Page 61 of Rage

Mason’s jaw clenches.“He questioned my ability to protect you.To handle this situation.”

“And you had to prove yourself,” I sigh, understanding dawning.

He nods, a flicker of shame crossing his face.“It’s how things work in this world, Meadow.Respect has to be earned.Sometimes the hard way.”

I finish taping gauze over his cuts.My fingers linger, tracing the strong line of his jaw.“Just… be careful, okay?I can’t lose you to this mess with Peterson.”

Mason catches my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm.The tenderness of the gesture steals my breath.

“Never,” he vows, voice low and fierce.“You’re stuck with me, Doc.For as long as you’ll have me.”

My heart swells, a lump forming in my throat.I lean in, resting my forehead against his.

“We should get back out there,” I whisper reluctantly.“Figure out our next move.”

eleven

Meadow

The clubhouse buzzes with chatter, the air thick with the scent of grilled meat and cigarette smoke.I scan the room, my gaze landing on an unexpected sight.Dad and Mason, huddled together at the end of the table, deep in conversation.No blood, no bruises, just two men talking like old friends.

My fork clatters against my plate.“What the hell?”

Elle follows my gaze, a smirk playing at her lips.“Men,” she says, shaking her head.“One minute they’re trying to kill each other, the next they’re swapping war stories.”

I watch, fascinated and slightly horrified, as Dad claps Mason on the shoulder.They both laugh, the sound carrying across the room.My stomach twists, a mix of relief and lingering anger.

“Should I be worried?”I mutter, more to myself than Elle.

She snorts.“Nah.This is good.Means they’ve reached an understanding.”

“An understanding?”I echo, eyebrow raised.

Elle leans in, her voice low.“Mason proved himself.Stood his ground against your old man.That counts for a lot in this world.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my tongue.She’s right.As much as I hate to admit it, this is how things work here.Respect is earned through fists and fury.

Mason’s eyes find mine across the room.His lips quirk up in a small smile, tender despite the bruising.My heart stutters.Dad follows his gaze, his expression softening as he looks at me.

“You okay, sweetheart?”he calls out.

I can’t stay mad at my dad, so I make my way over and sit next to him.He pulls me into his side, kissing the top of my head like I’m still a little girl.

I will always love my daddy.

“I’m good now that my two favorite men are getting along.”I hug him a little tighter, hating that they were fighting.

I don’t want anyone to get hurt over me.

“I think I’m insulted, little sister.”

My eyes widen and I turn around to see my brother standing behind me, carrying a huge sack of clothes that’s military issued.

My heart leaps into my throat as I take in the sight of my brother.“Caiden!”I cry, launching myself at him.

He catches me easily, his strong arms wrapping around me.The familiar scent of his cologne mixes with something harsher, gunpowder and desert sand.I cling to him, tears pricking my eyes.

“Hey, squirt,” Caiden murmurs, voice rough with emotion.“Miss me?”

---