I curse as I pull up to the house and see Banner s car is already parked in the carport. I d hoped I d make it home before her and be able to clean up before she takes her first look at me. Parking the bike, I take my helmet off and wince. I m sore, really sore, but I know it could have been a lot worse. They hadn t taken it easy on me, but they could have been much more deadly.

Walking into the house, I don t see Banner or Jacob. Banner? I yell, grimacing at how ...