she said in answer to my question. Why don’t we take this back to my place?

I put a hand on top of hers and slowly removed it from my knee. I don’t think so.

She frowned. Come on, we could have so much fun.

I had no doubt about that, but fun wasn’t exactly what I was looking for tonight. That wouldn’t be fair to either of us, I said, being as honest as possible.

And why the heck not? She looked frustrated, her eyes darting back and forth between mine.

I just stared into her angry eyes, feeling nothing, hoping she would understand. I’m sorry, but I don’t feel any chemistry between us.

Chemistry? There’s plenty of chemistry, Damon. You’re good-looking. I’m good-looking. What’s the problem?

You are very attractive, but I don’t see this turning into a second date, so I’m going to have to politely decline. There, I said it.

She looked pissed when she picked up her purse from the bar, stood, and stomped away without so much as a goodbye. I’d try to wish her well, but I didn’t think she’d hear me over the rage of fire coming out of her ears.

I watched as she sauntered out of the bar. Fuck. Dodged a bullet there.

I threw a couple hundred dollar bills on the bar to pay for our drinks and took a deep breath. River was many things, and drinker was definitely one of them. She knocked them back like a trooper and I would’ve joined her, but I just wasn’t feeling it. It didn’t make sense to get drunk with her and make a decision we’d both regret tomorrow morning.

I was about to get up and call it a night when I felt a slap on the back of my shoulder and turned around to see Colt and his former Army buddy, Max. Hey, bro, what are you doing here? Colt asked.

I shook my head. Don’t ask.

That bad?

Blind date gone terribly wrong. I was actually starting to wonder if I’d ever find my person.

Max laughed. Dude, blind dates are the worst. Why the fuck would you agree to one of those?

I clearly lost my mind there for a second, but I’m back now and am never agreeing to one ever again. Now I just had to remember that the next time I was presented with one.

Colton shook his head and took River’s recently vacated seat. You should just join a dating app.

No way in hell, I immediately thought.

Max cringed. Those are horrible. My sentiments exactly. The profile pictures are never what they actually look like, he added, as if he knew firsthand.

How would you know that exactly? It wasn’t that I didn’t believe him, but I had to ask because I knew he’d been with his wife forever.

Colt threw his hands up as if he had no idea, but Max wasn’t admitting to anything.

I rolled my eyes. What are you two knuckleheads waiting for? Order a drink already, I definitely need one now that she’s gone.

When the bartender came back around, as if on cue, we each ordered our poison. I, myself, was purely a beer man and ordered that.

Shit! I heard Max shout from the other side of Colt. I gotta bounce.

What? Colt asked. We just got here, man.

Max shook his head. Sorry, something came up at work. Last-minute problem, they need my help.

At this hour? I asked.

Work never sleeps, Max answered. We’ll have to do this again another time.

Damn, that was devotion. I didn’t know who I was to talk, though. Anyone who knew me knew that I loved working in the garage, fixing up cars, with Marcus. When I got out of the Army, my life was turned upside down, and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, if not impossible, to land a job. Thankfully, Marcus gave me a chance to prove myself. Now, I was his right-hand man and worked overtime for the dude. I’d do anything for someone who bet on me. That was just how I was wired—loyal to the very end.

Colt shook his head. Don’t sweat it.

I took a swig of my beer. So why aren’t you at home with Scarlet? Isn’t that what boring, almost-married couples with a baby on the way do, stay in?

Sure, but we boring couples like to spice things up every now and again.

I laughed. No, seriously, though, what’s up?

Honestly, Scar’s on a girls’ trip with Brooke and Rachel. So Max and I decided to get drinks.

I held up my glass. Well, at least you still get to have your guys’ night.

He shook his head. It’s actually a good thing that I ran into you. I was going to call you tomorrow anyway.

What for?

What do you know about art?

I raised a brow and took another sip of my beer before answering, Less than nothing, bro, you should know that.

That’s what I feared.

What the hell? was all I could think to ask.

He sighed. "You’ve been on so many dates with different women, I figured by now you were bound to know someone that was into art. Teach you a