Page 56 of Tempest’s Torment

I gape at him. What the hell? "Then why are you taking it away?"

"I'm reconsidering."

I gasp. "You wouldn't."

"I would."

"No. You're bluffing."

He lets the silence sit for a second but then slides it back across the counter. "I know."

I can't help but laugh; this man really knows how to make me laugh and feel at ease.

Ghost calls halfway through breakfast. Tempest glances at the screen before answering, not bothering to leave the table. "Prez."

"Church at one."

"Yeah?"

"Are you bringing Lilah?" he asks.

Tempest looks at me and I shake my head before he even says anything. "She doesn't want to come."

There’s a moment of silence before Ghost speaks again. "Did you ask?"

Tempest’s lips twitch as he watches me. "Not yet."

Ghost huffs a laugh. "Then you're guessing."

"I know the answer."

"Humor me." The line goes dead, and Tempest sets his phone on the table and looks at me.

"No."

A corner of his mouth twitches. "I haven't said anything."

"You didn't have to."

He reaches for his coffee. "Church."

I raise a brow. "I know."

"You coming?"

"No."

His brows furrow. "Why?"

I stare at him. "Because I don't belong there and I don't know anybody. They're all going to look at me like I'm some stray you've dragged in off the street."

His eyes darken and his jaw tightens. "They won't."

"You don't know that."

He’s dead serious as he looks at me. "I do."

I fold my arms. "You've known me a week."