Page 149 of Ethan's Sky

I’m seeing red. If either one of these fucksticks touch one hair on her head, I’m going to filet them my goddamn self.

Gabe counts us of telling Mack and me to head for the basement door. Eli and Walker enter the front door. We pass them on our way downstairs.

Gunshots are fired upstairs. Mack shoots the lock on the basement door. When it swings open, there’s my Sunshine, in her fight stance ready to defend herself.

“Baby.” I push past Mack, putting my gun away before takin her into my arms. Skyler wraps her arms around me, fisting my shirt as she cries in my arms.

“Clear!” Eli shouts down the steps.

“Clear!” Mack calls back. “Sky’s down here. Gonna bring her up.” He’s letting them know to hide the mess and dead bodies from her view.

“Lilah?” Skyler looks up at me, her eyes pleading.

“We’ve got her, baby. Gabe and the guys have her upstairs. She’s safe.”

No sooner do the words pass my lips, does Skyler’s body drop. I hoist her up, cradling her to my chest.

“I got you Sunshine. Let’s go home.

43

SKYLER

Ethan held me in his lap the entire drive back to the hotel. Matteo met us in the underground garage and escorted us to Vincenzo’s penthouse suite. A body slams into me as soon as I step off the elevator.

Lilah has wrapped her arms around my waist and is squeezing the ever-loving hell out of me. I hug her back and pray she can feel the apology and the guilt I feel for what happened to her. We stand here for a long while holding each other, crying. It’s not until I lift my head to see her eyes that I notice the giant wall of leather surrounding us.

“Miss Sinclair.” Vincenzo calls from the other side of the human partition. “Perhaps you and the young lady would care to sit on the couch and have a snack while we discuss a few things.”

He’s not actually asking, I know this. And the snacks are more for Lilah’s benefit than mine since my stomach has yet to settle. Gripping Lilah’s hand, I push through the men and walk her over to the couch and drop down to sit.

She’s wearing a Staff Security shirt from the event, snuggling up to my side making herself as small as she can. The same as when we were in the basement.

I lean down and whisper, “It’s okay, sweetheart. This is my family. They’re here to help. No one here will hurt you and you have my word they’ll kill any motherfucker who tries.”

Her worried eyes meet mine. “They killed those two men at the house.” Her words are spoken so softly I almost don’t hear them.

“I know. But you can never tell anyone, Lilah. They could get into a lot of trouble if anyone knew who was responsible for their deaths.”

“No one will ever know the men who held you hostage were here. My men have made sure to erase all traces of people in that house.” Vincenzo says, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. “The house has been destroyed. Bad gas leak apparently. It’s common in older homes that have been neglected.”

“Sad how shit gets forgotten.” Eli says, leaning against the wall watching Lilah. “People go off all the time and forget to turn of the oven or unplug their iron. It’s a damn shame.” He winks at Lilah and her lips tip up, and I love him even more for the way he makes her feel safe.

“Miss Lilah, I’d like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind. I need to know what kind of situation we’re dealing with when it comes to you.” Lilah looks to me as if asking permission.

“Will you stay with me?” My heart melts for this girl.

“Of course. Ethan?” I don’t have to look to know he’s standing directly behind me. I can feel his rage still radiating from him. He comes to kneel in front of me, wordlessly holding my hands waiting for me to tell him what I need so he can take care of me.

“Would you find a blanket for Lilah.” My eyes flick to her bare legs and the t-shirt riding up her body the smaller she tries to become. He understands but before he can stand up, Eli is already there, placing a soft, fluffy, white blanket over her now shaking body.

“Thank you.” She whispers. Eli leans down, kissing the top of her head then whispers something only she can here. Her eyes glass over, but whatever he said they’re happy tears if the small smile she gives him in response is any indication.

“Where are your parents, Miss Lilah?” Vincenzo asks.

“My father’s dead. My mouther kicked me out not long ago.” The room vibrates with the low rumble of growling men.

“Why did your mother kick you out? Did you have a disagreement?” Vincenzo continues. His expression one of curiosity.

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