Page 11 of Piston

And the way she looked at me sometimes, like she saw something in me that nobody else did. Something worth believing in.

It was dangerous, the things she made me feel. The things she made me want. I couldn't afford to let her get too close, to let her see the darkness inside me. The violence and the rage that simmered just beneath the surface, always threatening to boil over.

She deserved better than that. Better than me.

So why couldn't I stay away from her? Why did every cell in my body scream at me to go to her, to claim her as mine and never let her go?

The whore's hands dipped lower, fumbling with my belt buckle. And suddenly, I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't pretend that this was what I wanted, that anyone else would ever be enough.

"Let's take this back to my room, baby," the woman whispered, her words slurred and too loud in the crowded space. "I'll make you forget all about that little tease."

The anger that had been simmering in my gut exploded into a white-hot rage. I shoved her away from me, not caring that she stumbled and nearly fell in her too-high heels.

"Don't fucking touch me," I snarled, my voice low and dangerous. "And don't you ever talk about her like that again."

The woman's eyes widened, her mouth falling open in shock. But I was already turning away, scanning the room for any sign of Jenny.

She was gone. Of course she was. What the hell did I expect, after the way I'd acted? She probably couldn't wait to get away from me and my bullshit.

I pushed my way through the crowd, ignoring the startled looks and angry mutters of the people I jostled. I had to find her, had to make this right somehow.

But even as I burst out into the cool night air, I knew it was too late. I'd fucked everything up, just like I always did. And now the one person who made me feel like I could be something more than just a fuck-up with a rap sheet was gone.

The fury and frustration boiled over, and before I knew what I was doing, my fist was slamming into the rough bark of a nearby tree. Pain exploded through my knuckles, but I welcomed it, relished it. It was better than the hollow ache in my chest, the sickness in my gut that told me I'd just made the biggest mistake of my life.

I hit the tree again and again, until my knuckles were raw and bleeding. But even that wasn't enough to drown out the voice in my head, the one that kept repeating, "You're a fucking idiot, Piston. You had something good, and you threw it away."

The door to Perdition swung open, and I heard footsteps approaching. I didn't turn around, didn't want to face whoever had come to witness my breakdown.

"Piston, man, what the hell?" It was Dagger's voice, concern mixed with irritation.

I didn't answer, just kept my eyes fixed on the tree in front of me, my chest heaving with each ragged breath.

Dagger's hand landed on my shoulder. "Come on, brother, let's go back inside. We can talk about-"

I shrugged off his hand, whirling around to face him. "I don't want to fucking talk," I snarled. "I want you to leave me the hell alone."

Dagger's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenching. "Look, I get it. You're pissed off, and you've got every right to be. But taking it out on a goddamn tree isn't going to solve anything."

I laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. "Oh, and I suppose you've got all the answers, right? The great and wise Dagger, always knows what's best for everyone."

I saw the flash of hurt in his eyes, but I didn't care. I was too far gone, too consumed by my own self-loathing to give a damn about anyone else's feelings.

Dagger took a step back, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "All right, man. You want to be alone, I'll leave you alone. But when you're done feeling sorry for yourself, you know where to find me."

He turned to walk away, and something inside me snapped. Before I could think better of it, I lunged forward and threw a punch, catching Dagger square in the jaw.

He stumbled back, his eyes widening in shock. But he didn't retaliate, just stood there staring at me like he didn't even recognize me anymore.

I heard shouts from behind him, saw Mason and a couple of the other brothers rushing out of the clubhouse. They grabbed Dagger, holding him back, but he wasn't fighting them. He just kept looking at me, his expression a mix of disappointment and pity.

Mason glanced between us, his brow furrowed. "The hell's going on out here?"

I didn't answer, just turned and walked away, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. I heard them murmuring behind me, heard the door to Perdition slam shut, but I didn't look back.

I just kept walking, my mind a whirlwind of regret and self-recrimination. I'd pushed away the one person who made me feel like I could be something more, and now I was alone again, just like I'd always been.

But even as I walked, I couldn't shake the image of Jenny's face from my mind, couldn't forget the way she'd looked at me like I was worth something. And despite everything, despite the anger and the pain and the hopelessness, I felt a flicker of something else deep inside me.

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