CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
A Real Date
Shelby—
We take the truck, which surprises me, but maybe it's better for keeping me out of sight. Even with Rio by my side and everything Jenny has told me about how things in town have changed, I still crane my neck, searching for Deputy Carson.
Will I ever be able to drive down these streets without looking over my shoulder?
Rio reaches over and holds my hand. And just like that, everything in me settles.
When we arrive at Four Horses, Rio murmurs something to the host, the same man who sat us last time we were here. I don’t know what he says, but the man grins and nods.
“S?. Follow me, senor.”
He leads us to the exact table where we sat in the courtyard the last time we were here. The fountain tinkles like delicate wind chimes in the background.
I lock eyes with Rio, a small smile on my lips, telling him I remember, and that I know he asked to be seated here.
“Thank you, Juan,” Rio says, pulling out my chair for me. When we’re both seated with our menus, he cocks a brow at me. “Margaritas?”
“That sounds perfect.”
Juan nods. “Two margaritas coming right up.”
Rio reaches across the table, cupping my cheek. “No one is ever going to hurt you again. You’re with me now, and I’ll protect you with my life, Shelby. I hope you know that.”
I lay my hand over his. “I do. But that’s a promise you might not be able to keep. You can’t be everywhere.”
“Have a little faith in me, sweetheart.”
“I do.”
He leans across and kisses me, then scoots his chair closer and puts his arm around the back of mine. The glow of a new relationship has enveloped both of us in its golden cocoon, and I bask in the warmth.
There’s nothing like it. No drug, no adrenaline rush can compare.
Rio’s eyes drop to my t-shirt, and he grins. “Now that I know about the sexy bra and panties you have on under there, I can’t stop thinking about them.
I return his smile, glancing around.
“There’s that blush I remember.”
Juan returns with our drinks, and takes our order, explaining they’re a little shorthanded today.
After he withdraws, a man and woman across the courtyard stand, their meal finished. As they walk past us, the man stops with a broad smile.
“My good friend, we meet again.”
Rio stands and shakes his hand. “Eduardo. How are you?”
“I just finished a delicious meal with my wife, so I can’t complain.” He looks at me. “And who is this lovely woman?”
“Eduardo, this is Shelby, my lady. Shelby, this is Eduardo Sanchez. His family has been pecan growers here for generations.”
I extend my hand, and Eduardo takes it, dipping his head to kiss the back of it.
“It is my pleasure, senorita. This is my wife, Maria.”
I smile at her and she murmurs a greeting.
“She’s lovely,” Eduardo says to Rio. “You must bring her to the wedding.”
“I will. Thanks.”
“Wedding?” I frown.
“My daughter, Consuela. It will be a beautiful affair. You must come, my dear.” Eduardo glances to Rio. “We’ll let you get back to your meal. It is good to see you.”
“And you, my friend,” Rio replies.
Once they’re gone, I quirk a brow. “We’re going to a wedding?”
“We are. If only because I’d love to see you in a pretty dress.”
His compliments are like a tonic to my soul. Every minute I’m in his presence is soothing.
We have a delicious lunch, and it’s nice, just the two of us.
His hand reaches across the tabletop to hold mine, and I find it incredibly sweet. It’s like he can’t be around me without touching me in some way.
After we eat and return to the truck, he takes a back route. When he turns down a familiar street, I glance over at him with a questioning look.
He drives past my father’s old garage, braking when we get there.
I see the new sign over the roll-up doors.
SAINT’S GARAGE .
I whirl on him. “ You bought it?”
“The MC bought it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Somehow, I feel betrayed.
“I thought you might be upset.”
“Is this what you do? What you’re good at? Keeping secrets?”
“I gave you more than asking price for it. More than any other buyer would have, and I made sure it was an all-cash offer.”
“Why the big secret?”
“Because I knew how you felt about your father. At the same time, you needed to sell the place, and we needed a garage, and this place was perfect. The location was great, and it was the right size and available immediately.”
“I don’t know how I feel about it. I just hate you hid it from me.” Even as I say the words, I realize how much of a hypocrite I am being. I’m hiding the biggest secret of all.
I need to tell him. Maybe if there’s any chance at all for us, I need to lay everything on the table and see if what we have is strong enough to survive it.
Rio returns to his clubhouse, and I notice more bikes parked out front. He throws the truck in park and looks at me. “The boys are back. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
A nervous flutter fills my belly and memories of the men who were with him at the bank robbery all those years ago fill my mind. Rio told me no one would disrespect me in his clubhouse, so I have to trust him.
He comes around the truck and helps me down, then takes my hand in his and leads me inside.
There’s music blasting. A couple of guys stand playing pool. Three more sit at the bar. All heads turn when we walk through the door. Rio emits a sharp whistle, and someone lowers the volume from behind the bar.
“Listen up. Boys, this is Shelby. You treat her with the utmost respect.” He gestures to the two at the pool table. “That’s Bandit and Mauler.”
They tip their heads to me, and I paste on a smile and nod.
Rio leads me to the bar. “You know Zig already. That’s Bagger next to him, and that’s Blue behind the bar.”
They all acknowledge me with a chin lift, some murmuring hello.
“What can I get you, Miss Shelby?” Blue asks.
“Just a cola, please.” I take the stool Rio slides out for me.
Blue gets my drink and pulls a longneck bottle of beer out of a cooler for Rio without having to ask.
“Thanks,” Rio says, twisting off the top.
“Dolores is in the kitchen if you two are hungry,” Blue offers.
Rio waves him off. “We just ate.”
Everyone is quiet, and I study the men.
Over at the pool table, I watch Bandit, with his beard and dark eyes, his long dark hair hanging low as he makes a shot.
Watching him with his hands wrapped around a pool cue is Mauler. He’s older and his fingers are covered with silver rings, and his wrists are covered with bracelets.
Here at the bar, the man named Bagger has short dark hair, a beard and olive skin. His eyes study me closely, almost like he doesn’t trust me.
Zig sits beside me with dark impenetrable eyes, a beard and ink covered skin.
Blue, who is tending bar, appears the youngest with messy golden-brown hair, piercing eyes, slashing brows, and a strong jaw.
I reach for my glass, and it slips, spilling cola on the bar and splashing onto my shirt.
Rio grabs the glass and rights it. “Damn, girl, your shirt is soaked.”
I look down at myself. “Well, I sure did it, didn’t I?”
He smiles and holds his keys out. “Here. Go up to my room. You can change into one of the t-shirts in the top dresser drawer.”
“Thanks.”
Cupping the back of my neck, he touches his lips to my forehead in a sweet kiss. “I’ve got to discuss some things with Zig. I’ll be up in a few minutes.”
With that, I slip off the stool and head upstairs. I find a t-shirt, then peer into the bathroom, see there’s a stack of towels, and decide to grab a quick shower.