Page 90 of Vapor

As I approach the front, I spot a woman with a small child sitting near the aisle. With a nod toward my gun, I motion for her to get out of the church. Her eyes go wide. She clasps her daughter’s hand tightly before they both run down the aisle and out of harm’s way.

“Wh-what’s the meaning of this interruption?” the priest stammers, halting the ceremony as soon as he realizes what’s happening.

“Blue is being forced to marry Broussard against her will!” I shout, my voice booming through the cathedral. Everyone remaining in the audience gasps, their voices rising in a cacophony of shock and disbelief.

“Vapor, oh my God. What are you doing?” Blue’s eyes dart to her father before shifting to Broussard. Both men are red in the face.

“Ending this. Now.” I snatch the microphone from the priest and address Blue directly, my voice filled with conviction.“I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone, Blue.”

She stares back at me, tears pooling in her emerald-green eyes.“Vapor…”

“You’re the only woman for me, and I don’t care what I have to do, but I’m taking you home with me today.” I glare at LeBlanc and Broussard, their faces twisted with rage.

LeBlanc’s polished facade cracks as he spits venom at me.“You’re a criminal! An outlaw! You think you can just come in here and ruin everything?!”

“You’re a dead man, Vapor. Dead!” Broussard snarls, his green eyes cold and calculating.

The priest, trembling like a leaf, tries to intercede.“Gentlemen, please, this is a holy place—”

“Shut up and finish the ceremony!” LeBlanc snaps, cutting him off, but the priest has had enough.

“Enough! The wedding is over!” he shouts before fleeing the cathedral, robes flapping behind him like a bird taking flight.

“Babe, we’re getting out of here.” I take her hand, the warmth of her fingers grounding me as chaos erupts around us.

“No, you’re not!” Broussard pulls a gun, his face contorted with anger.

Everyone still in the cathedral screams and runs for cover. Members of my motorcycle club rush into the church, guns drawn and ready for a fight. But suddenly, men from Los Serpientes de Cristal cartel pop up from the pews, wearing suits so they blended in seamlessly with the other attendees. All hell breaks loose as we exchange gunfire, the deafening sound echoing throughout the cathedral.

“Stay close, Blue,” I tell her, shielding her body with mine as we navigate the war zone that was once a peaceful ceremony. Bullets whiz past us, shattering stained glass windows that rain down colorful shards.

My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline fueling every step as I focus on keeping Blue safe. The only thing that matters now is getting her out of here, away from her father and Broussard. Running isn’t an option. There are too many bullets flying, and we’ll risk being shot if we don’t take cover.

I shove Blue behind the altar. Yanking my gun out of my cut, I feel the reassuring weight in my hand. Broussard fires a shot that whizzes past me, narrowly missing my head. I duck behind the altar, returning fire as LeBlanc scrambles to take cover behind the first row of pews. Broussard joins him, and together they rain bullets down on us.

“We have to get out of here,” Blue whispers, her voice trembling with fear.

“See those curtains off to the right?” I tell her, keeping my eyes fixed on our enemies.“There’s an exit behind them. If you can run fast enough, I’ll keep these bastards occupied.”

Broussard’s voice booms,“If you send Blue over here, Vapor, I won’t kill you!”

“Not a fucking chance! You clearly don’t give a damn if Blue lives or dies,” I yell back. When he shot at me earlier, he didn’t seem to care that she might be caught in the crossfire.

Blue looks at me, desperation etched across her face.“I can’t run in this dress, Vapor.”

“Mind if I ruin it?” I ask, already knowing her answer.

“No,” she says without hesitation.

I set my gun down for a second, gripping the fabric of her dress and tearing it away from the bottom up, giving her legs the freedom to move. She smiles her gratitude and finishes tearing off the useless fabric. I pick up my gun again, ready for action.

“Run, Blue,” I tell her, steadying my aim.“Now!”

Blue takes off running, disappearing behind the curtain as I squeeze the trigger, sending a bullet towards Broussard and LeBlanc. LeBlanc shouts curses, telling Broussard he’s out of ammo. Broussard fires off a couple more shots before his gun clicks empty as well.

I poke my head around the corner to make sure they’re not reloading, and check my own weapon. One shot left. I sprint after Blue, firing my last round as I go. Since I’m running, I miss both Broussard and her father, but it’s enough to keep them at bay for now.

Releasing the spent clip from the mag, I shove another one in as I run. I cock the gun, ready to return fire once we make it outside.

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