Page 93 of Vapor

I shake my head, feeling numb.“I’m not hungry.”

Bones walks over to us, his brows furrowed with concern.“When Vapor wakes up, he’ll need you to be strong for him. You should eat.”

His words resonate within me, and I realize he’s right. I hesitantly accept the bag from Tank, my hands shaking slightly. The first bite of the cheeseburger tastes like heaven, and I can’t help but devour the rest of it along with the fries. It seems my body was hungrier than my mind wanted to admit.

As I finish eating, the surgeon emerges from behind the double doors wearing clean scrubs. She motions for me to come over. I stand, my heart pounding even faster now. All the men in the MC rise simultaneously, their faces etched with anxiety.

“He seems stable. He can have a visitor now, but only one person can go back,” the surgeon says firmly, raising her finger to emphasize her point.

I glance around at the sea of concerned faces, but they all sit back down without protest.

Ice looks at me reassuringly.“Go on, we’ll be here waiting for your update.”

With a deep breath, I follow the surgeon through the sterile halls of the ICU. The incessant beeping machines and the antiseptic smell create an unsettling atmosphere. I can’t stand hospitals, and this one isn’t any better.

The surgeon stops outside a room and tells me it’s Vapor’s.“He’s stable and should wake up soon. But don’t do anything to excite him. He needs to rest.”

“Of course,” I reply softly, my heart aching with love and worry for him.

I step into the room. My breath catches in my throat at the sight of Vapor. He’s hooked up to an array of machines with IVs inserted into his hands. Pale and battered, he looks like hell—but he’s alive. Relief washes over me as I pull up a chair next to his bed, taking his hand carefully in mine.

“I’m here, and I love you,” I tell him, my voice choked with emotion.“I won’t leave until I know you’re going to be okay.”

Vapor’s eyes crack open, and he gazes at me with a mixture of love and gratitude that makes my heart swell.

“Water?” he rasps.

I nod and rush to the door to ask a passing nurse for water. She returns with ice chips, explaining that he can have these for now, and once the doctor approves it, she will bring a cup of water.

As I feed Vapor the ice chips, I watch him savor each one. I wish I could give him water, but I’m not going to defy the doctor’s orders.

When the cup is empty, Vapor studies my face.“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I assure him.

“Is your father…?”

“Dead,” I confirm, swallowing hard.“You shot him. And I’m grateful. I know that sounds terrible, but after what he put me through…”

“It’s perfectly normal to be relieved.”

“Now I’m truly free.We’refree.” Tears roll down my cheeks as I whisper,“I love you.”

“Love you too, babe,” Vapor says, his voice weak but steady.“When I’m feeling better, I wanna marry you. But you’re gonna need a new dress.” A hint of amusement flickers in his eyes as he glances at my tattered wedding gown.

I laugh, realizing I hadn’t even thought about changing out of the ruined dress.“I guess I can’t walk down the aisle looking like this.”

“No. I want to see you in that pink dress you liked, if that’s what you still want. Sounded kinda sexy.” His eyes glitter with mischief.

“As long as I get to be with you for the rest of my life, I don’t care what I wear,” I reply, my heart swelling with emotion.

“Then you’ll be my old lady forever,” he says, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Until I’m truly old and gray,” I agree, laughing softly. He looks so relieved and happy that my chest tightens with love for him.

“Even when you’re old and gray, you’ll always be the only woman for me,” he promises.

“I feel the same way about you, old man.” I lean in and gently press my lips against his, mindful of his fragile state.“Get some rest,” I whisper before pulling away.“I need to go update the others, but I’ll be right back.”

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