Page 81 of Ethan's Sky

“I belong to myself.” Her voice sounds breathy.

Definitely turned on.

“Skyler.” I growl against her neck, the vibration making her body jump. A slight nip to her ear sends a shiver through her.

“I know Ghost sent you to be with them. I know he’s been keeping your whereabouts hidden. You said you left once for me. What did you mean by that?”

“I shouldn’t have said that.”

“That’s not an answer Sky.” My jaw is clenched. “I’m trying to make sense of it all, but I just can’t.” My breathing is coming in harsh pants. My thigh wedging between hers. She grinds down on my thigh, then pulls back as she realizes what she’s done. I smile knowing I’m driving her crazy the same way ’he's done to me.

“I can’t tell you what you want to know, Ethan. I want to, but I…I can’t. I’m sorry.”

“You can’t or won’t, Sky? I know you know what happened to Emily. You called the cops. Then you and that piece of shit Matthews kid took off. Were you together? Huh? Were you cheating on me with him, Sky? Is that why you left? To save me the humiliation of seeing you together. Is that why you ran off; to be with your drug dealer boyfriend.”

Anger flashes in those beautiful eyes.

“Are you drunk, Ethan? Because you don’t know what you’re saying.”

“The hell I don’t!” I shout. “Why did you come back? Why did Eli have to bring you back? Why did George tell you to come here. Why didn’t he tell me where you were? What’s everyone hiding from me, goddamn it!”

“My fatherdied, remember? That’s why I’m here! My whole life got turned upside down and his only request was that I come home. Eli and his men brought me here for my own protection. They’re glorified babysitters, like Mason or Blake. They’re job is to keep me safe,” She huff. “I didn’t come back to hurt you, Ethan,” she says, biting her lip as she looks me in the eyes and says, with so much conviction, “but I won’t leave for you either.”

My eyes lock on hers. The storm raging within me is almost too much. I’m holding on by a thin thread. My control slipping with each second that passes.

“You leave without a trace forsix fucking years.Only you weren’t hiding, were you? At least not from everyone. No, only fromme. Mybrothersknew where you were. Some even knew I was looking for you, but never said a word. I was going out of my fucking mind wondering what the hell happened to you. At one point, I even thought maybe you were dead too. Thought maybe the asshole found you after you called the cops and left you for dead somewhere.”

“Ethan, I—” Her voice is barely a whispered hiccup. I cut her off, shaking my head.

“Mybrotherswere there to pick up the pieces, help me put my life back together. They gave me a family. Helped me get a better focus on my fighting career. Mourned my loss at my side. They were all there for me, andyou…you were off in Mountain Heights playing club whore with Eli’s men.” I laugh mirthlessly. “My brothers.Hmm.” My words drip with disdain. “They keptyour secrets. They choseyouover their own. Even Ghost, and Gabe. My own fucking president.” She doesn’t confirm or deny anything I’m saying.

“It all brings their trust into question, don’t you think, Sky?”

I tilt my head, studying her face. I hold her wrists in one hand, bringing the other down tracing her cheek, her collarbone down between her breasts. I follow the trail until my hands grip the waist of her shorts tugging her toward me. “It begs the question, is your pussy made of magic or are you so good at giving head, a brother would neglect his loyalties to keep you on your knees at night?” My hand slips down gripping her pussy through her clothes, and she closes her eyes, her breathing picks up, almost to hyperventilating.

She’s faking. Trying to get me to let her go.

With my focus on her crotch, she’s able to twist her hands. My grip tightens slightly, and when I bring my head up to meet her eyes, she head butts me. I let go of her wrists, my hand ripping out of her shorts. She steps to the side enough she’s able to get the door open and get into the truck. I grab the door, keeping her from slamming it shut.

“Running again, Sky? Tsk, tsk, tsk,” I growl.

“Why would you bring the Devil’s Order to Oak Ridge, Sky? Did you bring those drug dealing bastards into our town? You know who they are. What they did to Gabe’s family. To Caleb’s brother. Now they’re looking for you.” I chuckle. “They killed George.”Sky gasps, but I don’t believe for a second she didn’t know they were the ones to kill George. Iheard you tell Cash it was your fault. You came home because you figured Gabe would protect you. You know how much he hates the Devils. Why would he want to keep you safe from whatever shit you’ve stirred up with them.” My voice is dripping with venom. “Typical Skyler. Guess you haven’t changed so much after all. When shit gets tough, you run. Leave everyone else to clean up your fucking mess.”

“The Devil’s Order?” She whispers the words as if to herself.

“Where’s my uncle?” she asks nearly in a panic. “Ethan! Where’s Ghost? They’ll look for him next.” Tears are streaming silently down her cheeks.

“Ghost is a big boy. He can handle himself. Maybe you should leave town with Eli and Walker. Take Cash up on his offer, andgo homewith them, where you really belong, Sky. Take your trouble with you. I’m sure they’ll protect you,” I snarl.“Get the fuck out of here and leave the rest of us to get back to our lives in peace. Without you. With any luck the D.O. will follow your trail. Maybe Eli and his boys will work out a deal to save you using some of your magic pussy currency. There’s nothing left for you here.”

She slams the truck door, and starts the engine. I step away and watch as Skyler drives away.

17

SKYLER

“I don’t know, Cash. She’s not acting like herself,” I hear Blake talking on his phone. He’s in the kitchen with the backdoor open talking to Cash before they switch out my babysitter for the next shift. Cash is at the clubhouse waiting for church to start.

Blake relieved Mason late last night. This morning is Austin’s turn.Oh, goody.

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