Page 114 of Rio's Release

“In your letters, you used to talk about how all you wished for was a happy home. You deserve that, baby. You and Bella. And I’m going to make it happen. I’ll do everything in my power to make the best life for you both. I love you, Shelby. Will you marry me?”

He opens a ring box, and I’m staring at a gorgeous solitaire.

My head nods like a bobblehead, tears in my eyes. “Yes, yes, yes. I’ll marry you, Rio.”

He slips the ring on my finger, then comes to his feet, and I throw my arms around his neck. He kisses me, then lifts me off my feet and twirls me around. The twinkling lights spin past, and happiness engulfs me.

Life has not been easy—for either of us—but in this moment, I know from now on it will be, because no matter what life throws at us, we’ll have each other, and we can face anything as long as we’re together.

A cheer goes up from the crowd, glasses lift in the air, and Rio sets me on my feet.

I stare into his gorgeous face. “I love you, Rio.”

“Life’s gonna be good, babe. Life’s gonna be so good.”

And I know in my heart it will be.So good.

***

Blue—

Sipping my drink, my eyes stray over the crowd, and I spy Luisa standing on the edge. She gestures with a nod of her head toward the large storage building, then disappears around its corner.

My jaw muscles work. She’s trouble, and I need to stay the fuck away. I know better than to mess with her, especially when we’re guests at her father’s home—a man who is good friends with my club president.

I don’t want to piss Rio off, especially not at his engagement party. I’ve got a million reasons to stay away from this girl. All of this runs through my head. But the pull of her is strong, and I give in, setting my glass on a table and fading into the shadows.

She’s waiting for me just around the corner, and the moment I reach it, she grabs me and drags me into her arms, her mouth desperate for mine.

Her lips are heaven, her kiss the epitome of desire and want and every erotic thought I’ve had about her all these past weeks. Her delicate, intoxicating scent envelopes me, and like a drug, it pulls me under her spell.

I’ve stayed away, even when she texted me a million times, begging me to meet her. I ignored every damn one.

But now, seeing her tonight, I can’t fight it. My willpower crumbles with just one look in those dark brown eyes.

I’ll be damned to hell for this, but I don’t fight it. I give in to her, wondering if I’m signing my soul over, or if I even have one left to give up.