Page 58 of Bad Rio

Grimly, she met Rio’s frowning gaze before accusing Tim, “So, you are surprised. You wanted me dead!”

Rio gave the other a rough shake.

“No!” Tim cried out.

Rio got into the man’s face. “People have been shooting at Becca. Somebody made her a target. All fingers point to you.”

“No, I’d never.” The man held his bloody face. “They were just supposed to hold her for a few days, not kill her.”

“So you could do your dirty work here and I wouldn’t know?” Becca demanded. “What for, Tim? Just money? What’s all the money for anyway?”

In spite of his injuries, a sly expression overtook Tim’s face. “Since you’re here, I guess you already have it figured out.”

Again, Becca met Rio’s gaze. She couldn’t speak.

“The political campaign?” Rio demanded. “That’s it, isn’t it?”

“Does my dad know about this? About the guns and drugs and the girls?” Becca’s question was anguished.

“He doesn’t want to know, but his new position will be so unique, so formidable.” Tim’s knowing look deepened. “Without me, he’d never have gotten this far.” He held out his hands. “Think about it, Becca. Think how important this senate race is. If Daniel can get into office, imagine the influence! He’s close to the President. He’ll pass so much legislation, he’ll make amazing deals.”

“Deals.” Rio spat the word as though it were an epithet.

“My life is worth more than that,” Becca said. “More than yourdeals.”

“Don’t you see?” Tim entreated her. “This is bigger than all of us. More important than any one person.”

“Want to ask those stolen girls if they agree?” Rio asked. He raised a fist as though to do further violence. “Maybe they won’t like their sacrifice.”

Becca nodded. She noticed Rio didn’t tell Tim that it had taken only moments on their way over for them to buy a burner phone and call in the truck’s description and license plate. As soon as the report was made, Rio tossed the phone into a trash can. That particular batch of girls and guns wouldn’t make their destination. By now, the authorities would have stopped it and arrested the driver, and freed the captives.

Abruptly, from behind them both, a man’s voice rang out. “Move away,” the man said.

Becca whirled, and a stranger with a drooping mustache appeared in the open doorway, his handgun aimed at her and Rio. His eyes were cold. She shrank behind Rio. In a lightning fast move, Rio pulled Tim up and held him in front of their bodies. He crammed his Glock into Tim’s temple. For an interminably long moment, they faced off. “Sure you want to take this chance?” Rio asked. His voice was calm, nearly casual.

The man’s gaze went from Rio to Tim. He didn’t move.

“Carlos,” Tim said, “put your gun down before this guy shoots my head off. Go back outside.”

With obvious reluctance, Carlos backed through the doorway, lowering his weapon.

Rio let go his hold on Tim and took Becca’s arm. He kept the gun on Tim.

Tim stood, swaying and holding his jaw. “Remember what I said, Becca. This isn’t just about you or me. It’s more important than any of us. Can’t you see that helping get control of the legislature and thwarting the powers that be is essential? Now, if you’re smart, you’ll keep your mouth shut—you and your boyfriend.” He let his gaze cut to Rio.

When she might have responded, Rio squeezed her elbow. As she’d told Rio, she didn’t consider herself a political being. But she didn’t like Tim’s argument. People should be able to do what they wanted. She didn’t like the idea of people beingcontrolled.

“You want your dad to succeed, right, Becca?” Tim asked. “You care about him? He’s going to do good things for the electorate, better things than most senators even dream about.”

“And kill me in the bargain,” she said. “Anyway, how does all this help my dad? I’d gladly work for him, but—”

“But nothing,” Tim cut in. “You don’t need to do anything, Becca. Nothing beyond looking the other way. That’s all. You can do that, right?”

When she opened her mouth, Rio squeezed her again. She knew enough to stall. “Is it worth what you’re doing, Tim? Is it?”

“Of course it is. You know it is. Just think about all the good that can come from your dad’s incredible ascension up Washington’s hierarchy. Just keep focused on that.”

Becca dropped her gaze.

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