Page 108 of Ethan's Sky

“I still want you looked at.”

Tears are flowing endlessly down my face. My body is wracked with pain both physical and emotional. Daddy’s right. I can’t only think about myself, or Ethan. Even if what I did was to protect us and our future. It’s never going to happen now, because of me. He’ll never understand why I left him behind. I couldn’t stop Emily’s death. How I knew about her addiction but couldn’t get her to stop.

First, he’ll blame himself for not being here. Then he’s going to hate me, for letting him go through losing her alone.

The thought of him being alone terrifies me. I know how destructive he can be. I saw it firsthand when his father left them years ago. He had no control over his temper and found himself constantly in trouble with the law until he got into a gym and redirected his anger to fighting in the cage.

I need do something to help Ethan, now. To make sure he doesn’t let this truly destroy him or his future as a fighter. A thought comes to me, and my decision is made. I know what I have to do.

The rumble of motorcycles pulling up and the slamming of a truck door draw my attention away from my thoughts. Daddy helps me stand up, the sharp pain still gripping me, but I refuse to focus on myself now. I’ll have time to do enough of that soon enough. First, I need to make sure the people I love are taken care of.

“You wait here while I go talk to Gabe and Ghost out front.” I nod. “Hawk, stand guard by the door.” I hear Ghost shout.

“I need to go change. Tell them I’ll only be a minute.” Daddy releases me with a nod. I move quickly making my way to my room. I grab the box in the bottom of my closet and run it down into the garage hiding it behind the stacks of Christmas decorations. I can’t take it with me, and if I leave it here, Daddy, or worse, Ethan might find it. Knowing Daddy never comes down here because there are too many boxes with memories of our life when Mama was still here. I know the box will stay hidden.

I make my way back to my room, grabbing a small duffle bag and my backpack. I dump the backpack out on the bed and begin filling both with clothes. I throw off my shorts and T-shirt landing them in the laundry basket. Pain slices through me again.

“Hold on, baby. We’ll be safe soon and we can both rest. I promise.”

I grab my things and head out front. Gabe and Ghost, along with Hawk and Caleb all wait by a newer looking pickup truck.

“You ready to go, sweetheart?” Gabe asks, his voice gentle but stern. Maybe he thought I was going to argue, and had he been here a little bit ago, I would’ve. But now I know what needs to be done and I’m not leaving until he agrees to my terms.

“I am, but first, I have a few things I need to discuss with you before I go. I’d like to discuss them in the chapel.”

Gabe lifts a brow at my demand. “You understand we only discuss club business in the chapel, and you aren’t…”

“Part of the club. Yes, I understand. But I also understand if we discuss this matter in the chapel, it will also be considered club business and no one will ever speak of it again without your permission, meaning my secrets will be safe.”

“What secrets, Sky?”

“Not here. As I said, I need this to be private.”

“Very well. Let’s get moving then.” His tone says he’s amused.

When we arrive at the clubhouse, Gabe leads me straight to the chapel. Ghost, Caleb, and Mack who I didn’t see before, follow behind us and close the door.

“Don’t we need the whole club to have church?”

Gabe chuckles. “This isn’t church. This is my office. You’re not a member of this club. You’re family. But since this matter is…delicate, we want as few people involved as possible until we know exactly what we’re up against. You get me?”

“Yes. I understand.”

“So, what is it you’d like to discuss? Ghost already filled us in on what happened. Is there more? Did you forget something?”

“No. I’d like to discuss my terms for leaving and what I will require to stay gone. If you give me your word, you’ll do this for me, and I’ll give you mine to follow every word you say from here on out. But if you don’t agree, our deal is void and I won’t be leaving town at all.” I stand a little taller, hoping I come off as confident and unwavering, rather than the quivering little girl I feel I am inside.

I hear a chuckle from behind me, I can only assume is Caleb by the words he says under his breath. “Just like your mama this one.”

Gabe smirks while rubbing his hand across his chin, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“You realize your demands don’t hold weight here. If I say you go, then you’ll go and stay gone. Ghost’s freedom and the lives of my men are more important than the whims of a child. However, since you’ve piqued my curiosity, what is it you were going to ask for?”

I stand tall, my shoulders back, holding Gabe’s eyes with mine. “If you’ll promise to take care of Ethan, make him a prospect for the Kings, I promise to keep all your secrets and stay gone until you say otherwise.”

“We could make him a prospect, but that doesn’t mean he’ll earn a patch.”

“I understand. But I also know Ethan.” My voice wavers, but I clear my throat and push through it. “Emily and me, we were all he had. His mother hasn’t been the same since his father left and now with Emily’s death, I’m sure she’ll be devastated. Ethan will blame himself for not being here to protect Emily. If he accepts the guilt and blame as his own, he’ll give up his dream of becoming an MMA fighter. He’s going to need people…family, to help him get through this. And since you’ve all decided I can’t be here for him for the safety of the club and myself, I think it’s only fair you take Ethan in and help him find his way. Don’t let him give up on himself. Emily wouldn’t want him to. She’d want him to become the best MMA fighter, making a name for himself and a life he deserves. Can you do that? Will you make him a prospect? I know he’ll earn his patch once he gets over his grief.” I ramble my way through, hoping like hell they take me up on my deal.

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