"Trust Me"

     The evening sunlight is warm upon my face, it's beam bountiful and consuming. With my eyes rested shut, I have my feet propped up on the dashboard of Rio's Camero - after permission of course.

After the promise of not going anywhere - the promise I didn't know I needed to hear - Rio decided to call it a day and drive me home.

And ever since we claimed our seats in the car just minutes ago, I've been thinking over everything that I watched, heard, and learned of Head Quarters. It's all a lot to actually process.

I suppose for a moment there, earlier, I felt a wave of shock at the thought of the Guard actually wiping out the gang's tracks. The thought of Rio going away for good feels... odd.

Maybe it's because I've grown quite use to him being around so much.

And that's something I would've never imagined to be possible since the very beginning. Since I first saw him outside the gang's old hideout, watching me as I looked at him. Since he showed up on my doorstep.

But things have changed.

Everything has changed.

Resting my head back against the passenger seat, I let the warmth of the sunset ahead drift me into a slumber - pushing aside my inner thoughts.

"Detectiveeeee..." Rio's tone is low yet enthusiastic; causing for my eyes to flutter open.

I force back my smile.

"You did not just wake me up," I start lowly but sassily, lazily turning my head to face him. He's focused on the road ahead while he drives, but I catch the sight of the corner of his lips curve upward.

"Oh, were you sleeping?" he asks, plastering a remote frown.

In return I playfully roll my eyes as I sit myself upright, averting my attention to the highway ahead of us, too. "No, but if I was you definitely would've woken me up..."

"But were you sleeping...?" Rio adds smartly, seeming to be in quite the playful mood. I scoff, running a hand through my curled blonde hair before failing to hold back laughter in amusement.

I momentarily glance over again to see Rio showcase his bright smile, clearly amusing himself.

"Nah, I just didn't want so much of a silent ride is all." Rio remarks huskily, focused ahead as he licks his lips - his full lips still curved.

My grin doesn't wither when I follow his gaze. And gathering our surroundings as we pass by skyscrapers of all sizes, I'm only taken back to the thought of everything that I was taught today.

Rio's factions were each hand crafted by him - the Armory, Terminus, the Gaurd, and the Greenies - each for a certain purpose. And in my eyes, not only for protection and manufacturing.

I like to think of it as this: his dad taught him just about everything he knows, before he passed. Rio formed the factions above the roots of everything his father taught him. And because of that, I know now just how important his gang is to him.

I think he feels as though the gang is all he has, in the matter of family.

He even told me himself that he has lost himself in the mix of it all - until I came along, he said. I'm not too sure what he means by that exactly.

I still can't believe his dad was a gang leader, too.

The corner of my red lips tug upward a second, as a thought occurs. My gaze doesn't tear from the endless blur of trees we pass by as we near the city.

"Can I say something?" I break the hovering silence, beginning to drift into thought quite aloud.

"Your dad," I turn my head to face Rio a moment. His brow seems to twitch as if he's suppressing his curiosity. His dark eyes don't meet mine, yet. "I think he would've been proud of you." I add, truthfully.

Watching Rio as he stares at the interstate ahead, he allows for silence to linger a few moments longer, that is, before I catch the bittersweet sight of his mouth twitch.

I bite my lip, reverting my attention before me again. And a slight furrow then casts over my brows in sudden realization; my feet still propped up on the Camero's dashboard.

"Everything you've orchestrated back there, all that you've done... as illegal as it all is... it's kind of amazing." I conclude softly, carrying my eyes over to the gang leader next to me once again.

My lips curve to form a smile, inevitably, and it's merely a second after when I see Rio crack a bright smile. It's genuine. My favorite smile of his.

He then briefly sweeps his tongue across his lips before a low chuckle escapes. And he clears his throat - our smiles still evident.
"Alright, enough about me. Let's talk about you, Isabel." he remarks huskily.

Instantly I roll my eyes, throwing my head back, "what is there to talk about?" I groan; failing miserably at taming my smile. Rio smirks, momentarily glancing over to latch onto my ocean eyes; his brown irises glimmering brighter than before. Then he looks ahead.

"C'mon, ma. Let's see..." I notice his smile widen a bit, before his white teeth temporarily tug at his bottom lip in thought. "What's the craziest thing you've ever done?"

Another laugh booms from my red lips, and I shrug in return. I comfortably sit myself upright, bringing my feet down to the floorboard. "I don't know... hang out with you?" I answer honestly, sounding a soft chuckle while looking in his direction.

Okay, I know I could've put that in a much better way, but that's all I've got for now.

My answer causes for Rio to laugh; clearly amused. "What?" I ask afterwards, "what about you, the craziest thing you've ever done?" I perch a challenging, curios brow, watching him.

Rio plasters a mischievous smirk, and he doesn't seem to take much thought before he answers. "Out of everything I've ever done, I'd say having a detective as my R.O.D."

Confusion instantly suffices, and I don't hesitate to send Rio a puzzled glance. "R.O.D.?"

In turn, Rio deliberately bites his lip, and in the most raw and husk tone he can drag out, he clarifies.

"Ride or Die, mama." he answers - his twinkling brown eyes still fixated ahead.

My brows quickly raise in surprise, and within two seconds my lips unknowingly twitch into a curve. I redirect my blue green irises elsewhere and towards the window next to me.

"Oh." I remark. Silence falls between us, but somehow it's like I can feel Rio grinning beside me - without even having to look.

I clear my throat. "Well your answer was better than mine." I mumble - suddenly earning Rio's contagious chuckle afterwards.

Ride

Or

Die.

Someone that's willing to stand by your side through it all - or die trying. Someone that cares enough about you to even confide in that affirmation.

He chose quite the title.

Big move, Rio.

I take in a breath and run a hand through my hair, looking over in his direction. He probably catches me staring from the side of his eye, but he doesn't make it evident as he keeps his focus on the road.

I purse my lips, resting my head back on the seat.

I force back another smile creeping across my face; letting it dissipate within seconds. And I clear my throat. But just as I go to speak, the gang leader beats me to it.

"What's something you have always wanted to do?" Rio suddenly asks, quickly looking over to me before having to focus on the road again shortly after. "Give me your wildest answer!" he says while tossing his head back with a smile.

In defeat, my smile widens before I drift into thought, shifting my gaze over to the window next to me once more.

"Well, it's not exactly anything wild..." I start, "but there's this mountain outside of Richmond, the highest one in fact. I've never been but I've heard of it." My gaze becomes lost in the tall pine trees we pass - though I can feel Rio's eyes settling on me dangerously.

"But if you stand on just the right spot, at the top of the mountain, you can overlook the entire city," a tug casts over my lips genuinely and in awe, "in Autumn you gain sight of the mix of red and orange leaves everywhere, and it's all beneath your feet. In Summer - the infinite shades of green."

There's a sliver of silence to hang in the cool air of Rio's car, a moment, causing for me to snap back into my surroundings. Calmly I look over to the only person next to me. His dark brown irises are already latched onto mine - when he should be focusing on the road.

But something nearly unreadable glistens across his gaze, something familiar. It's intent. The second his full lips twitch in response, I force myself to look away; carrying my gaze elsewhere.

I clear my throat, and notice Rio then face ahead in my peripheral vision. He releases an audible smirk.

"So you wouldn't wanna leave the state at all? Take a dip down in Cancun? Nothing?" he questions curiously - nearly sounding quite surprised.

In return, I shake my head without hesitation. "I don't think I could ever leave the city. I know not too many see it, but I think it's quite beautiful." I shrug. "The beach on one side of the outskirts, the breathtaking mountains on the other. The various forms of trees no matter where you're standing. The lack of humidity." I conclude with a laugh escaping my lips, and I only hear the same from Rio.

"To me, it's impeccable." I finish. Our eyes lock onto one another simultaneously.

"You know, quite frankly I don't really get how you could even live so far away from it all." I say. "I mean, Head Quarters? That place was nearly an hour away."

I watch Rio grin, later refracting his focus ahead. "Actually, Detective," he temporarily bites down on his lip. "I own a place close by. Right in your precious core of Richmond, darlin'." he meets my gaze, brown eyes blazing.

"I'm a lot closer than you think." he informs me, and my brows escalate.

"Like I said, I'm not going anywhere." Rio sends me a quick wink before having to face the roads.

I softly scoff, "Wow, you really weren't kidding." I follow his gaze. "Close by, huh?"

"Yup." he returns huskily. Following after he takes in a breath. "I'll text you the address... just in case you wanted to make any stops..."

My attention jolts towards his direction quick, and I narrow my eyes onto him.

"I'm choosing to take that in the most genuine, positive, censored way." I remark matter-of-factly, before glimpsing down to check my phone.

As I hear Rio chuckle next to me, I see that there are no calls I've gotten from work, yet. Which is a good thing.

Before I can look up again, I feel the Camero come to a stop, and Rio puts his car in park.

"Home sweet home, darlin'." he says.

I think my eyes might've momentarily widened a bit, as I face ahead at my driveway.

"Oh." I breathe, "I guess we were closer than I thought." I begin removing the seatbelt from around me.

"Don't be so down, I'll call you tonight, yeah?" Rio plasters a grin when I look at him.

I deliver a low sigh, combing a hand through my hair. "Actually, I-" I suddenly pause - as every good feeling within me shifts when realization hits me - like a ton of bricks.

Vince.

I had intended on breaking up with Vince today...

I have to sooner than later - before we work together the entire day tomorrow. If I wait, it'll only make things harder...

"...have matters to attend..." I finish, unable to suppress the groan that escapes me as I run my hands down my face, before leaning forward and attempting to bury my face in between my knees.

"I forgot I was suppose to talk to-"

"Sorry, what? Your face is literally buried by your hands, Detective." Rio arches a puzzled brow in my direction when I sit upright. I bring both my hands back to my sides, and face him.

I take in a gentle breath, unable to meet Rio's brown eyes a few moments, before I finally bring myself to. Rio sits in silence, infallibly relaxed as he waits for me to continue.

With his gaze locked on mine, somehow I'm reminded that everything's going to be okay. And that's all I needed. I softly exhale.

"When I walk through that door," I glance ahead at my front door - I notice Rio following my stare. "I'm going to call Vince. I have to, um..."

I furrow my brows at the sudden coldness coiling inside me, and instinctively drop my gaze down to my lap.

"Nah, see you must've forgotten somethin'." I hear Rio start huskily, earning my shifted gaze. I watch him peer his gaze down a moment, before his glimmering brown eyes flick up to latch onto my blue green pair.

The corner of his full lips curve - his gaze deep and intent on mine.

"It doesn't take me more than one passing minute to know you're the strongest person I know." he says. "So this little bump in the road darlin', if there's anything I'm sure of, it's that I know you're gonna get through it."

I softly swallow, listening. Inevitably I feel a skip occur at the beat of my heart, and I don't tear from Rio's infallible stare. I can't.

"And that partner of yours," he faces ahead, briefly shifting in his seat, "seems tough. He'll be fine."

I think I see Rio form a smug grin, but it's faint. 

"And Isabel,"

He looks over at me.

And I at him.

I find myself holding back a breath. I don't know why.

Rio parts his lips to speak - but seems to be suddenly consumed in unwelcoming silence.

Then his clouded gaze - that I can't quite read - flickers down to my lips.

He sits and stares. My breath is still held.

I don't know how, or why, but I feel like I can't think. And I certainly don't move.

"It just takes time." he breaks the hovering silence; eyes still attached to my lips.

"Trust me on that one. The wait will be worth it." he finishes, tone laced with rawness.

And his brown eyes then refract back up to my own.

Mindlessly I quietly swallow again - and exhale.

"Okay." I breathe.

Under my gaze Rio suddenly smiles bright, genuinely, and he averts his attention towards my house in front of us.

"I'll be seeing you, Isabel. Get some sleep." he orders calmly.

I purse my red lips and deliver a sharp nod in turn, clearing my throat afterwards. "You got it, chief." I say mischievously, as a smile creeps it's way onto my face.

I open the passenger side door and kick a leg out. But before stepping completely out, I glance back over my shoulder.

He's doing something on his cell; his focus drawn down to the phone he holds above his lap.

"Rio," I call casually.

He instantly looks up at me, a cute perched brow surfaces upon his face.

"Thank you." I state.

In return he sends me a small smile, and delivers a half nod.

I then exit his Camero, and close the car door behind me, before I begin making my way towards my front porch.

I take one deep breath, knowing I'm going to call Vince the moment I walk through that door.

Most likely, it's going to change everything.

Though there is a part of me that feels like everything has already changed.

I can do this.

I can't believe I'm actually about to do this.

I can't believe my mind was completely and utterly taken off of Vince for the entire day almost. More prominently, the matter of having to break up with him.

The stress that could've engulfed me all day, the heart ache currently building up... Rio very unexpectedly took my mind off of it.

In the most insane, adventurous, thrilling way possible. He definitely achieved in that.

But now, I'm left facing the inevitable. The unpredictable. The hard part.

I unlock my front door and push it open, stepping inside. I shut the door and my back rests against it's wooden surface.

The coldness I once felt coiling inside me after realizing what I have to do still suffices. My heartbeat hammers, as I pull out my cell.

I dial Vince's number as I intend on inviting him over. And I press my phone against an ear - in wait.

---

HELLO, LOVES!! I missed you ;-;
Like a lot..

Who's ready for the next chapter? Will you miss Vince and Isabel's relationship?? :(

I am SO happy to be back, I know it has been over one whole friggin month since I updated! And a huge thank you for your patience!! BUT IM BACK!
And I promise the next update will not take nearly half as long.

Anyway, THOUGHTS ON THE CHAPTER? Made it VERYYYY extra long for you guys!!!

Not sure if this is the longest chapter yet...

Vote, comment, share!

Much love!

xx