Page 71 of Vapor

He pours himself a cup of chicory coffee, the rich aroma mingling with the sweet scent of frying dough. I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest watching him—this towering, history-loving enigma who has turned my life upside down.

“Babe, I need to talk to you about something,” Vapor says, his tone shifting from playful to serious. He sets the empty mug down and looks directly at me.“We need to get out of here for a few days.”

“Get out? Why?” Unease slithers through my belly.

“Your dad’s stirring up trouble with the local cops,” he explains, his jaw setting firm.“They’ve been sniffing around our businesses. A couple of pigs went down to the bike shop, but Tank told them that he had no idea who you were. He texted me the second they left.”

“When was that?” Babet asks.

“An hour ago.”

“They could be coming here next.”

“Yeah. We need to lay low until it all calms down,” Vapor says.

“We can’t let my father find out that I’m here.” My voice falters as goosebumps skitter down my arms.

“It’s nothing we can’t handle,” Vapor assures me. His hand finds mine, and he squeezes gently.“Ever been camping?”

“No. My parent’s idea of roughing it was staying at a four-star hotel instead of a five-star. I can’t imagine either of them traipsing through the woods.” I shake my head and laugh at the images I conjure in my mind.“I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be closer to nature.”

“I was thinking we could take a trip over to Mississippi. We can charter a boat from Biloxi to Horn Island and stay there for a few days. Just you and me.” He smiles until I can’t help but do the same.

“Is the island wild?”

“Very. There aren’t any staff to cater to visitors. There isn’t any shelter on the island, so we’d have to bring a tent. We can camp on the beach, but we’d have to bring drinking water and pack out our trash. It’s rugged, but also, there’s no way he’ll find us. It’s the last place he’d ever look for you.”

The promise of solitude away from the chaos sounds tempting, but it also sounds risky.“How will we get there?”

“We’ll charter a boat. The guy will drop us off and then come back in a few days to pick us up.”

“So, we’d be stranded?” I frown.

“Yes. All alone on a wild and untouched island,” he murmurs, leaning closer. I can tell he’s already envisioning it—us alone, surrounded by nothing but nature.

“Okay,” I agree.“Let’s do it. Let’s go to Horn Island.”

“Are you sure it’s not Horny Island?” Babet asks, smirking.

“Oh, it will definitely be that.” Vapor grins.

His sexy smile sends a wave of warmth through me. But then his gaze hardens. This isn’t just a vacation for fun. We’re running away. At least temporarily. Until the danger passes.

I don’t know if a few days will be enough, but if Vapor thinks we should go, then we’re going. I trust him to lead me into the next phase of my life. Even though I don’t understand everything about his world yet, in time, I will. As long as I follow his lead, I’m confident that he’ll show me the way and keep me safe while he’s doing it.

Chapter 18: Vapor

Wind whips through my hair as I cling to Vapor’s broad back, the motorcycle roaring beneath us like a beast unleashed. The drive from New Orleans to Biloxi, Mississippi is only an hour and a half, but I wish it was longer. With only a helmet and the sleek leather riding outfit he bought me, I’m exposed to the elements. The thrill of hurtling down the road at breakneck speed sends shivers down my spine. I love every moment of it, and I hope we can go on more drives like this in the future.

“Almost there!” Vapor shouts over the engine’s growl.

I tighten my grip on him, pressing my body flush against his. No matter how close we get, I always want to be closer. He’s the only man I’ve ever wanted like this, and I hope that getting away from the clubhouse for a few days will strengthen our connection.

As we pull into the Biloxi marina, an old, grizzled boat captain greets us with a wave. He’s standing by his motorcycle on the dock in front of a sleek boat. He bears the weathered marks of a life lived hard, and his eyes hold a certain wisdom that comes from years of experience.

Earlier, Vapor told me that Hunter, the captain, rides with another motorcycle club in Mississippi. Hunter’s MC is friendly with Vapor’s MC, and they have worked together in the past.

“Vapor, good to see you!” Hunter bellows, slapping Vapor on the back. Their camaraderie is evident as they exchange pleasantries and laughs.

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