Chapter 22

 

Rake

 

They woke to a banked fire in the chilly dawn. Rio stoked it and made cowboy coffee in a small tin pan over the fire. He also cooked some biscuits and warmed some honey. Rake never had a breakfast like that.

Once at the house, he borrowed some workout clothes and went for a run. It helped clear the anxiety. He needed to be alone for a few minutes. Not that Rio suffocated him, but he was a distraction, and Rake couldn’t think.

Indecision crippled him. Since childhood, whenever he was faced with two or more life-altering consequences, he froze. Or ran.

Guess things don’t change that much.

He couldn’t hide anymore. Not if he wanted to get out of this mess and get his life back. Time was running out. He powered his phone on and messages flooded in. Worry and fear from Hunter. Annoyance from Luis. Anger from his father.

One message chilled his blood. “You have two days to come and see me.” Corsetti didn’t sound upset, but Rake didn’t know the man well. He certainly wasn’t going to buy Rake a coffee and pat him on the head. The voice mail had been left just over eighteen hours ago.

In the light of a new day, his epiphanies from the night before played on a loop, still valid, but now out of reach. How could he keep endangering Rio? He needed to deal with Corsetti in Vegas, far away from the man who held his heart like a tiny, baby rabbit in large callused hands.

The run helped clear his mind, but Rake didn’t like the conclusion he’d reached. He showered one last time and dressed in his own clothes. At the last minute, he stuffed Rio’s red flannel into his bag and headed out of the house.

The band saw shrieked from the studio. Rake hesitated as he looked toward the open doors and hoped for…what? That Rio would rush out to stop him? What nonsense. He’d made his decision. He had no idea how to begin a conversation with Rio about a relationship.

He left a note on the bed saying he’d return when it was safe. Rake threw his bag onto the back seat of his old car and drove down the mountain. He ignored the tears.

He called Hunter, whose voice shook with relief to hear from him.

“You’re coming home?”

Rio’s face loomed in his mind, and his gut ached with sadness and guilt. “I’m coming to Vegas. I’m leaving home.”

“What do you mean?”

Rake laughed at himself. “Fuck, man. I don’t even know where to start. You have time? I’ve got a few hours to drive.”

“Of course. One sec.” Shuffling noises and soft murmuring came through the phone in a tone Rake recognized.

“Shit, sorry. You’re with someone?”

“It’s fine. Okay, go.”

Rake started from when he left his house and left nothing out. He spent a long time describing Rio and his family, what he’d experienced at the campsite and why he’d left.

“Sounds like you’re in love.”

Rake took a hand off the wheel and drove with his knee while he scrubbed at his face. He squinted at the road as the sun came out of hiding behind some clouds. “Fuck, I-I don’t know how it’s possible.”

Hunter’s sigh was filled with every unspoken thought. He knew Rake well, and his trouble with relationships. “What are you gonna do about Corsetti?”

“Can you put the word out that I’m back in town, so he calls off his search? I don’t want anyone else finding Rio. I got lucky with that PI, Kairo. He’s a halfway decent human being.”

“Kairo? James Kairo?”

Rake pulled the phone away from his ear at Hunter’s yell. “Yeah. Why?”

Hunter scoffed into the phone. “I hired him to find you, not Corsetti.”

“That’s not what he said.”

“That son of a bitch was working for both of us!”

“Well, he’s in Salt Lake right now, cooperating with that Marshal, West.”

Hunter was quiet for a few minutes, breath harsh. “How far away are you?”

“I don’t know. About two hours, maybe.”

“I’ll come and stay with you. I don’t want you to be alone when Corsetti’s thugs come knocking.”

“No way. I’m not putting you in danger too.”

“Rake, come on. You need to let someone help you.”

“I am. They’re called US Marshals and, I don’t know, probably the FBI, that’s after him. I know you want to help. So does Rio, but there’s nothing either of you can do.”

Hunter’s frustrated growl was music to Rake’s ears.

“I missed you, man. I’m sorry I disappeared on you.”

“It’s cool. But I’m still coming to see you. Drive safe.” And with that, he hung up.

“Stubborn jackass,” Rake muttered with a smirk. He was surrounded by them.

 

***

 

Rio

 

The saw stopped spinning after Rio shut it off. He removed his protective gear and took a long drink of water. Air flowed through the studio but sweat still poured off him. He drank some more and checked the time. Why hadn’t Rake come in after his run?

Rio had been so lost to his work, several hours had passed. Rio had good instincts, but he didn’t realize Rake was gone until he glanced at the front of the house as he left the studio. Rake’s car was gone. Rio ran to the front and stopped in the driveway. He had to stop himself from jumping in his truck. Rake had to be long gone by now.

He recalled his conversation with his father, and his epiphany while he stared into the fire the night before. Two parts of his soul were at war. Let him go or fight to keep him?

Rio made his decision. Rake was it for him, so he listened to his instincts and pulled his phone out. He had some calls to make.