Page 10 of Vapor's Blaze

I turn on Vapor, more irritated than ever. I was going to tell him to butt out, but instead I find myself asking, “Why in the world are you wearing a parka?”

His irritated expression doesn’t let up. “Because this bar has a walk in, and it gets fucking cold in there when you’re rearranging stock for extended periods of time. Any other smartass questions you want to ask, or do you need to get back to harassing your old man?”

“Yeah, as a matter of fact I do. I thought you told me you owned a tattoo shop. Now, I catch you here playing stock boy in a biker bar. What’s up with that? Are you moonlighting or what?”

“You’ve got a man. That makes it bad manners to be concerned about the details of my life.”

He does sound jealous. I let that settle in for a second while I think of how I want to proceed. I can’t very well tell him Tracker’s my brother in a bar full of Savage Legion brothers, but I could definitely stand to go another round with his sexy ass. I bite down too hard and realize I’m chewing on my bottom lip. And he can see the switch flip in my mind from being angry to remembering how good we were together. I’m stuck and don’t know what to say to him.

Vapor’s hand comes up to make an imperious slashing gesture toward my brother. “I thought you were here to argue with your boyfriend.” His expression turns challenging, “If you’d rather argue with me, we can go somewhere nice and private.”

Tracker steps between the two of us. “She’s not going anywhere with you, so don’t think for a goddamn minute she is.”

Both of Vapor’s hands come up in a placating gesture. “I’m not trying to steal your old lady. I’m just trying to get her to shut up.”

“Fuck you, Vape,” my brother spits out. “You’re always sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Vapor mutters, “Nose and miscellaneous other body parts,” before turning and stalking away.

Tracker turns to stare me down. “You of all people should not have stepped foot in this bar and you know it.” Grabbing me by the arm, he pulls me out the door Vapor just left by. When we’re in the hall, he shoves me against the wall and pins me in place with one hand high on my chest, almost where my neck is. He knows I hate it when he uses his size against me. I always have, ever since we were kids.

“What in the hell were you thinking, coming here tonight? Do you have any idea what will happen if these men find out who you are? I don’t trust them not to exploit such an easy opportunity.” Glaring at me he shakes his head. “I thought you were smarter than this.”

“I came here to check on you. I pushed Jamus into telling me where you go every night. Imagine my surprise when I discovered you’re getting slaved out by the Savage Legion.”

“It’s not like that,” he flings back. “And even if it was, you could have caught up with me tomorrow, or any other time I wasn’t in enemy territory.”

His stubbornness is pissing me off. Men all think they’re invincible. “How would you feel if someone told you that I was being slaved out? Would you come right away, or would you check it out at your leisure?”

My brother backs up a couple of feet, his expression going from angry to exasperated. “Of course I would come right away. The thing is, Jamus doesn’t have all the facts and neither do you.”

I gaze up with him, trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. “I want to understand, Tracker. Just tell me what’s going on.”

“This isn’t the time or place for that conversation.” When I don’t immediately respond, he sighs. “How about I come to your place tomorrow? You can make me breakfast and we’ll have a little sit down. I might not be able to answer all your questions, but I should be able to answer enough to set your mind at ease.”

Relief surges through my chest. “I know before you say it, that club business is none of mine. Every Hound has told me that enough times over the years for it to be forever imprinted on my mind.”

“They say it so much because you’re too fucking curious for your own good. You can never leave well enough alone. You have to keep digging and digging until you know everything about everyone.”

I can tell he’s getting wound up again, so I cut him off at the pass. “I know what you’re saying is true. I am too nosey for my own good sometimes. I can’t help it that God made me with an extra big dose of curiosity. The thing is, when it comes to you, I have a right to know what’s going on.”

He knows what I’m saying is true because it’s been drummed into us from an early age that because we’re family, we need to be aware of what’s going on in each other’s lives. In the past, things have gone bad when someone was allowed to isolate.

Tracker runs one hand through his messy hair. “Yeah, I get what you’re saying. I don’t disagree. You just picked a hell of a time to decide to try and get some answers out of me.”

“Jamus may not have all the details, but he wouldn’t lead me astray, not about something this important.”

“The old man’s not wrong about this. He just doesn’t have all the information. Look, you need to get the hell out of here. Go out through the back door, there’s a sidewalk that leads to the front parking lot. Take it, get in your fucking car, and haul ass. I’ll stop by bright and early in the morning.”

“Alright I say reluctantly. “If you promise you’re okay, I’ll leave.”

“I’m fine, I promise. Now get the hell out of here while you still can.”

I look up at my brother, wondering if he’s just exaggerating the situation to get rid of me. If so, it wouldn’t be the first time. I’m curious because my family is so secretive. “Alright, alright, I’m going,” I say when he doesn’t relent.

I glance down the short hallway to the door at the end. After I’ve taken a few steps toward it, I hear my brother say softly, “Thanks for giving a shit. Not many people in our lives do.”

I toss him a sad smile over my shoulder. “Ain’t that the truth, brother. See you tomorrow morning. Come hungry or not at all,” I tease.

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