Page 82 of Rampage

My hands pause on the coffee filter. "You know about Peterson?"

She snorts, measuring beans. "Everyone knows. Man's been harassing young nurses and residents for years. Hospital board just turns a blind eye because he brings in wealthy patients."

"Meadow's filing a formal complaint," I say, remembering our conversation earlier this week. After hearing about my experience with Frank, Meadow had found new courage to document Peterson's behavior. "She's gathering statements from other women he's targeted."

"Good for her." Mrs. Winters nods approvingly. "Sometimes you have to fight the system to fix it."

I think about Meadow—brilliant, dedicated Meadow—and how Peterson's harassment had dimmed her confidence, made her doubt her abilities.

But no more.

twelve

Reid

The workday passes slowly, but it's still not time for me to go pick up Lily from work.

She loves working at the bakery more than the diner; maybe it's time for me to encourage her to do what she genuinely loves.

I pull into the clubhouse lot, immediately sensing something's wrong. The entire MC is gathered outside, faces tense, bodies rigid with alertness. Mason paces near his bike, phone pressed to his ear, while Lane stands at the center of the group, his expression thunderous.

"What's going on?" I ask, climbing out of my truck.

Lane turns, his eyes finding mine. "Peterson," he spits the name like poison. "The bastard threatened Meadow after she filed her complaint."

Ice forms in my veins. "Threatened how?"

Mason lets out a deep breath, "He told her that someone she cares about is going to die until she turns herself over to him."

Fuck, I know that is going to kill her with guilt.

My fingers curl into fists, rage building like a storm inside me. "Peterson thinks he can threaten one of ours? After everything that's happened with Frank?"

"He doesn't know who he's messing with," Lane agrees, his voice deadly calm. "Nobody threatens our family."

I’m sick and tired of these fuckers thinking that it's okay to just hurt women, that they think they have the right.

Meadow walks over to the two of us, her skin pale and her hands shaking. She is shaken by everything.

I start to respond when Meadow's eyes suddenly widen, fixating on something behind us.

"There's someone by the gate!" she screams, pointing frantically toward the perimeter fence.

We spin around just as the first shot cracks through the air. The bullet slams into the pavement, inches from where we stand.

"Get down!" Lane bellows as more shots follow in rapid succession.

Mason lunges toward Meadow, tackling her to the ground and covering her body with his own. I dive to shield her other side, pressing her between us as bullets whiz overhead.

"Stay down!" I yell, scanning the fence line for the shooter.

A searing pain tears through my upper arm, the impact spinning me sideways. Warm blood immediately soaks through my shirt sleeve.

"Reid's hit!" someone shouts.

Mason keeps Meadow pinned beneath him while reaching for his weapon. "How bad?"

"Through and through," I grit out, pressing my hand against the wound. "Keep her covered!"