Page 109 of Ethan's Sky

“You know what this life entails? If he makes it through the prospecting period, and we make him a King he’ll be one of us. There will be club whores, parties, drinking, and some other activities you don’t need to be privy to. You gonna be all right knowing he’ll be indulging in the MC lifestyle?”

No! Of course not. But I don’t say those words. Instead, I lie through my fucking teeth.

“I know what being a King means. I grew up with all of you. I may not want him to find someone else or screw everything with tits on two legs,” There’s a chuckle from behind me, but I don’t look to see who it is. “I know what I’m asking. And I know what I’m giving up, to give him this opportunity. I pray he does well. Because this is the only thing, I can offer him in my absence to assure he won’t do something stupid and get himself thrown in jail, or worse, take his own life.” Tears track down my cheek, and I swipe them away with the back of my hand. “I know I’m not a member and my desires don’t mean dick to anyone else here, but Ethan means everything to me. And I’m being asked to give him up. To walk away from the life, we promised each other. If I can do that, I think the least you could is give him a family…my family. He needs you to help him find his way. If you do this for me, you have my word I’ll stay away from here and not return.”

Iopen my eyes, Ethan’s pillow gripped tightly in my hands. I take in a deep breath, sit up and search for my bag. It’s sitting in the chair in the corner of the room. Jayde must’ve had it brought up here.

“I can’t let them go to war. Not when it could mean losing Ethan again.” I’m talking to myself as I pad my way over to the chair, retrieve my phone, and dial the only person I know who can help me now.

“Hello.”

“Vincenzo, it’s Sky. I need a favor. Actually, I need two.”

26

ETHAN

“They’re not in there, Ethan.” Blake calls from behind the bar in the common room. I move past the sanctuary to where he’s stocking bottles and glasses.

“You said Gabe wanted to see me.”

“Basement.” I’m jogging down the stairs feeling almost fucking giddy to get my shot at this son of a bitch, Devil. He had the audacity to accost my woman, and I want to know why. With Skyler holding fast to her secrets, I can only hope to get some type of clarity from this fucker.

A loud scream rents the air as I turn the corner to find the man in question, stripped to his underwear, hanging from the large meat hook mounted to the ceiling. His hands bound, tied up above his head with rope, burning red lacerations into his skin. His ankles are shackled to the floor, attached to a metal ring.

Mack and Jake are taking turns punching the asshole in the ribs. Jake chose standard brass knuckles insuring the blunt, bruising sting as his fists make each connection with our captive. Mack has chosen to go with something a little more sinister. His brass has spikes. Short, half inch curved metal spikes on each knuckle, leaving holes and bloody tears after each blow.

Declan’s perched against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, watching silently as Jake and Mack take turns meting out punishment.

“Fuuuuck. You started the party without me?” I whine.

Declan chuckles. “Mack was eager to get acquainted with our guest after his daughter ran into his arms shaking and terrified because of this piece of excrement.”

“Wow. Look at you, pulling out the fancy words, Dec.” Hawk shoves Declan’s arm playfully. “Though I’m not sure the fuckwad deserves such manners.”

“What do we know?” I ask Dec.

Mack walks to the table up against the wall beside us. His tool chest of sorts. He has knives of all lengths and types splayed out on a black cloth amongst other tools. Hammers. Saws. Chisels. Pliers. A car battery. He lays his spiked brass knuckles on the table and picks up a scalpel, turning it in his hand. The glint of the metal flashing so ourguestcan see.

“Got any new toys, Mack?” Jameson is sitting on a chair turned backward, his arms crossed over the back where his chin rests. If I didn’t know him, I’d think he looked bored. He’s the contemplative one of the bunch. Where Mack likes to torment and torture, to mete out punishment in what he calls a ‘just manner’. Jameson likes to make masterpieces out of his victims. Carvings and bullet holes are his favorite artistic mediums.

“I didn’t have time to stop by my locker and pick them up. I’ll try to remember before we pick up his friend. I have a new Karambit I’m sure you’ll find especially attractive. It cuts through flesh like fucking butter.”

A whimper is heard from the beaten bag of bones behind him.

“Where’s Xander?”

“Pres sent him to install a new alarm system and cameras at Skyler’s place in case anyone else tries to come after her.”

“Good plan.” I’m ecstatic to hear about the new system. Unfortunately, I don’t plan on her staying in that house for much longer. I have every intention of having Skyler sleeping beside me in my bed, in my apartment above the gym. She needs a fulltime bodyguard, and I have a business to run. As my woman, her safety is my responsibility, which means where I go, she goes. She won’t like it, in fact, she’ll hate it, but I have a plan for that too.

“Arthur Clines. Devil’s Order scum.” Jake calls. “Allow me to introduce you to my brothers.” Jake swings his arms out circling the room.

“He the one who stabbed the prospect?” I ask.

“No. He’s the fucker who accosted Skyler and Jayde in Magpie’s. As you can see, her father and brother don’t seem to take too kindly to their girl being upset.” Declan looks smug, and somewhat pleased with what we’re witnessing.

“Do we know what he wanted with them?”

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