“Yes. I’ll be fine.” I attempt a reassuring smile, but it falls short. Vapor sees right through it, but he also doesn’t force the issue.
“I’ll get a couple boxes of pastries and wait for you on my bike.”
As Vapor heads to the counter, Lacy grabs my arm and pulls me outside. We walk around the corner of the bakery, finding a semblance of privacy in the small alley beside the store.
“What the hell is going on?” she demands, her voice shaking with unchecked emotion.“Why did you run away? And why are you with this… this filthy criminal biker?”
“He isn’t filthy or a criminal,” I defend him, feeling my own anger rise.“He’s sweet and caring, and he’s a much better man than Broussard could ever be.”
“Father has been looking for you,” Lacy says coldly, completely ignoring everything I just said.“He’s worried sick.”
“I didn’t want to be found,” I reply with a sigh, suddenly feeling exhausted.
“Have you lost your mind?” Her eyes widen in disbelief.“How can a biker possibly compare to a businessman like Broussard?”
“Let me tell you something.” I grit my teeth, frustrated by her ignorance and unwillingness to understand.“Broussard isn’t a businessman. He’s just as much a criminal as any other thug off the street.”
“Oh, Blue, you’re so naive.” Lacy laughs dismissively, rolling her eyes.“All businessmen are ultimately criminals. They exploit their workers and are only out for themselves. That’s how everyone is, deep down. They try to pretend they aren’t, but it’s bullshit.”
“Maybe that’s true of the people Father has introduced us to, but Vapor and his club are different. They do good things, like protect children from abusive families.”
“Law enforcement can do that,” she scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Sometimes cops can’t protect people, for one reason or another,” I argue, my voice cracking slightly.“That’s where the club steps in.”
Lacy doesn’t care. She’s set in her ways, unable to see the good in those who defy convention. Her scornful gaze makes me feel small, but I’m resolute in my choices.
“Father will be furious when he finds out you’ve been hiding out with a bunch of bikers,” she warns.“If you come home with me right now, I’ll do my best to try to calm him down. This is the only chance you have to make things right.”
I look into my sister’s brown eyes, searching for compassion, but find none. My heart aches at the thought of losing what little family I have left, but I know I can’t return to that life. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the consequences of my decision.
“I’m never going back to my old life,” I tell her firmly.“I hope that in time, you’ll understand why I’m choosing to stay with Vapor.”
“You’re a fool.” Her expression hardens.
“No. For the first time in my life, I’m making a choice you don’t agree with. If you really want to help me, then don’t tell Father that you saw me,” I plead.
“There’s no way I’m keeping this to myself. I’m calling Father immediately. I’m not going to let you ruin your life like this.”
“You can’t!” I gasp, my voice cracking under the weight of my newfound anxiety. I can’t even begin to imagine what he will do if he finds out where I’ve been.
“Father hasn’t cancelled the wedding,” Lacy continues, her eyes darting around as if she’s making sure no one is listening.“Everything is still going according to plan, and you can still change your mind.”
“Change my mind?” I scoff, unable to suppress the anger boiling inside me.“I’ll never marry Broussard. Father needs to cancel the wedding.”
“You’re making a huge mistake.” My sister shakes her head, her blonde hair swaying with the motion.“I’m sorry you can’t see what you’re doing to yourself. It’s sad. Really.”
With that, she storms off, leaving me standing there in the shadow of the bakery. I watch as her petite frame disappears down the street, a pang of hurt settling in my chest. Even though Lacy and I have never really seen eye to eye, she’s the only sister I have. By choosing Vapor, I’m cutting the last ties I have to my family.
The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. My family is gone. The only family I have now is the motorcycle club. But are they enough? Leaving behind my bio family is the last thing I ever wanted to do, but maybe it was inevitable.
I lean against the brick wall, trying to steady myself and catch my breath. My heart races as I consider my options. Father is going to lose his mind when he finds out about Vapor and me. He’ll go after the club for sure. How will we survive it? Is Vapor strong enough to stand up to my father and his criminal empire? Once he figures out how ruthless my father can be, will Vapor still think I’m worth the trouble?
I round the corner, my heart heavy with the weight of my conversation with Lacy. Vapor’s sitting on his bike, enjoying a pastry outside La Boulangerie. His raven-black hair shimmers in the sunlight, and my heart swells with love for him. But there’s also a nagging worry in the back of my mind. Will our love cost us too much in the long run?
“Hey,” he says between bites.“How’d it go with your sister?”
“She thinks I should still marry Broussard,” I say with a sigh.
