Page 20 of Property of Rio

“It gives us something to look into further,” I reply.

“Rio? Is Issy okay? I did consider her a friend, even though romantically on my end there was nothing there.”

“We did get her home. She’s pretty banged up, but she’s alive and will heal.” Normally, I wouldn’t give that intel out, but I can hear the sincerity in his voice and know that in his own way, he tried to protect her from his cousin and the Devils. “Appreciate your help.”

“Not a problem. If there’s anything else I can help with, please reach out again. Oh, and tell Issy that she was right about Diego.” He chuckles then hangs up the phone.

ELEVEN

Rio

“Church!” I holler the next morning when I walk from the kitchen into the common room. Issy is helping clean up the dining area after breakfast, but with the information that Miguel provided last night, I want to get it in front of the brothers while the details are still fresh in my mind so we can see what we can figure out when it comes to tracking Mike down.

As the brothers make their way into the room we use for our meetings, I go over everything in my head that I know so far. “What’s up, Prez?” BamBam asks as he takes his place at the table.

“Got some information last night from Lopez’s cousin, the guy that Issy dated for a short time.” I won’t share what he told me with regard to his personal life because that doesn’t pertain to the situation at hand, and as far as I’m concerned, what he does in his bedroom is his business and nobody else's.

Pokey opens his laptop and I smirk when I see his fingers hovering the keyboard, ready to let them fly as he starts to lookinto the things Miguel told me. I know he’s frustrated as fuck that we haven’t found Mike or our truck and trailer. He’s taking it personally because he’s never been thwarted before.

“Apparently, the Devils have properties that are off the beaten path which is why you’ve had a hard time finding them,” I tell Pokey. “Not to tell you what to do, but maybe we need to check to see if any of these fuckers have family that have properties listed in their name.”

“Didn’t do that search, Prez, I’m sorry,” Pokey states. “Clubs usually keep things in their names so that nobody else can claim them and rip the rug out from underneath their feet. But I have that info in hand so let me get those searches running now.”

Abyss looks at me and asks, “Did you see if maybe Gage knows anything else? Perhaps he’s been to one of these hidey holes.”

Snapping my fingers, I reply, “Good idea. Let’s go see what our captive has to share. Remember, we’re not telling him that Issy and the horses are home. And another thing, Chick? I need you to order a property cut for her.”

“I’m on it, Prez,” Chick replies, smirking at me. “Shouldn’t take too long, either, because I’ve had one on hold for quite some time.”

Chuckles reverberate around the room while I shake my head. “Of course, you did.”

“It’s been a foregone conclusion for quite some time that you’d be officially claiming her,” Abyss points out. “Now, let’s go see Gage.”

BamBam and Gopher, as my Enforcer and SAA, take the lead when we walk into the room where Gage is being held. “Where did Mike go?” BamBam bellows.

Even knowing the brother, I wouldn’t want to face him in a dark alley. When he’s in a calm state, he’s still intimidating, but if his family is being fucked with, he turns downright fearsome in his mannerisms. Right now, his arms are crossed over his chest, which has his muscles bulging. Add in the glower on his face and it’s almost amusing to see Gage’s flinched reaction.

“I-I-I’m not sure. I th-th-thought he was going to head back to his clubhouse,” Gage stammers.

“He’s not there,” Gopher states, poised in the same stance as BamBam.

Gage turns his face to the ceiling, and I watch his fingers as he appears to count off possible places Mike could be right now. “I’m assuming Pokey has already checked into the known properties the Devils own,” Gage muses, looking at me. At my nod, he continues. “There’s one possibility, but it’s off the beaten path and I don’t think anyone’s aware that there’s a fishing cabin there. I’ve been there with him a few times, so maybe he’s there?”

“Do you know how to get there?” I ask.

He nods and says, “I can show you.”

“Let’s get him some clean clothes and head out. Gopher, you stand guard while he takes a shower because none of us need tobe closed in a cage with his rank ass,” I command. Gage looks embarrassed, but it’s the least of his worries because I’m still undecided about what to do with him in the long run.

I mean, I understand about his sister, but the fact that he didn’t come to me so we could come up with a game plan still rankles me a lot. Now, knowing what Mike’s plans were for my woman, I’m leaning more toward putting him down like the dirty dog he is. It’s not what I want to do, but for Issy’s safety, I’ll burn the whole fucking world to the ground and not give that first fuck.

We’re all packing, and I’ve got extra ammo stocked in my go-bag since it’s better to be prepared with plenty of hardware than to get caught with our pants down and empty cartridges. Since Gage indicated this place was not accessible by bike due to the rocky, mountainous terrain and we may need to hike if we rode, we’re in our cages since they’re four-wheel drive and have a better chance at climbing than our rides do. Not preferred by me, but at least the loud noise of our pipes won’t alert him, or anyone else who might be there, that we’re coming.

“Turn right there, Rio,” Gage instructs as he points out a tattered dirt pathway that’s somewhat overgrown.

However, as I make the turn, I notice that the grass is smashed down and I can see tire tracks that look relatively fresh. “Y’all look alive and stay alert,” I call through the mic.

“Ten-four, Prez,” BamBam replies. “Me and Gopher will go in first.”

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