Page 21

Tempest

I stood at the center of the clubhouse, my fingers entwined with Kasen’s. The air was thick with tension, a hundred eyes boring into us. And it wasn’t just because it was my first time back here since getting shot. I’d been laid up for weeks and still felt a twinge of pain now and then. But for the most part, I was fine.

My throat tightened as I cleared it.

“Listen up.” My voice carried over the low murmur of conversation.

The room fell silent. I could feel Kasen trembling beside me, her palm sweaty against mine. My heart thundered in my chest, threatening to burst through my ribcage. We’d decided this was the best time to share our news. But we were both nervous as fuck about it.

“Kasen and I have an announcement,” I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “We’re expecting a baby.”

The words hung in the air for a heartbeat. Two. Then the room exploded.

Cheers erupted from every corner. Bodies surged forward. Hands clapped my back, voices shouting congratulations.

“Way to go, Tempest!” Viking yelled.

“About damn time!” Wire shouted.

I blinked, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught. Kasen’s grip on my hand tightened, anchoring me.

“You okay?” I murmured, leaning close to her ear.

She nodded, her eyes shining. “Perfect.”

Relief flooded through me. We’d done it. Told everyone. No more secrets.

Bull’s booming laugh cut through the chaos. “Looks like our Sergeant-at-Arms is gonna be changing diapers!”

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd. Kasen’s thumb traced soothing circles on my wrist. This was a celebration. Our celebration.

Suddenly, a blur of motion caught my eye. Akira, her own baby bump visible beneath her flowing top, pushed through the crowd. She made a beeline for Kasen, her face alight with joy.

“Oh my God, Kasen!” Akira squealed, throwing her arms around my girl. “I can’t believe it! We’re going to be moms together!”

Kasen laughed, returning the embrace. “I know! It’s crazy, right?”

I took a step back, giving them space. My chest tightened at the sight of Kasen’s radiant smile. She deserved this moment.

Akira pulled away, her hands flying as she spoke. “We have to start planning your baby shower right away! Oh, the themes we could do…”

“Motorcycle onesies?” Kasen suggested, grinning.

“Yes! And tiny leather jackets!” Akira gasped. “Maybe a ‘Born to Ride’ cake?”

Before I could blink, Kasen’s sisters materialized, surrounding the pair. Their voices overlapped in a cacophony of excitement.

“Did someone say baby shower?” Harlow asked.

“We call dibs on decorations!” Westlyn grinned from ear to ear, clearly thrilled over the idea of being an aunt.

“Forget that, I’m in charge of games. No boring stuff allowed.” Akira nudged her good-naturedly.

I watched as Kasen was enveloped in a whirlwind of sisterly affection, their chatter rising above the general din of the clubhouse. My throat tightened. This was family. Our family. And soon, we’d be adding to it.

A hand clapped my shoulder, startling me from my thoughts.

I turned to find Viking’s towering form beside me, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “Congrats, brother. Hope you’re ready for sleepless nights and diaper duty.”

I chuckled, the tension in my chest easing slightly. “Bring it on. Can’t be worse than patching up your sorry ass after a bar fight. Seem to remember doing that a time or two.”

Sticks materialized on my other side, his trademark grin in place. “Oh, just you wait. Babies are like tiny drunk people. Loud, messy, and always demanding more booze -- or in their case, milk.”

The guys around us roared with laughter. I felt my face heat up, a mix of embarrassment and pride swelling in my chest.

“Real helpful, assholes,” I muttered, but there was no heat in it. These men were my brothers, and their teasing was born of genuine affection.

Viking leaned in, his voice low. “Seriously though, Tempest. You’ll be a great dad. Just remember, we’ve got your back. Lots of babysitters around here when you need a break.”

I nodded, swallowing hard against the sudden lump in my throat. “Thanks, man.”

The crowd shifted, and I caught sight of a familiar bulk moving through the crowd. Tank approached, his face an unreadable mask. The celebratory noise around us seemed to dim as he stopped in front of me, towering and intimidating as ever.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. I fought the urge to clench my fists, acutely aware of the tension radiating from the man who’d once been ready to put me in the ground for even looking at his daughter.

Then, slowly, Tank extended his hand, engulfed mine as I grasped it firmly. The clubhouse noise faded to a dull roar as I searched his face for any hint of his thoughts.

“Congratulations,” Tank rumbled, his grip tightening a fraction.

“Thanks,” I managed, my voice rougher than I’d intended.

As our hands dropped, Tank leaned in close, his breath hot on my ear. “Hope you’re ready for the ride of your life, boy,” he murmured, a hint of dark amusement coloring his words. “Sleepless nights, endless diapers, and a woman who’ll make pregnancy look like a cakewalk compared to what comes after.”

I stiffened, my pulse quickening. Tank pulled back, a ghost of a smirk playing on his weathered features. “Welcome to fatherhood, Tempest. It’s a whole new kind of chaos. Just wait until it’s your baby girl running off with some guy you don’t feel is worthy of her.”

His words hung in the air between us, a challenge and a warning rolled into one. I opened my mouth to respond, but Tank had already turned, melting back into the crowd of well-wishers.

My smile faltered, the weight of Tank’s words crashing over me like a tidal wave. Chaos. That’s what my life was about to become. My mind raced, images of a screaming infant and an exhausted Kasen flashing before my eyes. Then her all grown up and riding off on the back of someone’s bike. A flicker of dread crawled up my spine, settling in my chest like a cold, hard stone.

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath, running a hand through my hair. The clubhouse suddenly felt too small, too crowded. I needed air, needed --

A gentle pressure on my hand snapped me back to reality. Kasen’s fingers intertwined with mine, her touch warm and grounding. I turned to find her blue eyes searching my face, concern etched in the slight furrow of her brow.

“You okay?” she asked, her voice barely audible over the din of the celebration.

I swallowed hard, forcing a weak smile. “Yeah, just… processing. Don’t think it really hit me until just now.”

Kasen squeezed my hand, her thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin. “We’re in this together. Besides, how hard can a baby be compared to everything we just faced?”

I took a deep breath, feeling my shoulders relax slightly. “You better hope you didn’t just jinx us. Now our kid might turn out like Lanie over at the Devil’s Boneyard.”

She paled a little, then the moment was shattered by the sharp clink of glass on metal. I turned to see Viking standing on a nearby table, beer bottle raised high.

“Listen up, you sorry bastards!” he bellowed, his voice cutting through the chatter. “Time to raise a glass to our Sergeant-at-Arms and his wife!”

A chorus of whoops and hollers erupted. Bottles and glasses lifted in unison, a sea of raised arms surrounding us. The air crackled with electricity, a palpable excitement I hadn’t felt in a while.

“To Tempest and Kasen!” Sticks shouted from across the room. “And to the littlest Reaper on the way!”

“To family!” someone else chimed in.

“To sleepless nights and dirty diapers!” another voice added, eliciting a round of laughter.

I felt a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth, despite the lingering unease from Tank’s words. The camaraderie, the genuine joy radiating from my brothers -- it was infectious. These were the men I’d ride into battle with, the ones I’d trust with my life. And now, they were rallying around me, ready to support this new chapter.

Kasen’s grip on my hand tightened, and I glanced down to see her beaming up at me. The sight of her, radiant and strong, sent a surge of warmth through my chest. Tank’s warning echoed in the back of my mind, but it felt distant now, overshadowed by the love surrounding us.

“You know,” I murmured, leaning close to Kasen’s ear, “I think we might actually pull this off.”

She laughed, a sound that never failed to set my heart racing. “Damn straight we will. After all, we’ve got the toughest family in the state backing us up.”

I nodded, feeling my resolve solidify. Whatever challenges lay ahead we’d face them head-on. Because that’s what Reapers do. We protect our own, no matter what.

Sticks fired up the sound system, and the raw chords of Southern rock filled the air. I watched as Viking dragged a reluctant Akira onto our makeshift dance floor, her protests dissolving into laughter as he twirled her with surprising grace.

“Never thought I’d see the day,” I muttered, shaking my head at the sight.

Kasen followed my gaze and grinned. “Love changes people. He sees her as a little sister. No greater type of love, except possibly that of a parent for their child. Speaking of love…”

She nodded toward the far corner where her sisters huddled, deep in animated conversation. Their eyes kept darting our way, poorly concealing their excitement.

“I think they’re plotting something,” I said.

Kasen chuckled. “Knowing them, it’s probably the baby shower to end all baby showers. God help us.”

I groaned. “Can’t we just, I don’t know, skip that part?”

“Not a chance, tough guy,” she teased, poking me in the ribs. “Besides, look how happy everyone is.”

“Fine,” I conceded. “But I draw the line at diaper-themed games.”

Kasen’s laughter rang out, drawing the attention of those nearby. Her sisters waved her over, and she gave my hand a squeeze before joining them. I watched as they enveloped her in a group hug, their excited chatter rising above the music.

The sight of Kasen, radiant and surrounded by love, hit me like a punch to the gut. This was real. We were really doing this. And despite all the unknowns, I couldn’t wait to face them with her by my side.