Page 91 of Misadventures of a Biker

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I placed the box on Teddi’s porch and rang the doorbell. After ten minutes, I rang it again. Five minutes later, I rang it repeatedly.

From behind her neighbor’s shrubs, I waited with bated breath.

The porch light illuminated. The door opened. Her eyes shot to the box. She then searched the dark neighborhood with her eyes, looking for who might have left it. After seeing no one, she opened the box and peered inside.

She removed the letter and read it. She lifted the newspaper that covered the money. Following another quick scan of the neighborhood, she went inside and shut the door.

I felt terrible for postponing the resolution of the issue. As important as it was to Teddi, I couldn’t force myself to proceed any sooner than I had. I knew myself well enough to know the negotiation could have easily turned violent. Taking that risk wasn’t something I was willing to do.

I now looked at matters completely differently. Not because of my newfound freedom.

Because things had changed.

Chapter Thirty

Teddi

I turned the corner onto Herb’s street. Upon seeing his home, I gasped. Kate’s Lexus, Rhea’s SUV, Evelyn’s Saturn, Janine’s Jag, and Vinnie’s Cadillac were all parked in front of the house.

I hadn’t seen Devin in three days. We were supposed to have Sunday dinner with Herb and retire early, as Devin’s stomach was still bothering him. My heart palpitated as I crept closer to the home. The only reason I could think of why Devin would want such a gathering was to announce having been released from the federal government’s custody.

If that were the case, I feared he’d soon be leaving. For good.

We had yet to discuss his intentions at length. It was easy, however, to see where his heart was. When he so much as saw other motorcycles, his eyes lit up with a passion like no other.

With reluctance, I parked my SUV. Following a silent prayer, I got out and walked to the door. It opened before I knocked.

Herb answered. He opened his arms wide, offering a hug. He looked like he’d been crying. My bottom lip quivered in anticipation of what was undoubtedly headed my direction.

I hugged him, holding the embrace for longer than I probably should have. I’d become accustomed to our Sunday dinners together and viewed us as a family. I wondered if Herb would consider allowing me to come after Devin’s departure. I decided asking would be out of place.

He looked me in the eyes when I broke the embrace.

“Have you been crying?” I asked. “You look like—”

He wiped his eyes. “Is it obvious?”

“Oh my God,” I breathed in an uneven voice. “Herb…is… Is everything okay?”

“I can’t speak for anyone other than my damned self,” he said. “I think I’ll be just goddamned fine. Come in, sweetheart.”

I stepped inside and scanned the living room. Standing between Kate and Vinnie was a handsome man with a deep tan and shoulder-length hair. I nearly started blubbering at the thought of Kate being in a relationship and me loving a man who lived on the other side of the state.

I stumbled throughout the house looking for Devin, only to find that he wasn’t in attendance. According to Herb, he was taking care of some last-minute affairs before dinner.

Rhea stood over the stove with Evelyn at her side. The smell of her native cuisine hung in the air like a heavenly fog. I meandered to her side.

“Do you know what’s going on?” I asked.

“I was told Devin has an announcement he’s going to make,” she said. “That’s all I know. Herb said he wanted everyone he’s been working with to be here for dinner. I volunteered to cook at the last minute.”

“Where’s Devin?” I asked.

She stirred a boiling pot. “I think he’s in Miami.”

My heart sank into the pit of my stomach. “Miami?” I asked, nearly bringing myself to tears. “Are you sure?”