Page 35 of Desperate Justice
His mouth tightened. “Fine. Sam, can you return these two bears inside?”
As the other biker ran toward the diner, Rafe pointed to her seat. “You can’t ride with the bear in the open like that, Allison. The bears are supposed to be hidden until we take them out for the photo op in town.”
Terrific. She glanced at Diana, who shrugged. “I don’t have room, Ally.”
Everything was crammed in her saddlebags and her backpack, including some of Diana’s clothing.Maybe if you hadn’t taken so much makeup and outfits.
Watching her, Rafe shook his head. “I have room. I’ll take both.”
“Thanks.” She handed him both bears and watched him stuff them into a saddlebag.
He swept the others with a stern look as Sam climbed back on his bike. “Keep the bears hidden in your packs until we go to the rally. Then we tie them on the front of our bikes when we meet up with the others. It’s a huge photo op for the charity and awareness.”
They started up their bikes and roared out of the parking lot. Muscles tensed, she tried to relax. Usually she loved long rides like this, especially before the weather turned hot and the sun too intense.
Allison’s thoughts tumbled like socks in a dryer as they rode north on I-95. She’d seen that scowl on Rafe’s face. No time to talk in private and explain. Maybe later, at the hotel.
More than a year ago, when Diana pestered her to take her on one of her motorcycle trips, Allison agreed, only if Diana would learn to ride her own motorcycle.
Diana had taken classes with Paul’s encouragement. Paul had a crotch rocket himself and often spent weekends riding. He even bought Diana a bike. The Honda Rebel he’d bought had a low seat and lower center of gravity, which made it easier for petite Diana to handle. The bike also allowed for saddlebags for Diana to store her clothing and cosmetics. It was smaller than Allison’s big Harley. Money was no object. Allison swallowed her slight jealousy at the thought.
The important matter was separating Diana from her fiancé’s family, especially dear Uncle Hector and his drugs.
Or his suspected drugs. But more and more Allison knew Rafe had just cause for his investigation.
She hoped Diana could keep up on this trip, for Rafe seemed impatient.
CHAPTER 10
Once on the interstate, she was glad Rafe made Diana ride in front of her. To her relief, her sister kept up, not deviating. Maybe the rides with Paul had paid off.
Aware of Rafe behind her on his big Harley, she began to take in the scenery. Soon they left behind the urban landscape and came to the wide, open green spaces north of West Palm Beach. Tree farms peppered the roadside. Cell towers stretched skyward. Some people thought Florida boring and dull apart from its pristine sandy beaches and turquoise waters, but Allison did not. She enjoyed the wind rushing past her, the variety of palm trees flanking the road like a phalanx of tropical soldiers, and smelling the fresh air and occasional earthy, clean smell of water from ponds. Yellow wildflowers peppered the swale separating north and south-bound lanes. Once in a while, she spotted a deer or rabbit in the fields off the interstate.
An electronic sign overhead warned motorists to look for motorcycles.
Passing motorists slowed down to look at Comet riding in Keith’s sidecar. One car rolled down the window and a camera stuck out, snapping photos. Allison grinned.
As Rafe promised, they stopped at a fast-food restaurant off the interstate. Allison went into the women’s room while Diana made a call, walking around the parking lot.
“Ten-minute break,” Rafe warned.
When she emerged, he followed her to her bike.Here it comes.
She glanced at her sister, chattering away. Probably Paul. The diamond Diana sported on her ring finger winked in the sunlight.
She held up her hands. “Before you lay into me, this was the only way I could get Diana away from Miami. And Paul’s family.”
Rafe’s expression remained neutral. “Why this ride?”
“I talked her into a last-time sisterly adventure before she settles down.”
He looked different in the black leather jacket, black T-shirt, faded jeans, engineer boots and mirrored sunglasses. He’d grown back his short-trimmed beard as well. Stubble was a sexy look on him.
Bad boy Rafael. Well aware of her stirring female interest, she tried to focus on Diana.
She glanced at her sister talking on her cell phone. “Diana turned down all my other suggestions. She wasn’t going to do this until I begged her to join me so we could spend time together.”
Rafe bent down to examine her bike. “Nice job on lubricating the chain. Did this yourself?”
