Page 49 of Rage

I struggle to my feet, wincing as weight lands on my injured leg.Mason’s arm wraps around my waist, supporting me as I limp over to Reid.

“Sit,” I order, gesturing to a nearby chair.Reid obeys, his face pale beneath the tattoos.

I examine the wound, my hands steady despite the situation.“Through and through,” I mutter, relief flooding me.“Missed the major arteries.You’ll need stitches, but you’ll be okay.”

Reid’s mother hovers nearby, her eyes wide with fear.“He’ll be all right?”she asks, voice trembling.

I nod, offering what I hope is a reassuring smile.“He’ll be fine.I need a first aid kit and some clean towels.”

As she hurries off, I turn my attention to Elle.“Are you hurt?”I ask, scanning her for visible injuries.

Elle shakes her head, one hand still protectively cradling her belly.“No, I… I think I’m okay.Just scared.”

“Sit down,” I tell her gently.“Try to take some deep breaths.Stress isn’t good for the baby.”

As I work on Reid’s arm, cleaning and stitching the wound, I feel a sense of calm settle over me.This, at least, I know how to do.This is familiar territory.

“Meadow.”Mason’s voice is low, urgent.I glance up to see him watching me, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes.“You need to let someone look at your leg.”

I shake my head, tying off the last stitch in Reid’s arm.“In a minute.I need to check on everyone else first.”

Mason’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t argue.Instead, he stays close, hovering protectively as I move from person to person, assessing injuries and offering what help I can.

It’s only when I’ve seen to everyone else that I allow myself to sink into a chair, the adrenaline finally wearing off.The pain in my leg flares, sharp and insistent.

“Okay, Doc,” Mason says, kneeling in front of me.“Your turn.”

As he begins cleaning my wound, his touch gentle despite the anger simmering in his eyes, I let out a shaky breath.“What happened out there?”I ask, dreading the answer.

Reid sits up suddenly, his eyes wide with panic.“Shit, I need to get to the bakery!”he exclaims, wincing as the movement jostles his injured arm.“Lily’s working the afternoon shift today.If Peterson’s targeting people we care about…”

His words trail off, but the implication hangs heavy in the air.A collective shudder runs through the room as we all consider the possibilities.

Mason’s hands are still on my leg, his jaw clenching.“Reid, you’re in no condition to go anywhere,” he says, his voice firm but not unkind.

“The hell I’m not,” Reid yells, struggling to his feet and swaying slightly.“That’s my woman out there.I need to make sure she’s safe.”

The room erupts into a flurry of activity.Voices overlap as plans are made and strategies debated.I watch as Reid’s mother fusses over him, trying to convince him to stay put.But the determination in his eyes is unmistakable.He’s going, injured or not.

Reid has had a crush on the woman that works at the bakery in town that the MC owns and we all know about it.

“I’ll go with him,” Christopher volunteers, already reaching for his cut.“We’ll bring Lily back here where it’s safe.”

Mason nods, his expression grim.“Take backup.We don’t know if Peterson’s got eyes on the bakery.”

As the men prepare to leave, I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning.Peterson’s threat echoes in my mind, a sinister promise of more violence to come.How many more people will be caught in the crossfire before this is over?

I look around the room at the faces of those I’ve come to care for, some bruised, some bloodied, all wearing expressions of grim determination.This makeshift family, brought together by leather and chrome, now united against a common enemy.

My mom walks over to me, holding me close, and I clench my eyes shut and try not to get so emotional over everything.

These people I care about, they’re my family, and it breaks my heart knowing that someone is out to hurt them.

I cling to my mom, trying to draw strength from her embrace.The chaos of the room fades away for a moment as I breathe in her familiar scent.

“It’s going to be okay, sweetheart,” she murmurs, stroking my hair.“We’ll get through this together.”

I want to believe her, but doubt gnaws at me.How can anything be okay when there’s a madman out there targeting the people I love?

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