Page 46 of Tempest

We pulled up to the familiar two-story house, its weathered siding a testament to years of family life. My chest tightened. This had been my sanctuary, my prison, my whole world for so long. Now, it was just… a house.

Tempest cut the engine, the sudden silence deafening. He turned to me, his eyes searching my face. “You okay?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. He squeezed my hand, a gesture of silent support.

Inside, the house was quiet. Mom must be out. Good. I wasn’t ready for another emotional confrontation just yet.

My room wasn’t what you’d expect of a twenty-five-year-old woman. Posters of bands I’d outgrown years ago covered the walls. Stuffed animals I couldn’t bear to part with were in a corner. A life frozen in time. It hadn’t mattered to me before, but now I wondered what Tempest thought of this juvenile space.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching as I moved around the room. His presence filled the room, making everything else seem small and insignificant.

I grabbed a duffel bag from my closet and started throwing clothes in haphazardly. My hands were shaking. This was really happening.

“Kasen.” Tempest’s voice was low, intense. I turned to find him right behind me, his eyes dark with emotion. “We don’t have to do this now. If you need more time --”

I silenced him with a kiss, fierce and desperate. When we broke apart, both breathing hard, I met his gaze steadily. “I’ve waited long enough. I’m ready.”

A slow smile spread across his face, predatory and full of promise. “Then let’s get you home, darlin’.”

He helped me finish packing the necessities with a promise we’d come back for everything else. As we walked out, my bag slung over Tempest’s shoulder, I paused in the hallway. Family photos lined the walls. Me and my sisters as kids, gap-toothed grins and skinned knees. Mom and Dad when they first got together, young and hopeful. Well, Dad was young-er.

I touched one frame gently. My high school graduation. Dad’s arm around me, pride shining in his eyes. Even though my sisters had graduated the same day, my parents had insisted we take individual pictures as well as group ones.

The ride to Tempest’s place -- our place now -- was a blur. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, a fitting backdrop for the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

As we pulled up to the small house, my heart raced. This was it. My new life was beginning, whether I was ready or not.

Chapter Fourteen

Tempest

The phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me out of a dreamless sleep. I snatched it up, adrenaline already coursing through my veins. Wire’s voice came through the speaker, tight with tension.

“Tempest, we’ve got trouble. Tiger from Twisted Tides just called. Their compound was hit. Hard. They think the cartel’s coming for us next.”

“Fuck. Get to the clubhouse. Now.” I hung up, fingers flying over the keys as I fired off a text to Savior:Need to call Church. ASAP.

Kasen stirred beside me, her sleepy eyes filled with concern. “What’s wrong?”

I swallowed hard, tamping down the urge to pull her close and never let go. “Club business. I need you to stay here. Don’t leave for any reason, got it?”

She nodded, fear flickering across her face. I hated seeing it there, knowing I was the cause.

The night air hit me like a slap as I strode out to my bike. The engine roared to life, a familiar comfort as I tore out of the driveway. My mind raced faster than the speedometer. How the hell had the cartel found us? And more importantly, how were we going to stop them?

The clubhouse loomed ahead, a beacon in the darkness. I barely remembered to kick down the stand before I was off the bike and striding inside. The air in Church was thick with tension and cigarette smoke. Savior’s eyes met mine, hard as flint. Viking leaned against the wall, arms crossed, while Saint paced like a caged animal.

Prophet and Royal burst in behind me, followed by the rest of our brothers. The door slammed shut with a finality that sent a chill down my spine.

Savior’s voice cut through the silence. “All right, Tempest. What the fuck is going on?”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the shitstorm that was about to rain down. “We’ve got cartel trouble headed our way. And it’s my fault.”

Before I could elaborate, the door swung open again. Wire strode in, his face grim, a tablet clutched in his hand like a lifeline. The room fell silent, all eyes locked on him.

I stopped my restless pacing, every muscle in my body coiled tight. Wire’s eyes met mine for a split second, and I saw the gravity of the situation reflected there.

“What’ve you got?” I asked, my voice low and tense.

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