Page 17 of Rage

I take a breath, forcing myself to calm down.He’s right, of course.Going after Peterson directly could backfire, especially with Meadow’s career on the line.

“What do you suggest?”I ask, leaning against his desk.

Konrad thinks for a moment.“We gather evidence.Discreetly.I can keep an ear to the ground at the hospital, see if I can get any of the nurses to open up about their experiences.You focus on keeping Meadow safe and documenting any interactions she has with Peterson.”

I nod, a plan already forming in my mind.“And once we have enough?”

A grim smile spreads across Konrad’s face.“Then we make sure he never works in this town again.Or any town, for that matter.”

I match his smile with one of my own.“I like the sound of that.”

As I leave Konrad’s office, my resolve hardens.No one messes with what’s mine.And Peterson?He just made himself a very dangerous enemy.

“Keep an eye on her at work?”I ask Konrad and he nods.

“I will protect her and make sure she has someone with her if he is around.”

I let out a breath, thankful that he will keep an eye on her, but I don’t like the fact that this fucker is going around messing with women and getting away with it.

This isn’t the fucking sixties, this shit shouldn’t be happening in this day and age.

One thing for certain is that it’s not going to happen tomyMeadow.

* * *

Meadow

The second Mason leaves the room, Tiffany, Elle, and Olivia start hounding me with all kinds of questions about Mason.

“So, are you guys together?”Olivia rushes out first and I giggle at their excitement.

I shrug my shoulders.“I wouldn’t call it that, and I don’t want to put any titles on it.I just want to let things naturally unfold.”I turn toward the door that he went through.“One thing is for sure, he is gorgeous.”I fan my face dramatically.

Tiffany laughs.“All I can see when I look at him is the kid that shoved dirt up his nose because he wanted to see if he could grow flowers.”

My mouth opens in shock.“What?”I burst out laughing, thinking of him walking around, grinning with dirt hanging out of his nose.

“Christopher hated clothes.We would be sitting at the picnic table and we’d see a streak of white go past, and it was him.Then Dad would run after him to try to clothe him.”

Tears are rolling down my face at this point, seeing the future president running through the yard naked.

I wipe my eyes, trying to catch my breath.“Oh my God, I can’t believe I never knew these stories!”

Elle grins mischievously.“Oh, honey, we’ve got plenty more where that came from.You should hear about the time Mason tried to give himself a haircut…”

Just then, the door opens and Mason strides back in, his eyes immediately finding mine.A small smile plays on his lips as he approaches our table.

“Ladies,” he nods to the others before focusing on me, “having fun?”

I bite my lip, trying to suppress another giggle.“Oh, absolutely.Your friends were just filling me in on some… interesting childhood memories.”

Mason’s eyes narrow playfully.“Is that so?”He looks at the other women who are all trying, and failing, to look innocent.“I hope you’re not telling tales out of school.”

Tiffany snorts.“Please, these aren’t even the good ones.”

Mason groans, running a hand through his hair.“All right, that’s enough of that.”He extends a hand to me.“Come on, darlin’.Let’s get out of here before they completely ruin my reputation.”

I take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet.The warmth of his touch sends a thrill through me.“Your reputation, huh?And here I thought you were just a big softie who liked to grow flowers.”

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