Angels & Wolves | Book One

Chapter Fifteen

Rio's POV

Rio Sanchez walked along the streets of England and absorbed it's beauty and it's people. Her eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth May birthday had come and gone. It had been two years since June of her senior year in high school when she won the art contest and five thousand dollars to her choice of art school. Of course she wanted to travel. Choosing England's University of the Arts London was the greatest thing she had ever done in life.

Especially since she was allowed to bring Taj with her. Taj seemed happy, except for the fact that he had to be muzzled and on a leash while he was out in public. But he was happy to be away from New Mexico. They were on their way to the Barbican entrance of the Tube to welcome a friend from home. Rio would normally never bring Taj, but he was cooped up in their flat all day.

The two waited by the station and patiently watched people weave in and out of the hole in the wall. Rio knew when she was here when Taj stood from his sitting position and his ears perked up. Rio searched the new wave of people.

With an excited shout, she stood on her tiptoes, "Alice Grace!"

A smile spread across the lips of the redhead Rio knew from her science class in high school. She ran towards her friend. "Rio!"

"Does your brother know you're here?" asked Rio, hugging her friend close. Taj stood patiently by her side.

Alice Grace laughed. "No. I never tell him anything."

"Alice Grace! Naughty girl!" laughed Rio, guiding her friend back to her flat. "It's good to see you. How long are you staying?"

"Oh, not long. I have to get back home to Wywano," replied Alice Grace. "I just came to see how you are doing."

Rio nodded. "I'm fine. I'm happy here."

"Sure you are," mused Alice Grace. Rio watched her friend closely. She didn't understand what she meant by that.

"Why are you really here?" asked Rio.

Alice Grace sighed. "Oz is having a ball and I don't want to go alone. I came here to give you your invitation in person."

Rio laughed. "I'm never talking to him again. I told you that. Why don't you go with Vincent? I'm sure he'd love to take you."

"Are you serious? Me? Take Vincent Ortega to the ball of the decade? You mean my brother, Vincent Ortega?" It was Alice Grace's turn to laugh. "My cousin would have a fit if I showed up without you."

"What do you mean?" asked Rio. "Who's your cousin?"

"Oz de la Vega is in love with you, Rio," answered Alice Grace. Rio stopped in her tracks. "He feels horrible for your almost first date. He doesn't say anything, of course, but it's clear that he misses you."

"Oz misses me?" scoffed Rio. She turned on her heel and started briskly walking back to her home. "I doubt it. He told me I was going to be his girlfriend soon! He pulled a Francisco and that's where I draw the line."

"Oh, come on, Rio!" called Alice Grace. She ran after Rio, grabbing her arm to stop her from running off again. "He doesn't know who Francisco is! And he didn't even know you had a boyfriend before him. He regrets that he tried to push you towards a life you don't even know yet."

"How do you even know all of this?" Rio asked, pulling her arm out of Alice Grace's grasp.

"I thought I told you already?"

"No...?"

"Oscar is my cousin, Rio," she replied. Rio didn't know what to say anymore. Alice Grace's expression softened. "Please," she said. "Come back home."

Rio sighed and gazed at Taj. Her guard dog stared back at her with deep brown eyes. He seemed to be telling her to follow her heart. Rio nodded. "Alright. I'll go back with you."

Who knew that was coming?! I didn't!

JK. I totally did.

Vincent and Alice Grace are siblings!

Which means Alice Grace is actually Oz's cousin too!

And Rio agreed to go back to the States after being in England for two years. I mean, what is going on anymore. Seriously. Someone tell me.

Bye loves!