Skylar was still processing the rapid shift in the situation. She watched as Paul took the phone, his calm demeanor contrasting with the tension in the air. The phone was passed between them, and she couldn’t help but wonder what Joe had planned. She knew that Joe didn’t tolerate disrespect, and with him involved, things were bound to escalate quickly.
“Mr. Martin wants to speak with you,” Paul said, holding the phone out towards Samuel and Kenny. His tone was assertive, but his eyes never left them, making it clear that there was no room for defiance.
Samuel hesitated, his anger bubbling just beneath the surface. He was still furious about the beating, but the mention of Joe and his involvement made him pause. The pressure was mounting, and he could feel the weight of the situation.
Kenny, still recovering from the surprise attack, stood there with his arms crossed, eyeing Paul with suspicion. “What does Mr. Martin have to do with this?” he growled, his jaw tightening.
“Everything,” Paul replied smoothly. “You’ve crossed a line, and now Mr. Martin is involved. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes if he finds out how you’ve been treating Ms. Sullivan and me.”
Skylar stood back, a mix of relief and disbelief washing over her. She had always known that Paul had connections, but seeing him stand up for her so fiercely made her feel something she hadn’t in a long time: protected.
The phone was passed to Samuel, and he reluctantly took it, his expression still clouded with irritation. He held the phone up to his ear, his voice barely a whisper as he spoke to Joe.
“Mr. Martin,” Samuel started, trying to hide the unease in his tone. “This is Samuel Williams. I don’t know what this is all about, but we—”
Before he could continue, Paul cut in, “I suggest you listen carefully to Mr. Martin. He’s not someone you want to disappoint.”
There was a long pause as Samuel listened to whatever Joe was saying on the other end of the line. The tension in the air grew thicker, and Skylar found herself holding her breath. She had never seen her brothers backpedal like this before.
Kenny stepped forward, his voice lowered but laced with venom. “This doesn’t end here, Skylar,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “We’ll deal with you later.”
Skylar gave him a sharp look, her eyes full of defiance. “I’m done dealing with you.”
As the phone call came to an end, Samuel’s face drained of color. He handed the phone back to Paul, his posture stiff and defeated. “You’ll regret this, Skylar,” he muttered under his breath. “You’ve gone too far.”
Skylar ignored him, turning away with a deep breath. She felt like she had taken a huge step toward reclaiming her independence, but the weight of her family’s expectations still hung heavily in the air.
Paul, sensing her quiet strength, smiled at her with a hint of approval. “Let’s get out of here, Ms. Sullivan. I think we’ve made our point.”
Skylar nodded, her heart pounding in her chest as she walked toward her car. For the first time in years, she felt like she was in control of her life. Whatever came next, she knew she was ready to face it head-on.
As they drove off, the bright lights of Mystic Bar fading in the rearview mirror, Skylar felt a sense of peace she hadn’t known she needed.
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