Page 58 of Piston

I sigh, rubbing my forehead. “Still unconscious, Nat.” I look up as Acid passes me my coffee, frowning. I give him a tight smile before asking my girl, “What’s going on in the pretty head of yours, Diamond? You’ve been so clumsy this week that even Cooper is worried….”

Acid leans against my bike next to me, waiting to hear her answer, but I can guess what it is.

She’s scared but trying not to run.

“Piston,” she whispers, and I cut her off before she can change the subject, “You’re scared, and I get it, baby, because I am too, but we agreed to this, remember? We promised each other we’d try, after you broke down and cried that you didn’t want to lose me.” And, fuck me, was that the hardest moment for me, witnessing her fear of not committing and losing me.

It was after that bitch attacked her, and we made love three times.

I sigh. “No more once a month meetings without communicating, no more clubwhores and accusations of trapping, and no more blaming yourself for the miscarriage.”

Acid flinches, overhearing everything. After I told him about the baby, we spent an hour in the ring while the club mourned, Aunt Holly and Gran struggling the most, understanding more as to why Nat doesn’t want a child.

“Marriage, Nat, that’s what we both decided we wanted, so we’re no longer stuck in limbo, and I get it, you want to run; me being on club business has come at the wrong time, I know, but it’s also good practice for us to stay in contact, something we didn’t do over the years. We can do this, Diamond; six years together, and it brought us here. We got this.”

Acid squeezes my arm as she’s silent for a moment, then whispers, “I miss you.”

I half smile. “I know, I miss you, too…. I’m going to call Medic to check you out, alright?”

“Piston, I’m fine,” she huffs.

I sigh and use the one person I know will convince her. “You’re scaring Cooper, Nat. He’s worried, so if not for yourself, let Medic check you out for Cooper’s sakeandmine, because I’m miles away, and I won’t be able to concentrate unless I know you’re alright.”

She grumbles, “Fine,” and I chuckle.

“That’s my girl,” I reply. I hear a whistle and look up to see Anchor twirling his finger in the air, ready to roll out. “Right, I’ve got to go. I’ll be back late tonight, so meet me at the club in the morning. We’ll do breakfast, and Nat, no more DIY shit, yeah, because if this works out, you’ll be moving anyway. Now, go take a hot bath. I’ll message Medic,” I pause for a moment, knowing my brother is still next to me, but decide ‘fuck it,’ and declare, “I love you, baby.”

Acid looks at me sharply, but I ignore him as Natalie replies, “I love you, too. Be careful.”

I smile. “Always, baby.” I hang up, and down my drink, before climbing on my bike and quickly messaging Medic. He sends a thumbs-up in reply, and I sigh in relief, putting my shades on.

I feel Acid's eyes on me, and I look his way. His eyes are teary, and he rasps, “Yeah, you two are going to be alright,” before walking over to his bike near Anchor.

I clear my throat and start my bike, praying he’s right, because I know, without a doubt, I won’t survive without her.

It takes us another hour to reach the meeting point with the Rebels MC, who will meet with the Devils in two days.

We were met with a thunderstorm, so spending a night in a motel has made this trip longer than it should have been for the drop-off. From our compound to Wincher, it’s only a four-and-a-half-hour drive; the weather fucked up our plans, causing my girl to get restless.

TheirRoad Captain, Anchor, shakes hands with ourVPAnchor, and I grin, asking, “Is it weird that you both have the same road name?”

Both men look my way. My VP shakes his head while their Road Captain grins wide, and my brother chuckles. Cam and Adam, our prospects, try to hide their laughter.

I shrug and ask, “What? It’s a genuine question.”

My VP snorts, turns back to the other Anchor, ignoring me, and says, “There are three thousand rounds of ammo in the truck.”

Their Anchor nods seriously, and I butt in, “Does this mean your legal names are the same as well?”

Acid laughs while my VP shakes his head, exasperated.

I chuckle and look around, ensuring it’s still safe, when something catches my eye. My smile disappears when I notice the muzzle of a gun. I shout, “Fucking duck!”

The men all drop, grabbing their pieces just as bullets fly our way. I grunt as one hits my arm, and quickly duck behind my bike.

“Fuck, you’re fucking shot!” Cam shouts, getting everyone’s attention as blood pours from my arm, but I ignore it, and peek over my bike to see where the shoots came from. I grab my pistol from my holster.

Another round of bullets fly, and I notice three men hiding behind the Welcome to Wincher sign, all fucking wearing Killers jackets.

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