Page 51 of Tempest

Bull and Rocky moved like a well-oiled machine, Rocky’s military training kicking in instantly. They dove behind an overturned truck, using it as cover.

“Rocky, lay down suppressing fire!” Bull bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos. “I’ll flank left!”

Rocky nodded, his face a mask of concentration. He popped up, firing in controlled bursts, forcing the cartel members to duck.

I watched in awe as Bull used the distraction to sprint to a better position, his bulk moving with surprising agility despite his age. He signaled to Rocky, who immediately shifted his fire.

“Tempest!” Bull’s voice said in my earpiece. “We need to regroup! Rally point at the abandoned gas station!”

I was about to respond when a heart-stopping scream pierced the air.

“Sam!” Rocky’s voice was filled with panic. “Sam’s down!”

My blood ran cold. Sam, the Prospect -- Hammer’s son. Thunder’s father-in-law. He was caught in the open, blood blossoming on his chest.

Bull’s face hardened. “Cover me!” he roared, already moving.

Rocky laid down a blistering barrage of gunfire as Bull charged toward Sam, bullets kicking up dirt at his feet.

My heart was in my throat as Bull reached Sam, dragging him behind a concrete barrier.

“He’s hit bad, Tempest!” Bull’s voice was strained. “We need evac, now!”

Rocky was already moving, his movements precise despite the urgency. “Use his belt as a tourniquet,” he called out. “I’ll keep them off us!”

My brothers needed me, no matter what Savior had said about me remaining behind. I ran for my bike, knowing if I didn’t get there soon, we could lose good men. I wasn’t the only one who’d been listening. Hopefully, someone would coordinate a rescue. Right now, I needed to get there and do what I could.

I gunned the engine of my Harley, pushing it to its limits as I raced toward the ambush site. The wind whipped past my face, but it couldn’t drown out the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. I was too late. Too fucking late.

As I skidded to a stop, the scene before me made my stomach churn. Bodies lay scattered across the asphalt, both cartel and Reapers. The acrid smell of gunpowder hung in the air, mixing with the metallic scent of blood.

“Tempest!” Bull’s voice was strained as he waved me over. “We need you here, now!”

I sprinted toward him, my eyes scanning the carnage. Sam lay motionless on the ground, Rocky working furiously to stem the bleeding.

Guilt crashed over me like a wave. I should have been here. Should have seen this coming. Rage built in my chest. “How bad?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Bull’s eyes met mine, grim determination etched on his face. “Bad. But we’re not losing him. Not today. Where’s everyone else? You brought help, right?”

I pushed down the anger threatening to consume me. There’d be time for vengeance later. Right now, my brothers needed me. “It’s just me right now.”

“Jesus,” Bull muttered. “If we can’t get the fuck out of here, we’re all dead. What were you thinking?”

“That this was my fucking fault and I needed to get here as fast as I could. Now, what do you need?” I asked, already reaching for my phone to call for backup. If our brothers weren’t already on their way here, they would be as soon as I made the call. Now that I was here, I could see just how bad the situation was.

As we worked to stabilize Sam and secure the area, I couldn’t shake the weight settling on my shoulders. This was on me. As Sergeant-at-Arms, I should have anticipated this. The cartel would pay, I’d make damn sure of that. But first, we had to get our people home.

The ride back to the clubhouse was somber, our usual rowdy convoy replaced by a grim procession. Sam’s limp form was cradled in the back of Bull’s SUV, Rocky keeping pressure on his wounds. We’d had to leave the other vehicle behind, but I’d get it later.

As we pulled into the lot, I saw the fear and anger on the faces of our waiting brothers. Savior stepped forward, his usual stoic expression cracking as he took in the scene.

“How many?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

“Three wounded, including Sam. He got hit the worst,” I reported, the words tasting like ash in my mouth. “Two… two didn’t make it. Gears and Bats.”

A collective growl rose from the gathered Reapers. I felt it in my chest, matching the fury building inside me.

“Get the wounded to the infirmary,” Savior ordered, his eyes meeting mine. “Tempest, my office. Now.”

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