Page 85 of Vapor

The jazz band strikes up a lively tune. Blue’s eyes light up, as if the music has awakened something within her. She sways gently to the rhythm, and I can’t help but smile at the sight of her finally enjoying herself. As the song continues, she softly sings under her breath. It’s been so long since I’ve heard that magical voice of hers. Hearing her sing again helps to calm some of my fears.

“Your voice is amazing,” I say, leaning in closer.“You should sing more often.”

She blushes slightly, but her smile grows wider.

“Maybe I will,” she murmurs, still lost in the music.

Several hours later, the steamboat makes its way back to the dock. As far as I can tell, tonight has been a success. Blue is smiling and talking to me again. I shouldn’t have let her hide out in the clubhouse for so many days in a row. Anyone would get depressed if they felt trapped like that. I never want her to feel that way again. She had already endured enough of that feeling living with her father.

Blue turns to me with gratitude in her eyes.“I’m really glad you took me out tonight.”

“Anytime, beautiful.” I brush a soft kiss across her lips.“Babe, we need to talk to each other more. I won’t know how you’re feeling unless you tell me.”

“Okay,” she says, taking a deep breath.“It’s just… I’m worried about my father. What if he tries to come after us?”

“Let me handle your father,” I reassure her, my tone firm.“I promise, I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”

“I know you will.”

We disembark from the boat, making our way to my motorcycle parked near the dock. Just as I’m about to climb on, my phone buzzes with a new text message.

“Wait a sec,” I tell Blue, pulling out my phone.

The message is from her father, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

I know you’re with Blue. Give her back, or I’ll hunt down anyone who survives.

“Survives what?” I mutter, trying to make sense of the ominous warning.

Blue reads the text over my shoulder and pales.“What do you think he means?”

“I don’t know,” I admit.“But it definitely sounds like a threat. We need to get home, make sure everything’s okay.”

I rev the engine of my motorcycle as we pull away from the dock. As we speed through the darkened streets of New Orleans, Blue’s body presses against mine. Her arms wrap tightly around my waist. It’s a comforting sensation, but it also serves as a reminder of what I stand to lose if I can’t protect her.

We’re almost there, just a few more turns until we reach the safety of our home and family. But as we turn onto the final stretch, my instincts scream at me that something is very, very wrong. The street is too empty. Too quiet.

I’m about to park when an explosion shatters the night, sending a deafening boom echoing through the air. The force of the blast flings us into the air. I hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of me.

“Blue!” I gasp, struggling to regain my bearings.

Through the haze of pain and disorientation, I spot her lying nearby, her body limp and motionless. Panic grips me. I crawl towards her as fast as my battered body will allow, desperate to shield her from whatever danger still lurks in the shadows.

“Don’t move!” I cover her body with mine as flaming pieces of wood rain down around us. Intense heat sears my skin, but I refuse to budge. I’m not moving until I know we’re safe.

As chaos continues to unfold around us, I cling to Blue. I have no doubt that her father’s behind this. He thinks he can tear us apart, but I’ll never let that happen. He may be a powerful, vengeful man hell-bent on destruction, but he’s never met someone like me. Putting his daughter in mortal danger was the final straw. He’s a dead man. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Chapter 23: Blue

The ringing in my ears sounds like a million buzzing bees. The scent of smoke fills the air. People who were inside the clubhouse run out, screaming. It’s complete chaos all around us. If Vapor wasn’t protecting me, I have no idea how I’d survive this mess.

He waits until the fiery debris stops falling before helping me to my feet.“Are you hurt?” Vapor’s deep voice cuts through the haze, his piercing blue eyes searching mine for any sign of injury.

I shake my head, unable to speak, my throat constricting with emotion. He tries to console me, his strong arms wrapping around me protectively, but I’m in shock. A storm rages within me. The implication of what just happened is threatening to drown my very soul. I know exactly who did this and why. My father. Because he wants me to marry Broussard.

“I need to check on the others,” Vapor says, holding my hand while walking toward Ice.“Anyone trapped in there?”

“Everyone got out except for one of the club girls.”

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