Page 59 of Rage

“I’m sorry,” he says, the words weighted with meaning.

I swallow hard, torn between the urge to yell at him and the desire to throw myself into his arms.“You should be,” I manage, my voice steadier than I feel.

Mason takes a step closer.“I know.But I’m not sorry for fighting for you.”

My heart stutters.“Mason…”

He closes the distance between us, his hand cupping my face.“I’ll always fight for you, Meadow.Against anyone.Even your old man.”

The last of my anger crumbles.I lean into his touch, overwhelmed by the raw honesty in his voice.

“Just… no more fistfights, okay?”I whisper.

A ghost of a smile tugs at his battered lips.“No promises, darlin’.But I’ll try.”

I roll my eyes and accept that there are some things that I can’t change and this world is one of them.

* * *

PAISLEY

My husband stumbles through the door, a walking bruise.Blood trickles from his split lip.His left eye’s swollen shut, already turning an angry purple.

My stomach lurches.“Jesus Christ, Liam!”

I rush to him, hands fluttering over his battered face.He winces as my fingers probe a particularly nasty cut above his eyebrow.

“What the hell happened?”I demand, voice sharp with worry.

Liam’s chuckle rumbles deep in his chest.It turns into a pained cough.“Just a friendly chat with Mason.In the ring.”

“Friendly?”I hiss, grabbing the first aid kit from under the sink.“You look like you went ten rounds with a meat grinder.”

He shrugs, then grimaces at the movement.“Had to be done, Pais.Club business.”

I bite back a retort.Twenty-five years, and I still don’t understand this world sometimes.The constant need to prove themselves, to establish dominance.

“Sit,” I order, pointing to the bed.“Let me clean you up before you bleed all over the sheets.”

Liam obeys, sinking onto the mattress with a barely suppressed groan.I dab at his cuts, the sharp scent of antiseptic filling the air.

He falls silent, jaw clenched.I continue my ministrations, mind racing.

“Pais.”Liam’s voice is softer now.His hand covers mine, stilling my movements.“I know you’re worried.But this is how things work here.It’s how we sort shit out.”

I meet his gaze, seeing the man I fell in love with all those years ago.Stubborn.Fierce.Loyal to a fault.

“Just… promise me you’ll be careful,” I whisper, the words catching in my throat.“I can’t lose you to this life, Liam.Not now.”

He pulls me close, arms wrapping around me despite his injuries.I breathe him in, leather and sweat and something uniquely Liam.

“Never,” he murmurs against my hair.“You’re stuck with me, darlin’.Till the bitter end.”

I pull back, searching his face.

“Remember when we met?”I ask, a smile tugging at my lips despite everything.“You saving me from that creep janitor?”

Liam’s eyes darken, fury flashing even after all this time.“Still go by his grave weekly.Leave my own special offering.”

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