Page 23 of Property of Rio

I didn’t tell her that my wardrobe at home was sadly lacking. Most of my clothes were too small, but my dad thought more about his booze, his weed, and his bike than he did about his little girl having clothes in her wardrobe that were made for her size. But Paps and Constance got me sorted out and I soon found myself spending a lot of time at the ranch.

It was honestly the best thing that ever happened to me although at the time, I was embarrassed and ashamed. Because Rafe came into my life and he taught me how to ride, which developedmy love of barrel racing. Thanks to Constance and Paps, I grew up relatively unscathed. As for my dad? He didn’t suddenly become father of the year, content to allow Paps and Constance to oversee my upbringing, but when he died in a motorcycle accident while out on a run, I got my own room at the big house.

THIRTEEN

Rio

“Why are you so interested in my woman?” I bark at the piece of shit who’s currently hanging from the rafters by his arms with his toes barely touching the floor.

“She’s fucking hot. Always has been,” he sneers, making me want to rip his tongue out of his mouth.

“Fucking pervert,” BamBam hisses, his facial features scrunched with a soured look of revulsion. “She was a little girl when you first saw her.”

“Not so little that she didn’t have tits,” Four rebuts, licking his lips with a carnal grin.

“So, you’re a kiddy fucker,” Abyss muses. “Good to know. We have a special treat in store for you.”

The rest of my brothers start snickering at Abyss’s words. With us being on a ranch, we have a variety of tools and instruments we can utilize to torture someone.

“Well, you’re too fucking late,asshole, because she’s my ol’ lady and as my property, it’s my duty to tell you thatnobodyfucks with the Kings!” I bellow as Abyss hauls off and punches him in the gut.

Having gone a few rounds with each of my brothers in the past, I can attest that Four is likely trying not to puke and piss at the same time. It’s a unique phenomenon but Abyss is usually able to bring that effect out in anyone he fights. I know from practical experience.

“We’ve got a few options, Prez,” Gopher states, glaring at Four.

“List them out,” I instruct.

“Well, I know we’ve got the cattle prod ready,” he says, “but we can also castrate him so no woman’s ever in danger from his little dick again.”

I snicker because Gopher’s giving him a false sense of hope right now. There’s no way he’s leaving here alive. With a few less body parts, yes, but with his life, hell no.

“Hmm, I mean, we could send those pieces back to his club as a message,” I muse, tapping my finger against my chin. “That might cause some blowback, but I’m not worried since we’ve got other chapters somewhat close by we can call on.”

“Kinda like the pieces idea, Brother,” Riptide replies, grinning at me. “I mean, we can take what you don’t send and cremate it for ya.”

“Well, fuck, y’all are keeping me from having anything to do!” Nighthawk exclaims. As our cleaner, he usually ensures the bodies stay buried. But, with Riptide right here, it only makes sense.

“Y’all won’t get away with this,” Four states. “My club will kick your ass then wipe you out if you kill me.”

“Big words from the guy who’s strung up from the ceiling,” BamBam sneers. “Besides, y’all have what, maybe a dozen members if that? We have three chapters alone just in Texas, fucker. Plus, one in New Mexico and another in Arizona. In fact, I think we’re pretty much spread throughout the entirety of the United States at this point, but geography’s never been a strong point of mine.”

I smirk because in reality, BamBam’s actually a member of Mensa. His IQ is off the charts, but he puts on a good ol’ boy persona all the damn time. Hell, he’s fashioned a few things that he patented that we use on the ranch. So, him playing that he’s a dumb hick from the sticks is killing me right now.

“I think he’s getting it, Brother,” Gopher jeers. “Seems he can’t hold his bladder. Didn’t think incontinence issues started in one so young, but I’m no doctor.”

Everyone bursts into laughter as BamBam grabs the hose and turns it on Four. “Gotta cut the stench since ammonia and bleach together is toxic.”

“We don’t have the bleach out,” Nighthawk says.

“Yet,” BamBam replies, grinning maniacally.

“Ah, I forgot,” Night retorts.

“Who else knows about your obsession with my woman?” I ask, wanting to rein my guys in just a little.

Four sneers at me and I am somewhat impressed with the balls on him. Despite literally being told he’s going to be cut up, he acts like he’s got the upper hand when he clearly does not.“Seems not everyone you know is as loyal as you think,” he finally says.

“Gage told us.” As Abyss imparts this tidbit, I watch Four’s face slump and bite back my laughter at how pale he’s suddenly become as he realizes he holds no cards any longer.

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