Page 28 of Piston

He smiles sadly, “I failed you; I know I did. I listened to Christy instead of seeing what she was putting you through, and I can’t express how sorry I am for that. I know that doesn’t change anything, I-I just….”

I squeeze the steering wheel. "You had a baby dropped on your doorstep, literally. I get it….”

He nods once. “I did, and I was scared. I’d just gotten married, and she made it clear she didn’t want kids yet. I never should have taken my bitterness about your birth mother out on you, Natalie.”

I look out the windshield, and remark, “You didn’t want me. Christy certainly didn’t want me, and neither did Billy.” I chuckle humorlessly and admit, “I found her, you know.”

“You did?” he questions in shock.

I nod once. “She’s married and lives in New Jersey in a big house with her three kids.”

I look at him to see him wince. “I’m so sorry, Nat….”

I just shrug. “I’m unwanted, unlovable. I know it sounds like I’m having a pity party for one, but it's true. Cooper is my only constant now.”

“Nat,” Henry rasps with such emotion my eyes tear up.

I clear my throat and whisper, “I need to get going. I have work in the morning." I look away, not willing to feel bad for him.

He doesn’t say anything for a few minutes before I feel him move. I feel his lips on my head, and my heart breaks because I’m sure this is the first time my father has shown affection toward me.

“I do love you, Nat. You’re my little girl, and I’m sorry I encouraged you to think otherwise…. Enjoy your night tomorrow with your brother,” he says before he shuts the door, and on autopilot, I drive away from the curb, my tears falling.

Deep down, I’m still that little girl, wishing her father would be there for her, while the adult me wants to drive and never stop, running away from all her heartaches.

It doesn’t take long before I’m pulling up in front of my house, and I sigh, wishing my brother was still here.

He fills part of that void, part of the emptiness in my life, giving me purpose.

The baby.

Henry.

Christy.

Piston….

Cooper takes all the pain away with his boyish smiles and giggles.

Trying to control the urge to sob, I climb out of my car and shut the door before someone grabs my arm, twisting me, and then slams my back against the car door.

My eyes connect with the cold, dark green ones, and anger fills me, and I sneer, “You really have a habit of trying to scare women in the dark by their cars, don’t you, creeper!”

The man growls and places a knife to my neck, and my blood runs cold as he snaps, “Watch that fucking mouth of yours, bitch, or I’ll cut your throat.”

I try, I really do try to keep my mouth shut, but I spent all my life keeping my mouth shut, and I’m fed up with the men in my life treating me like crap.

With all my might, I shove the man hard in the chest. He stumbles in shock, not expecting it, causing him to cut my neck a little, making it sting, but I ignore it, determined to face my attacker.

He growls again, taking a menacing step toward me, and rumbles, “You really shouldn’t have fucking done that!”

I roll my eyes and ask, “Why, because you’ll slit my throat?” He narrows his eyes, and I take a determined step forward, trying to be brave when really, I’m shaking like a fricking leaf. “I told you last time, Piston cannot stand me. He hates me, actually. I don’t go to the clubhouse, and I’m not welcome in the home he built; you shoving me last time, causing me to lose my baby, made sure of that!”

He freezes at my words, and I act instantly. I bring my knee up and ram it hard between his legs, making him grunt and cough before falling to the ground, holding himself.

I snap, “Stay the hell away from me; otherwise, I’ll use your own knife on you next time!”

I take advantage of his injury and quickly get in my car, locking the door before his hand goes to the handle.

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