Page 21 of Property of Rio

I want to roll my eyes because the two of them are hyper-aware when it comes to me being on runs. Still, their actions have saved me a time or two, so I try not to complain about the fact that they act like I’m breakable. The only one who doesn’t have a weapon is Gage. He broke my trust when he helped abduct Issy, so there’s no way in hell I’ll give him something that he could turn on one of us.

As soon as the cabin comes into view, we stop and get out of our trucks. BamBam and Gopher assume the lead, motioning to the rest of us where we should go. Gage is by my side as we approach the left side of the cabin. When I spot our truck and the trailer nestled behind a bush pile I internally cheer. I have no idea why the tracking we have on both didn’t ping during Pokey’s search, but it’s possible Mike has something at his disposal that allowed him to disable them.

“I hear something,” Gage whispers, just as a female screams. “It’s my sister!” His eyes are wild as he tries to rush toward the back porch. I manage to keep him from giving us away, but just barely, especially when we hear another heart wrenching scream.

“Three-two-one, go!” BamBam exclaims through the mic, kicking in the front door.

As my brothers take his six, I watch the back door, knowing that Mike is inherently a pussy. He’s not gonna face us head-on, no he’s gonna try to escape so he can continue with his nefarious plans.

Gunshots erupt, sending chills down my spine, but when the back door flies open and Mike comes running out, his gun in hand, calm settles over me. Unfortunately, he has a teenagegirl in a tight hold around her bicep as he snarls and mumbles something unintelligible.

I’m about to take him out of the equation when Gage screams, “Cherise!” which causes Mike to turn and aim his gun at me.

Time slows down to a crawl. It’s not the first time I’ve ever been in a position where a gun was pointed at me, and while I’m definitelynota fan, I need to make it back home to my ol’ lady. She’s my reason for being.

I watch as Mike pulls the trigger and wait for the pain that I’m about to face.

Except… Gage jumps in front of me and takes a round in his side. As he falls to the ground, BamBam comes crashing through the back door along with Gopher and while Bam tackles Mike, Gopher grabs the girl and pulls her away from the scene.

With Mike now contained, I drop to my knees next to Gage. There’s blood everywhere and I suspect an artery was hit because he’s beyond pale right now. “Shit, Gage, shit. Why did you do that?” I cry out, pulling off my cut then my T-shirt so I can press it to his gushing wound.

“F-f-for Issy,” he whispers. “Tell her I’m s-s-sorry, Rio. Take care of my sister.”

“You didn’t have to, Gage,” I murmur as I watch his pulse steadily weaken. There’s no way we’ll make it to a hospital in enough time to save him. Hell, if he had been shot whileina hospital, it’s unlikely he would live.

“A-a-a-tonement,” he mutters, his teeth now gritted against the pain he’s undoubtedly feeling.

Despite everything he did that went against the club, and also Issy, my emotions are running high. I can feel silent tears streaking down my face at the loss of a friend who was as close as a brother. He inhales once more then… nothing.

TWELVE

Issy

“Oh, my God, Riptide! I haven’t seen you in forever. What are you doing here?” I ask as I wrap my arms around him in a bear hug. Granted, my ribs are paying for it, but it’ll pass.

So many memories surround him while growing up. He, Rafe, and I were thick as thieves when we were kids. My friends were definitely jealous that I usually had three good-looking men around, especially when they’d come to the rodeos where I was competing.

“Rafe needs my help,” he replies once he lets me go. “You’re looking pretty good for what you went through, girlie.”

“I take it Rafe told you what happened,” I retort. “Thank God y’all all worked with me on self-defense, Riptide. Couldn’t have gotten away otherwise.”

“But you did, Issy,” he states. “Damn proud of you for not losing your head.”

“Yeah, I heard they were bad news,” I murmur. I’m still trying to process everything that Rafe told me about the plans that Mike had for me. The thought of being virtually a slave to a man who skeeves me out is reprehensible. I’m sure there are things that Rafe left out, of course, but knowing the kind of things the Mojave Devils are involved in, my imagination has run wild.

Riptide chuckles and says, “That’s probably an understatement, Issy.”

“So, do you wanna head into the kitchen and I’ll fix you something to eat?”

That is, if Constance isn’t around. I can only hope that she’s at Rafe’s house cleaning or some shit, because if she’s not, the most I’ll be allowed to do is get Riptide a damn drink.

“Sounds good to me. Rafe and the brothers are on their way back, but I’ve got time,” he replies.

Rafe pulls me into his arms and lays a blistering kiss on my lips. “Missed you,” he whispers.

“Missed you too, Rafe,” I murmur. “What’s wrong?”

“We found Mike but there was a bit of a fight,” he starts. I look up at him and brace myself. As far as I can tell he’s not injured, but he’s covered in blood. “Gage died, Issy.”

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