Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Today was competition day. The roar of the motorcycle engines echoed from one ear to the other. Besides the noise, all the wolves of Sorriso Negro were gathered.

I was married to the leader, which put me in a prominent position. As his wife, I had to prepare many things for the motorcycle group.

While he took care of his 1980s Harley-Davidson, I prepared quick snacks and the group's flags. I also organized the conversations among the women, since almost everyone was married.

We spent our lives more on two wheels than four. Riding a motorcycle wasn't my favorite hobby, but it had become one since I married Bruno, three years ago.

He made me enjoy speed. Danger. With him, I learned to love the smell of the road.

Almost every weekend, the friends gathered. Since Bruno was the leader of the group and also an alpha, these gatherings happened at our house. This time, the competition was in another city. That's why we left home at six in the morning.

The city was 200 kilometers away. We arrived in less than three hours after gathering the entire group. I was happy because Bruno was competing in three categories.

If he won all three categories, we could receive fifteen thousand dollars. Just getting to this place had cost us more than $500. So, I was rooting for him.

For decades, motorcycle groups had been used to organize wolf clans. On two wheels on the road, they could face each other in duels that brought together speed, cunning, and strength.

"My love, I'm sure you're going to win today."

"Don't be so sure, Cristina. There are many competitors. Did you see that guy's motorcycle?"

Bruno pointed toward a Harley-Davidson I had never seen, not even online. The motorcycle was fluorescent green and looked more like a racing bike. I was impressed, just like he was.

"My God, my love. That motorcycle is a machine. You're really not going to have much of a chance against it. Let's hope he's not competing in the same categories as you."

"That's right, my love. Hopefully, that motorcycle lets us win at least five thousand dollars."

"You're going to do great, honey. I believe in you. I love you."

"I love you too, my dear. I'm going to talk to the boys in the group."

Bruno left me with the wives and walked toward the group of men from Sorriso Negro. That division always happened.

"Did you see that fluorescent green motorcycle? That one is definitely going to win!"

"Wow, it's beautiful. I hadn't seen it, Cristina. Did you see who's riding it?"

"Not yet, Mary. He must be a millionaire."

"Definitely. A machine like that must cost more than $150,000."

"Ah, if I were single. That's the motorcycle I'd ride home on."

"Mary, don't say that. Imagine if your husband heard you saying something like that."

"Come on, Cristina. Are you really going to tell me you wouldn't want to ride that motorcycle?"

"I would, my friend. But only if my husband were the one riding it."

"I doubt it. If it were a handsome, rich, attractive young man, would you still want your husband?"

"So, Mary. Did you see that I brought apple cinnamon pie?"

"Don't change the subject, Cristina."

"What were we talking about again? The green motorcycle?"

"Don't play dumb, my friend."

I went to get a piece of apple cinnamon pie and didn't answer Mary anymore. Even though she was my best friend among the bikers' wives, I didn't feel comfortable thinking about another man besides my husband.

For Mary, that wouldn't be a problem. She had confessed stories to me that I wouldn't have dared repeat even if I were single.

Since we were friends, I would never tell Bruno or Denis, Mary's husband, anything. But she told me stories that, deep down, I wanted to experience.

However, I had never told Mary about that. Bruno was 30 years older than me. Sometimes, I missed having a younger man by my side. I think any woman at twenty would want that.

As I walked back with a piece of pie, I noticed that Mary was still talking about that green motorcycle. I walked over to Bruno, who was waxing his motorcycle.

"Look, my love, how shiny she is. That prize will be mine today."

"I'm sure it will, darling. Your motorcycle looks incredible. That prize will save us."

"If I win, we'll go to the beach. Even if it's just for a weekend."

"Ah, it's wonderful to hear that, my love. I'm dying to go back to Miami."

I hugged Bruno and kissed him, celebrating the news.

"All right, my love. But this time, I'd rather go to a beach we haven't visited yet. It can be in Florida."

"Wonderful. I'll start looking for some places we can visit."

I gave him another kiss while the piece of apple cinnamon pie was still in my hand. There were only one or two bites left before I finished it.

As I finished eating, I walked over to Mary.

"Friend, the apple cinnamon pie is incredible. It even tastes like it was made by a professional chef."

"Wow, how modest of you, Cristina! But after hearing that, I'll have to try it. Shall we eat, girls?"

Everyone decided to eat together. We called the boys over and had a hearty breakfast before the competition officially began.

Happiness was written all over everyone's faces. There were cakes, pancakes, chocolate, and plenty of fruit. There was also bacon and hamburgers. It was complete.

For drinks, there was soda, tea, and coffee. I looked around and was happy to see that there was enough food for everyone. During the meal, few words were spoken.

That was a sign that all the treats tasted very good. The boys were finishing breakfast when the announcer began calling the first competition categories.

Bruno was the first to be called for the beauty category. His motorcycle was immaculate.

"You're going to win, my love. Be sure of it."

"Bruno Miller, competitor number 007, beauty category, please report to the stage."

He got on his motorcycle and accelerated hard toward the stage, drawing everyone's attention. We started clapping and cheering for him. The announcer called more competitors.

Until then, Bruno had a great chance of winning. There was practically no competitor at his level. The announcer was trying to call one more person, but he didn't know how to pronounce the name.

“Ferdinando Barbosa, excuse me. Ferdinand Barbosa, competitor number 016, beauty category. Please report to the stage.”

After the announcer said that name, I heard the roar of a powerful engine starting.

The sound came from behind me, but when I turned around, I realized it was that fluorescent green motorcycle. A handsome man was riding it. I couldn't see his face, but I noticed his blue eyes, which contrasted with that black helmet.

The motorcycle and its owner were breathtaking, but I remained silent. He was my husband's competitor. Mary pulled me aside to talk about the new competitor.

"Did you see that man? He was looking at you!"