Page 28 of Rage

Yeah, I’d take all the shit her dad throws at me if I can keep that smile on her face.

four

Mason

One Week Later

The rumble of my bike echoes through the empty parking lot as I cut the engine.Dawn’s first light paints the sky in hues of pink and orange.The hospital looms before me, a sentinel of steel and glass.

I’ve been here every morning this week, watching.Waiting.Making sure she arrives safely.

The memory of that night at her apartment, her father’s anger, still burns in my mind.It ignited something primal in me.A need to protect.To claim.

Every night since, I’ve found myself at her place.We pretend it’s accidental, the way we fall asleep tangled together on her couch.But we both know better.I couldn’t tear myself away if I tried.

The screech of tires on asphalt snaps me back to the present.Meadow’s car pulls into the lot, sleek and efficient just like her.My heart rate kicks up a notch.

She steps out, all long legs and messy bun.Even in scrubs, she’s a fucking vision.Our eyes lock across the parking lot.A smile tugs at her lips, and suddenly, the early hour doesn’t seem so bad.

“Stalking me now, Mason?”she calls out, her voice a mix of amusement and something deeper.

I swing off my bike, closing the distance between us in long strides.“Just making sure my girl gets to work safe.”

She melts into me, her body fitting against mine like she was made for it.I breathe in the scent of her shampoo, coconut and something uniquely Meadow.

“I can take care of myself, you know,” she murmurs against my chest, but there’s no real heat in her words.

I tilt her chin up, meeting those bright green eyes.“I know you can, darlin’.Doesn’t mean I don’t want to be here.”

Her gaze softens, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.Then she’s pushing up on her toes, pressing a quick kiss to my lips.

“I’ve got to go,” she says, reluctantly pulling away.“Lives to save and all that.”

I watch her walk toward the hospital entrance, my body already aching for her touch again.She turns back just before she reaches the doors, flashing me a smile that could light up the whole damn city.

As I climb back on my bike, I can’t shake the feeling that everything’s changed.That Meadow’s become as essential to me as breathing.And I’ll be damned if I let anything happen to her.

The clubhouse is buzzing with activity as I walk in, nodding to the brothers gathered around the bar.It’s been a week since that night at Meadow’s apartment, a week of stolen moments and heated glances.We’ve been taking things slow, but the anticipation is killing me.

I spot Christopher at a table in the corner, poring over some paperwork.As I approach, he looks up with a grin.

“Well, if it isn’t the lovestruck puppy,” he teases.“How’s our girl doing?”

I roll my eyes but can’t hide my smile.“She’s good.Working hard, as always.”

Christopher’s expression turns serious.“And that Peterson asshole?No more trouble from him?”

I clench my jaw at the mention of that creep.“Not a peep.If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay far away from her.”

“Good,” Christopher nods, “because if he doesn’t, I might have to pay him a visit myself.”

The protective rage in his voice mirrors my own.Meadow isn’t just my girl, she’s family to all of us.And we protect our own.

My dad comes in and sits down beside us.“What did I just hear about a fucker bothering Meadow?”

Before we know it, every single brother in the club is surrounding our table, pissed off that someone harassed Meadow in any way.

The door slams open.Liam storms in, eyes blazing.“Why the fuck am I just hearing about this now?”

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