Page 44 of Vapor
The Second biker watches my girl without moving. This is the biker Greg was yelling at. Vapor moves like liquid, fast and smooth. His eyes get bigger just when he must realize she isn’t stopping. He begs while looking around for a weapon. A small flag on a spindle catches his eye and he grabs it wielding it like a sword. She hits it up with her forearm so fast he has no time to react. Her other hand drives a jackhammer punch straight into his windpipe collapsing him to his knees in less than two seconds. Her hands are in his hair and knee connects with his face. I wince. That’s gotta hurt when you're fighting for air.
She yanks his head back so he sees her. “Complicit while those boys begged you, the adult they trusted, for help. You watched. You smiled. Now you beg. His brother is dead. Complicit makes you worthless, to the boy, to us and to society.”
“No!” The yell and shot don’t make her jump, her head swings, then she runs.
Greg collapses. “Liam died?” He looks up, face etched with horror, and pain I swear I can feel.
She bends and explains while taking the gun from him. “Julius was going to tell you. They were trying to stop him.”
Logan steps over and nods for me. My knees buckle, that’s what Sarah was telling her. He gives my brain the story he got from Web without talking. Fuck.
Vapor lifts this poor kid up and Greg spins around, then runs toward me. My arms feel like weights are holding them down, but I raise them to hold his sob-wracked body. He lost everything. I just tell him what I know. “The Indians found where he was taken in India. Badass will bring him home. We do this together, Greg.”
The boy exhausts himself crying. Vapor helps me up and we get him back to his room.
Suzie waits until I lay him down, then lies beside him wrapping him in her arms. “I won’t leave him alone.”
I nod and back up. I don’t want to leave but the girl is like a sister to him. He needs a connection.
Coming out of the room I’m surprised to see the other bikers talking to kids. I don’t think, I react and my gun is in my hand pointed at the President, Raven.
I shake my head to stop his step closer but Vapor jumps in. “I don’t need a gun to kill you.”
Raven takes a step then stops and winces as I switch from laser to bullet. “You showed the kid talking for a reason. We didn’t take our shot for three days because that reason was they were yours. It’s respect we show. It played over and over and we watched it, then them. It’s six we don’t need or want.”
Vapor takes in every one of them. “Fear is not a business. It’s the evil these kids and that boy will live with for the rest of their lives. You want to make money? Train them, teach them, protect them or stay far a fuckin’ way from them because Badass will do all that for them but you,youwill not walk away.”
Switching back to laser sounds loud, but I do it. The bikers never appear challenging. They nod looking humble, embarrassed, contrite. I lower the gun.
Cort hits my back then holds me up. “Good job. What’s this all about?”
He’s looking at my girl so I step back and realize it’s Justice holding me up and his hands are empty. He smiles at me. I throw him chin. I guess he was Cort’s ride.
Vapor explains. “These are the bikers that need jobs. They’ve had lists and books and Mucimi said they’re ready. We need members.”
Cort nods. “You do. They train in the BSC Clubs where readers can keep track of them. If they make it and want in here, it is your call.”
My girl nods. Cort hands a card to Raven.
“We had a list for businesses, we got members that cook and mechanics,” Raven says but doesn’t ask anything.
“Call and ask for Raid. He’s business.”
Vapor steps over. “Some aren’t from here. MC Colorado does straight Clubs, not the BSC.” She’s giving options.
Cort nods. “Good call. Ask for Brekan. He can get you into different states. BSC all have readers and Protectors with seer and other abilities. They would kill for thoughts, especially thoughts of hurting women.”
Raven nods. “I’ll train here or wherever for here. They got a kid killed; that’s on me.” He points to the moaning or passed out assholes on the ground.
I pull Vapor away as Cort talks to him and the other bikers watch. Jones catches up to us. “That was rough. Greg okay?”
I like that he’s worried over Greg. It’s where my head is. “Suzie is with him. VP will let us know. He said Justice is helping. I didn’t ask. They’re healer people.”
She gives Jones a heads-up. “Sarah is a mess, she barely got it out.”
Jones moves faster. “I got it.”
Vapor stops and sits on a bench. I’m all for it and sit beside her. What a day.
