Page 12 of Rage

“Hold on tight,” he instructs, his voice a low rumble.

The engine roars to life, vibrating through my entire body.We peel out of the driveway, the wind whipping around us.The world blurs as we speed down the street, houses and trees melting into a kaleidoscope of colors.

I tighten my grip on Mason, feeling the solid warmth of his body against mine.The thrill of the ride, the closeness of his presence, it’s intoxicating.I can’t remember the last time I felt this alive, this free.

We wind through the outskirts of town, the roads becoming more twisted and rural.The sky deepens to a rich indigo, stars beginning to twinkle overhead.Mason handles the bike with effortless skill, leaning into the curves with a grace that takes my breath away.

After what feels like both an eternity and no time at all, we slow down, turning onto a dirt path.

The bike comes to a stop at the edge of a clearing.Mason cuts the engine, and suddenly the world is quiet except for the chirping of crickets and our slightly labored breathing.

“We’re here,” Mason says, his voice low and intimate in the gathering darkness.

I slide off the bike, my legs a bit wobbly from the ride.Mason steadies me with a hand on my lower back, the heat of his touch seeping through my clothes.

“Where exactly is ‘here’?”I ask, looking around.We’re surrounded by trees, their leaves rustling gently in the evening breeze.Ahead, the clearing opens up to reveal a breathtaking view of the valley below, city lights twinkling in the distance.

Mason takes my hand, leading me toward the edge.“My secret spot.Not many people know about it.”

“It’s beautiful,” I breathe, taking in the panoramic view.

“Yeah, it is,” Mason agrees, but when I glance at him, he’s not looking at the view.His eyes are fixed on me, dark and intense.

My face flushes red from the intensity of his stare.I tuck my hair behind my ear and turn back to the beautiful view.

In the distance you can hear the sounds of cars driving on the parkway but it’s peaceful.

This town is much larger than the one I grew up in, and I know my family’s MC wanted it that way.

It’s not lost on me that we are in the middle of nowhere and this would be the perfect opportunity for me to be chopped into bits by Michael Myers popping out of the creepy woods.

The tree limbs move with the breeze, causing a rustling sound, and I study the darkness of the trees, almost daring myself to see something.

Nervously, I lick my lips and try not to show that I’m a total chicken.

Going to a haunted forest is one thing I will never do willingly, but right now I’m living one.

I can feel him staring at me because I can’t stop looking over my shoulder.

But I’m preparing myself to jump off the cliff before I let someone get me.

I look back again when I hear the crack of a stick breaking and jump, falling straight into Mason.

He bursts out laughing, wrapping his arms around me.“What’s the matter with you?”

I feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment, but I can’t help laughing along with Mason.His arms around me feel safe, solid.

“Nothing,” I mutter, trying to pull away, but Mason’s arms tighten around me.

“You’re jumpy,” he observes, amusement lacing his voice.“Afraid of the dark?”

I scoff, attempting to salvage my dignity.“Of course not.I’m a grown woman.”

“Mhm,” Mason hums, unconvinced.His breath tickles my ear as he leans in close.“So, you weren’t imagining some masked killer lurking in the shadows?”

I stiffen in his arms, and he chuckles.“Busted.”

“Okay, fine,” I admit, relaxing against him despite myself.“Maybe I have an overactive imagination.Sue me.”

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