Page 22 of Chasing Ink
“You’re my best fucking friend.I trusted you!”
“This isn’t about you and me, or our friendship.This is about me and Skye,” I say, trying to remain calm.
“Motherfucker!”
He is on me in a flash.He is smaller and faster than I am.He kicks out my knee and the moment I lose my balance he pounces.His knee hits me in the sternum forcing all the air out of my lungs.Little black dots swim in front of my eyes just as he hits me again.I feel and hear my nose break and instantly taste blood in the back of my throat.
Still, I don’t defend myself.
Skye grabs her brother’s arm mid swing and he shakes her off.She falls back, hitting her head against the fridge.My vision goes red, and I push Luke off me.Getting to my feet, I grab him by the throat and push him against the wall.I see the shock on his face as I use all of my bulk to dominate him.
“You may be pissed off.To be honest I understand why.And you can hit me all you want because I crossed a line,” I say lowly, leaning into his space.“But hear me,brother.If you ever hurt her again, intentional, or not, I will break your fucking arm.Friendship and business be damned.”
I squeeze his throat for good measure before releasing him.I watch a man I have called friend, brother, and business partner for more than half my life slump to the floor with a glare.I ignore him and pick up Skye.
At my station, I help her into the shirt she left there before I lead her out of the tattoo parlor.
Chapter Ten
I Am A Grown Up
Skye
My head is still pounding hours later.Alistair took me back to his place, fed me, and let me take a shower.We didn’t talk about what happened at House Of Ink or about how my brother reacted.
I cleaned his face, put one of those wound straps over a deep gouge in his brow.Silently we head to bed where Alistair holds me tightly.I lay awake for hours, replaying everything that happened as silent tears streak down my cheeks.My heart hurts.I never wanted to come between my brother and his best friend.It’s why we intended to talk to him.
Finding us together, like that, was the absolutely worst-case scenario.
Quietly, I slip out from under Alistair’s arm and pad my way through the house.At the front door, a set of flip flops I left here after our trip lies waiting for me.I slip them on, smile at the dogs, and walk down the street.
It takes me thirty minutes, in my pajamas and flip flops, to walk all the way out of town until I reach my brother’s house.Fucking Luke and his ‘farm style’ living bullshit.I bang on the door with my fist, pounding against the wood until it opens.My brother stares at me in dismay.
“Skye?”
“I’m here to yell at you,” I say pushing him out of the way.“But I walked here and now I’m thirsty.”
