Page 107 of Rio's Release

I dash to him, burying my head in his chest and clutching his waist.

His arms come around me tight, and he dips his mouth to the top of my head, kissing my crown and murmuring low. “I love you, angel. It tore my heart out watching you drive away.”

“I should have trusted you. I should have given you a chance. I know you’d never let Carson anywhere near me.”

“And I will kill him myself if he ever tries to take Bella from you. You know that, don’t you?”

I nod against his chest.

“Come on. Let’s get inside.”

He leans on me and limps as we move to the door.

Bella is watching cartoons, and Zig is on the phone when we walk inside.

He looks up and meets Rio’s eyes. “The guys are down at the garage. They just saw them ride past. How do you want to handle this?”

Rio looks at me, and I know what he’s thinking. He promised me he wouldn’t use violence, but the DKs could kill someone.

“Go. Save the town.”

He limps toward me, kisses my forehead, then holds me by the upper arms. “Stay put.” When he turns to leave, I can’t let him go.

“Wait. Let me help.”

“There’s no way you can help,” Rio says.

“Except maybe as bait,” Zig suggests.

“No,” Rio snaps, glaring at him. “Absolutely not.”

I grab his arm. “Let me help. Please.”

“If she wants to prove herself ol’ lady material,” Zig says, “now’s her chance.”

“Goddamn it,” Rio roars. “She has nothing to prove.”

“She can drive your pickup.” Zig gestures to the door. “You left it in her garage the other day. You can lie down in the back. Catch ‘em off guard.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

I press against Rio’s chest, laying my palms on his cut. “I need to do this.”

“You need her, Prez. Admit it,” Zig says.

“She stays here. Now, let’s go,” Rio says to his VP, dropping his arms from around me.

“You can’t ride,” I protest. “You can barely walk.”

“She’s right, Prez. That’s your shifter foot.”

“I’ll manage,” he bites out.

“You’ll only slow us down,” Zig insists.

“Please let me help you. I need to do this,” I plead.

“If something happened to you, I’d never forgive myself.” Rio stares into my eyes, cupping my face. “Don’t you get that?”

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