“Hopefully, she comes back in one piece.”
Chapter 30
Carlita didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath until Elvira, smiling smugly and seated atop the chopper motorcycle, roared down the alley and coasted to a stop. “Piece of cake,” she bragged. “I don’t know why you were all making such a big deal about riding this mighty fine piece of machinery.”
“I’m glad you’re handling it,” Luigi said. “However, pride goeth before the fall or, in your case, bragging before your butt ends up in the middle of the road.”
“Pride-schmide,” she scoffed. “I know how to ride better than you and my sister put together. In fact, I might join the bike club myself.”
A flicker of panic flitted across Dernice’s face. “I don’t think our club is for you.”
Elvira’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why not?”
“Because it’s not very exciting and…uh…we go for long rides, sometimes all afternoon.”
“Sounds like it’s right up my alley.”
“I should point out there is an annual fee to be part of the group,” Dernice said.
“They charge a fee to be a member? Th-that’s ridiculous,” Elvira sputtered. “How much is it?”
Her sister threw out a number that sounded reasonable to Carlita. Not so much to Elvira.
“There’s no way I’m forking over my hard-earned money to ride around on a motorcycle I own, filling the tank withmygas. What are you paying for?”
“Rallies, our annual holiday party, stuff like that.”
“I’m not interested anymore, but I will ride today seeing how I’ve already paid for a full day’s rental.”
“Who is riding with me?” Luigi asked.
“I was thinkin’ Mercedes could ride with Dernice and I’ll ride with you,” Carlita said.
“Sounds good. Let’s roll.”
Making quick work of putting on the biker gear—helmets, gloves, and leather jackets, per Dernice’s suggestion, the group of five was soon on the road.
Luigi left first. Dernice followed behind while Elvira brought up the rear. They made a straight shot through downtown before hitting the main road leading all the way out to the highway.
Not far from the interstate, they turned into the fairgrounds. A small group of bikers stood talking near a cluster of motorcycles. Circling the group, Luigi parked off to the side. Dernice and Elvira followed suit.
“Right on time.” A guy wearing black leather chaps and an orange bandana grasped Luigi’s right hand and gave him a side hug. “I see you and Dernice brought some friends for the charity ride.”
“Paul, you might remember Mrs. Taylor, who owns Ravello’s Italian Eatery.”
“It’s nice to see you again, Paul.” She gave him a friendly wave.
“Same.” Paul’s attention turned to Mercedes, who was dressed in skinny jeans and a leather jacket. “Hello.”
Mercedes slid her helmet off, tossing her jet-black hair over her shoulder. “Hello.”
Carlita immediately sensed someone staring. She shifted to the side. The woman she recognized as Cyclone Courtney gave her daughter the once-over, her eyes narrowing.
“I believe we met as well, although you were dressed differently. Mercedes.” Paul rolled her name off his tongue. “What a pretty name for a pretty woman.”
Courtney slugged him in the arm. “Knock it off. You’re drooling.”
“And you’re jealous,” he shot back.
