Page 49 of Vapor's Blaze

Chapter 18

Trix

After the nurse leaves, we all sit in silence for a few moments. Then I turn to Tracker and ask, “What’s the plan for dealing with the police?”

Vapor looks up from scrolling on his phone, he’s got a strange expression on his face, and I wonder if something has happened. “Has it every occurred to your club to just tell the truth?”

Tracker shoots back, “What do you mean, tell the cops my grandfather pulled a knife on the club president from a rival club and wound up getting shot?”

“You said there was more to it than that,” Vapor responds while pecking out a message.

Jamus cottons on to what Vapor is saying immediately. “The Diggers broke into the clubhouse, took over our club, and were trying to rip King’s clothes off. Of course he fought back.”

“Yeah,” I say, totally confused. “The police are going to think he should have just given them the vest. They will see someone knifing another person over a piece of nonessential clothing as criminal.”

“I wasn’t about clothing,” Vapor says, still not looking up from his phone. “It was a physical attack. And no one in that room really knew how far it would go. Maybe they just wanted the cut. Maybe they wanted to take all his clothing in front of his family and former club members to humiliate him—maybe they planned to kill him and make an example. Given the reputation the Grave Diggers have, I’m sure that a plea of self-defense would sway any jury. Since King had no way of knowing their intent, he fought back with the only weapon he happened to have on his person.”

Hark chimes in, “And all that has the advantage of being true. Vapor is right. We should just tell the truth because siccing the police on them gives the Grave Diggers one more problem to worry about.”

“Yeah,” Jamus says thoughtfully, “If they’re busy with law enforcement, that means they’ll be distracted. It’ll make jumping them all the easier.”

Vapor finally glances up from his cell phone at fixes Tracker a look. “Time to come clean, Track. Tell your family your plans for the future.”

How does Vapor know? So is what Tracker said weeks ago, true?

My brother runs one hand anxiously through his hair and takes a moment to gather his thoughts. “I’ve decided that running a club isn’t for me. If you’re intent on resurrecting the Hellfire Hounds, I’ll help, but you’ll need to find someone else to run it.”

Jamus is more confused than angry. I can tell by the look on his face. “What’s going on with you Tracker? Did you get a taste for bar tending?”

Tracker huffs out an exasperated breath and finally comes clean. “I got a taste for the pretty bartender, Mel. By some miracle of God, she likes me back. I don’t have anything against MCs, I just don’t want to be involved in any illegal activity. I’m not going to start a family only to have the kind of violence the Hounds are famous for blow back on my wife and kids. I’ve seen firsthand how outlaw clubs and families don’t mix.”

Hark gasps, as do I. Vapor looks nonplussed, I’m guessing that whatever had him so engrossed on his cell phone was essentially a bullet point summary of the bombshell that Tracker has just dropped on us all.

Jamus breaks the silence, “You got your woman pregnant and suddenly all the decisions you make need to be with your new family in mind. I get that brother, I really do.”

Hark leans over and gives Tracker a gigantic, unexpected hug. “I’m happy for you, bro.”

“Tell them the rest, Tracker. Might as well get it all off your chest at once,” Vapor says.

Before he can speak the door to the waiting room swings open and the bartender from the Savage Legion clubhouse steps into the small room. She looks worried. Tracker gestures for her to come over and in the blink of an eye, she’s tucked under his arm.

“How’s King doing?” She asks right off the bat.

“They’re transferring him to ICU. Once he’s settled, we can visit him.”

“Is there anything I can do for you right now? Coffee? Bottled Water?”

His expression softens when he looks at her. “No, babe. I’m good for now.”

“So this is your old lady. She beautiful and nice too.” Hark says with a grin.

She flashes my younger brother a grateful smile. “Thanks. I know these are troubled times. I wanted to come and show my support.”

We all just kind of stare at her, still trying to get our head around the fact that Tracker is stepping out of the club our grandfather and father spilled blood to build for him. I’m all kinds of pleased for him that he’s escaping, but it’s still a shock that it’s actually happening.

Finally, Mel asks, “Did you tell them about us?”

He nods, “I did. I told them about stepping away from anything that could get me arrested and about you carrying my child.”

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