Page 123 of Ethan's Sky

As we start to clear out of the sanctuary, I get Cash’s attention. “Hawk, hold up. I need your help too.” Both men hang back.

“What’s up, brother?” Hawk asks.

“I’m going to need your help with something, Cash.”

“What do you need, man?”

“I need you to take a step back from Skyler.” He raises a brow, in question, not liking my request. “You’re the closest person to her, and I get you two have a strong bond, but I need her to come to me with her shit now. She needs to learn to trust me. To lean on me.” I clear my throat. “That’s not to say, I, um, I appreciate you being there and taking care of her when she, uh, lost the baby.”

Goddamn why is it so hard to say this?

Cash’s eyes widen.

“I didn’t know she was pregnant. I mean, I didn’t know a lot of things all those years ago and now that everything is coming to light, I wanted to say, thank you.”

Hawk is looking between me and Cash, confused and maybe a little unsure. Me and Cash haven’t exactly been the best of friends since he came on scene with Skyler in tow.

“I’m glad I could be there. I’llalwaysbe there.” A growl rumbles up my chest. “I get what you’re saying. But you need to realize Me and Sky, we’ve bonded over the years and I’m not about to step all the way out of her life.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to. But with me claiming her as my ol’ lady, you will need to respect the boundaries of our relationship.” I’m thinking it may be something I have to worry more about Skyler not understanding than Cash. “She’s mine, Cash. But she’s never going to trust me ifyoudon’t trust me. And the only way for you to trust me, is to let me step up and be her man. I know you’ve looked after her and took care of her when she was facing death and loss, and all the guilt and shit she’s been carrying. But I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere. So, I think it’s best we come to an agreement for Skyler’s sake.”

Cash stares at me apprehensively, but to my surprise he agrees. “I’ll go along with it,butif she ever calls to tell me you’ve done something to hurt her, they won’t find your body.”

“We have pigs on the other side of the farm.” Hawk, who’s been silent up til now, supplies.

“We good?”

“Yeah. We’re good.”

“Come on, then. Let’s grab a drink and give the prospect hell for letting our girl escape.” Hawk says jokingly. It doesn’t stop me from slapping his ass upside the head.

“Actually, Hawk. I need to borrow something from you.”

He looks at me suspiciously. “What do you need, brother?”

“Restraints.”

31

SKYLER

My eyes open to find my room covered in pitch black, but there’s a presence in the room. Like I’m being watched. With my back turned to the door, I can’t see who’s here, but I can feel him. The way my body hums to life, I know it’s Ethan. I can smell him. The scent making my body ache for his touch.

I’m so screwed.

“I know you’re awake, Sunshine.” His voice is velvety smooth, laced with frustration.

“What do you want Ethan? Where’s Cash? I thought he was supposed to be coming back to stay with me tonight.” I don’t turn to look at him. Hoping the mention of Cash will anger him enough to walk away. Remind him how much he doesn’t want me.

Liar.

“Baiting me, baby? It’s not going to work. I know I was an asshole for all those things I said before and I was wrong. But I also know the truth now. The whole truth. And Skyler, the truth isyouare mine.”

Pushing my face further into the pillow, fighting the tears stinging my eyes, I hide. My mind swirling with questions, but not sure I want to know the answers.

What truth does he know?Does hereallyknow the whole truth? Because let’s face it, the club hasn’t exactly been forthcoming with information for six fucking years.

But Vincenzo has no reason to keep what he knows from Ethan. He went to the clubhouse to set shit straight. Whatever that means.

---