Page 48 of Ethan's Sky

Don’t get me wrong, Eli’s been like a second father to me these last few years. Cash, and the guys have all embraced me, but no one could replace what Caleb and Liz have been to me. It’s been difficult to stay away and not talk to either of them whenever I wanted to. Tears sting the back of my eyes once more, but I manage to hold it together.

“I’m all right. Better now the funeral is over.” He kisses my head once more than drops me carefully to my feet.

“What about me?” Cash whines. “Don’t I make things all better for you?” He leans in, inserting himself into our conversation. I laugh at his ridiculousness.

“You know you make me feel better. You don’t have to fish for compliments. You already know. But the next time you take all my coffee creamer, I’m kicking your ass.”

“Oh, but I do. Since you’re going to be leaving me, I’m seriously going to be lacking in thetell-Cash-how-awesome-he-isdepartment. I need to get my fill while I’m here.” He lifts me up again, just because he can. I laugh at the pouty face he’s giving me.

“You’re not leaving for a while yet. You won’t even notice I’m gone. The girls at The Trap will take good care of you, I’m sure.” The Trap is our nickname for the strip club Cash owns with his dad, Rusty. It’s named it The Bare Trap.

“Nobody appreciates me like you do.” He says as he swings my feet from side to side.

“Well, don’t be such a dick and maybe people will be nicer to you.”

He drops me to the ground so fast; I almost fall on my ass. His hand flies to his chest in mock horror.He’s such a child.

“I amnota dick!” He huffs, trying to stifle his own laughter. “Igivedick. I don’tactlike one.”

“Hmm. I seem to recall several women who would disagree with your claim.” I raise a brow and start naming names with each finger I hold up. “There was Cynthia, and Mary. Jordan. Jessica. Jennifer. Oh and…” He grabs my fingers and covers my mouth with his other hand.

“Okay, okay. Maybe I do resemble your remark!” Eli can’t help laughing at his stupidity now.

Even Caleb laughs at our banter. “I hear you’re quite the badass now. Saw the damage you did to Ethan’s face.” I flinch, but Caleb grabs my shoulder and says, “He deserved it. Ain’t nobody here going to hold that shit against you.”

I lean back to look him in the eyes. Shrugging my shoulders. “The guys have been teaching me a few things. A girl needs to know how to protect herself and not have to feel like she needs to rely on others. And you’re right. He did deserve it.”

Caleb chuckles again. “Protecting yourself is good, but don’t be a stubborn ass when help is offered, and that help happens to pack a lot more heat and muscle.” He winks then walks off to find Liz.

“You gonna take that job at O’Malley’s?” Cash askes.

Our conversation is broken up before I can answer when Eli puts his empty glass on the tray of a passing club girl. Candi, I think is her name. He grabs two fresh beers from the same tray, giving her a wink and a thank you. He hands one of the beers to me, and she looks me over the same way the Stiletto Slut did earlier.Whatever.

Cash grabs a beer for himself.

Candi looks him over then licks her lips, a clear invitation. I roll my eyes. Club girls are trying to irritate me tonight. Not because I want Cash for myself, but because they have no respect for the reason, we’re all here. The way some of them are so desperate for a patch, throwing themselves at these men and settle for the scraps of attention is beyond my comprehension. But to do it at an event meant for remembrance is distasteful.

Eli chuckles beside me, bumping my elbow as he obviously finds my irritation amusing.Asshole.

Cash sees the way she looks at me then tips his head signaling for Candi to keep moving not giving her so much as a second glance. She stomps off in a huff, but no one here cares. Free pussy means nothing to these men until they need somewhere to stick their dick for a while. And even then, there’s no shortage in supply.

I can’t resist taking the dig at him. “See? Dick.” I say bringing my beer to my mouth. Eli laughs. Cash shrugs me off.

“Don’t like the way she looked at you.”

“Ah, you do care. I’m flattered,” I tease. He smirks, shrugs his shoulder then immediately gets back to business.

“I’m not taking the job at the bar. I’m going to keep the one I currently have.” I play with the label on my bottle. Declan and his brother Dylan’s own O’Malley’s bar, but Declan’s a King, which makes it the club’s. “Working at O’Malley’s would be…difficult.” I say lifting my eyes and glancing I Ethan’s direction where Candi the friendly club girl is now standing. “I’m sure everything will be fine once everyone gets used to me being around town all the time. But for now, I think I need to stay where I’m at. Besides, we know I’ll be safe there.” I try to reassure them both, knowing damn well I don’t sound convincing to myself.

“How are things going at The Pearl? Parisi still going to have you fill in from time to time? Or did you finally give in and let him put you on as a regular?” Cash askes.

“Shh…” It’s my turn to cover his mouth with my hand. “Keep your voice down!”

“Why’d you shush me when I asked about The Pearl? Is there something wrong with the job? Do I need to call Vincenzo?” Cash asks genuinely concerned.

“No, you idiot! Everything with Parisi is fine.” I whisper, looking around to be sure no one heard him. “I can’t complain. The money’s good and the management takes good care of me.” I tell them both. “I’m only filling in if he absolutely needs me right now. I’m not planning on making it a career or anything. But with some of the girls falling ill, I’ll be filling in for a little longer. He asked me to teach them some new routines and wants me to stay on until everyone is healthy again. Plus, I could use the distraction, ya know?”

Dancing Burlesque is something I do for fun. I enjoy the thrill. As strange as it may seem, the costumes, the role play…. there’s something freeing about it all. Mostly because no one knows it’s me. I get to be Lady Scarlet. No one hates her. No one feels sorry for her. They all envy or lust after her.

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