Page 38 of Ethan's Sky

It’s not like he doesn’t deserve it.

No. Not doing this.

Walker sees my struggle and chuckles, rubbing a hand across his face to hide his growing amusement. I turn my head toward Cash, slowly, hoping he can make some sense of the situation and because I know my not giving a shit about his tantrum will piss Ethan off even more.

Petty?

Sure.

ButI’ve had just about all the caveman bullshit I can handle and it’s not even dinner time.

“There’s been a development in George’s death. One that has given Gabe cause for concern when it comes to your safety. Eli sent us,” Cash motions between himself and Walker, “over here to check on you and let you know he wants one of us to keep tabs on you until we have a better handle on things.” Cash flings his hand out, gesturing to the others filling every seat in my living room. “These assholes came along for the ride.”

“Actually, she was missing, and Pres sent us.” Jake points out, all business.

“I wasn’t missing. Jesus. I went on a run. In my own goddamn backyard.”

“Backyard?’ Cash chuckles. He leans toward me and whispers loud enough for the room to hear as he reminds me, “Babe. You were running in the fucking woods, not exactly abackyard.”

I don’t bother arguing, but I also won’t admit he’s right. He stands there smirking at me.

Asshat.

Instead, I stick to the latter part of the conversation.

“Why? What development? And keeping tabs on mehow, exactly?” Cash raises both brows at me, with a look sayingI should know, and suddenly it all clicks into place. “I already told Gabe I’m not staying at the clubhouse. I refuse to go on lockdown either.”

Ethan grunts, taking a couple steps back, crossing his thick arms over his chest, leaning his back against the dining room wall.

“It’s clear sheneeds a keepersince she didn’t have the decency to tell anyone she was taking off.” He huffs. “And why won’t you stay at the clubhouse? It seems to have been good enough accommodations in Mountain Heights. Is ours not good enough for you, Sky?”

My head snaps in his direction, my eyes wide. I shouldn’t be shocked. I knew he would find out where I’ve been, but what I don’t know is what he’s been told about my stay there.

Did Gabe spill the beans and tell him everything?

I doubt it.

Gabe’s not going to give information unless he absolutely must. He runs the risk of causing even more of a rift between the clubs, and some of his own men. He needs them to focus on the task at hand, which apparently, is babysitting my ass.

Lovely.

“What Ethanmeansto say is,” Jake cuts in, no doubt trying to play peacemaker. “Pres sent us to talk to you. Obviously, we were upset when we arrived at the house, your truck was in the drive, the prospect on the porch, and you were nowhere to be found with no way for anyone to track your whereabouts. We all became worried.”

“Some of uslost the ability to think rationally and turned into a monstrous dickhead…as you can see,” Cash adds, waving his hand in Ethan’s direction.

“However, it’s because of the concern Gabe has for your safety and the fact Ethan was instructed to come with us to find you,I’m sure,Ethan here has chosen to be an asshole to you,” Walker joins the jabbing, adding his sarcasm to the mix while giving Ethan a look that tells him to back the hell off.

Another pissing contest…Awesome.

“Or to come along at all. Why did you come again? Weren’t you saying you needed to get back to the gym or something? Wasn’t it you who said you wouldn’t protect her?”

Ethan’s glare meets Cash’s, not backing down in the slightest.

The words hurt, but I don’t let it show. I knew Ethan wouldn’t want to help me. I’m under no false delusions that he would volunteer to keep me safe. He’d throw me to the wolves if he knew exactlywho the wolves were.

I roll my eyes. Cash laughs at the obvious “whatever”I mouth without remorse. He moves past me kissing my temple on his way to the fridge, where he grabs three beers. When Cash comes back, he tosses one to Walker the other to Jake, ignoring Ethan all together. Walker catches his, hitching his chin in thanks. Jake places his on the table. I don’t miss the small curl of his lips. He’s enjoying these two shit stirrers playing with Ethan.

Cash opens his beer, tosses the lid on the table, chuckling when he catches me scowling at him. He knows I hate when he leaves his caps all over the place. He does the shit on purpose. Walking up beside me he puts a hand on my shoulder and takes a long pull from the bottle.

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