Page 61 of Tempest

Kasen’s eyes flashed. “I know my job, Tempest. We’ve got this.”

I felt a surge of pride mixed with fear. She was strong, capable. But the thought of her in danger made me want to tear the world apart.

“I know you do,” I said, softer this time. Our eyes met, and for a moment, everything else faded away. I saw the worry she was trying to hide, the strength she was determined to show. Without thinking, I reached out and squeezed her hand. “Be safe.”

She squeezed back, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You too.”

Reluctantly, I turned and walked off. The air crackled with tension, every face set in grim determination. Savior stood at the center of the room, his presence commanding attention without a word.

I took my place beside him, surveying our assembled force. Dixie Reapers, Devil’s Boneyard, Twisted Tides, Hades Abyss, Devil’s Fury -- all united, ready to face whatever came our way.

“Brothers.” Savior’s voice cut through the noise. “The storm’s coming. But we’re ready for it, and this time, we’re going to get ahead of it.”

A chorus of agreement rumbled through the room. I felt it in my bones, this collective resolve. I only hoped we weren’t lying to ourselves and we really were ready for anything. We were more than a club. We were family. And God help anyone who tried to fuck with us.

Chapter Eighteen

Kasen

A deafening roar shattered the quiet evening, the thunderous rumble of motorcycles growing louder as they approached. I stood outside the clubhouse, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and trepidation. The air filled with the acrid scent of gasoline and burning rubber as the Dixie Reapers and their allies rolled in, a sea of leather and chrome.

Tempest’s bike led the pack, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him. He dismounted with fluid grace, his muscled frame commanding attention. My breath caught in my throat as he exchanged nods with the other riders, their silent acknowledgment heavy with the weight of the impending battle.

I hung back, watching as leather-clad men clasped hands and embraced, their gruff voices a low rumble beneath the dying engines. My father, Tank, caught my eye and gave me a subtle nod. I returned it, swallowing hard.

“Quite a sight, isn’t it?” Emmie, my mom, appeared beside me.

“Yeah,” I murmured, my gaze drifting back to Tempest. He was deep in conversation with Preacher, their expressions grim.

The clubhouse doors swung open, and the bikers began to file inside. I followed, the sudden quiet almost deafening after the roar of engines.

Inside, the atmosphere crackled with energy. Laughter erupted from a corner where Wraith was regaling a group with some outrageous tale. The clinking of glasses and the sharpcrackof pool balls punctuated the air.

I made my way to the bar, snagging a soda. My sisters were already there, huddled together and whispering. They waved me over, but I shook my head. My eyes were drawn, as always, to Tempest.

He stood with a group of senior members, his presence magnetic. I wondered, not for the first time, how I’d been so lucky to snag a man like him.

“Earth to Kasen.” Owen’s voice broke through my thoughts. He nudged me with his elbow. “You’re staring again.”

I felt heat rush to my cheeks. “Shut up,” I muttered, taking a long sip of my drink.

Owen chuckled. “I’m glad the two of you finally figured things out.”

I tuned him out, but I had to admit he had a point. If Tempest hadn’t kissed me that day, hadn’t been watching me, would we be together right now? Probably not. I’d been too chicken to make the first move. Okay, so I’d sort of made a move. At least, to me I had. I wasn’t sure how Tempest saw it. I knew he’d had women throw themselves at him over the years. Before the club tossed out all the whores and locked the compound down, except for people Wire and Lavender vetted. Compared to those women, I’d probably been like an awkward teen.

The laughter and chatter around us seemed to swell, a defiant roar against the danger that loomed on the horizon. I let the noise wash over me, trying to lose myself in the moment, but my eyes kept finding their way back to Tempest.

As if sensing my gaze, Tempest’s eyes locked with mine. My breath caught in my throat. He moved toward me with purpose, his stride eating up the distance between us. Before I could process what was happening, his arm was around my shoulders, pulling me close.

“Let’s give them something to talk about,” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear.

My heart hammered as we walked into the center of the room together. Conversations stuttered to a halt, all eyes turning to us. Tempest’s arm, heavy and warm across my shoulders, felt like a brand. A declaration.

“I think we can all agree it’s amazing our Sergeant-at-Arms got his head out of his ass,” Preacher’s voice boomed.

Laughter rippled through the crowd. I felt my cheeks burn, but Tempest’s grip only tightened.

“I’d started to think they were a lost cause,” someone called out.

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