Page 5 of Property of Rio

I look at BamBam, my brow raised. For the time being, I won’t say anything, just listen to what Gage has to say. Sometimes, it’s their tone used and not the words themselves that give someone’s intentions away. Dubious or otherwise. Which is whyI’ve been known to take my time when I’m working through something instead of jumping the gun.

“What happened, Gage?” BamBam asks, nodding at me to show he understood my nonverbal request. “Talk to me and don’t leave anything out.”

“We got Stargazer put up and Issy was taking care of Starlight. I’m not really sure what happened, though, because I woke up, beat to hell and back and the truck, trailer, and Issy weregone,” he replies, sounding frantic.

Considering we’ve grown up and have gotten into our fair share of trouble, there’s something hidden in his words that have me frowning. But I can’t put my finger on what that is, so I continue to try and read between the lines as he breathes heavily over the phone line.

While there’s a slight ring of truth in what he’s relayed so far, there are so many holes in his explanation that my radar is pinging.

“Issy was by herself?” I bark out, deciding to enter the conversation.

“N-n-no,” Gage stammers, suddenly sounding more nervous than he was before hearing my voice. “I mean, she was, but just for a few minutes. After I knew Gazer was set, I grabbed a bottle of water for Issy and headed to her truck. She was feeding Starlight, so I gave her the water and was helping make sure everything was secure. I don’t really remember much after that.”

“What does that mean?” I growl.

“It means, when I woke up, I was outside on the ground, beat to hell, Rio,” Gage retorts.

I don’t like the tone he’s taking with me, but it’s not like he’s right in front of me where I can beat the shit out of him for being disrespectful. Plus, it’s not as though he’s part of the club per se, he’s just a hang-around and a friendly. The only reason he’s on the circuit with Issy is because I trust him to keep her safe.

Well, Itrustedhim before this turn of events, but that seems to be up for debate right now.

“So, you don’t know who took Issy?” I ask, my voice now silky soft. While my brothers know this means I’m heading toward the proverbial danger zone, Gage is clueless since it’s not a side of me he’s seen before.

“No, but there were some Devils roaming around the corrals this weekend and they took an interest in Issy, Rio,” he replies.

“Let me see if I understand you clearly, okay? Y’all saw some Mojave Devils around the rodeo this weekend and you didn’t think it warranted calling me? You know they’re an enemy to the club, Gage,” I spit out.

I take a minute to compose myself so I can get further answers from him. If I were to fly off the handle, he’d shut down.

Once I have control over my temper, I continue saying, “Not to mention, but some of the shit they’re involved in is beyond disgusting.”

“W-what do you mean?” Gage asks, his voice wavering and his communication skills becoming inarticulate.

“Human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking,” BamBam advises, a disgusted, contemptuous intonation littering his explanation. Bam loses his composure and tuts, “And you, forgetting to use any cells in your brain left Issy hanging in thebreeze like that? Boy, if you were in front of me, I’d slit your fucking throat right now!”

I hide my smirk, because while I haven’t officially claimed her as mine, the brothers know she is, and they already protect her as though she’s the first lady of the club. BamBam, having come into our lives right after Paps died, has adopted her as his younger sister so he definitely isn’t taking Gage’s news lightly.

“Any idea which direction they might have headed?” I question through gritted teeth, already planning to reach out to Riptide, who’s the president of the East Texas chapter. Fuck, I should probably reach out to our New Mexico and Arizona chapters as well because they’re closest to where the Mojave Devils are based.

“N-n-no,” Gage stammers.

It hits me then with an electric current thrumming through my system. He used to stutter a lot when he was a kid, especially when he was nervous or lying. Then, he seemed to outgrow it, except whenever he was being deceptive while trying to cover his tracks. It’s one of his tells and I communicate with BamBam who nods once he realizes what I’m telling him nonverbally.

“Bring Stargazer back to the ranch,” I command. “We’ll figure out what to do next.”

With that, I reach over Bam’s shoulder to disconnect the call since it was still in his hand and order, “Pancho, Luis, y’all get Starlight back to her stall and take care of her.”

“Got it, Boss,” Pancho says, reaching for Starlight’s bridle so he can guide her to the enclosure.

She rears back, whinnying in alarm and I watch as she pulls away from him then starts trotting off. “Wait! She might know where Issy is,” I state, holding my hand up so they don’t go chasing after her. “BamBam, can the Ranger handle the terrain?”

“It’s what it was built to do, Prez. Get in and let’s follow that horse,” he replies.

Hang on, Issy, we’re coming.

THREE

Isla

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