Page 48 of Tempest

Wire nodded, his fingers flying over his tablet. “The cartel’s moving fast. I’ve been tracking their transactions the last half hour, and they’re definitely coming our way. We need to lock this place down tight.”

I felt the familiar surge of adrenaline, my body shifting into battle mode. “We’ll need to fortify the perimeter,” I said, my mind racing through potential weak points. “Set up surveillance on all access roads.”

Prophet leaned forward, his face grim. “I’ve got contacts who can get us extra firepower. We’re gonna need it.”

Savior’s eyes narrowed, his expression hard. “Good. Wire, I want eyes on every inch of this compound. Tempest, you and Prophet coordinate our defenses. I’ll text everyone their assignments. As of now, we’re on full lockdown.”

The room buzzed with tightly controlled energy as we hammered out the details. My blood hummed with a mixture of anticipation and dread. This was what I was built for, but the stakes had never been higher.

As the meeting broke up, I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder. I turned to find Tank’s eyes boring into mine, his anger barely contained. “We’re not done,” he growled. “I want the full story. Now.”

I nodded, my throat tight. This wasn’t going to be pretty.

I took a deep breath, meeting Tank’s steely gaze. The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.

“It happened fast,” I began, my voice low and controlled. “Kasen left the beach house at night while I was asleep. I woke to a scream and found her gone.”

Tank’s massive frame vibrating with barely contained fury. I pressed on, the words spilling out. “I saw her on a small boat, men holding her. She was fighting, but --” I swallowed hard, the memory searing through me. “Wire tracked her location. Got me in touch with the Twisted Tides in Miami.”

Tank’s eyes narrowed. “And you didn’t think to call me?”

“There wasn’t time,” I shot back, feeling my own anger rising. “Every second counted. I chartered a plane, flew to Miami, and met the Twisted Tides. Their President, VP, and SAA joined me on the rescue.”

I could see Tank processing, his enforcer’s mind piecing together the tactical details. “We boarded the cartel’s boat,” I continued. “Got Kasen and the other women out. I wanted to blow the whole thing, but --”

“But what?” Tank growled.

“For one, it wasn’t our territory. The Twisted Tides didn’t seem interested in killing those men, so I followed their lead. It also could have caused more problems down the line. We got them out clean, no bodies left behind. I have no idea how or if the Coast Guard or anyone else patrols those waters. I didn’t need the law breathing down our necks if they managed to piece things together. We left the men alive but knocked out and bound. I guess the cartel went looking when they didn’t show up in Cuba with a shipment.”

Tank’s fist slammed down on the table, making me flinch. “You should’ve told me the second she was safe!”

I met his gaze, unflinching. “You’re right. I fucked up. But sheissafe, and now we’ve got a bigger fight on our hands.”

Tank’s eyes blazed with a fury I’d rarely seen, even during our most intense club fights. He leaned in close, his breath hot on my face. “Listen here, Tempest,” he snarled, jabbing a meaty finger into my chest. “If you ever hide shit like that from me again, if my daughter is in danger and no one tells me, heads will fucking roll. Starting with yours.”

I stood my ground, though every instinct screamed to back away. “Understood,” I said, my voice low and tight.

Tank held my gaze for a long moment, then stepped back. The tension in the room was suffocating. Without another word, I turned and strode out of Church, my boots echoing on the hardwood.

The cool night air hit me as I stepped outside, and I sucked in a deep breath. My mind raced, replaying the events of the past week or so. I’d fucked up, no question. Should’ve told the club the second Kasen was safe. But what was done was done.

Now, we had bigger problems. Somehow the cartel knew the Dixie Reapers were involved and they were coming. I lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply as I scanned the compound. We needed to fortify, fast. But more importantly, we needed to figure out how the hell the cartel had connected the dots.

I crushed out my cigarette and headed for my bike. The compound was already buzzing with activity as brothers rushed to secure our defenses. I revved the engine, tearing out onto the dark road.

My mind raced. How had the cartel traced us? The Twisted Tides compound hit first meant they’d followed that lead. But how?

I pulled up to my house, killing the engine. The house was dark, silent. My heart rate spiked. I drew my gun, approaching cautiously.

The door was locked. Good sign. I used my key, easing inside. “Kasen?” I called softly.

No answer. Panic clawed at my throat as I cleared each room. Empty. What the fuck? Right when I was about to call in reinforcements, I saw a note on the fridge.

Went to see my mom.

Son of a bitch! I’d told her to stay put. I stalked my way through the house and back out to my bike. Time to bring my woman home, then spank her ass until she couldn’t sit down. She was about to learn when I said to do something, she’d better damn well do it. Especially when it was to keep her safe.

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