Page 55 of Vapor

“To escape.”

“I thought you could come and go as you pleased.”

“That’s how it’s always been, until tonight. He found out about you.” Tears brim in her eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“The other night, when I snuck back in, I ran into our housekeeper, Pauline. I tried telling her I’d gone out for tampons, but she didn’t believe me. I should have known she would rat me out.” Blue walks past me to perch on the edge of the bed.“She’s fucking my father.”

“Where’s your mother?” I ask.

“Europe, on one of her endless vacations. She probably knows, but she doesn’t care.”

“Why not?”

“Money. Some women only care about money. My sister’s like that too.”

“That’s not really surprising considering she married the biggest drug lord in NOLA.”

“My dad arranged it. But Lacy, my sister, didn’t mind. She says as long as she has access to Xavier’s money, she’s happily married.”

“That’s cold.”

“He’s fucking around on her too. No one seems to be faithful to anyone anymore.”

“Maybe in your world.”

“Are you really that different? I just chased a woman out of your bed.”

“You have to believe me when I say, I didn’t invite her in. Jolene and I did mess around in the past, but I told her to leave me alone. I figured she’d latch on to someone else, but she’s obsessed with me for some reason.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re the president of the club.”

“Maybe.” I shrug.“Doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in her anymore.”

“Why not?”

“Because I met you.”

We both go silent, staring at each other without saying a word. Finally, she looks away.

“My father knows about you, but he doesn’t know that we’re… friendly.”

“Okay.” I’m not sure where she’s going with this, butfriendlyisn’t the word I’d use if I had to describe our relationship.

“He took my phone and assigned two men to watch me. Guard me.”

“Didn’t you already have a security detail?”

“Yes, but not like this. These guys were my new wardens. My father told me I couldn’t leave the house without them and that I couldn’t have my phone back until after the wedding. He was imprisoning me. But that’s not why I ran…”

“He hit you,” I say through gritted teeth, clenching my fists. If he was here right now, I’d beat the shit out of him.

“He’s never been violent before,” she says softly, as if she’s still in shock.

“You’re not going back there.” I walk to where she’s sitting and get down on my knees in front of her. Grasping her trembling hands in mine, I hold them close to my heart.“Stay here with me until we can figure out how to deal with him. You’re not marrying Broussard and you’re not going home. Stay.”

“What about Jolene?” She glances at the door.