Page 35 of Ethan's Sky

“Pres?”

Gabe shakes his head. “We’ll keep this discussion about the present.” His response is a complete dismissal. He’s not going to tell me what I want to know. Or maybe hecan’ttell me because of present company. I decide to give my president the benefit of the doubt and hope he’s trying to keep in house issuesin house.But somehow, I feel like everyone else in the room is in on the big secret and I’m the village idiot without a clue.

“What else do we have Mack?” Gabe glances over my shoulder where Mack is still standing at the ready. He pushes off the wall, squeezing my shoulder as he moves to lean on the table beside me.

“Right now, we need to start planning for the funeral here in town. Ghost will need to go down with me and I.D. the body as soon as the autopsy is done, the investigation cleared. In the meantime, go ahead with making arrangements and I suggest we keep a prospect or a brother with Skyler until further notice or until we catch this son of a bitch.”

“I’ve got Sky.” Cash raises his hand. Eli and Gabe give a nod of approval.

“Take Walker with you and see if Skyler has any idea what the hell’s going on. Find out what she and George talked about when he called. She may be able to shed some light on things.” Eli suggests.

“I doubt he would’ve told her anything. Her stubborn ass would’ve tried to get to him, to help him, which is exactly what he didn’t want. It’s evident by him not telling any of us a goddamn thing.” Ghost grumbles.

“Hawk, you and Xander get to work on the dash cam footage from all three trucks. Mack, get me a list of George’s runs for the last two months, and any yard footage of the men who approached him. Maybe they spoke more than once.” Gabe barks out orders.

“I can help with the video and phone shit.” Ghost offers.

“Your concern is the funeral and Skyler. You’re going to take over all the hardest shit for her and plan this fucking funeral. She’s your priority. We’ll catch this fucker. You’ll get your time with him.” Seemingly appeased with Gabe’s promise, Ghost agrees. “Ma and the ol’ ladies will handle the food and after party arrangements for the funeral. Me, Ghost, and Pop will handle the burial arrangements. The club pays for the funeral. I don’t want Skyler to worry about any of this shit. We all agreed?”

A loud “Aye” fills the room. The gavel drops hard on the table.

“Good. Now let’s all get the fuck out of here.” He grabs Ghost’s shoulder. “I need a fucking drink.”

7

SKYLER

Waking up a little over two hours later, I feel much better, lighter.

Sitting up, I pull my knees up to my chest and take in my surroundings once more. The room looks exactly the way it did the last time I was here over six years ago. The pumpkin smell is heavier in here than the rest of the house. I hadn’t noticed it before.

Looking around for the source, I find two candles on the nightstand beside me. Picking one up, I inhale deeply. Both candles are burned almost to the end of the wick same as the three-wick I have in my room in my apartment. Knowing how Daddy is as obsessed with Mama’s favorite scent as I am bringing a smile to my face.

“Tell her I love her Daddy and I miss her so damn much.”

Placing the candle back on the table, the glint of gold catches my eye.

Mama and Daddy’s wedding rings and the chain Daddy wore them on around his neck are hanging on the switch of his table lamp. My brow furrows in confusion.

“He was here recently?” I ask the empty room. My mind suddenly running a mile a minute with curiosity.

Daddy never took his necklace off. He’s always worn it. Even hid it under his uniform shirts when he was hauling for Russell West because wearing jewelry is against company policy. But Daddy felt like he was betraying Mama if he didn’t wear their rings. Said it was how he knew she would be close to his heart.

So, what is it doing here?

Sitting here on the bed, I play with the necklace and ring in my hand wondering if maybe my uncle didn’t put it there. But why would he have it? And why would he put it inthishouse not the house Daddy lives in at the opposite side of town?

Shouldn’t it be with daddy at the morgue.

There’s an eerie chill running down my spine.

You’re losing it, Skyler.

A haunted feeling settles in my gut.

I throw the blankets off, and rush to the open blinds, flooding the room with sunlight. I close them as tight as I can.

No one’s watching you, Sky. No one knows you’re here.

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