Page 53 of Vapor

My eyes roam over his features, searching for the man I thought I knew—slicked-back hair now a tousled mess, sharp blue eyes hidden beneath closed lids, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm that speaks of deep, oblivious sleep. I hate to think about what she might have done to give him so much peace.

I take a step back, my mission forgotten as the weight of what I’ve done settles in. I invaded his private space, uninvited, unannounced, driven by my own tumultuous emotions. And now, here I stand, caught between indignation and the raw need to feel safe—to find solace in someone who understands the darkness of this city. But he’s not mine. He never was.

As I turn to leave, he stirs, bolting upright and reaching for a gun on the nightstand. The deadly weapon is in his hand, pointed directly at me before I can take my next breath.

“Vapor, it’s me!” My voice cracks through the tension like a whip.

His eyes snap open, locking onto mine, confusion giving way to clarity—and then, to a dawning realization.

“Blue?” His voice is rough, sleep-slurred, but there’s an edge to it, a protective ferocity that wasn’t there before.“What the hell?”

Chapter 13: Vapor

My initial shock fades as I flick on a lamp and take in her disheveled appearance. Scratches form bloody tracks up and down her arms. A large red mark mars one side of her face and mascara trails down her cheeks as if she’s been crying. I want to murder whoever did this to her.

“I’m sorry. I needed to see you, but you’re clearly busy. I’ll leave.” Her voice is laden with vulnerability and pain.

When her gaze drifts to the space beside me, I glance down to find one of the club sluts in my bed. Even face down, I recognize Jolene. God dammit!

“Wake the fuck up!” I shake her.

“Hey, baby.”

Jolene reaches for me, but I brush her hands away.“Get your shit and get out.”

“I just wanted to have some fun,” she whines.

Blue glances from me to her and back before frowning. I can’t even begin to imagine what she’s thinking, but whatever it is, it’s wrong.

“I should go,” Blue says, heading toward the door.

“No!” I bark.“You stay. She goes.”

“Who the fuck is that bitch?” Jolene asks, getting to her feet. She does nothing to cover her naked ass. The girl has absolutely no shame, which was appealing in the past, but not anymore.

“None of your fucking business. What the hell are you doing in my room?” I demand.“I told you to stay the fuck out of here.”

Blue cocks her head, studying us without saying a word.

“Isshewhy you’re not fucking me in the ass anymore?” Jolene asks, bending over to grab her tiny crop top off the floor. She knows she just gave me a great view of her butt, but that’s the last thing I want to see.

“Get your shit and get the fuck out,” I growl.

“You’re an asshole,” Jolene snaps, grabbing her shorts off the floor.“I don’t know why I ever let you fuck me.”

She stomps out, slamming the door behind her, leaving me alone with Blue. Tension fills the air. Blue must think I’m the biggest prick in the world.

“It’s not how it looks,” I say, running my hand through my hair.

“You don’t owe me an explanation.” She drops her gaze to the carpet, refusing to meet my eyes.

“She snuck in here after I feel asleep.”

“Does she do that often?”

“Not anymore.”

“But she used to?” Blue lifts her chin and skewers me with a scathing look.