Chapter 24 Vapor
I jolt awake to find myself lying in an empty bed. On the pillow next to mine, where Blue should still be sleeping, I spot a piece of paper. Snatching it up, I recognize Blue’s familiar handwriting scrawled across it. As my eyes scan the page, I can’t believe what I’m reading. This can’t be real.
My chest tightens as guilt washes over me. She’s going to marry Broussard to protect me and the club. My woman is going to attach herself to that scumbag today. The wedding’s today!
“Shit!”
I leap out of bed, grabbing my cut off the back of the chair and getting dressed in record time. I stuff my gun in my cut.
If I’m going to stop this wedding, I’ll need help from my brothers.
Charging down the hallway of the hotel, I bang on doors and shout their names. “Ice! Bones! Fang! Tank! Diablo! Get your asses up!”
In minutes, they’re gathered around me, bleary-eyed but alert. Ice squints at me, running his hand through his platinum hair. “What’s going on? Were we hit again?”
“No, but Blue… she left me a note,” I say, my voice cracking. “She’s marrying that bastard Broussard today.”
Their eyes widen, and I can see the fire igniting in them.
“Like hell she will,” Ice growls, his silver-blue eyes blazing with determination. Bones, Fang, Diablo and Tank nod in agreement, ready to stand by me.
“We don’t know where the wedding’s being held. She never mentioned it to me. I never asked because, why the fuck would I? She was never supposed to marry him.” My hands ball into fists.
Fang pushes his glasses up his nose, already pulling out his phone. “Probably somewhere prestigious, knowing her father.”
“Church,” Bones says, rubbing his beard. “He’d want it in a church. Where did Blue’s sister get married?”
“Good question,” Ice says, turning to Fang. “Find out.”
“Got it,” Fang says, tapping away on his phone. “Lacy’s wedding was at the cathedral.”
“Then that’s where we’ll start,” I say, my voice hard and determined. “We need to load up on guns and ammo before we go. They’re not going to let me take her from them without a fight. Blue’s father probably has armed guards, so we need to be ready for battle.”
“Brother, we’re with you,” Ice says, clapping me on the shoulder. “You claimed Blue. She’s your woman, and we’ll help you get her back.”
“Thank you,” I say, feeling a surge of gratitude for these men who have become my family. “Let’s go get her.”
My heart pounds as I lead the formation of twenty-five patched members, each one a brother willing to fight and die for our cause. The roar of engines fills the air, and I can feel the power of the motorcycle club behind me. Each man is willing to go to war for me, no questions asked. Together we’re unstoppable.
We arrive at the warehouse where the club keeps extra guns and ammo. Ice and Bones immediately jump into action, coordinating the distribution of weapons to the other members. I look around at these fierce men who have chosen to stand by me today, and I know we’re going to save Blue from her worst nightmare. There’s no fucking way I’m going to let that wedding happen.
“Listen up, brothers,” I say, my voice cutting through the noise. “We’re going to that church to my woman. I want to avoid casualties as much as possible, but if anyone tries to stop us from getting her out of there, you have my permission to take them down.”
A chorus of yells rings out as they pledge their allegiance to me. I nod, satisfied with their commitment. “Mount up. We ride out now.”
Minutes later, the cathedral looms before us, an imposing structure filled with stained glass windows and over two centuries of secrets. I dismount my bike and pull my gun from my cut, feeling the cold steel in my hand.
As I stalk up the steps of the cathedral, my spine stiffens. Before entering, I signal for the others to go around to the side and back entrances, ensuring Broussard won’t be able to whisk Blue out of a rear exit.
I slip inside the cathedral. I’m immediately struck by the sheer number of people gathered for this sham of a wedding. Every socially important family in New Orleans is present. Even the mayor is here.
My ears pick up on Blue’s voice reciting marriage vows to Broussard. Her tone sounds dead and devoid of any passion. The pain in her voice cuts deep, making the fire within me burn hotter than ever. She deserves so much more than Broussard could ever give her.
The sight of Blue standing beside Broussard at the altar makes my heart clench and my blood boil. I can’t let this happen to her. I take a deep breath, readying myself for what’s to come. Walking down the aisle, I act as if I have every right to be there.
As I pass each pew, people in the audience gasp and whisper, their shock palpable. I’m not dressed like them. There’s nothing fancy about my jeans and cut. I’m not hiding who I am the way they are. I’m a biker, through and through, and it’s about time everyone found out what happens when you cross me.
“Who’s that?” someone murmurs behind me.
“Jesus, he’s armed,” another voice hisses.
A couple of smarter people get up and leave, knowing better than to stick around for the impending chaos. I know my men will let anyone who isn’t Broussard, Blue, or her father leave, so I’m not worried about them. My focus is on rescuing Blue from this hell she’s been forced into.
As I approach the front, I spot a woman with a small child sitting near the aisle. With a nod toward my gun, I motion for her to get out of the church. Her eyes go wide. She clasps her daughter’s hand tightly before they both run down the aisle and out of harm’s way.
“Wh-what’s the meaning of this interruption?” the priest stammers, halting the ceremony as soon as he realizes what’s happening.
“Blue is being forced to marry Broussard against her will!” I shout, my voice booming through the cathedral. Everyone remaining in the audience gasps, their voices rising in a cacophony of shock and disbelief.
“Vapor, oh my God. What are you doing?” Blue’s eyes dart to her father before shifting to Broussard. Both men are red in the face.
“Ending this. Now.” I snatch the microphone from the priest and address Blue directly, my voice filled with conviction. “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone, Blue.”
She stares back at me, tears pooling in her emerald-green eyes. “Vapor…”
“You’re the only woman for me, and I don’t care what I have to do, but I’m taking you home with me today.” I glare at LeBlanc and Broussard, their faces twisted with rage.
LeBlanc’s polished facade cracks as he spits venom at me. “You’re a criminal! An outlaw! You think you can just come in here and ruin everything?!”
“You’re a dead man, Vapor. Dead!” Broussard snarls, his green eyes cold and calculating.
The priest, trembling like a leaf, tries to intercede. “Gentlemen, please, this is a holy place—”
“Shut up and finish the ceremony!” LeBlanc snaps, cutting him off, but the priest has had enough.
“Enough! The wedding is over!” he shouts before fleeing the cathedral, robes flapping behind him like a bird taking flight.
“Babe, we’re getting out of here.” I take her hand, the warmth of her fingers grounding me as chaos erupts around us.
“No, you’re not!” Broussard pulls a gun, his face contorted with anger.
Everyone still in the cathedral screams and runs for cover. Members of my motorcycle club rush into the church, guns drawn and ready for a fight. But suddenly, men from Los Serpientes de Cristal cartel pop up from the pews, wearing suits so they blended in seamlessly with the other attendees. All hell breaks loose as we exchange gunfire, the deafening sound echoing throughout the cathedral.
“Stay close, Blue,” I tell her, shielding her body with mine as we navigate the war zone that was once a peaceful ceremony. Bullets whiz past us, shattering stained glass windows that rain down colorful shards.
My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline fueling every step as I focus on keeping Blue safe. The only thing that matters now is getting her out of here, away from her father and Broussard. Running isn’t an option. There are too many bullets flying, and we’ll risk being shot if we don’t take cover.
I shove Blue behind the altar. Yanking my gun out of my cut, I feel the reassuring weight in my hand. Broussard fires a shot that whizzes past me, narrowly missing my head. I duck behind the altar, returning fire as LeBlanc scrambles to take cover behind the first row of pews. Broussard joins him, and together they rain bullets down on us.
“We have to get out of here,” Blue whispers, her voice trembling with fear.
“See those curtains off to the right?” I tell her, keeping my eyes fixed on our enemies. “There’s an exit behind them. If you can run fast enough, I’ll keep these bastards occupied.”
Broussard’s voice booms, “If you send Blue over here, Vapor, I won’t kill you!”
“Not a fucking chance! You clearly don’t give a damn if Blue lives or dies,” I yell back. When he shot at me earlier, he didn’t seem to care that she might be caught in the crossfire.
Blue looks at me, desperation etched across her face. “I can’t run in this dress, Vapor.”
“Mind if I ruin it?” I ask, already knowing her answer.
“No,” she says without hesitation.
I set my gun down for a second, gripping the fabric of her dress and tearing it away from the bottom up, giving her legs the freedom to move. She smiles her gratitude and finishes tearing off the useless fabric. I pick up my gun again, ready for action.
“Run, Blue,” I tell her, steadying my aim. “Now!”
Blue takes off running, disappearing behind the curtain as I squeeze the trigger, sending a bullet towards Broussard and LeBlanc. LeBlanc shouts curses, telling Broussard he’s out of ammo. Broussard fires off a couple more shots before his gun clicks empty as well.
I poke my head around the corner to make sure they’re not reloading, and check my own weapon. One shot left. I sprint after Blue, firing my last round as I go. Since I’m running, I miss both Broussard and her father, but it’s enough to keep them at bay for now.
Releasing the spent clip from the mag, I shove another one in as I run. I cock the gun, ready to return fire once we make it outside.
Blue pushes the door open to escape the church, and just as I reach her, someone tackles me from behind. We tumble through the doorway and land hard on the concrete sidewalk, the impact jarring every bone in my body. The gun flies out of my hand, landing somewhere in the bushes.
I scramble to my feet, adrenaline surging through me as I face off against LeBlanc. His eyes are filled with unadulterated hatred. He’d love nothing more than to see me dead, and I feel exactly the same way about him.
“Let’s do this,” I snarl, throwing myself at LeBlanc, fists flying.
Our blows connect with flesh and bone, each hit fueled by animosity and our shared resolve to bring the other down. The sound of gunshots echo from within the church, a reminder that my brothers are still fighting the cartel members.
As we trade savage punches, I remember how much pain this man has brought into my life. He’s used his daughter as a pawn, furthering his criminal enterprise with no regard for her happiness or safety. He killed one of the club girls. He blew up my home. My rage intensifies, lending strength to my next blow which connects squarely with LeBlanc’s jaw.
As we struggle, the door to the church bursts open and Broussard storms out, fury etched on his face. He charges at me, but I manage to land a solid punch to Broussard’s gut before LeBlanc takes the opportunity to slam his fist into my face.
Suddenly, Ice appears beside us, launching himself at LeBlanc, tackling him to the ground. While they roll and fight for supremacy, Broussard lunges at me. I sidestep him and use his momentum against him, tripping him and sending him tumbling across the ground. He growls, leaping to his feet and glaring at me.
“We’re not done. I’m coming for you,” Broussard hollers before turning tail and running toward the parking lot.
“Leave him to me,” Ice growls. He’s standing over LeBlanc, who is struggling to get to his feet.
“Kill Broussard,” I order.
“On it.”
As Ice runs after Broussard, my eyes fix on LeBlanc. He’s gasping for breath and holding onto his waist. Finishing him will be easy. I spot my gun underneath a bush and squat to retrieve it. It’s just out of reach, so I lean in, my fingers struggling to find it while I keep my eyes on LeBlanc.
LeBlanc staggers toward me. My fingers graze steel. I grab my gun, and as I rise, LeBlanc rushes me. A glint of sunlight catches my attention. I realize a second too late that he’s holding a knife. He lunges at me, and before I can react, the cold steel plunges into my chest.
Pain explodes through me. I reflexively squeeze the trigger. LeBlanc crumples to the ground. Blood pours out from the hole in his chest. His glassy eyes roll up to the sky, and that’s the last movement he’ll ever make.
Darkness comes for me. Right before I go under, Blue’s gorgeous face hovers over me. Her lips are moving but I can’t hear anything but the sound of my breaking heart. I always knew I’d be willing to die for her. I just never expected it to happen today.