Page 59 of Tempest

My mind immediately went to Kasen, her face flashing before my eyes. I pushed the image away, forcing myself to focus.

“What about here?” I asked, pointing to a winding road leading out of town.

Viking shook his head. “Too exposed. We’d be sitting ducks if they caught wind of us.”

I cursed under my breath. “All right, what’s our best option for getting Kasen and her sisters out?”

Viking’s eyebrow quirked up slightly, but he didn’t comment on my specific concern. Smart man.

“This route,” he said, tracing a line with his finger. “It’s longer, but there are multiple turnoffs, good cover. We can have decoys ready if needed. As you requested, there’s an armored vehicle waiting for them and Emmie.”

I studied the map, picturing the terrain. “It’ll work. But we need a fallback. If things go to shit, I want options.”

Viking nodded, his face grim. “Always. I’ve got three alternate routes planned. We’re not leaving anything to chance. You sure about the place you’re sending them?”

I grunted. Not entirely, but it was better to get them all far from the club, and any other clubs. Which meant I’d have to fall back on someone I’d known my entire life. Joel Drewry had made a name for himself as one of the top assassins in the world. In fact, his kill count was higher than Casper VanHorne’s and Specter’s. Possibly combined. If anyone could keep them safe, it would be him.

I clapped Viking on the shoulder, feeling the solid muscle beneath my hand. “Good work, brother. Now let’s make sure everyone knows their part.”

I strode across the clubhouse, my boots echoing on the hardwood. The weight of responsibility pressed down on me, but I stood tall, shoulders back. This was my job now. Sergeant-at-Arms. Protector.

“Wire! Sticks!” I barked, my voice cutting through the din. “Kitchen. Now.”

They snapped to attention, following me without question. Good men. Loyal. I’d need that loyalty in the hours to come.

We crowded into the room. I spread the map on the table, my fingers tracing the routes Viking and I had discussed.

“Listen up,” I growled, my eyes boring into each of them. “We’ve got a storm coming. And we need to be ready.”

Wire leaned forward, his tech-savvy brain already whirring. “What’s the plan, Tempest?”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “Two buses. Tinted windows. We’re getting our families out if things go south. Wire, I need you on comms. Every vehicle needs to be synced and secure. They’re stashed out behind the compound. Hopefully, the cartel hasn’t noticed them, or connected them to us if they did see them.”

He nodded, fingers already twitching as if typing on an invisible keyboard. “I’m on it. I’ll have a closed network up within the hour.”

“Sticks.” I turned to our drummer, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced with fierce determination. “You’re on escort duty. Your bike’s the quietest. You’ll lead the convoy if we need to move.”

“You got it, brother,” Sticks replied, his voice low and serious.

I leaned in, my voice dropping to a near-whisper. “We’ve got enemies closing in, and I’ll be damned if they touch our people. Understood?”

They nodded, the gravity of the situation evident in their tense postures.

“Good. Now let’s move. We’ve got work to do.”

As they filed out, my mind drifted to Kasen again. Her smile. Her laugh. If I had to send her away, I could only hope I’d still be alive when the dust settled so I could go get her. But if anything happened to me and Tank, Joel had his orders.

I pushed the thoughts aside. I had to focus. Had to keep her safe.

Keep them all safe.

* * *

The room crackled with tension as my brothers absorbed the plan. Hammer cracked his knuckles, a grim smile playing on his scarred face. “About damn time we took the fight to them. I owe those bastards for what they did to my son.”

His words were a reminder that Sam was still out of commission. For now, he was holed up in his house. I could only hope he’d be safe there.

Saint, the voice of caution, spoke up. “It’s risky, Tempest.”

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