Page 75 of Piston

“What-what happened, Elijah?” I question, and he shakes his head, guilt pulsing off him.

“Killers attacked the club.” I suck in a breath. “They smashed into your car, causing it to flip, then dragged you out, and rode off.”

My eyes widen, an image of Adam lying on the ground, eyes wide open, and I gasp.

“Adam….”

Eli looks at me sadly, “Dead, baby. They killed him. He was buried three days ago. Steal, Acid, and I chased the fuckers when they took you, but they…fuck Nat, they threw you over Brooklyn Bridge. I dove in after you, but you-you weren’t breathing, and I had to give you CPR.” He breathes deeply, pressing his forehead against mine. “I need you to try and staycalm, to relax, and I know that’s easier said than done, but I can’t fucking lose you, Diamond.”

My tears fall at his heartbreak, and I hold him as tight as I can, my body still sore and stiff.

“I love you,” I murmur against his head before I feel wetness on my skin, his body shaking, and I squeeze him tighter, promising myself I’ll never let him feel this way again.

A few hours later, Eli is sitting on my bed, while I’m leaning against him as Cooper, who has a blue cast from his elbow to his hand, explains all about camp before Christy took him.

He breezes over it, not wanting to speak about how crazy she got, and I don’t blame him. The woman’s lost her fricking marbles; I mean, why take him to begin with? Why try and kill him?

I smile at all the pictures he shows me before he says he needs the bathroom.

When he’s out of earshot, Henry leans forward and demands, “Please tell me you caught the people that did this to her, Piston?”

I sigh, I am not up for this today—or ever, to be honest.

Twenty-four years he wasn’t a parent, and now suddenly he cares. I mean, come on! What game is he playing here?

Elijah squeezes me gently. "No, we haven’t. Their leader has gone into hiding, but I’ll find him, one way or another. And let’s keep the atmosphere light, yeah, Henry? Natalie doesn’t need the stress, and neither does Cooper.”

Henry sighs but nods, and leans back in his chair just as the door to the bathroom opens, and Cooper emerges.

I give him a smile while he looks at me with a little concern.

“I’m okay, Bud, I promise,” I try to reassure him.

He swallows, his throat bobbing before he admits, “I read your chart.” My eyes widen. “I-I didn’t understand it at first, but I saw the words baby and miscarry.”

“Fuck,” Eli mumbles, and Henry sits up again.

“You were pregnant?” he demands, and I sigh.

Seriously, where has this man come from?

“I was three years ago, but I lost the baby.” I give Cooper a small smile. “I am, however, currently six weeks pregnant.”

Cooper’s eyes light up, and Eli squeezes me tighter as he says, “There is a chance she could lose it, Coop, because of her trauma. Try not to get too excited, alright?”

Cooper nods seriously, his eyes full of sadness, and I open my arms to him. He comes instantly, and I wrap my arms around him.

I haven’t allowed myself to think about the baby.

Having a child of my own is not something I wanted, and then losing the baby three years ago, after I wished for there not to be one…guilt ate me alive, still does. And, here I am, pregnant again.

I just don’t understand how it happened. I was on the contraceptive patch, and I know they can fail, but I guess it was wishful thinking.

I squeeze my brother to me, grateful he’s okay as Eli runs his fingers down my back. I wonder if I can be a mom, if I can have this child.

What if I screw up?

What if I mess it up like my parents had with me?

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