Page 50 of Tempest

Tempest

The clubhouse reeked of sweat and tension. Savior’s steely gaze swept the room, “We need volunteers for a supply run. Stock up before we’re cut off completely. I don’t want anyone leaving the compound after this, not until we know the cartel has been dealt with.”

I’d brought this trouble here, all because I hadn’t thought to warn Kasen to be careful while we were at the beach. If I’d been more alert, had heard her leave the house, then maybe we could have avoided all of this.

“We don’t know where the cartel is right now, so there’s a chance those who volunteer could be in danger. Don’t take this lightly,” Savior said.

Bull stepped forward first, his massive frame casting a shadow. “I’m in.”

Rocky was right behind him, military precision in every movement. “Count me in too, Pres.”

Pride and fear warred in my chest. These were my brothers, ready to put their lives on the line. Again. They were also some of our older members, which meant they’d been to hell and back again for this club more times than I could count. Both had been members before I’d even been a Prospect.

“Good men.” Savior nodded. “We’ll need at least four more. Safety in numbers.”

I opened my mouth to volunteer, but Savior’s sharp look silenced me. Right. As Sergeant-at-Arms, I had to stay behind. Protect the clubhouse. My jaw clamped so hard it ached.

Bull’s hand clapped Rocky’s shoulder. “Just like old times, eh, Marine? If you wanted an adrenaline rush, this might be your chance.”

Rocky’s lips twitched. “As long as there’s less sand in uncomfortable places.”

Sam, one of our Prospects, and Thunder’s father-in-law raised his hand. “I’ll go.”

A ripple of laughter broke the tension. For a moment.

“Whoever else plans to go, let Bull or Rocky know. Load up and roll out in twenty,” Savior ordered. “The rest of you, lockdown procedures. No one in or out without my say-so.”

As the room erupted into motion, I caught Bull’s eye. A silent nod passed between us.Stay safe, brother. Come back to us.

I turned away, throat tight. Time to do my job. Keep everyone safe. Even if it killed me to watch my brothers ride into danger without me.

Exactly twenty minutes later, the roar of engines filled the air as our convoy thundered down the highway. Wire had decided to keep watch using a drone, so we’d know if trouble came their way. Rocky and Bull had taken two of the club SUVs for hauling back everything we’d need. The other two were on their bikes, leading the way.

Thanks to Wire’s tech, I was able to keep in contact with Rocky and Bull.

“Eyes sharp,” I said into the comms. “Anything looks off, you get the hell out of there.”

Bull’s gruff voice crackled back. “Roger that, Tempest.”

I scanned the roadside, the overpasses, every potential ambush point. It all seemed a little too peaceful. Too… quiet. They hadn’t passed another vehicle, which was beyond strange.

“Tempest,” Rocky’s tense voice came through. “Three o’clock. Black SUV.”

Wire found it easily and I could see it on the computer screen. The SUV was pacing them, tinted windows hiding its occupants.

“Hold steady,” I ordered, mind racing. “Could be noth --”

The world exploded.

Gunfire erupted from all sides. The SUV swerved, men with assault rifles leaning out the windows. More appeared from behind the brush and trees lining the highway.

“Ambush!” I roared. “Evasive maneuvers!”

I caught glimpses of my brothers scrambling for cover, returning fire. My heart pounded, adrenaline surging. They were outnumbered, outgunned. But they wouldn’t go down easy.

“Form up!” I shouted. “Don’t let them flank you!”

There was no way they could get out of there right now. Not without fighting back. They’d set a trap, and my brothers had walked right into it.

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