Page 45 of Ethan's Sky

Hawk looks at me as if he’s just had an alarming thought. Somehow, I think I know what he’s assuming, and I have to hide my amusement.

Sadie’s hacking skills rival Hawk’s. It’s hard not to laugh at what must be going through his mind right now. So, I change the subject.

“Think she’s staying for the funeral?”

“Probably. She’ll want to make sure Skyler’s okay. She never misses a chance to party with Jinx either. Which means I’ll need to double up the prospects watching her while she’s here.” He says not taking his eyes off her. I laugh because he’s right. Sadie alone is more than one man can handle. Add Jinx to the mix and shit can get crazy fast.

“Come on.”

“Where are we going?” Hawk asks finally pulling his eyes away from the screen.

“I need to see a manager about a dancer and a private room.” Hawk’s furrowed expression makes me laugh. “I’m headed to the Pearl tonight. I need to blow off some steam and I don’t feel like being around everyone else. So, are you coming, or not?”

He pushes a couple of buttons shutting down my screen and follows me out.

Maybe tonight I’ll finally get my chance to bury my woes in Scarlet’s sweet cunt and forget about Skyler’s all together.

9

SKYLER

Looking out over the edge of the hill, staring down at the town, it’s so beautiful from here. It looks so warm and inviting. We chose this time of day because it was Daddy’s favorite time to come up to visit with Mama when he could. He regularly came to share the sunset with her when he’d visit like they used to do every night on the porch whenever he was home.

The sun is starting to go down. The sky’s lit up with soft pink and purple hues. The clouds stretched thin as if someone took a paint brush barely dipped in white paint and smeared it across the sky just above the mountains and the trees across the way. On a day like today where dark skies and rainstorms would better suit my mood, I’m gifted with something heartwarming and beautiful instead.

Thank you, Mama.I’m sure she probably put in a good word for me.

The soft rustling sound of the leaves in the trees that surround the grave site is soothing. I understand now why Daddy picked this spot. It’s the perfect place in the cemetery for he and mama to lay together. The view from this side is breathtaking looking out over the entire town. The perfect place for them to watch over everyone they left behind.

It was a beautiful service. A lot of people came to pay their respects. Most of them were shocked to see me. I guess I can understand why. I’ve been gone a long time. I didn’t even come back for holidays or special occasions. Daddy said it was still too dangerous for me to come back.

Funny how now it’s the safest place for me.

Most everyone has been polite, bringing food over to the clubhouse or giving it to Liz to bring over wanting to do something nice for Ghost. Liz passes it all onto me. I don’t know who she thinks I’m feeding, it’s just me and Cash at the house, but casseroles just keep coming. I don’t have the heart to turn them away. It’s a kindness I didn’t expect, even if it’s not meant for me.

They’re being kind because of who Daddy was and his connection to the club.

Some look at me with sadness in their eyes. Others with uncertainty. I guess because I don’t look the same as I did when I left. I’m not the shy, weak, awkward bookworm hiding myself behind baggy clothes anymore.

Or maybe because they’re like Ethan and believe you had something to do with Emily’s death.

Let them judge me. I don’t give a shit. Not one of them could walk a mile in my shoes, not that I’d want them to, but I survived. I’m still fucking standing. I’m clinging to that fact every day, because sometimes it’s the only thing holding me together…knowing I will survive. I may not come out unscathed, but I won’t let this break me. I can’t. I owe it to Daddy to keep moving forward, not matter how much it hurts underneath, no one will ever know the truth on the outside.

The Kings of Fury MC have all gathered here with me today in show of their support. Eli and the Mountain Heights chapter have stayed in town all week. Bronson and Cash’s dad drove out for the weekend. Cash and Xander have decided to stick around until we get some answers on what exactly happened to Daddy. It’s more about finding outwhokilled him than what happened at this point. I’m pretty sure I know the answer, but it’s not my place to discuss“club business.”

I hate those words.

When we arrived at the clubhouse a few minutes ago, Mason let us through the wrought iron gates of the compound, giving me his condolences through the window as we passed by. He’s still a prospect, so he’ll be staying out here all night, keeping watch over everything.

I’ve never been fond of the smells permeating the air inside the clubhouse. My nose burns with the Eau de Toilette of alcohol, cigarettes, and a variety of pungent perfumes.

Someone needs to tell these women that choking innocent bystanders to death with cologne isn’t how to go about trying to hide the smell of overused snatch.

I shudder at the thought.

“You good?” Cash whispers in my ear.

“Yeah, just a chill.” I lie. If I told him what I was just thinking his dumbass would repeat it out loud for shock value and to piss off Drea, one of the club girls who has been all up on him since day one. I don’t much care for her, but it’s not like Cash to turn down willing pussy. I’ll have to remember to ask what she did to put him off.

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