Page 23 of Ethan's Sky

Turning my gaze back to Hawk, I shout. “Where the hell has she been all this time? And why the fuck are Eli and his men acting like she’s a club royalty or some shit? You saw the way they all stood in front of her as a barrier protecting her. Fromme! I’m their brother!” I slam my fist against my chest, pounding the patch over my heart repeatedly. The club’s logo, the symbol representseverythingto me. “I don’t get it. I just don’t fucking get it.”

“I don’t have all the answers for you, brother,” Hawk says, taking another hit off his cancer stick. “But you’ve got to do whatever Pres says. It’s his call. I’m sure he’ll explain everything, but you’ve got to calm your shit. You can’t go into church ready to brawl with Ghost, Pres, or the Mountain Heights brothers.”

“I know, I—” My words are cut off as a whirlwind of blonde hair, a purple shirt, and tight blue jeans blows past us with a prospect not far behind. Skyler’s hauling ass to the other side of the clubhouse parking lot with Blake hot on her heels.

“Slow down, woman. Fuck!” Blake calls, chasing after her.

I turn on my heels and run after her, determined to talk to her. I need some kind of response other than “fuck off.’”

Grabbing her arm, I spin her to face me. Before I register what’s happening, Skyler reacts, striking my nose with an upward thrust of her palm. Blood gushes as I release her arm and cup my face.

“What the fuck, Sky?”I shout, taking a step back. Remorse flitters across her features, her eyes grow wide and glassy.

“Fucking hell, Ethan! I didn’t know it was you! I could’ve really hurt you!” She’s shouting back at me, her arms flailing about emphasizing her exasperation.Welcome to the club, sweetheart. “You shouldn’t have grabbed me!Fuck!”

She steps toward me, and I take a step back not knowing if she’s looking to get off another strike. Guilt mars her beautiful face, and she steps back again into a basic fight stance. She knows damn well I won’t hit a woman; she just may decide to take advantage and take a second shot.

Her reaction doesn’t make sense. Skyler has always hated violence, which only poses even more questions to add to the growing pile left unanswered.

Fuck my life.

I pull the black bandana from my back pocket and clean up my face. Blake steps between us, whether to protect me or her I’m not sure. After today’s display with Eli’s men, I don’t know which brothers have my back and which ones have hers. Skyler looks between me and Blake, and with a loud huff, she turns and makes quick work of the last ten feet toward the truck. I move to follow, wanting to get to her before she has a chance to drive off, but Hawk’s hand grabbing my shoulder halts my movement.

“Let her go, Ethan. She’s going through her own shit. You’ll get your answers, but not today. I’m sure none of this has been easy on her either.”

“Are you taking her side?” I spin to face him, my eyes snapping to his, the disbelief and doubt in my voice grating on my own nerves. I know better than to doubt his loyalty to me. Of all my brothers who share the patch, Hawk’s the closest thing I have to flesh and blood. He and Kieran, know more about me than anyone. I never would’ve made it out of my personal hell and into my fighting career without them.

They fucking saved my life.

Hawk’s standing at my shoulder; both of us watching as Skyler climbs into the cab of her truck, slams the door, and starts it up. She throws it in gear and speeds past us, her tires kicking up gravel as she blows by. Blake is quick to mount his bike and follow her out of the yard shouting aboutfucking crazy ass womenas he passes us.

Hawk levels me with his harsh glare, confirming he heard the disbelief in my voice before.Shit.

“I’m not taking anyone’s side,brother.I’m trying to let level heads prevail. She’s barely learned about her father’s death, come back to a home she’s been away from for a long time, and had to deal with an asshole getting in her face with all sorts of shitty accusations before she even has a chance to digest any of it. And we have church. You heard Pres. They don’t believe this was an accident which means we have a dead man walking we need to find.” His tone is serious, dripping with malice. Rare when it comes to Hawk, so I know not to brush him off. “You know that patch you’ve been pounding on? Doyouremember what it stands for?” He narrows his eyes as he comes to stand toe to toe with me, poking his finger into the patch on my chest, to emphasize his next words. “Brotherhood. Loyalty. Family.”

I don’t respond. Glaring at each other, I watch as his eyes flicker with pain and disappointment. My shoulders drop. I release a long-held breath. I hate disappointing the people who mean the world to me. And this club is full of those people. I’d give my life for every one of them.

“Ghost lost his brother-in-law last night. Yourbrotheris in there waiting for you to get your shit together so we can help him find this son of a bitch and send him straight to hell. Ghost needshis brothers, to help bring justice to this motherfucker. We were all there for you when you lost Emily.Ghostwas there for you. You’re here bitching about loyalty, and family.” He pauses, waiting for me to say something, but I remain silent. He throws his arms out to his sides. “Tell me, Ethan. Does your patch really mean any of those things to you?” He steps back, crossing his arms over his chest.

He pulls a bandana from his back pocket, handing it to me. I take the offering since mine is covered on blood and wipe my face and hands.

“Let Ghost be there for Skyler. He’s her family. I’m here for you, brother. But you need to decide. Are you willing to trust your Pres and trust the people who have always had your back?”

Well, shit.

Scrubbing a hand down my face, and rolling my neck a few times, I let his words of wisdom wash over me like a soothing balm my heart needed to see past all the other shit. Hawk’s right. Skyler’s not my concern. But Ghost should be.

I’m an asshole.

Who knew Hawk would be the voice of reason?

Scoffing to myself at the thought, I nod and grab my beer off the table, tossing it in the metal trashcan beside the table. I squeeze Hawk’s shoulder, as I pass by him.

“Come on then. Let’s go help Ghost find this fucker and bury his brother-in-law.”

Hawk seems stunned. “That’s it? You’re good?”

“No. But I will be. You’re right. The club comes first.”

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