Page 43 of Piston

Anchor called and mentioned the takings for Huntsmen’s Grub didn’t add up. Roughly $1000 is missing a month, and my calculations also come out to that amount, which means we have a thief. This is sad considering the club not only allows the staff to keep the tips they earn, but also gives them advances on their wages when needed, plus sick pay and health insurance.

“Well, Anchor was right; we’re $1000 short,” I confirm, and Acid curses. “I’ll check the feeds tonight once Cooper has gone to bed,” I continue, quickly stacking the papers up and putting them in the folder.

“You’re staying at Natalie’s again?” he asks with curiosity, and I nod, not bothering to lie. I’ve not been home for more than five minutes since finding out someone tried to attack her, someone I still have yet to find, because her neighbors’ door cams don’t reach her.

“Yeah. I promised Cooper I’d cook mac and cheese after Natalie accidentally spilled all the pasta down the drain yesterday,” I remark.

Acid laughs, asking, “How in the hell did she manage that?”

I snort. “The woman is a klutz. Two days ago, she dropped a five-pound bag of rice on the floor before slipping on it, and landing on her ass, and don’t get me started with the lid I found down her fucking bathroom drain.” Acid laughs again, and I shake my head, and let slip, “She’s just lucky I fucking love her….”

I freeze, and Acid instantly stops laughing, shocked that I just admitted that.

“Well,” he says, clearing his throat, “it’s about time you said that out loud.”

I swallow hard. “I do love her,” I admit, and he nods. I whisper, “And it scares the living shit outta me.”

“You’re not like dad, Elijah,” Acid says sternly, and we lock eyes; his are serious. “Do you get angry? Fuck yeah, but you blow it off in the ring, you control it, fuck, you were adamant Natalie tried to trap you, and did you smack her like dad hit us or mom?” His eyes peer deeply into mine. “No, you didn’t, instead you asked Steal to allow a divorce once–once,Elijah. He had already told me that if you asked three times, he would have allowed it, but you only askedonce….”

I sigh. “So much has happened, though, Ol, so much hurt, and then the distance over these past few years, Desiree and Angel?—”

He cuts in, “You need to sit down with Natalie, Eli. I mean, could you sit back and allow someone else to call her his, to touch her?” I growl at the thought, and he nods. “Exactly. You both need a serious talk, brother. I know you don’t want to, but you need to tell her your–our past. She’s finally told you some of hers, which helped you understand her, to realize she didn’t mean to fall pregnant….”

I swallow and look at the counter. Telling Natalie my past, fuck me, that weight presses on my chest.

“You don’t have to do it tonight, brother. Just think about it,” he continues.

I nod but don’t reply.

Could I do it? Could I tell her about my childhood?

Would she understand me more?

I never pretended to be something I wasn’t; she knew my reputation in college, but I also never predicted that she’d become my “one.”

I look back at my brother but smirk when I see his eyes on Perrie.

Here he is, trying to givemeadvice…. Maybe it’s time he took it himself.

“Dad, why are you here? I thought I was having dinner with Sissy?” Cooper whines, and Acid and I turn to see a man in a suit, standing in the doorway of the diner.

His suit is a little big, his black hair slicked back, but his eyes are wide, looking at his son, clearly not expecting to see him here.

I tilt my head as Acid murmurs, “So this is your father-in-law?”

I hum. “It would seem so….”

“I, uh…” the man stammers before clearing his throat and asking, “Where is your sister, Cooper?”

Cooper smiles. “She’s in a meeting. Two of her students were in a big fight, so Piston picked me up. We’re going to make mac and cheese and surprise Sissy; he just had to do some work first.” Cooper's smile disappears. “Do I have to leave with you?”

The man gives him a smile. “No, son. I uh, just came to speak to, uh, Piston; some woman said he’d be here. I’ll pick you up from Sissy’s at the normal time.”

Ah, his wife opened her mouth, and a clubwhore gave him my whereabouts.

“Why did he sound unsure, saying your name?” Acid asks, and I snort, admitting, “My wife never told her family she was married. Only Cooper knows.”

Acid rolls his eyes, and I elbow him as Cooper nods, happy our plans haven’t changed.

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