Page 64 of Tempest

“Never thought I’d have this,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion.

I looked up, meeting his intense gaze. “Have what?”

“You. This.” His fingers flexed against my skin. “A Goddamn future worth fighting for.”

“We’re going to make it through this, Tempest. Together.”

He nodded, jaw tight. I could feel the tension radiating off him, the barely contained rage that always simmered beneath the surface. But when he looked at me, his eyes softened.

“I love you, Kasen,” he said, the words fierce and low. “Whatever happens tomorrow --”

I silenced him with a kiss. “Don’t. We have tonight.”

As we danced, I noticed the mood in the room shifting. Laughter died down, replaced by hushed conversations. Couples clung to each other a little tighter. Children, yawning, were ushered toward the exit.

Dad caught my eye from across the room. He jerked his chin toward the door, a silent command. It was time. Somehow, he knew exactly what I needed right now, and he was making sure I had it.

Tempest noticed too. His arm tightened around me possessively. “Ready to go home, wife?”

The word sent a shiver down my spine. “Lead the way, husband.”

I slipped my hand into Tempest’s, our fingers intertwining as we stepped outside. The cool night air hit my flushed skin, a stark contrast to the stuffy warmth of the clubhouse.

The parking lot was nearly empty now, most of our family and friends having already left. The roar of engines had faded to an eerie silence, broken only by the chirp of crickets and our soft footsteps on gravel.

We walked a short distance, coming to a stop at the edge of the lot. I tilted my head back, taking in the vast expanse of stars above us. They seemed impossibly bright tonight, as if the universe itself was bearing witness to our union.

Tempest’s grip on my hand tightened. I glanced up at him, struck by the play of moonlight across his features. He scanned the dark outside the compound as if searching for unseen enemies.

“What are you thinking?” I asked softly.

He exhaled sharply. “That I should be focusing on strategy, on keeping everyone safe tomorrow.” His gaze dropped to mine, intense and conflicted. “Instead, all I can think about is you.”

My heart raced. “Is that such a bad thing?”

“It’s fucking terrifying.” He pulled me closer. “I’ve never had so much to lose.”

I pressed my palm against his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heartbeat. “You’re not going to lose me, Tempest. We’re in this together, remember?”

He cupped my face in his large hands. “Promise me something, Kasen.”

“Anything,” I whispered.

“If things go sideways tomorrow… you follow instructions and get your ass to the back of the compound. I have a vehicle waiting to get you, your sisters, and your mom the hell out of here. No matter what happens, you get to that vehicle. Understand?”

I opened my mouth to argue, but the raw fear in his eyes stopped me. Instead, I nodded, knowing it was a lie even as I spoke. There was no way in hell I’d leave him behind. “I promise.”

Chapter Nineteen

Tempest

The roar of motorcycles faded as we approached the cartel’s hideout, slowing our pace. Once we stopped, the silence that followed was thick with tension. I raised my fist, signaling my team to wait. My heart pounded, a steady drumbeat of anticipation.

“Eyes sharp,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “One wrong move, and we’re fucked.”

The rough side of town stretched before us, a maze of dilapidated buildings and shadowy alleys. Perfect for an ambush. I scanned our surroundings, every muscle coiled tight, ready to spring into action. Once we’d informed Chief Daniels the cartel was lurking here and out for blood, he’d guaranteed we’d have the time we needed to clean this up. Without worrying about the involvement of the local law. Sometimes it was good to have a police chief who had family in a club.

The cul-de-sac loomed ahead, a hive of criminal activity. From what we’d discovered, they’d taken over all four houses. I just hoped like fuck our intel was correct. I didn’t need any damn surprises. My jaw tightened as I spotted the first line of cartel guards, their weapons glinting in the dim streetlights.

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