Page 106 of Rio's Release

Frantically, I buckle my belt and start the car, then speed out, heading back toward Las Cruces. I dig my phone out and call Rio, but he doesn’t answer. “Dammit, pick up.”

I give up and dial Jenny. She picks up on the second ring.

“Shelby. It’s about time you return one of my calls.”

“Are you home?” I ask, urgency in my voice.

“Yes, why?”

“Can you meet me at my place and watch Bella? I have to find Rio.”

“Sure, but I thought you left town.”

“I did. I was, but I have to warn Rio. The Devil Kings are in front of me. They’re heading toward town.”

“Oh my God. Okay, I’ll head there right now,” she replies.

“And call the diner and warn Dolly to spread the word,” I add.

“Good thinking. Shelby, be careful.”

“I will.” I hang up and hit Rio’s number again. This time he picks up.

“Shelby, God. Where are you?”

“I’m on my way to the house. Where are you?”

“I’m at the house right now. Zig and I came to look for you.”

“The DKs are heading to town. They’re in front of me now.”

“What? Where are you exactly?”

“I’m making the turn toward the house. I’m almost home. They’re heading on toward downtown.”

“Hurry.” He disconnects, and I turn down the street and up the drive, punching in the gate code, then climb the hill to the hacienda.

Rio and Zig are waiting outside when I pull up. Rio limps toward me as I climb from the car.

Zig heads to the back door to get Bella. “Come on, munchkin. Let’s get in the house.”

I turn to Rio. “What happened? Why are you limping?”

“Because I couldn’t get the fucking code on the door to work.”

“He kicked it in,” Zig adds.

My mouth drops open. “You kicked the door in?”

“Yeah. I was hoping you were home. But I was too late. You’d already left.”

We don’t embrace, but stand six feet apart, and I hate it. I was only gone a short time, and I missed him terribly. The entire time I was driving away, everything in me was telling me to turn the car around. With every mile, the feeling only grew stronger.

“You okay, Shelby?” Rio asks

Tears fill my eyes. “I’m sorry I left. I’m sorry I doubted you.”

He opens his arms. “C’mere, babe.”

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