Page 121 of Rio

Rio risked everything for me.Not in secret, not around the table at one of his dinners, not in some whispered apology.He did it out loud, in front of the men who judge.In front of the man who has broken him, and his brothers, and their mothers.The man who wants to play God.

Rio brought him back down to earth, and held him accountable.I see it like a shining, gleaming star.What we had, what I want, what we can be.

The pop of a champagne cork takes me out of my thoughts and look up to find the girls pouring champagne into delicate, long stemmed, glass flutes.

Cari hands me my glass.“Told you the champagne would come later.”

“We’re definitely celebrating now!”Dani cries.

They look at me, expectantly.“Make a toast hon.”Dani nudges me gently.I lift my glass, swallowing the lump in my throat.

“To you both, for having my back.”I nod, trying to compose myself.“To justice, for all.”I pause and think of Alma, and the people in Belize, who will get their clean water, and the land restored in time.They’ll get their cleaner future.It’s not hope.Iknow, because Rio will see to it.“And ...to Rio.”I take a long, shaky breath, and feel tears running down my cheeks.

I see a flash of us laughing and kissing.Of us holding hands.Or Rio stroking my face.I miss him.I miss him so much.I want him back.

Dani rubs my back softly.“To Rio and Raquel, and to not letting fear stand in the way of going after what we want.”

Cari raises her glass next.“To loving the Knight boys, as messy, complicated, and sometimes inconvenient as it is.It’s love that’s worth fighting for.”

“Damn, hon.”Dani sounds impressed, as am I.

“That’s profound,” I say.We all clink our glasses again, before emptying them.

“Let the party begin!”Dani puts on some music, and Cari pours more champagne.

I already know that today is a day I will never forget.

Chapter 39

RAQUEL

I’m waiting in Rio’s apartment for him to come home.

Dani vouched for me with the concierge and he gave me the keys.I let myself into Rio’s apartment and made my way to the pool deck.The sun’s beginning to set, streaking the water with gold.

Walking around her I feel like an intruder, my steps echoing in the quiet.Through the glass, the pool glitters in the late light, and I recall the last time I was here.What we did in the pool, and up against the countertop in the kitchen.

A slow, burning heat curls low in my belly, as flashes of us tangled in bed fill my head.The memory of his mouth on mine, his hands all over me, the way he moved inside me, makes me impatient to see him.

I sit and wait nervously.

Dani texts me to say that Dex just walked in, and that Rio’s probably on his way.She tell me that they have plans to go for a celebratory dinner, all of them, including her and Cari.She says to wait for Rio to mention it.

Just as I get off the phone to her, I hear the key in the lock, and then ...I see him.

He walks in, and time slows down.I clasp my hands together, my chest tightening as emotion washes over me.My heart fills, with love and longing, because as soon as I set my eyes on him, looking devastating in his suit, head held high, dark eyes widening as he sees me.I’m filled with longing and a hunger that only Rio can satisfy.

I rush to him, and he catches, wrapping his big, strong arms around me, like he never wants to let go.

I melt into him, clutching his shirt, my tears falling freely now.

He gently prises me away and tilts my face up.Worry fills his eyes.“Did you watch it?”

I nod.

His hands move to my face, gently wiping my tears away.

“Am I forgiven?”