Rio shrugged. She was furious. Anger was radiating from her. Her body shook with it. His fingers tunneled in her thick mass of hair. He didn’t know why, maybe to hold her in place when she looked capable of flying at the elders. “Some of it. I don’t need it. The money is used to help protect our environment. Our people need it, I don’t. I live simply, Rachael, and I like my life. What I keep I use for weapons or food or medicine. I just don’t have that many needs.”

“I don’t care, Rio. They’re hypocrites. They banished you. You aren’t good enough to live near them, but they’ll take your money and they’ll let you risk your life to protect their other men while they do their jobs. It stinks and I want no part of them. And if you need another reason, I’ll just be followed there and bring more trouble to them. I’m not going. I’ll leave and the hit man will follow me, and you’ll be safe.”

Laughter welled up out of nowhere. He simply leaned forward and took possession of her mouth. Her beautiful, perfect, sinfully delicious mouth. She sank into him, melted, her body pressing against his, robbing his mind of actual thought. Rio wrapped her up in his arms, hungrily devouring her, kissing her over and over because she was alive and she looked at him with that look. Because it angered her that the elders had banished him and she was so ready to defend him even when he didn’t need defending. Because she made his blood sing and his body as hard as a rock.

Bolts of lightning ripped through his bloodstream. Flames danced over his skin. There was a roaring in his head and he knew he was wholly alive again. It didn’t matter that he didn’t know her past. He knew what she was made of, the strength of her, the fierce protective nature. Her courage and fire mattered to him. She had given him acceptance, when his own people couldn’t accept what he had done.

Her hand crept around his neck. She lifted her head and looked at him. “I can’t stay with you, Rio, and it breaks my heart. Why did I have to find someone who is so kind and gentle?”

“Only you would describe me as kind and gentle, Rachael.” He kissed her again. “And we can work things out.”