Page 44 of Piston

I stare at her, my heart torn in two. I know she's right, but the thought of losing her, of something happening to her because of me... it's more than I can bear.

"I need some air," I mutter, grabbing my keys and heading for the door.

"Piston, wait-" Jenny calls after me, but I'm already gone, the door slamming shut behind me.

I sit on my bike, my head in my hands, trying to make sense of the chaos in my mind. I love Jenny more than anything in this world, but I also have a duty to the club, to my brothers. And right now, those two things feel like they're pulling me in opposite directions.

I take a deep breath, the cool night air clearing my head. I know I can't leave things like this, with so much left unsaid between us.

I head back inside, bracing myself for round two. But when I open the door, the apartment is empty, no sign of Jenny anywhere.

Panic rises in my throat as I search the rooms, calling her name. But she's gone, and all that's left is a note on the kitchen counter.

"I'm sorry, Piston. I love you, but I can't live like this. I need some time to think. Please don't come after me."

I crumple the note in my fist, my heart shattering into a million pieces. I want to go after her, to beg her to come back, to promise her that I'll find a way to make this work.

But I know I can't. Because as much as it kills me, I have to respect her choice. I have to trust that she knows what's best for herself, even if it means letting her go.

I sit down heavily on the couch, my head in my hands, the weight of my choices crushing down on me. I've pushed away the one person who matters most to me, all in the name of keeping her safe.

But at what cost? And is it a price I'm willing to pay?

FIFTEEN

JENNY

Back and forth,back and forth. I pace the living room like a caged animal, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Late period. Possible baby growing inside me. Piston's stern warning echoing in my head.

"Fuck," I mutter under my breath. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Things with Piston were just starting to get good.

I glanced at the clock. The drugstore would be closing soon. If I hurried, I could make it there and back before Piston knew I was gone. He'd be pissed if he found out I left, but I had to know. The uncertainty was eating me alive.

My hand hesitated on my keys. Piston's gravelly voice played in my mind: "Stay put, Jenny. It ain't safe out there right now."

I shook my head. Screw that. I needed answers, and I needed them now.

Snatching the keys, I marched to the front door, my jaw set with determination. Piston would just have to deal. This was my body, my life. I couldn't sit around waiting for his permission.

I locked the deadbolt behind me and hurried to my car. The night air felt heavy, oppressive. An uneasy feeling prickled the back of my neck as I slid behind the wheel.

"Stop being paranoid," I chide myself, jamming the key into the ignition. The engine roared to life.

I backed out of the driveway, tires squealing, and pointed my car toward town. My heart raced as I pressed down on the gas.

No turning back now. I had to know the truth, no matter what the consequences might be.

The drive to the market was a blur. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, my eyes constantly flicking to the rearview mirror. Every set of headlights made my heart skip a beat, wondering if it was one of Piston's boys tailing me.

"Get it together, Jenny," I muttered, my knuckles white on the steering wheel. "You're just being paranoid."

I pulled into the parking lot, the fluorescent lights casting an eerie glow. The market was nearly empty, just a few stragglers doing their last-minute shopping. I found a spot near the entrance and cut the engine.

For a moment, I just sat there, staring at the storefront. My stomach churned with a mixture of anxiety and defiance. I knew I was going against Piston's orders, but I couldn't let him control every aspect of my life.

With a deep breath, I grabbed my purse and stepped out of the car. The automatic doors whooshed open as I approached, the cool air conditioning hitting my face.

I navigated the aisles quickly, my senses on high alert. The bright packaging and cheery music felt surreal, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. I found the pregnancy tests and grabbed one, my hands trembling slightly.

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