Page 51 of Rage

The news hits like a gut punch.Women’s faces flash across the screen.My fists clench, nails biting into palms.How long?How many?

Every person in this room is glued to the TV, watching this scene unfold.

Meadow’s grip on my arm tightens.Her face is pale, eyes wide with shock.I can see the fire coming back into her eyes, the same fire that her dad has when he is pissed.

The clubhouse door slams open.Reid stumbles in, supporting a shaking Lily.Blood stains his shirt, fresh wounds visible on his arm.Christopher follows, face grim.

“What happened?”I demand, striding over.

Reid’s eyes blaze with barely contained anger.“Peterson’s men.At the bakery.Waiting for her.”

My stomach drops.Acid burns the back of my throat.“Fuck.Is she?—”

“I’m okay,” Lily whispers, voice trembling.“They didn’t… Reid got there in time.”

Reid’s arm tightens around her.“Caught one of the fuckers trying to grab her as she was locking up.”

Meadow limps over, her doctor’s instincts kicking in as she checks Lily for injuries.

Liam appears at my side, eyes hard.“I call killing the fucker,” he snarls.

A laugh escapes me, humorless and cold.“You’ll have to fucking kill me first,” I snarl.“I’ll be the one to end him.”

Liam’s glare could melt steel.I don’t give a shit.Respect, morals—all that’s out the window now.There’s only the need to protect what’s mine.To make Peterson pay.

The TV drones on, more victims coming forward.The web of corruption and depravity grows, tentacles reaching into every corner of the hospital.Board members.Administrators.My jaw clenches so hard it aches.

“Mason.”Meadow’s voice cuts through the chaos.She’s pale, but her eyes burn with determination.“We need a plan.This… this is bigger than we thought.”

I nod, my mind racing.“River,” I call out.The Rebel MC’s president’s ole lady looks up from her equipment.“How soon can we get eyes on Peterson’s known associates?”

River grins, all teeth and danger.“Give me an hour.We’ll have the bastards’ morning coffee orders.”

Good.It’s a start.But not enough.Not nearly enough.

I turn back to Meadow, cupping her face in my hands.“I’m going to end this,” I promise, voice low and fierce.“Every last one of them.They’ll pay for what they’ve done.”

Her eyes search mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their depths.Fear, anger, determination.She nods once, resolute.

“Together,” she says.It’s not a question.

I hesitate, the need to protect her warring with the knowledge of her strength.But there’s no time for doubt.Not now.

“Together,” I agree.

The room buzzes with activity.Plans form, alliances solidify.The air crackles with tension and purpose.

One thing’s clear: this is war.And we’re just getting started.

ten

Meadow

The day seemed to drag on, and my phone has been blowing up with other nurses and staff asking if I’m okay because my name has been circling the news.

If I wanted my identity to be kept a secret, that’s out of the window.My face has been splashed all over, saying how I started a revolution.

It’s around ten at night and everyone has drifted away to their rooms, houses, and the guest cabins.No one has left the premises and I love that everyone is here.

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