Page 81 of Rio's Release

“In here,” I holler back.

He finds the master, just as Shelby comes out of the closet and throws a vase at my head. I duck and it sails past, smashing against the wall.

She stomps her foot. “Goddamn you, Rio. Why did this place have to be so perfect?”

With that, she marches down the hall, and I look at Zig with my hands wide. “What the fuck?” I mutter.

“Oh, come on, boss. Don’t feel so bad. Everybody who meets you wants to kill you.”

When I go after Shelby, I find Bella spinning in circles in the living room, staring at the chandelier. “It’s like in Beauty and the Beast.”

“What is, honey?” I pause to ask.

She points upward. “That. It’s like the one in Beast’s castle.”

I nod. “Guess so. That’s pretty cool, huh?”

Zig lifts his chin, signaling that he’ll stay with her while I go out front and deal with Shelby.

“Hey, peanut,” he says. “Did anyone ever tell you the story about the troll who lived under the bridge?”

“You mean like Poppy?”

“Who is Poppy?” he asks.

“She’s the best troll of all,” Bella replies.

I grin and leave him to it. I find Shelby sitting on a bench, petting Hurley, and sit next to her. “You don’t like the place?”

“I do. That’s the problem.” She glares at me.

“Why is that a problem?”

“Because you’re making this so difficult. Bella’s already in love. How is she ever going to be satisfied with our old place if things don’t work out and we end up going back there?”

I take her hand, threading our fingers together. “First, she’ll be happy wherever you are. You are her home, not any place. Second, I know you have your fears and doubts, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you’re happy here.”

“It’s not been easy, Rio—going off on my own, making a home, supporting us both all alone. I’ve never had anyone to lean on. I’ve never been able to count on anyone else to carry the weight for me. It’s hard to trust in that.”

“I hear what you’re saying, Shelby. I can only imagine how hard it’s been for you, and you’ve done an amazing job. I’m not saying you haven’t. But you deserve more. I want to give you more. I want to be there for you, to lean on, to carry that weight for you, to take all the burden off your shoulders. You don’t have to do it alone anymore, babe. And there’s no shame in accepting the help.”

“This is big, Rio. Huge. I’m afraid just when I relax and let go, the rug is going to be yanked out from under me.”

“All I’m asking for is a chance, Shelby. Give me a shot. Give us a shot. Yeah?” I lift her hand and kiss it.

Hurley jumps up with his paws on my knees and stares into my face. I scratch his ear.

“Well, I guess I have to, now.” Shelby sighs. “You’ve won over Bella and the dogs.”

“Who’s a good dog?” I pull a beef jerky from my pocket, unwrap it, and give it to him.

“No fair. That’s cheating,” Shelby complains. “You totally bribed him. He smelled that on you.”

“All’s fair in love and war, sweetheart.” I grin, then stand and heft her in my arms, and her legs go around my hips. “Let’s go see how high you bounce on that big ass bed.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Taking Care of Business

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