Chapter 17
On the way back to the house, I notice that Emma seems to have relaxed a bit about the whole note thing. Dbag and Spike follow us back on their bikes. When we get to the house, she parks the car and we get out. She pauses and looks around warily, then shudders and goes inside.Ok, so she's on edge again.
We all walk into the house and once the door is closed and locked, she turns to Spike and says, "Spike, I know this might sound a bit paranoid, but I think it is important for you to know that when I discovered the note on my car I was sure that someone was in the trees watching and listening."
"You sure? You don't think that maybe you were just freaked out by the note?" he asks.
"At first, I did think that, but then a feeling came over me. You know, that one where your stomach falls to the grounds and your skin begins to prickle? I would bet money that someone was there."
"Ok, darl'n. Dbag and I will go check it out."
"Thank you."
They pull out their guns and hold them at their sides as they walk out the door. I have to say, I'm getting the heebie-jeebies too. I am quite glad they are both here.
A few minutes later the guys return. Spike says, "Well, Miss Emma, I don't want to scare you more than you already are, but I think you're right. There is a pile of cigarette butts behind the tree over by the driveway. If any of our guys were out here, they wouldn't be hiding in the trees and wouldn't need to hide their cigarette butts." He starts walking through the house and making sure that all the windows and doors in the house are locked. "You ladies don't go outside for anything. Not even the mail. You hear me?" We both nod.
Just then Emma's phone starts to ring. She walks over to her bag and pulls it out. She smiles and answers, "Hey, handsome!"
I turn to Spike and say, "That better be Ice, for all our sakes," and we all laugh.
Emma comes back into the kitchen and Spike asks, "Was that Ice?"
"Yes. They made it to Belfast."
He mimes clearing his brow in relief and says, "Good." Dbag and I smirk as he walks over to Emma and puts his arm around her, giving her a slight squeeze. "He'll be home before you and that baby know it."
Spike is a good guy. He always knows the right thing to say. Unfortunately, I can’t take stock in his reassurance. I’m worried for Ice and the boys. I try my best to keep my feelings about them hidden from Emma. The last thing she needs right now is to worry more than she already does.
"Thanks, sweetie. Hopefully, you're right." She pauses and then says, "This whole note thing has got me worried. Hawk says not to bother Caden with it, but all my instincts are shouting at me to tell him."
"Trust Hawk. He has been around the block a few times and knows what he's doing. His first priority is his loyalty to Ice. He won't steer you wrong."
"Yeah, when you put it like that it does make it a little easier to accept."
"So, Honey girl, whatcha cooking me and Dbag for dinner?" Spike asks.
I laugh. "Who says I am cooking you boys anything?"
"Awww, come on, Honey. We've missed your cooking since the clubhouse blew." He then adds, "Besides, we're your protection. You gotta keep us nourished, right?"
I love taking care of these boys. They have always made me feel welcome and needed around here and I would do anything to keep them happy. So of course, I cave. I was actually planning on making them dinner anyway, but I just wanted to tease him a little. "I think I am going to make some chili. Does that sound good?"
"Oh, hell yeah!" Spike cheers.
"Fucking A! That sounds awesome, Honey. Can we help?" Dbag adds.
I chuckle to myself. There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal to turn these big bad bikers into happy boys. They’re not so tough after all.
"Naw, Emma and I got this. You boys go hang out in there or shoot some pool or just do whatever it is you boys do." I shoo them off.
We finish dinner and Emma and I clean up the kitchen. When all is said and done, the boys check the house and grounds, then double-check that all the doors and windows are locked. When the house is secure, we all turn in for the night. Spike takes the room that Rebel slept in while he was here last week and Dbag sleeps on the couch.
Emma offered him one of the other guest rooms, but he was insistent that it would be better if he were out in the living space in case he was needed.
The house is quiet and then we hear Emma scream.
We all run up to the third floor and Spike yells, "What the hell, Emma? What's happened?"
