Page 158 of Ethan's Sky

I thought I was going to be in trouble when we brought her home; outnumbered, two to one. Turns out, having both women under one roof has its advantages.

They team up on me about things like what we have for dinner and the movies we watch. Little things. But having two women who both want nothing more than to make the other happy, works out well for me. Makes my job easier.

I put them both on a mission to gather intel for me about each other.

Is it sneaky? Hell yes. Is it brilliant? Abso-fucking-lutely.

When we moved into Skyler’s place, Jameson put a construction crew on the job to make some improvements on the home. There was nothing wrong with it so far as I could tell other than a few cosmetic things here and there, but Skyler wanted to make itour home, which meant modernizing things a bit and a complete makeover for what would be Lilah’s room and the master bedroom.

“I want her to feel like this is her home. Her real home. Somewhere she can relax and feel safe. She deserves to be happy. After everything she’s been through, I want to give her a better life. One with two loving parents.”

“We will baby,” I assure her.

While the guys were working on the house, Hawk was doing his computer voodoo shit, making sure Lilah’s mom hadn’t filed any missing person reports, or claimed her as a runaway to the police. Once he knew for sure she hadn’t, he dug up all Lilah’s school transcripts, medical records, and her birth certificate. Everything we needed to get her enrolled in school and handle whatever other needs she may have.

Then he produced notarized paperwork giving parental rights and decisions over to Skyler. I don’t ask how he does his voodoo shit, but I know there was a lot involved in making this little girl ours. A few weeks later, a police report popped up stating her mother had died in a horrific accident. No one knows exactly what happened, but the very next morning Skyler received a package from Vincenzo congratulating her on Lilah’s adoption.

The paperwork he sent, however, stated both Ethan and Skyler Anderson as the adopting parents, along with a marriage license dated two weeks prior. I could’ve kissed the son of a bitch.

We agreed not to tell Lilah right away. Skyler wanted her to have time to get used to us and make sure being with us was in fact what she wanted. I think deep down, Skyler feared Lilah might run away if she felt pressured.

In every way possible, including on paper, Skyler and Lilah are mine. My only regret was not giving Sky her dream wedding with all our friends and family there to witness our union. So, I recruited the kid, my brothers, and the women to put this little plan in motion.

“You nervous?” Gabe chuckles. “What if she says no?”

“She won’t.”

“She might.” Cash laughs inserting his ass into the conversation. “Skyler’s as stubborn as they come. Plus, she hates surprises.”

“Or being put on the spot,” Ghost adds.

“She might tell you no for making her feel cornered.” Walker throws out his two cents.

I glance around the room at all my brothers, making eye contact with each one. They all smirk. the longer I stay silent, the more enjoyment they get.

“Fuck off. All of you. Skyler’s already mine. I’m just making it official in front of the family is all. Skyler deserves this and so much more.” I mean every word, but because I’m an asshole, I say, “Besides, she won’t want to disappoint Lilah when she sees how hard she worked to help me pull this off.”

Eli shoves my shoulder hard. “You bastard! Using a little girl’s happiness to lock your woman down! You’re?—”

“A fucking genius!” Xander shouts. “No way would Skyler say no if she knew it meant fucking things up for Lilah. You are one conniving asshole, but I find I admire that about you.”

“Remember…”

“I know, Ghost. If I hurt, her you’ll make me disappear. We’ve had this conversation repeatedly since she first came home. I got it.”

“They’re coming! They just pulled into the lot.” Blake shouts across the room. The lights are dimmed, and everyone takes their places on either side of the stage.

* * *

Skyler

Pulling my truck up to the front of the clubhouse, I can barely contain my excitement. Ethan and the guys, along with Liz and some of the other women of the club, have been here all morning preparing the clubhouse for Lilah’s surprise birthday party.

I’ve spent the last few weeks with her, asking her all sort of questions trying to plan the perfect birthday party. She was hesitant to tell me anything she liked or wanted after how overboard everyone went with decorating her bedroom and all the presents the guys bought her for Christmas.

I admit, it was a lot, but we wanted her to feel like she was part of the family. I wanted her to have a room she could be comfortable and safe in. Her own place to call home. With her coming from living on the streets, and her own family treating her so poorly, I think it made everyone here determined to give her a wonderful Christmas.

With her all moved in, and both, Hawk and Vincenzo havingpulled all the necessary strings,Lilah is ours, and today at her birthday party we’re going to tell her.

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