Page 62 of Tempest’s Torment

For a while we just drive. Tempest is watching the road as I glance over at him. "They're not what I expected."

He looks at me. "No?"

I smile to myself. "I thought it'd be... different." I thought they’d be like the Kings of Anarchy MC in Connecticut.

"Different how?"

"I don't know." I shrug. "More intimidating, I suppose."

"They can be."

"I know." I look out the window. "But not with each other."

"No."

"They really are a family."

He nods. "They are."

I smile. "Venom's exhausting."

A corner of his mouth lifts. "Constantly."

"And Ghost's a lot quieter than I expected."

"He only talks when he has something to say."

"I liked Natalia."

"I figured you would."

"And Ruin." I laugh softly. "I was half expecting someone called Ruin to be terrifying."

"He made sure your plate was full."

"He did."

"He does that."

I shake my head.

"They're all..." I search for the word. "...nice."

He glances at me. "Don't tell them that."

I laugh. "Your secret's safe."

Tempest doesn't take the turn toward the apartment and I frown. "We've missed it."

"We're not going home yet."

I look at him, but his eyes never leave the road. One hand rests loosely on the steering wheel, the other against the gear stick. He’s calm and steady, like nothing's changed. Only... something definitely has. He passes another junction, and keeps on driving.

I glance at him again. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

I don't believe him, not anymore. We've spent enough time together now that I've started noticing the little things. His eyes keep flicking to the rear-view mirror. He isn't lost, but he’s checking something. I turn slightly in my seat and look through the back window to see a black SUV, it’s far enough back that it could be nothing, but I know better.