CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Trust
Shelby—
My eyes flutter open. Hazy morning light filters through the blinds. Rio is pressed to my back, his arm around my waist, the sound of his steady breathing in my ear.
What happened last night plays in my head.
I was pacing the room when he came back up, ready to have a fight, but when he walked through the door and his gaze flicked over me, he deflated my anger with one sentence.
“Okay, you get your way. This time.”
My shoulders slumped, and I went into his arms, hugging him tight and pressing my head to his chest. “Thank you.”
He kissed the top of my head. “Last thing I want to do is cause you any more pain. I won’t end his life, but I want you to know from now on, you don’t get to question my methods of protecting you and keeping you safe. You’re the most important thing on this earth to me, Shelby.”
And then he showed me, making love to me so tenderly it brought tears to my eyes. He didn’t say the words, but I felt his love radiating off him.
Hours later, I felt him slip out, kissing me and quietly leaving the room.
He was gone so long; I feared he’d lied to me and gone to take care of Carson in the middle of the night.
When he returned, slipping silently into the room, I sat up and turned the light on. “Where were you?”
“I had some business to take care of, babe.”
“You promised me you wouldn’t kill Carson.”
“And I kept my word. That wasn’t what I was doing.” He leaned over me, bringing his face to within inches of mine, his fists on the mattress at my hips. “You gotta trust me, or what we have isn’t worth a damn, babe.”
I searched his eyes and saw no deception there.
He kissed me, then stripped and climbed in bed, too exhausted to do more than spoon me. “Get some sleep, angel.”
With that, he was out like a light in minutes.
Today is Monday, Labor Day, and I have to get home to Bella. I promised I’d be there by lunchtime.
Lifting my head, I reach for my phone on the nightstand to read the time. It’s almost ten already. After all the worrying last night, I overslept. I meant to be on the road by now.
At my motions, Rio shifts and yawns, then tries to drag me tighter against him. I can feel his morning wood against my buttocks, but soon squash whatever plans he has in that department.
“I’ve got to go. I told my babysitter I’d be home by noon. Bella will be expecting her momma.”
He goes up on one elbow, his hand cupping my hip. “I want to meet her.”
I slip from the bed and begin dressing. “I’m not so sure about that.”
He shoves the covers off and stands. “Are you not sure about me? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Before you meet her, I have to know this is going to last. I don’t want to bring a man into her life who doesn’t end up sticking around.” It’s blunt, but needs to be said.
“You think I’m not sticking around?” His voice has an edge to it.
I whirl and meet his eyes. “Are you?”
He flings an arm at the bed. “Last night, I thought I made that pretty clear.”
“I guess I’m unclear on what exactly you want. What do you see our future being? We live in two different cities, and that’s not about to change.”
His jaw muscles work, and he spears a hand through his hair, then moves to grab a pair of jeans, slipping them on. “I’m going with you, Shelby. I’m going to meet your daughter, and everything is going to be fine. Trust me on this.”
“Maybe you need to trust me for once,” I snap. “It’s a two-way street.”
“I get that. But if we’re going to make this work, I have to meet Bella. End of story.”
“God, you’re a stubborn ass,” I mutter.
He flashes his white teeth. “Kettle, black, darlin’.”
My brow lifts. “I am not stubborn. I get along with everyone.”
“It’s okay. I love a woman with a backbone. And I will enjoy every fight we have together. Some I’ll win, and some you’ll win. But today, this one I’m winning, so get dressed, and maybe we’ll have time to grab some breakfast on the way.”
I shove belongings into my overnight bag that somehow magically appeared in Rio’s room while we were out to lunch yesterday. I can only imagine Zig brought it in when he arrived with my car. My jerking motions convey my frustration.
Rio wraps his arm around me, pressing my back against his chest and dipping his head to my shoulder. “Relax, Shelby. Everything’s going to work out. You’ll see. Take a deep breath and enjoy the day, okay?”
I just stand there.
“Come on. Take a deep breath and let it out.”
I play along, and it does make me feel better.
“Positive thoughts, darlin’.” He swats my ass and moves to the closet to get a shirt.
The clubhouse is quiet when we come downstairs. Rio shoots off a text to someone and escorts me outside.
“Toss me the keys, babe.” He holds his hand out. “I’m driving.”
I roll my eyes but comply, and soon, we’re on the highway.
When we reach Cloudcroft, I give him directions and soon we’re pulling up at my trailer.
Rio dips his head to take the place in as he turns in the gravel drive and parks.
My defensiveness spikes. “I know it’s not much, but it’s enough for Bella and me.” I throw my door open, not waiting for him to come around and open it for me. Yanking the backseat door open, I grab my bag, and Rio climbs from the car.
I stalk around and up the steps of the tiny porch.
Rio follows me inside, and his height alone makes the place suddenly feel smaller. He’s the kind of man who could own any room just by walking through the door. It’s no different now. His presence vibrates through the space.
Aunt Fannie and Bella sit at the small dining room table, working on a craft together.
The dogs come running to greet us, barking and sniffing.
Hurley sniffs Rio, and his tail starts wagging. Soon his butt is wiggling, and he’s jumping up on his legs.
Rio bends and pets him. “Hey, boy. You remember me?”
Hurley licks his face until he’s laughing.
Bella runs to me. Her eyes are on Rio when she hugs me, and she stays quiet, just staring at him, then whispers in my ear.
“How does Hurley know that man?”
I hold her close. “Honey, this is a friend of mine. His name is Rio. When Hurley was just a young puppy, Rio trained him.”
“Oh, and now he remembers you,” she says, all trepidation gone. The man loves dogs; he must be a good guy in her eyes. Though, I’m not sure she knows there are guys who aren’t good guys at her age.
Bella giggles at how excited the dog is to see Rio, its tail wagging and hitting her in the face.
Once Rio has given the dog enough attention, he straightens and holds out his hand. “Hi, Bella. It’s nice to meet you.”
She shakes it, then looks at me, like she wants an explanation for why this man came to our house.
“I used to know Rio years ago. We lost touch for a while, but now he’s back. He was excited to hear I adopted Hurley.”
“I sure was. I knew your mom would take good care of him.” He scratches the dog’s ears. “He’s got a little gray around his face now, doesn’t he?”
“Yes,” my daughter replies. “Mom says he’s getting old.”
Aunt Fannie comes to stand by us and extends her hand. “I’m Fannie. Nice to meet you.” Then she looks at me. “Well, I guess I’ll head out.”
“Thank you for taking care of Bella. I hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”
“She was an angel. She always is.” Fannie squeezes Bella and kisses the top of her head. “I had fun, honey. I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye, Aunt Fannie.”
Once she’s gone, Rio’s gaze moves around the place, taking in Bella’s drawings on the fridge, the smallness of the place, and our meager furniture. Everything is clean, but it’s all secondhand.
“So, want to give me the fifty-cent tour?”
“I will. I will.” Bella jumps up and down and grabs his hand, leading him up the hall. “This is my room.”
I follow, watching him take in the pink painted paneling, the bed covered in stuffed animals, and the small chandelier I found in a thrift store. I made it as cute and princess worthy as I could on a budget.
“Wow. You have a lot of pink in here,” Rio says.
“It’s my favorite color,” Bella says proudly, then grabs her teddy bear off the bed. “This is Esmerelda. I’ve had her since I was a baby.”
“Well, hello, Esmerelda.” Rio leans over and shakes the bear’s hand. “I like her dress.”
“My mommy made it for her. I have a matching one in the closet, but it doesn’t fit me anymore.”
“Oh, sorry to hear that. Maybe you and Esmerelda can get new matching outfits. Not as nice as the one your mom made you, but I bet if we go shopping, we could find something.”
My smile fades at his offer. I don’t want him promising her things, and I move to touch her shoulder. “We’ll have to see about that, Bella. Why don’t you and Esmerelda play while I talk to Rio, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy.”
I jerk my chin to the door and Rio follows me out to the living room, where I whirl on him. “Do not do that.”
“Do what?”
“You know what. Start promising her shopping trips and new clothes. This isn’t a game. She has feelings, and I don’t want her little heart getting shattered when you don’t come through.”
“Who says I’m not coming through?” He glances around the place and continues in a low voice. “You keep a nice home. You’ve obviously tried hard to do what you can with the place, but you both deserve so much more than this. I plan to see you get it.”
“What are you talking about?”
The sound of a vehicle carries to us, and I move to the door, looking out the curtain, then jerk my head back to Rio, my eyes wide. “Why is Zig here?”
“I told him to come in my truck. Figured we’d need the room to cart your belongings with us.”
My brows shoot up, and my mouth drops open. “Are you under the impression I’m going somewhere?”
“Yes. I’m moving you and Bella, and”—he glances to the dogs and cat—“all of them home to Las Cruces.”
“Have you lost your frigging mind? I’m not moving back there. No way in hell, Rio.”
“I can’t protect you from two hours away, Shelby. If we’re going to make a life together, we’ve kind of gotta live in the same zip code.”
“Who said we were building a life together? This is what… the third time I’ve seen you since you got out? And suddenly it’s a done deal. Where do you get off?” I’m expecting a fight. Instead, he walks to me, cups my face, and kisses the fury out of me.
“I love you, Shelby. And I’m going to love your daughter just as much. I get this is all new, so no, I’m not moving you in with me, but I did rent a nice big place on a pretty hill with a great view and lots of room for your animals. If you don’t like it, we can find something else. I hope eventually, once you and Bella feel settled, you and I make it permanent, and we make the three of us a family.”
I shove him away. “You are moving way too fast, Rio. Way too fast.”
“I’m sorry, but this is the only way I can protect you.”
“I have a job. Bella starts kindergarten next week. We have a life here.”
“You’ll get a new job, and we’ll get Bella enrolled in school in Las Cruces.”
My mouth hangs open. Does he really think it’s that fucking simple? Just a snap of his fingers, and boom, we move?
There’s a knock at the door, and I stalk to it, flinging it open and glaring at Zig.
He gives me a sheepish grin, then looks past me to Rio. “Is this a bad time?”
The dogs bark and run up, but he squats and makes friends with all of them, and I throw my hands up.
Bella runs into the room. “Who’s that?”
“That’s a friend of mine, honey,” Rio answers. “Bella, this is Zig. Zig, this is Bella.” Then Rio squats and catches Bella’s hands. “We’re going to take a trip today. I’m going to show you and your mom a big new house for you to live in. Would you like that?”
“Can all my stuffed animals and toys come?”
“Absolutely, and your dogs and cat, too.”
She jumps up and down. “Yay. Did you hear that, Mommy? We’re getting a big new house.”
I glare at Rio. “You are going to pay for that.”
He half grins and looks at Zig. “You bring some boxes?”
“I picked up a stack of them and a couple of rolls of packing tape. Let me go grab them.”
I cross my arms. “So, you’re just going to pack me up? Now? Today?”
“That’s the plan, pretty girl. It would be better if you give in and start telling me what goes and what stays. Otherwise, I’m going to have to make those decisions.”
“Come on, Mommy.” Bella tugs on my hand. “Help me pack my toys.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” Once she’s gone, I glare at Rio and hiss in a low voice. “I told you I can’t let Carson find out about her. I can’t face running into him. Did you even listen to a word I said?”
“I did. And he won’t be a problem. I promise you, Shelby. You’ll never have to see him again.”
“But you aren’t going to kill him?”
“No, I told you I wouldn’t.”
“Well, do you plan to let me in on this grand plan of yours or will I find out last second like I did about you packing us up and moving us?”
His eyes twinkle. “Does that mean you’re coming?”
“Doesn’t seem you gave me much choice.” I roll my eyes at the stupid, sexy grin on his face. How can I want to both kiss him and punch him all at once?
“Just give it a try. You hate it, we’ll bring all your stuff back.”
“Really?” I pull my chin to the side, totally suspicious.
“You won’t hate it. I’m sure of it. Besides, you won’t want to leave me.”
“Jesus, you are so damn sure of yourself.” I shake my head.
“No, babe. I’m so sure of you.”