Page 41 of Property of Rio

I’m not able to stop Issy when she hears a female voice cattily say, “Must’ve paid them off.” Issy spins around and sends a resounding haymaker into the woman’s face, causing blood to spurt freely from her nose.

“That’s for trying to ruin the Triple R’s reputation,” Issy seethes before she hits the woman again. “That’s for thinking I’d ever harm my horses by injecting shit into them. Hell, I don’t even use whipsorspurs like you do andstillmy fucking horse is better than yours, you skanky bitch!” Before she can throw another punch, I manage to grab her around her waist and pull her back while Bam helps the woman up.

“I suggest you go talk to the organizers,” BamBam states in his no-nonsense voice that has the tendency to scare the shit out of people. “Because talking to Issy about that shit is gonna put you in a world of hurt as you’ve already figured out.”

“C’mon, babe, let’s head home,” I say as Issy shakes out her hand. Grabbing it, I look closely to make sure she didn’t hurt herself then kiss her knuckles before whispering, “You’re such a fucking badass, woman.”

“Maybe so, but I’myourbadass and ol’ lady, and as such, I will defend the ranch’s reputation,” she replies, taking my hand in hers. “Let’s go, honey. I’m ready.”

EPILOGUE

BamBam

Mongrel and I are driving the truck and trailer with Stargazer onboard back to the ranch when I catch a glimpse of something in the tree line. “What the fuck?” I murmur just as Mongrel points out the window.

“Should we check it out?” he asks.

I’m already slowing down, glad that there’s no traffic behind me, since maneuvering onto the shoulder isn’t exactly easy with the load we have behind us. “That’s my plan,” I state once I’ve put the truck in park. “You stay here and keep an eye out. If anything looks suspicious, call Rio,” I command as I get out of the truck.

Walking over to where I saw a glimpse of color, I hear quiet sobs as a female voice murmurs, “Shh, it’s gonna be okay, sweetie.” When she catches a glimpse of me, she screams and falls to the ground.

Looking over the petite woman, I notice several things at once. She has a small child strapped to her chest and a backpackstrapped over her shoulders. Her face is a bruised, bloody mess, and what skin I can see on her arms has obvious injuries as well. Including fingerprints. She’s holding her left arm very still, and the nails on her right hand look broken and jagged.

“Ma’am, I’m not here to hurt you,” I tell her in a low, soothing voice in an attempt to keep from scaring her any more than she already is.

I’m an intimidating man because of my imposing size; I know this and have fostered that response since I’m the enforcer for the Kings of Anarchy MC, West Texas chapter. Enemies of the club fear my size, but I don’t want this woman to be scared or intimidated by me since it seems as though she’s gone through hell already.

“H-h-he sent you, I know he did,” she stammers, finally looking at me, tears swimming in her eyes.

Clear green eyes stare up at me through swollen eyelids and I’m captivated. Because it appears as though she fought for her life before she fled whatever fucked-up situation she was in.

“No one sent me, Pixie,” I softly reply. “But you need help, and I can do that, at least. C’mon now, I promise you’re safe with me.”

“I can’t run any further,” she admits, holding up her hand when I reach mine down. I carefully help her up then place a steadying hand on her lower back when she starts to sway.

“What’s your name, Pixie?” I ask as I lead her to the truck.

“Olivia,” she whispers. “But my… my family used to call me Livy.”

“Well, Livy, you’re under the protection of the Kings now and nobody fucks with the Kings,” I promise. “Let’s get back to the ranch and we’ll sort you out, okay?”

“Thank you,” she says, hiccupping as I open the back door to help usher her inside. She startles when she sees Mongrel in the front seat and tries to pull back.

In a tone I don’t use with many, I inform her, “He’s with me. You’re perfectly safe and we’ll stop at a store to get a proper car seat for your little one.”

“Theo. His name is Theo. I wasn’t able to carry his carseat too, so I had to leave it behind,” she replies.

“No worries, Mongrel here is going to write down a list of what you and Theo need. When we stop, he’ll go inside and grab it all, okay? We’ve got you now, Livy,” I tell her.

I hear her sniffle as I carefully buckle her seatbelt. “We’ll get your injuries checked out by our club doctor once we arrive at the ranch.”

“Okay.” Her voice is quiet and hesitant, almost as if she expects she’s going to be hurt again which has rage coursing through my body.

Nobody should ever lay their hands on an innocent, especially one as small and petite as Livy is, that’s for damn sure. After closing the door, I make my way to the driver’s side and haul my ass into the seat. “Mongrel, there’s paper and a pen in the console. Livy, go ahead and listeverythingyou need because I’m pretty sure there’s not much in the backpack for you and Theo.”

“Just important papers, a little bit of cash I was able to take, some diapers for Theo, and two bottles.”

“Nothing for you?” I question, my brows raised.

“Theo’s more important,” she insists, her shoulders squared as if she’s gearing up for an argument.

“Well, give him a list. Anything you think is too personal or intimate, I’ll get Issy or Constance to help you shop for those things you may need once we get to the ranch,” I decree as I put the truck into gear once again and merge back onto the road.

“Why are you helping me?” she questions, her voice filled with wonder. I suspect she hasn’t had many kindnesses shown to her if she’s shocked by my offer.

“Because everyone needs a helping hand from time to time,” Mongrel interjects. “It’s one of the reasons I’m prospecting with the Kings. Let them help you, ma’am. I promise, it’s a good decision because once they pull you into the fold, you’re considered family to the Kings, andnobodyfucks with the Kings.”

The end… for now.

---