Page 14 of Ethan's Sky

Eli knows enough to know I could be walking into an epic shitstorm because of all the rumors surrounding my disappearance. It’s why his men were told to stick close and didn’t stray far enough to mingle for too long with their brothers. I’m sure everyone else feels the discomfort in the air. But is it ever comfortable when someone we know dies?

Daddy didn’t just die though. He was murdered.

I don’t have to be a club member to know the truth. I knew after the way Daddy sounded on the phone when we spoke, and then when I got the call from Ghost telling me Daddy’s body had been found and his truck stolen. He confirmed without saying the exact words; Daddy had been killed.

Which is the real reason behind the guys’ obsessive need to hover over me.

Protecting me. Watching me.

They’re all waiting for me to snap.

I damn near did when my uncle walked up after leaving the office and engulfed me in his big arms, cradling my head into his chest. A few tears slipped past, soaking into his shirt, but he didn’t let anyone see them. He held me to him and let me have a moment to immerse myself in the comfort and familiarity of his arms.God, I’ve missed this.

Armor, Skyler! Put that shit up and don’t let it down!

Ghost presses his lips to the top of my head with a tender kiss. “I’ve got you, sweet girl.”

I nod my head against his hard chest, and take a deep breath in, letting it out slowly, as I raise my face to look up at his. Those piercing violet eyes like Mama’s and my own stare back at me.

His large hand cradles my cheek as he leans in close and whispers, “Keep your shit together just a little longer. We’ll get this shit done with the club and then you and me we’ll go have a long chat and you can have a good cry, yeah? Your mother would have my ass if I let you fall apart in front of all these assholes.”

“I’m not going to crumble. I’m good.”

His reassuring words put a small smile on my face. He’s right. Mama would be pissed if he let everyone gawk and stare at me. She was very private when it came to emotional or traumatic events. It’s why she didn’t allow anyone to see her during the last few weeks before her passing. Only Daddy, Ghost, and me. No one else was allowed to see her at her worst.

Rebecca Sinclair was a fierce, proud woman. And she took every chance to give her big brother shit.

“I’m not as fragile as some may think.” He smirks and kisses my forehead.

“No. You’re not. You’re your mother’s daughter. Becca was as strong as they come.”

Cash adds in a whisper, “The minute this is over, we’ll find a store, stock up on Rocky Road ice cream, and all the cookies you can stuff in your cute little mouth. Unless of course you’d rather stuff it with something else.”

Ghost grunts, shoving Cash back and growling, “Fuck off.” I chuckle at them both.

“Don’t provoke him, Cash.”

You’ve got this, Skyler. Hang in there a little longer.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Skyler?”

And just like that, the small bubble of safety I had begun to relax in bursts open, leaving me exposed. Serves me right for letting my guard down.

The gravelly rasp of Ethan’s voice, and the harsh way he spoke those words, nearly takes me to my knees. I feel the daggers pierce my soul the moment his eyes land on mine and suddenly the air around me is too thick to breathe. I could only wish the Earth beneath me would open up and swallow me whole.

Do not cower, Skyler Sinclair!

Seeing him at the Pearl was difficult, but the space between us was enough he couldn’t see how affected I was by his presence. I’m thankful he’s unaware of the way my heart gave a harsh thump like it recognized its missing half. It was difficult, but doable because he didn’t know it was me in the Mardi-gras mask dancing before him.

But here. Like this. Where I’m completely exposed, with nowhere to run or hide, completely unprotected from his wrath…it’s suffocating. It feels like someone has stuck a bag over my head and all my air is slowly being taken away, one breath at a time.

Fucking breathe, Skyler!

I shout to myself in my head.

Get it together! Breathe in.

And out.I repeat the exercise a few more times.

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