Page 70 of Rio's Release

“Why the big secret?”

“Because I knew how you felt about your father. At the same time, you needed to sell the place, and we needed a garage, and this place was perfect. The location was great, and it was the right size and available immediately.”

“I don’t know how I feel about it. I just hate you hid it from me.” Even as I say the words, I realize how much of a hypocrite I am being. I’m hiding the biggest secret of all.

I need to tell him. Maybe if there’s any chance at all for us, I need to lay everything on the table and see if what we have is strong enough to survive it.

Rio returns to his clubhouse, and I notice more bikes parked out front. He throws the truck in park and looks at me. “The boys are back. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

A nervous flutter fills my belly and memories of the men who were with him at the bank robbery all those years ago fill mymind. Rio told me no one would disrespect me in his clubhouse, so I have to trust him.

He comes around the truck and helps me down, then takes my hand in his and leads me inside.

There’s music blasting. A couple of guys stand playing pool. Three more sit at the bar. All heads turn when we walk through the door. Rio emits a sharp whistle, and someone lowers the volume from behind the bar.

“Listen up. Boys, this is Shelby. You treat her with the utmost respect.” He gestures to the two at the pool table. “That’s Bandit and Mauler.”

They tip their heads to me, and I paste on a smile and nod.

Rio leads me to the bar. “You know Zig already. That’s Bagger next to him, and that’s Blue behind the bar.”

They all acknowledge me with a chin lift, some murmuring hello.

“What can I get you, Miss Shelby?” Blue asks.

“Just a cola, please.” I take the stool Rio slides out for me.

Blue gets my drink and pulls a longneck bottle of beer out of a cooler for Rio without having to ask.

“Thanks,” Rio says, twisting off the top.

“Dolores is in the kitchen if you two are hungry,” Blue offers.

Rio waves him off. “We just ate.”

Everyone is quiet, and I study the men.

Over at the pool table, I watch Bandit, with his beard and dark eyes, his long dark hair hanging low as he makes a shot.

Watching him with his hands wrapped around a pool cue is Mauler. He’s older and his fingers are covered with silver rings, and his wrists are covered with bracelets.

Here at the bar, the man named Bagger has short dark hair, a beard and olive skin. His eyes study me closely, almost like he doesn’t trust me.

Zig sits beside me with dark impenetrable eyes, a beard and ink covered skin.

Blue, who is tending bar, appears the youngest with messy golden-brown hair, piercing eyes, slashing brows, and a strong jaw.

I reach for my glass, and it slips, spilling cola on the bar and splashing onto my shirt.

Rio grabs the glass and rights it. “Damn, girl, your shirt is soaked.”

I look down at myself. “Well, I sure did it, didn’t I?”

He smiles and holds his keys out. “Here. Go up to my room. You can change into one of the t-shirts in the top dresser drawer.”

“Thanks.”

Cupping the back of my neck, he touches his lips to my forehead in a sweet kiss. “I’ve got to discuss some things with Zig. I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

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