Page 13

Kasen

The rumble of the bike echoed off the clubhouse as Tempest and I rolled to a stop. My heart hammered against my ribs. This was it. No turning back now.

I swung my leg over the seat, boots hitting gravel. Curious eyes peered from shadowy corners of the lot. Wary glances darted our way. Yeah, I’d known we were screwed before we got here. This only proved it.

Tempest’s hand found the small of my back as we approached the entrance. His touch steadied me, but my palms were slick with sweat. My dad would be furious. I just wasn’t entirely sure which of us he’d be the most angry with.

The heavy door groaned as we stepped inside. Conversation died instantly. Dozens of eyes locked onto us.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath.

His body coiled tight, ready to spring into action if needed. Although, he’d promised he wouldn’t hurt my dad.

A sea of leather-clad bodies parted. My father’s imposing figure cut through the crowd like the prow of a ship. Tank. The ex-Sergeant-at-Arms. And despite his age, he hadn’t lost much muscle mass. I knew he was still really damn strong. His presence filled the room, commanding and undeniable.

My throat went dry. “Dad, I --”

He raised a hand, silencing me. His eyes, hard as steel, bored into Tempest. Okay. So he was furious with the man beside me, and not his precious daughter. Part of me felt relieved, but I was suddenly much more worried about Tempest than I’d been before.

The room held its breath. You could hear a pin drop.

Tempest’s fingers twitched at his side. I knew he was fighting the urge to reach for me, to shield me from whatever storm was brewing. Except my dad would never hurt me. Yell? You bet. But he’d never so much as spanked me or my sisters. Although, he’d probably been tempted a few times to throttle us in our younger years.

Dad’s gaze swept over us both. His face was an unreadable mask, but I caught a flicker of… something. Pain? Disappointment? Whatever it was, it vanished in an instant, replaced by the stern countenance I knew all too well. “You two,” he said, his voice little more than a growl, “have some explaining to do.” His gaze locked onto Tempest, a storm of emotions swirling within them. “Where the hell have you been? Any why the fuck did you think it was okay to take my daughter with you and not say a Goddamn word to me?” he demanded.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I wanted to speak, to explain, but the words caught in my throat. Not to mention, it was clear he didn’t want the explanation from me. No, he wanted to hear from the man who’d stolen his little girl and run off for almost a week.

Tempest stepped forward, his shoulders squared. He met my father’s gaze with unwavering resolve. “We needed space to figure things out.” The tension in the room was suffocating.

“Figure what out?” Dad pressed, his voice dangerously low.

Tempest’s jaw tightened. I could see the struggle within him, the battle between respect for my father and his own fierce emotions. “My feelings for Kasen,” Tempest finally said, his voice steady despite the intensity burning in his eyes. Except, I knew he was covering for me. He’d clearly already known how he felt. I was the one who couldn’t make a decision. “They run deep, Tank. Deeper than I ever thought possible.”

A collective intake of breath swept through the room. I felt dizzy, caught between pride in Tempest’s boldness and terror at my father’s reaction.

Dad’s eyes narrowed, flicking between Tempest and me. “And you couldn’t have talked to me first? You didn’t think I should know you planned to make a move on my daughter?”

“Would you have listened?” I found myself asking, surprising even myself with my sudden courage. “Because anytime I’ve tried to talk to you about dating anyone, you shut me down. You always said you wanted us to be happy, but then your actions don’t always match your words. I know you worry about us, Dad, but we’re all grown up now. Besides, you didn’t seem to have an issue with other guys I dated. I knew there was one difference… they were safe. Boring.”

The following silence was deafening. I held my breath, waiting for the explosion. But instead, I saw something unexpected flicker across my father’s face. Was it… understanding?

It vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Dad’s face contorted with rage. Before I could react, he lunged forward, his fist connecting with Tempest’s jaw in a sickening thud . I gasped, my heart leaping into my throat. But Tempest didn’t move. He absorbed the blow, his feet planted firmly on the ground. His eyes never left my father’s face, his stance unyielding.

Blood trickled from the corner of Tempest’s mouth, but he made no move to wipe it away. The room fell deadly silent.

I couldn’t stand it anymore. My legs propelled me forward before my brain could catch up. I planted myself between them, my back to Tempest, facing my father’s thunderous expression. “Dad, stop!” I pleaded, my voice steadier than I felt. “I love him.”

Dad’s eyes widened, shock momentarily replacing his anger. I pressed on, my words tumbling out in a rush. “I’ve loved Tempest for years. This isn’t some fleeting crush or rebellion. He’s everything to me. I just… never felt like I was the right woman to stand beside him. Until he made me see I was stronger than I thought.” Although, my dad would likely disagree once he heard I’d been kidnapped and nearly taken to Cuba.

I felt Tempest’s hand on my shoulder, a gentle squeeze of support. I reached up, intertwining my fingers with his.

“Please,” I whispered, my eyes locked on my father’s. “Try to understand. I didn’t say anything before because I was worried how you’d react, and… I thought I might disappoint you. But I can’t live at home forever. Neither can Westlyn or Harlow. We’re all grown up now, Dad. It’s time to let us be adults and stop trying to shelter us like we’re still little girls.”

Dad’s face was a battlefield of emotions as he processed my words. His eyes darted between Tempest and me.

I felt Tempest shift behind me, his hand leaving my shoulder. He stepped forward, not quite beside me, but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off his body.

“Sir,” Tempest’s voice was low, controlled. The tension in the room ratcheted up another notch. “I know this isn’t how you wanted things to go down. I’m sure you wanted someone far better than me to be with her, but my feelings for Kasen are real. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. Hell, I’d die for her if it came down to it.”

Dad’s gaze narrowed. I held my breath, ready to jump between them again if necessary. He wasn’t going to swing again, right? He’d just healed from his accident. If he strained or broke something, my mother would be furious, and he’d likely feel like less of a man, especially if it happened in front of everyone.

Tempest continued, his tone unwavering. “I understand the challenges we face. The age difference, my position in the club, your concerns as her father. But I swear to you, on my patch and my life, that I’m committed to Kasen. She’ll never want for anything. You know I’d never cheat on her, never cause her pain. Not knowingly.”

My heart swelled at his words. I wanted to turn and look at him, but I didn’t dare take my eyes off my father.

“I’ll spend every day proving myself worthy of her,” Tempest said, his voice taking on an edge of intensity. “If that means facing your disapproval, so be it. But I’m not walking away from her. In fact, I’m not asking the club to vote. I’m just laying it out there -- Kasen is mine. I’ve claimed her.”

The silence stretched on, unbearable. I could almost see the gears turning in my father’s head, his expression an unreadable mask.

I watched as the veins in Dad’s forearms pulsed. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the faces of his brothers. Torch nodded almost imperceptibly. Venom’s lips tightened into a thin line. Wire’s gaze never wavered from Dad’s face.

My breath caught in my throat. The club’s silent support was palpable, a living thing in the room.

Dad’s eyes snapped back to us, boring into Tempest. I tensed, ready for another explosion.

Instead, Dad’s shoulders sagged. He exhaled heavily, the fight draining from his massive frame.

“Goddamnit,” he growled, running a hand over his face. “You’re really gonna do this, aren’t you?”

Tempest’s voice was steady. “Yes, sir. I am.”

Dad’s eyes met mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths. “And you, baby girl? This is what you want?”

I swallowed hard. “More than anything, Dad.”

Probably not the time to tell him I could be pregnant, right? I mean, sure… It wasn’t likely, but I knew a lot of the women around here got pregnant within the first few months of being with their men. At times, I’d heard the ladies joking there must be something in the water at the compound.

He let out another long breath. “Fuck.” He turned back to Tempest, his voice gruff. “You hurt her, I’ll end you. Slowly.”

Tempest nodded once. “Understood.”

I felt lightheaded, hardly daring to believe what I was hearing. Dad was… accepting this?

“Don’t make me regret this,” Dad added, his tone carrying a clear warning.

“Never,” Tempest replied, his hand finding mine and squeezing gently.

The tension in the room evaporated. I released a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, my knees suddenly weak. Tempest’s hand tightened around mine, steadying me.

Dad’s eyes softened as he looked at me, a look of resignation passing over his weathered features. He reached over to a table and picked up a sack I hadn’t noticed before. My heart skipped a beat. What was he giving me?

“Here,” Dad grunted, holding out the sack. “Figured you’d be needing this.”

My hand trembled as I reached for it, and when I saw the property cut inside, I felt tears gather in my eyes. The patch was everything to me -- it was acceptance, belonging, a symbol of my place in this world I’d grown up in but now had become an even more integral part.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “But how did you know I’d need one?”

Dad’s eyes flicked to the side, landing on Wire. The tech guru was leaning against the bar, a barely-there smirk on his face. Of course. Wire always knew everything. In fact, it was likely him who’d help locate me when the traffickers had snatched me off the beach. Although, it was clear no one had told my dad about that part of our trip. I wasn’t looking forward to him finding out, but I had a feeling sooner or later, the truth would come out.

“He likes to talk. A lot.” Dad’s gaze swung back to Tempest, his eyes narrowing. “This isn’t just for her. It’s for you too. You’re responsible for her now. In every way.”

Tempest nodded, his jaw set. “I understand. I won’t let either of you down.”

I could feel the tension radiating off Tempest, knew how much was riding on this moment. Dad might have given his grudging approval, but one wrong move could shatter his acceptance. Then we’d be back to flying fists.

Dad held Tempest’s gaze for a long moment, searching for something. Whatever he saw must have satisfied him, because he finally nodded.

“See that you don’t,” he said, his tone a mix of warning and something that might have been respect.

The room exploded with cheers and whistles. Hands clapped my back, voices congratulating us. Through the chaos, I caught Tempest’s eye. His intensity hadn’t dimmed, but there was something softer there now, just for me.

“You good?” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear.

I nodded, leaning into him. “Yeah. I’m good.”

The celebration swirled around us, but in that moment, it was just us. His eyes searched mine, a whole conversation passing without a word. Promise. Desire. A hint of fear, quickly masked.

“Let’s get you home,” Tempest said, his voice rough.

Home. The word sent a thrill through me. Not my childhood bedroom. His place. Our place now.

As we made our way to the door, the reality of what was happening hit me. This was it. The moment I’d dreamed of for years. And it was nothing like I’d imagined. It was better. Scarier. More real than any fantasy.

Tempest’s bike rumbled to life, and I climbed on behind him, my arms wrapping around his solid frame. As we peeled out of the lot, the clubhouse growing small in the rearview, I felt a chapter of my life closing, and a new one, full of promise and passion, was just beginning.

But first I had to go pack…

The ride to my parents’ house was short but intense. Every curve of the road, every rev of the engine, reminded me that my life was changing forever. Tempest’s body was a solid wall of warmth against me, grounding me in the present.

We pulled up to the familiar two-story house, its weathered siding a testament to years of family life. My chest tightened. This had been my sanctuary, my prison, my whole world for so long. Now, it was just… a house.

Tempest cut the engine, the sudden silence deafening. He turned to me, his eyes searching my face. “You okay?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice. He squeezed my hand, a gesture of silent support.

Inside, the house was quiet. Mom must be out. Good. I wasn’t ready for another emotional confrontation just yet.

My room wasn’t what you’d expect of a twenty-five-year-old woman. Posters of bands I’d outgrown years ago covered the walls. Stuffed animals I couldn’t bear to part with were in a corner. A life frozen in time. It hadn’t mattered to me before, but now I wondered what Tempest thought of this juvenile space.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching as I moved around the room. His presence filled the room, making everything else seem small and insignificant.

I grabbed a duffel bag from my closet and started throwing clothes in haphazardly. My hands were shaking. This was really happening.

“Kasen.” Tempest’s voice was low, intense. I turned to find him right behind me, his eyes dark with emotion. “We don’t have to do this now. If you need more time --”

I silenced him with a kiss, fierce and desperate. When we broke apart, both breathing hard, I met his gaze steadily. “I’ve waited long enough. I’m ready.”

A slow smile spread across his face, predatory and full of promise. “Then let’s get you home, darlin’.”

He helped me finish packing the necessities with a promise we’d come back for everything else. As we walked out, my bag slung over Tempest’s shoulder, I paused in the hallway. Family photos lined the walls. Me and my sisters as kids, gap-toothed grins and skinned knees. Mom and Dad when they first got together, young and hopeful. Well, Dad was young-er.

I touched one frame gently. My high school graduation. Dad’s arm around me, pride shining in his eyes. Even though my sisters had graduated the same day, my parents had insisted we take individual pictures as well as group ones.

The ride to Tempest’s place -- our place now -- was a blur. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, a fitting backdrop for the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

As we pulled up to the small house, my heart raced. This was it. My new life was beginning, whether I was ready or not.