Page 27 of Vapor's Blaze

I try my best to calm down because even though I’m not sure if I can trust him, he is offering me a shelter of last resort.

“I know you see me as the big bad wolf right now, but just remember how good we were together. I never pushed you for anything you weren’t comfortable with because I respect women. Everyone in my club does.”

“Okay, I just need some time to process this whole situation.”

“If you ever just want to talk, grab one of our cards on the way out the door. It has my cell number on it. I’ll even come and pick you up if you get into a tight spot.”

“Alright, just give me some time to think it over.”

“Steer clear of Decker until he’s had a chance to cool off.” Taking a step closer, he murmurs, “Stay safe out there, Trix. Don’t take any chances with your safety.”

“I won’t,” I reply as my hand reaches for the doorknob that leads to the commercial area of his building.

“Just one more question,” he asks, “If you wind up missing, do you want me to search for you, or do you want me to leave well enough alone so you can get used to your new husband?”

My mind is instantly blown. I don’t even have to think about the answer. It pops out of my mouth with virtually no forethought. “I want you to look for me, please.”

“Alright. I’ll do exactly that. No matter what kind of situation you end up in, remember that I’ll be coming for you. I might even end up bringing law enforcement.”

“Whatever you’ve got to do to save me. Thanks for caring about what happens to me, Vapor.”

Without giving him a chance to respond, I slip out the door of his private space and head for the exit. I make a special point to grab one of his business cards before pushing the door open and stepping outside. The sky is overcast. I don’t look back as I fast walk away from this enemy who I never should have bedded down with, but who might end up having to save my life.

Chapter 10

Trix

The Hounds caught up with me in record time and threw me into the clinker, which is what they call the spartan cells in the basement of the clubhouse. Right now, I’m sitting on a hard bed staring at the concrete block wall which has been my home for the past few days. Painted on the wall is a gigantic mural of our club logo. I hate this damp, dark room, the one my grandfather always locked me in when I’d done something wrong growing up. I had thought those days were well behind me but clearly, they aren’t. I feel that same sick swirling sensation in my gut that I felt the day my mom died.

To say my grandfather is furious would be an understatement. He demanded that I marry Decker immediately and I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Now I’m paying for it. How can I marry Decker when I literally can’t stand to look at him? I wish I could say I struggled with the choice, but I didn’t. Not only did I refuse, but I made sure he wouldn’t want me, by texting sweet nothings to his brother. I knew that would drive him away for good. It worked, but my grandfather didn’t think my little trick was very funny. He’s beyond furious that I messed up his plans.

I realize now that Vapor was correct, in my darkest moments I wished I’d listened to him and stayed in his shop. I’d contact him now, his cell phone number is burned into my memory, but my grandfather took away my phone.

Drawing my knees up, I wrap my arms around my legs. My head comes back to rest against the wall as I wonder what new trajectory my life will take. One thing is for sure, my grandfather will be making all the decisions and I’ll bet my bottom dollar there will be a nasty surprise built in somewhere along the line as punishment for my disobedience. Even that didn’t make me wish I’d followed his directions about giving Decker a chance. The man made my skin crawl.

I’ve watched him fuck a club whore right in front of me. He’d had a huge grin on his face, like he was giving me a sneak peek of what was in store for me once I became his wife. Well, all I can say is that woman hadn’t looked like she was having the time of her life with him, and nothing I saw made me want to hop in bed with him. The whole situation did make me think he was a bit of an idiot though.

Still, I hate sitting in lock up like a criminal. Being the only female of three grandchildren, I should have known that my controlling grandfather wouldn’t let me live my own life. No one in my world understood what I was going through, not even my brothers. My grandfather told me that Tracker and Decker were well on their way to becoming fast friends. I remembered what Tracker said about trying to get out of the club. Was he still planning on doing it? Or had my grandfather gotten him back on side.

My family might be outlaw bikers but that didn’t mean I didn’t love them. I’d always wanted to get married and do my own thing, maybe stopping by the club every now and then to help out with events. I don’t like most of the club brothers and the shady way they earn their money is not something I want to be party to. At this point, all those dreams seem far away. Refusing Decker sealed my fate. After the stunt I pulled, I don’t think even my brothers can save me.

I need to escape before they discover my dirty little secret. Once they find out that I had a fling with a member of the Savage Legion, life as I know it, will be over. Possibly even my life, period. My grandfather hasn’t exactly been guarding my virtue, but he would consider sleeping with a member of the Legion the ultimate betrayal. The thing is, if I ever want to get out of this room, I have to do my grandfather’s bidding, or at least pretend to.

I lay down on the thin mattress and try to get comfortable. Worry twists in my gut, as my mind clicks through all the horrible things my grandfather can do to me. The thought of becoming the wife of a man I don’t love is devastating. Even though I’ve managed to get rid of Decker, I’m a hundred percent certain there will be someone else. My grandfather won’t let this go. He’s far too proud to let a woman get the better of him. Now that his mind is made up, I find the only truly wonderful thing about my situation was experiencing Vapor prior to being put on lockdown.

Forcing myself to lie still, all the horrible things that my grandfather has done to women who betrayed or simply disobeyed him march through my mind. I don’t know what happened to my grandmother, no one will say. I remember my mom was terrified of him, which was why she kept us as far away as possible. He had an old lady at the clubhouse for a few years, I would have been around fifteen then. When my grandfather found out she cheated on him, he held a little party and passed her around to any club brother who wanted a shot at her, and then added her to the group of women who worked in the brothel the club owned. One of the club whores got her pretty face rearranged for turning him down when he was drunk a while back. There were several more incidents with women over the years. I had spent years thinking I was the only female he didn’t hate, guess I was wrong about that.

He’s old, messed up, and doesn’t have an ounce of respect for me but he’s still my grandfather. I’m very conflicted about my true feelings when it comes to that old man, which I suppose is understandable considering the upbringing I had.

Moving forward, there will be no more going where I want, shopping on my own, or going to raves. Nope, either my grandfather or whatever new husband he picks for me will be keeping close watch over me. The thought of not being able to dance to live trance music causes an ache in my heart, which joins the ache from knowing I’ll never see Vapor again.

From now on I would be living according to the rules dictated to me by the males in my life. Oh, how I wish my mom were still alive. I’m certain her words would fall on deaf ears as well, but maybe we could run away together. I lost her all too soon and that’s where that thought is coming from.

Getting married off might work out in the end, I tell myself. Maybe, if I just keep telling myself that, the day might come when I actually believe it. Or the day might come when I am able to escape.

Snuggling under my thin blanket, I try to think of happier times. A good night’s sleep is imperative if I want to keep my strength up. I can’t let these people wear me down. Unfortunately, sleep is elusive tonight. I try everything, right down to counting sheep. I punch my uncomfortable pillow, trying to fluff it up and close my eyes. I don’t know how long it takes, but eventually I feel myself slowly growing drowsy.

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