Page 9

Kasen

I couldn’t sleep. The sheets twisted around me like a straitjacket, trapping the heat of another restless night. With a frustrated sigh, I kicked them off and padded to the window. Moonlight spilled across the beach, painting the sand silver. The ocean whispered, beckoning.

What the hell. A walk might clear my head.

The cool sand sifted between my toes as I made my way down to the water’s edge. Waves lapped gently at the shore, a soothing rhythm. I closed my eyes, inhaling the salty air.

My thoughts were chaotic. I appreciated the fact Tempest wanted to take things slow, but at the same time, I yearned for more. I understood why he was waiting. I really did. Didn’t make it any easier.

A flicker of movement caught my eye. Had he noticed I’d left the house and followed me?

“Hello?” I called, peering into the shadows. Silence answered.

My heartbeat quickened. I suddenly felt rather foolish for being out here alone. I had no idea what time it was, but it was late enough I didn’t see another soul around. I’d allowed the peaceful setting to lull me into a sense of safety. Something told me I might have made a horrible mistake coming out here without telling Tempest.

Get a grip, Kasen. You’re imagining things .

Another flash of motion. Closer this time. Then again, maybe it wasn’t my imagination.

Fear clawed up my throat as dark figures emerged from the gloom. Their eyes gleamed with predatory intent.

“Who are you? What do you want?” My voice shook.

They didn’t answer. Just kept coming.

Run . The command exploded in my mind, but my legs wouldn’t move. I was a deer in the headlights, frozen as death approached. Everything my dad had taught me was utterly useless in the face of danger.

Oh God. This can’t be happening .

Tempest’s face flashed through my mind. I’d never see him again. Never tell him… Why had I done such a stupid thing? I knew the dangers in the world and knew how to defend myself. And yet, I stood here, frozen in complete fear. A tear slid down my cheek as I realized how much trouble I was in.

A strangled cry escaped me as rough hands seized my arms.

Panic exploded through me, and I was suddenly unfrozen. I thrashed against the iron grip of the man holding. Kicking with all my might, but not able to connect.

“No! Let go!” I screamed, my voice raw and desperate. His fingers dug into my flesh, bruising.

I kicked out wildly once more, connecting with something solid. A grunt of pain. It was a small victory, but I’d take it.

“Shut her up!” a harsh voice hissed.

A meaty hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my cries. The acrid taste of sweat and dirt flooded my senses. I bit down hard, tasting blood. If only I’d managed to run before it was too late! I might have made it to the house, or gotten close enough Tempest would have heard me scream for help.

“Bitch!” The man snarled but didn’t let go.

My eyes darted frantically, searching for escape, for help. But the beach stretched empty in both directions. Why had I come out alone?

One of them produced a zip tie. The plastic cut into my wrists as they bound them behind my back. Tears of frustration and terror streamed down my face.

God, please. Someone. Anyone .

* * *

Tempest

My head snapped up, every muscle tensing. A scream, distant but unmistakable, shattered the night’s quiet.

“Fuck,” I growled, already in motion. I stopped by Kasen’s room and saw it was empty. Rushing through the house, I scanned every room but couldn’t find her anywhere. My feet pounded against the wooden stairs as I tore down to the beach, adrenaline surging through my veins like liquid fire.

Sand flew beneath me as I sprinted toward the sound out on the water, my heart thundering in my ears. Who the hell was out there? And why did I have a sinking feeling I knew exactly who it was? With Kasen not anywhere to be found inside the house, worry ate at me. Had it been her I’d heard scream?

“Kasen!” I roared, my voice raw with fear and fury. “Where are you?”

A boat’s engine roared to life, a harsh intrusion on the peaceful night. I skidded to a halt at the water’s edge, my chest heaving. Too late. Always too fucking late. I saw a small form held by two men, fighting to break free. And I knew…

“No!” I bellowed, my voice cracking. “Kasen!”

But she was already disappearing into the darkness, a small figure struggling against larger shapes on the rapidly retreating boat. The moonlight glinted off the wake, mocking me with its beauty. Helplessness crashed over me, quickly replaced by a tsunami of rage. I wanted to tear something apart, to make someone bleed.

Instead, I fumbled for my phone, cursing as my trembling fingers struggled with the lock screen. Wire. He’d know what to do. He always did. I didn’t give it a shit if it meant Tank would find out I’d brought his daughter here, didn’t care if he wanted to beat the hell out of me. I’d let him. I fucking deserved it.

The call connected after an eternity of rings.

“Wire,” I barked, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush the moment I heard him pick up. “They took her. Kasen. Fucking traffickers, I think. Speed boat, headed southeast from the Gulf Coast of Florida. Track her phone, now!”

I hoped like hell she’d had it on her, but I feared she’d left it behind. I hadn’t thought to check, and I didn’t want to leave the beach just yet. Not until I could no longer see any sign of the boat.

“Whoa, slow down,” Wire’s voice said through the speaker. “Who took --”

“There’s no time!” I roared, pacing like a caged animal. “Every second counts. You hear me? If we lose her, I’ll --” I choked on the words, the reality of the situation hitting me like a sledgehammer.

“I’m on it,” Wire said, his tone sharpening. “Give me two minutes.”

I stared out at the inky blackness of the ocean, my heart pounding in my chest. “Hang on, Kasen,” I whispered. “I’m coming for you. I swear to God, I’m coming.”

I could hear Wire’s fingers flying over his keyboard, the rapid-fire clicking a counterpoint to my ragged breathing. “Got a ping,” he said, his voice tight with concentration. “They’re moving fast, but I’ve got a trajectory. Heading southeast, toward the Keys.”

I pictured the route. “How far out?”

“About ten miles and gaining. But Tempest…” Wire paused, and I could almost see him frowning at his screens. “There’s a lot of islands out there. Lots of places to hide. And there’s a chance they aren’t aiming for the Keys at all. Could be going to Cuba.”

My fist slammed into a nearby palm tree, bark splintering under the impact. “Then we search every fucking one!”

“Easy, brother,” Wire cautioned. “I’m triangulating cell towers, trying to narrow it down. Thankfully they’re close enough to land I’m able to get a signal from her phone. If they were farther out… Give me a few more minutes.”

I paced the beach, each step leaving a deep furrow in the sand. My mind raced, conjuring images of Kasen -- terrified, hurt. The thought of those bastards laying a hand on her made my vision go red.

“I should’ve been watching her,” I growled, more to myself than Wire. “I didn’t even fucking hear her leave the damn house!”

“You can’t blame yourself,” Wire said, his typing never slowing. “Focus on getting her back.”

I took a deep breath, trying to channel the rage into something useful. “What’s our play? We can’t go in half-cocked. And when Tank finds out I lost his daughter…”

“Working on it,” Wire replied. “I’ve got a few ideas, but we’ll need backup. Let me make some calls. And yeah, you’re probably fucked when it comes to Tank. He’s going to lose his shit.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “Do it. Whatever it takes. I’m not losing her, Wire. Not Kasen.”

The fierce protectiveness in my voice surprised even me. When had the girl who’d always looked at me with those big, adoring eyes become so important? I already knew the answer. She always had been. I’d just been too blind to see it until recently, or at least, that’s when I’d allowed myself to admit it.

“We’ll get her back,” Wire said, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “I promise you that, brother.”

I stared out at the horizon. “Yeah,” I growled. “And God help anyone who gets in our way.”

“Shit,” Wire muttered. His fingers flew across the keyboard, the sound echoing through the phone. “They’re heading toward Cuba, just like I feared. But I’ve got a fix on their exact coordinates. For now.”

“How long?” I snapped.

“At their current speed, they’ll hit Cuban waters in about two hours.”

“Fuck!” I slammed my fist into my thigh, welcoming the burst of pain. “We need to intercept them before that happens.”

“Already on it,” Wire said. “I’m calling in some favors. The Devil’s Boneyard MC can get to your location the quickest. There’s also a group in Miami called Twisted Tides. I’ve dealt with them a few times in the past. I’m going to call their President, Tiger. He can probably have boats in the water within the hour.”

I nodded, my mind racing. “Good. Tell them to arm up. These fuckers won’t give her up without a fight.”

“What about you?”

I was already sprinting back toward the house. “I’m grabbing my gear and heading to the airstrip down the highway. Privately owned, but if I pay enough, maybe they’ll fly me to Miami. Tell the Twisted Tides I’m heading their way.”

“Tempest.” Wire’s voice was hesitant. “We should call Tank.”

My stomach twisted. “No. Not yet. Not until we have her back safe. He’s still recovering. This is the last thing he needs.”

“He deserves to know --”

“I said no!” I roared, then took a deep breath. “Look, I’ll take whatever beating he wants to dish out. But right now, I need to focus on getting Kasen back. You hear me?”

A pause. “All right. But you better pray we find her fast. And for the record, if you weren’t our Sergeant-at-Arms, I’d still tell Tank whether you liked it or not.”

I hung up without responding, my mind already mapping out the rescue. As I burst into the house, a cold, deadly focus settled over me. Those bastards had no idea what was coming for them.

Hold on, Kasen. I’m on my way .

I tore through the house, grabbing my go-bag and weapons. Things I always kept stashed in my saddlebags. My hands shook as I checked the clip in my Glock. Focus. I needed to be sharp. For Kasen.

The drive to the airstrip was a blur of screeching tires and ignored speed limits. I parked haphazardly, running toward the small office building. A sleepy-eyed man looked up as I burst through the door.

“I need a plane. Now.” I slammed a wad of cash on the counter. “Miami. It’s an emergency.”

He blinked, taking in my wild eyes and the visible gun at my hip. “Sir, I can’t just --”

I leaned in close, my voice a low growl. “Listen carefully. A girl’s life is at stake. Either you get me a pilot and a plane in the next five minutes, or I’ll take one myself. Your choice.”

Something in my expression must have convinced him. He swallowed hard and nodded.

Twenty minutes later, I was in the air, my knuckles white as I gripped the armrests. The pilot, a grizzled veteran who’d seen some shit, didn’t ask questions. Just nodded grimly when I told him to push it as fast as the plane could go.

My phone vibrated. Wire.

“Talk to me,” I barked.

“Twisted Tides is mobilizing. They’ll rendezvous with you at their clubhouse. I’ve sent coordinates to your phone.”

I grunted acknowledgment. “The traffickers?”

“Still on course for Cuba. But, Tempest…” Wire hesitated. “There’s chatter. These guys aren’t amateurs. They’ve got connections.”

Ice settled in my gut. “How bad?”

“Bad enough that even the Twisted Tides are nervous. We’re talking cartel-level shit.”

I closed my eyes, picturing Kasen’s terrified face. “Doesn’t matter. We’re getting her back.”

“I know. Just… be careful, brother.”

The plane touched down in Miami, and I hit the ground running. A sleek black motorcycle was waiting, courtesy of the Twisted Tides. I gunned the engine, weaving through traffic like a man possessed.

The clubhouse loomed ahead, a fortress of brick and steel. As I skidded to a stop, the massive gate swung open. A group of hard-faced men stood waiting, their cuts adorned with the Twisted Tides’ emblem -- a kraken wrapped around a skull.

Their President, Tiger, stepped forward. His scarred face was grim. “Wire filled us in. We’ve got boats fueled and ready.”

I nodded, my throat tight. “Thank you.”

Tiger’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t thank us yet. This is going to get ugly.”

“I’m counting on it,” I growled.