Page 174 of Rush
That hits her and I see the hurt flash across her face. "That's not fair," she says.
"What's not fair is you trying to sabotage my relationship because you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous?—"
"Yes, you are. You've been waiting for me to notice you for two years, and when I chose Everly instead you couldn't handle it."
"That's not true."
"Isn't it? Then why did you tell Everly I never wanted kids? Why did you make her doubt me right when she needed support?"
Ciara's face crumples and tears well up in her eyes. "I'm sorry," she says. "I didn't mean to hurt her."
"Yes, you did. That's exactly what you meant to do."
"Rush, please?—"
"No, I'm done. You don't get access to me anymore. You don't get to speak about Everly, our baby, or our relationship ever again."
"You're cutting me off?"
"Yeah, I am. You crossed a line and there's no coming back from that."
She starts crying harder. "But we're friends."
"Friends don't manipulate each other, they don't use personal information as weapons, they don't try to destroy relationships out of jealousy."
"I wasn't trying to destroy anything?—"
"Yes, you were. And it's done, Ciara. Stay away from me, stay away from Everly, stay away from our family."
Pyro appears from the clubhouse entrance. He's been listening. "Ciara," he says, his voice cold and authoritative. "You're banned from all Fury Viper properties effective immediately."
Her eyes widen. "What?"
"You heard me. You're not welcome here anymore. Not at the clubhouse, not at club events, not anywhere we operate."
"Pyro, please?—"
"No, you crossed a line. Rush is my brother and Everly's carrying his kid. You tried to poison that relationship and I won't tolerate it."
"I was just trying to help?—"
"If I see you on club property again, there will be consequences. Am I clear?"
She's crying fully now but Pyro doesn't soften.
"Am I clear?" he repeats.
"Yes," she whispers.
"Good. Now leave."
She looks at me one more time, her mascara running down her face. "I'm sorry," she says.
I don't respond, just watch as she walks to her car and drives away.
When she's gone Pyro turns to me. "You good?" he asks.
