Page 74 of Rio's Release

“This… this is big, Rio.”

Releasing the doorknob, I take a couple of steps toward her. “Just say it, sweetheart.”

She hugs her arms to her body. “I… I have a daughter. Her name is Bella.”

I’m stunned speechless. It’s the last thing I expected to come out of her mouth. Silence fills the room that’s already thick with tension. I lick my lips. “You have a daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because Carson is her father.”

I feel the blood drain from my face, and my stomach sinks. “What?”

“That time I told you about. I got pregnant.”

“Jesus Christ, Shelby.” I take a step toward the bed, wanting to hold her, but her body language screamsdon’t touch me.

“He doesn’t know. It’s another reason I left town. He can’t find out, Rio. I couldn’t bear it if he tried to see her or tried to get visitation or, God forbid, custody.”

“All the more reason I should kill the son-of-a-bitch,” I growl, fury replacing my initial surprise.

“Youcan’t. Don’t you see? What if Bella grows up and wants to know her father?”

“He’s not worth knowing,” I snap.

“That may be true, but that’s not for you or me to decide.”

“Maybe true?” I lift a brow at her ridiculous reply. “Do you hear yourself?”

“If he becomes some kind of martyr in her head, she’ll believe the lie that he was a good guy. If she knows you killed him, she’ll never forgive you. Or me. That can’t be how this ends. Please, Rio. Promise me.”

I drag a hand through my hair, frustration radiating from me. She must feel the tension in the air; the room vibrates with it. There’s no way in hell I want to give in to her request. “Babe, that’s one promise I won’t make—can’t make.”

“Maybe it’s unfair of me to ask it. After all I’ve told you, you have every right to be angry, to want to defend me, to want to take away the problem perhaps the only way you know how. But I can’t let that happen.”

“Shelby—”

“Unfair or not, I’m begging you, Rio. Let it go.”

I pace the room, dragging my hand through my hair, then turn to her, my eyes filled with torment. “Don’t ask that of me, baby.”

“I have to.”

I stride out of the room, slamming the door.

Stalking down the steps, all heads turn my way. The men are at the bar, and I spot my VP. With a lift of my chin and one word, he follows. “Zig.”

Once we’re in my office and he’s closed the door, I take an arm and shove everything on the desk to the floor with a roar.

“Jesus, Prez. What’s wrong?”

I collapse in my chair, my chest rising and falling. Goddamn it, I don’t want to say the words, but I fucking have no choice. “We can’t kill him.”

“What? Why not?” Zig lowers into a chair.

“Shelby has a daughter. I didn’t know about that until just now.”

---