Page 47 of Ethan's Sky

“Yes, if she was dressing toimpress, sure. For example, wearing a power suit to a meeting. Performing on stage in a dance costume. Or even a pairing them with a tight-fitting pair of jeans and a top for a night out on the town. In all those instances, I would agree with you. However, in this setting, where the woman’s soul purpose is to be fucked and forgotten, wouldn’t knee pads or a cheek retractor be better suited. I mean, theworkrequires her to be on her knees, with her mouth overstuffed, and around here, clothing is optional. Is sexy as hell even a requirement when talking about someone who strives to be a human trash pump?”

“Damn girl! I don’t know where you’ve been all my life, but I am glad you found your way home!” Sadie shouts laughing. Her attention quickly snaps to Melanie. “You better stop glaring this way bitch or else the next pull on your ponytail won’t be from the fucker you’re trying to patch grab; it’ll be from me shoving your head into my fucking knee. I missed my sparring session today, and I’m feeling a littlepunchy.”

Melanie glares at Sadie, whose eyebrow is now cocked in challenge. Hawk swoops in grabbing Sadie around the waist, lifting her off the ground and carries her outside. I hear him telling her to come her fucking murderous tendencies all while she’s kicking and screaming for him to put her down. As soon as they’re out the back door I start laughing.

“What the hell was that about?” I ask Cash who just shrugs, clearly as amused as I am.

“Melanie!”Liz calls from the kitchen door. “Get your ass back in the kitchen and start washing the dishes. It’s going to be a long night and I want this place sparkling before I leave tonight.”

“Then why don’t you clean it yourself?” The whole room goes deafly silent, the muffled sound of music from outside is the only thing heard.

Withing seconds, Melanie is snatched up by the arm and drug across the room, tripping over her feet as they move. She’s screeching, but it stops abruptly when they reach Liz.

“Apologizenow!”Caleb shouts. I didn’t even see where the hell he came from. “Or you can get your shit and get the fuck out right now. No one disrespects my wife and lives to talk about it. I don’t give a shit if you are a woman. Make your fucking choice.”

Holy shit. He’s not fucking around. I’d be lying if I said he didn’t scare me a little. I’ve always known Caleb to be like a soft teddy bear when it comes to the women, but I guess that all changes when it comes to people disrespecting Liz.

“I-I-I’m sorry, Liz. I’ll get right on the kitchen clean-up for you.” Melanie stutters, tears streak down her cheeks leaving a trail of black mascara in their wake. She’s visibly shaking and rightfully so. Caleb hasn’t so much as blinked. His face hard, unrelenting.

“You good, Mama?” he asks not taking his eyes of Melanie until Liz replies.

“Of course, Captain. I’m always good when you’re around.” It’s only then that Caleb’s face softens slightly, the corner of his mouth tipping up as he gives her a nod.

He shoves Melanie toward the kitchen door shouting, “Don’t bring your ass out of that kitchen until the party is over. I want that shit sparkling like she said, and Melanie…” he pauses, waiting for her to meet his eyes. “The next time you think to say something disrespectful to my wife, you need to consider just how long you think you’ll have to keep breathing afterwards. You got me?”

“Yes, sir.” Her voice is just above a whisper.

She turns and heads through the door and Caleb’s hands wrap around his wife’s waist as he snuggles into her neck.

I wanted that someday. To have that kind of love and loyalty.

Never gonna happen, Sky. Accept it now and move on.

“Shows over!” Eli shouts and the room comes back to life.

Cash gently pulls me into his arms and spins me around while he laughs loudly. When he finally sets me down, he kisses the top of my head and says, “I fucking love you, you know that? Now stop starting shit with the club girls. Everyone here is clearly on edge and I’m not so sure Gabe will be as amused by your fighting with them as Eli is.”

The broad shouldered, dark-haired prospect whistles and all the club girls in the area turn his way. He gestures with his thumb toward the stairs, and shouts, “If you haven’t been assigned to help with serving or clean-up, get the fuck out!”, signaling toward the hallway. Two other women head down the hall in a huff, but don’t dare say anything.

I never meant for anyone to be threatened when I arrived here tonight.

My plan was to blend in and stay low.

I never meant for these men to become who they are in my life. I showed up on their doorstep one day in Mountain Heights, and they took me in and made me a part of their family with zero expectations. I never understood why they did it. The only explanation I was ever given was I was important to Caleb, Gabe, and Ghost which made me important to Eli. From that moment on, I was treated as if Eli himself, were my father, and I suddenly inherited a whole lot of hot, muscular, overprotective, “brothers”.

Childish, overbearing, and egotistical…brothers.

Cash and Eli move out first, placing me in the middle of the five men. I can only imagine this looks like I’m someone important being guided out by the human shield. The crowd of people part like the sea. Eli and his men are all broad shouldered and built like offensive linemen. Xander is the only exception to the rule. He’s the sexy, nerdy type. He has a nice lean muscular body, but he focuses most of his time on videogames and computers.

Eli and Cash are almost identical in size and build. The only thing that really separates them in size is the two inches of blonde man-bun atop Cash’s head. Walker is slightly taller than Cash with dark hair and a military look about him. It’s in the way he walks and stands. I’ve never asked, but I’m sure he served at some point. Most of the older guys have.

Caleb spots us, making a b-line for me. He pushes his way through the muscled barricade and engulfs me in a hug, lifting me off my feet and kissing me on the cheek.

“How are you holding up, Sugar Bean? Do you need anything?” I return his embrace, fighting back the tears at the use of my childhood nickname only he uses. Laying my head on his shoulder for just a few seconds, I work to gather myself.I will not fall apart in front of everyone.

Caleb and Liz are like the designated grandparents for all the kids in the club family. I never met my grandparents, and after my mama died, these two stepped in with Ghost to make sure Daddy had all the help he needed in raising me.

I’ve missed them both. The few times I was able to sneak a visit with Liz were never long enough.

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