Page 59 of Bad Rio

Tim backed carefully out the open doorway, joining Carlos outside to drive away.

“Shit,” Rio said. “It was hard to let him go.” He shrugged. “Guess it’s better I did.”

“At least they didn’t kill us.” Becca folded her arms around her waist.

“Two dead bodies in America are a lot harder to hide than one small female in Mexico,” Rio said. “They were smart to let us go.”

“Not really. For all they know, we’ll go to the police, have Tim arrested, stop all this.”

“Tim doesn’t know me. He thinks I’m just your boyfriend. Fact is, he’s counting on you caring more about your history with him and your love for your father to stay quiet. Remember, he’s already had you kidnapped and nearly caused your death. He can always revert to that.”

Becca shivered. “You think you know someone. But you don’t. Tim’s different. He’s not the man I’ve known.”

Rio shook his head. “Come on. We’re out of here.”

He drove Becca’s car as they headed back to her condo. She remained silent, processing the difficult scene.

Finally, he interrupted her thoughts. “How far do you want to push this thing, Becca? There are several felonies being committed here and your Dad, like it or not, is up to his neck in this shit. Even if he’s exonerated, his business ties to Tim will destroy his campaign.”

As he turned the wheel to pull into her carport, Becca didn’t answer right away. She needed time to think.

Getting out, they moved together up the walk.

Only thirty yards from her door, Rio went rigid. “Get down,” he said, low and harsh, and he threw himself in front of her.

Shots rang out, and in a tumble of arms and legs, they both fell behind a block wall.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Drawing his Glock,Rio knelt and peered around the wall. He opened fire. On the ground by his side, Becca couldn’t see who or what he was aiming at. She couldn’t see anybody or anything, only heard gunfire coming from somewhere near her front porch. One thing was certain: she was fervently glad Rio was there.

He turned to Becca. “Get the car,” he commanded, tossing her the keys. “Get going.”

Panicked, Becca scrambled backyards and around the corner through the darkness to the carport. With shaking hands, she unlocked her SUV and threw herself inside. Suddenly she realized that Rio hadn’t followed. With squealing wheels, she backed out and sent the car leaping forward to where he slumped, his back against the wall.

But he didn’t move.

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