Page 20 of Ethan's Sky

He doesn’t want me getting close to Ethan, but I’m too pissed to care what anyone thinks anymore.

“I’m going home. I won’t be back here until the funeral. I’ll stay out of your way. You stay out of mine. Once all this shit is settled, you can fuck right off, back to fighting, your gym, women…I don’t fucking care. We don’t even have to speak when we see each other. Whatever you have to do to deal with me being here…do it. But know this. I’m not leaving. Oak Ridge is my home too and I’m fucking staying.”

I let Cash lead me out of the room. I barely make it out of the clubhouse doors before I lean over and toss the contents of my stomach into the nearest trashcan.

Cash rubs my back with one hand, holding my hair back with the other.

“You’re okay, babe. I’ve got you.” Though his words are meant to be soothing, they’re anything but. No one herehas me.They don’t understand the agony I feel. Every hateful word out of Ethan’s mouth hit like a shot to the heart. The pain of everything I’ve lost crashing over me in waves, threatening to take me under.

I knew he would be mad. Hate me. Blame me. But I didn’t know it would make me wish I’d died along side with Emily.

It would’ve been easier than this.

I was battling back tears, the knot in my throat becoming thicker and more painful making it difficult to breathe or speak, but somehow, I managed to croak out, “I want to go home.”

Cash helped me stand up, giving me a second to regain my composure. Making sure I was steady enough to walk on my own.

“Go back inside, Cash, I’ll be fine. You stay with Eli.”

I can see the battle Cash is fighting. He knows I’m right. His place is inside with his president. His brothers. But his friendship to me means he wants to stay with me and make sure I get home safe.

“You’re not staying out here alone. Come on. Why don’t you go use the bathroom and clean yourself up. No one will bother you in there. I’ll get Pres to send a prospect out to follow you home.” He waits until I nod to add, “I’ll be there as soon as I’ve got shit finished up here.”

We head inside. Cash heads toward the men huddled in the middle of the room.

“You better check yourself,son,”my uncle growls loudly. I don’t hang around to see what becomes of it, instead I make my way down the hall to the restroom to wash my face.

4

ETHAN

“You better check yourself,son,”Ghost growls loudly, taking two steps forward, pushing Mack to the side, and putting himself in front of me. “Skyler ismyfamily, andI ampart of this club. You’ll respect her as if she was my own daughter. Are we clear?”

“If you’re okay with her being responsible for people around here dyin’, I guess that’s on you.”

“Enough!”Gabe roars, causing everyone in the room to go silent once more.“Get your shit in check right the fuck now, Ethan.”

“For the rest of you, Ghost is right. George was a friend to this club and Ghost’s brother-in-law. Therefore, Skyler is family. As such, she has our complete loyalty and support,” Gabe shouts for the entire room to hear. His tone is clearly sayingback the fuck down.Everyone, even the women nod. Everyone but me. None of this is news; I know the way the club works. The Kings take care of their own. But I can’t get on board with loyalty to Sky. Not a fucking chance in hell.

Gabe stomps over to stand between Ghost and me. I’m sure he recognizes there’s not much holding either of us back. I’m not too far from taking a swing at all these assholes.

Guys fight. It’s not uncommon around here. Shit happens when you get drunk and stupid. But this would be fueled by grief, anger, and protective instincts versus, hurt, rage, and the need for vengeance.

“We clear, Ethan?” Gabe asks, but it’s not a question. It’s a command for me to step down and shut my mouth.

I respond with the only thing I can. “We’re clear, Pres,” I reply, but still I don’t make the slightest move to stand down.

“As I was saying before shit went off the rails, we have a family funeral to prepare for!” Gabe shouts out over the room. “I hate repeating myself but seemssomeof you weren’t listening the first time. Ma already knows what I need from her and the other women. I’m leaving it to her to handle that shit. The rest of you, finish your food. You have fifteen minutes then I want all your asses in church. Eli you and your men get a bite to eat too. There’s plenty to go around.” Eli nods in agreement.

Gabe steps up close, poking me in the chest with his meaty finger, and speaking low enough those close by can’t hear. “Ethan, go somewhere and cool the fuck off. I want you levelheaded and ready to listen when we get into church. We have a killer to find and shit to sort out. I don’t have time to hold your hand while you get your fucking emotions under control. I know this is a shock to you having Sky here. This whole situation is a shock to us all. But aloyal friendwas murdered. Get your shit sorted then get your ass back into church. You got me?”

I don’t hesitate in my response. I look my Pres square in the eye and nod. “Got you.”

Then I walk out the front door with Hawk trailing behind me, calling back, “I’ve got him, Pres.”

I’m sitting outside under the patio cover, planted on top of the wooden picnic table with a bottle of whiskey Hawk brought me dangling between my fingers. It’s still early morning, and Kieran, my trainer and business partner would have my ass, but I don’t give a shit. I need to feel the burn of the liquid and the soothing calm it will eventually bring.

Hawk plants himself on the table beside me, coffee mug in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

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