Page 150 of Ethan's Sky

“You could say that.” She replies, picking at the edge of her blanket, not making eye contact with anyone in the room. I place my hand on her thigh, which has her looking up at me.

“You can tell these men anything. They’ll keep your secrets safe.”

“She was dating a guy, Freddie. I never liked him. One night he came to my room when my mom wasn’t home. He didn’t do anything, but he implied things that made me feel uncomfortable.” She sighs. “When I told my mom about it, she said I was lying. Freddie then told her I had come on to him, spewing some crap about me being curious about sex and boys and wanting him to teach me. Which is utter bullshit!”

Her eyes find mind, the same moment her hand covers her mouth. “Sorry. I just get so mad sometimes.”

“Not a damn person in this room is going to fault you for cussing about any fucking thing. We all use sentence enhancers on occasion.” Hawk’s silly explanation puts Lilah at ease.

“Please continue, Lilah. What happened after your mother didn’t believe you?” Vincenzo is talking to Lilah, but his raised brow and menacing gaze are aimed at Matteo, who nods and pulls out his phone.

“She told me if I was going to act like I whore then I could get out of her house and go live like a whore. The next night she worked late, and Freddie came into my room again, only this time he was pissed. When he came storming at me, I didn’t even think. I grabbed a pair of scissors off my desk and stabbed him in the leg.”

“Good girl.”

“Fuck yeah.”

“Smart thinkin’.”

The men all approved. Hell, I approve! My only critique would be to say, aim for the balls next time. But I’m hoping for her sake, after her mother’s boyfriend and the events of tonight, there never is a next time.

“I packed a bag and used all my birthday and babysitting money I’d been saving and bought a bus ticket to Crestview.”

“Why Crestview?” I ask, out of genuine curiosity.

Lilah shrugs. “It’s a small town. Nothing like the area in California that I grew up in. I had always read book where they say small town folks are nice and friendly. I guess I was hoping to find someplace like those stories talked about.”

“And did you?” Eli watches her closely waiting for her answer.

“I guess for the most part people were nice. The shelter was decent and the people staying there seemed friendly enough. Until the guy with the spider tattoo did what he did.”

I don’t blame her for not wanting to explain it to them. I’d just as soon forget myself.

“We should look into calling social services, in case anyone has filed for a missing person.”

“NO!” Lilah jumps up from the couch. “You said they would keep my secrets!” She shouts at me.

“They will. You have my word. And all of theirs. Doesn’t she?” I ask not leaving room for argument on any of their behalf’s.

Setting her sights on Vincenzo, Lilah begs. “Please don’t call social services. They’ll say I ran away and send me back to my mother. She’s not looking for me. She told me to leave. Please, please don’t make me go back there.” She’s crying again and it’s breaking my heart. “Take me back to the shelter. I’ll get my stuff and move to a different town if you want, just please don’t send me home.”

“Ethan.” I whisper.

He understands, and scoops Lilah up placing her next to me on the couch where she burrows into my side, her body racked with sobs.

“Vincenzo.” His eyes are watching me warily.

“I cannot be involved with the dealings of a runaway child, Miss Sinclair. While I may help those in need, they are all legal age.” I know he’s talking about the women, like me, who work for him under disguise. Some are running from abusive situations. Others are single mom’s trying to make ends meet. Others have darker stories, but none of them have ever been under the legal adult age.

“She’ll go with us.” Eli says, not waiting for anyone else to speak up. “We can hide her away with us, like we did Sky. She’ll be well loved and get a good education. We can see to all of that. What do you say, Lilah? Would you like to come live with me and my family in Mountain Heights?”

“Will Skyler be there?”

“No.” Ethan answers for me. “Skyler’s my woman. She lives with me in Oak Ridge. And she’s not leaving.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Oh, I’m not, huh?”

“No. You’re not.”

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