Page 102 of Rio's Release

“It’s Rio.”

“Maybe he’s heard the news and is calling to tell you.”

“He promised me this wouldn’t happen, Jenny. He said there was no way.”

“Okay, you’re pissed and scared, but this isn’t Rio’s fault.”

“I trusted him. He asked me to trust him, and I did.” I’m so angry.

Jenny takes the phone out of my hand and answers it. “Hey, it’s Jenny. Yeah, we just saw it on the news.” She listens to him and looks at me. “Um, she’s kind of upset right now. I don’t think she wants to talk.” She listens some more, glancing down the street. “Where? We’re at Blitzy’s having lunch.”

“Jenny!” I squeak, pissed she’s telling him all this.

“Okay. Sure.” She hangs up and looks at me. “Said he’ll be here in two minutes.”

“I’ve got to go, Jenny. I’ve got to think about what I’m going to do.” I’m literally shaking.

“Honey, calm down.”

“Don’t tell me to calm down. Don’t you get it? Carson is out, and I was one of his victims. I’m sure he’s pissed at all of us. I can’t be around here. I can’t let him find out about Bella. What if he retaliates?”

“But you have Rio now. He’s not going to let Carson get near you. I thought that was why he moved you both here.”

“Yes, he said he’d protect us, but he can’t protect us from Carson if he tries to get legal access to Bella. What if he tries to get custody or visitation? I can’t let that happen.” I stand to leave, but she grabs my arms.

“Shelby, you need to take a breath…”

I push her hand off. “Don’t tell me what I need to do! I know what I need to do.”

“Mommy, what’s wrong?” Bella asks, looking confused and upset.

“You’re scaring Bella, Shelby.”

The distant rumble of motorcycles carries to me, and I grab Bella by the hand. “Come on, honey. Let’s get in the car. We have to hurry.”

I run to our car, tugging her along and get her in the backseat just as Rio and Zig pull up.

Rio is off his bike in a flash to crowd me into the open door, his hand on my arm. “Shelby, I know you’re freaked out, but it’s going to be okay.”

“That’s what you promised me the last time.” I shrug out of his arm and push him back, slamming the car door.

“Babe, listen to me—”

“No,” I snap. “I already listened to you. Now, I’m done. I’m going back to Cloudcroft. I can’t stay here. Not with Bella. Not when Carson is loose.”

His chin pulls back, and his face gets tight, his jaw muscles working. “So, that’s it? The first bit of trouble, and you run? I thought you said you trusted me to protect you?”

The words sound gravelly and harsh.

I stare at the horizon, my eyes filling. A part of me wanted to believe we could have that happily ever after, but as much as he tries, Rio can’t protect the town, and he can’t protect me. “Maybe I was foolish to believe that everything would work out, because Carson got arrested.”

“I’m telling you, Shelby. Everything is going to be fine. If you’ll just give me a chance to—”

“No. I’m done. It was a nice dream, but it’s over. I have a daughter to protect. Now get out of my way.”

Rio takes a step back, a look of shock on his face. One that soon turns to hurt and anger, and he stomps away.

Zig stands there watching his president retreat, then turns to me. “Maybe I was wrong about you. If at the first sign of trouble, you lose all faith, if all you can think to do is run, then you would have never been ol’ lady material.”

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