Page 39 of Rio's Release

“Las Cruces.”

“Have you lost your mind? You can’t stay here. The cops hate you. They’re all crooked. They’ll send you to prison again, Rio. First chance they get.”

I smile. “That’s not going to happen.”

“What do you mean? How can you know that?”

“I’m going to make sure it doesn’t happen. I appreciate your concern for me, though. Maybe you care about me just a little.”

“Of course I care about you.” She stares at me for a long moment. “I can’t believe you’re in a biker gang.”

“An MC. A motorcycle club.”

“An MC. Whatever. And all this time, you never told me.”

“I couldn’t. All my letters were checked, and we couldn’t even have a private conversation. I’m sorry. I never meant to lie to you. I just couldn’t explain. Not then.”

She tosses her napkin on her plate. “I think I’m finished.”

“Where are you staying now?”

“I live in… I live out-of-town now. I only returned today to take care of my father’s estate.”

“The garage. Right. What about the house? You could live there now.”

“No,” she barks harshly, then inhales and speaks softer. “No, I can’t. I’m done with this town. I’m never coming back.”

“Why?”

“I have my reasons.”

“It’s not because of me, is it?”

“It has nothing to do with you.”

“I want to see you again.”

“I… I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Because I’m in an MC?”

“Because of a lot of reasons. I’m sorry. It’s just the way it is.”

“I don’t buy that, Shelby. I know the spark that flares between us. You feel it, too. Don’t deny it.”

“I won’t deny it, but some things just cannot be.” She stands. “I really need to get on the road now.”

I pull out my wallet and drop a wad of bills on the table. “I’ll walk you out.”

When they see us on the move, Zig and Jenny follow, Zig dropping money on their table like I did.

At her car, she turns. “It was good to see you, Rio. I’m glad you’re free of that place. I wish you nothing but the best.”

“Is that it?” I ask.

She arcs a brow.

In response, I hook an arm around her waist and drag her against me, my mouth coming down on hers. I’ve dreamed of this moment when I could finally feel her lips on mine. She’s stiff at first, but then melts against me, and I know immediately that all this reluctance is a lie. She feels it—that fire flaring between us.

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