"I think that is covered. I don't see Ari leaving his side tonight."
"Yeah, I think you're right."
"Thank you. I really appreciate you coming over here this late."
"You'll get my bill!" he says, laughing. He starts to walk out of the room and Ice follows him to the door. He says, "I'll call you and let you know when to bring him to the hospital for that MRI."
"You got it." Ice opens the door and thanks him again as he leaves.
"Hospital?" Hawk asks. He walks over to Ice and lowers his voice. "Are you sure about this?"
"I know what you're thinking. But we don't have a choice. Brewer knows how we feel about hospitals and gunshot wounds, but he insisted. And frankly, I don't want to take any fucking chances with Rebel's life."
Hawk nods. "I agree, but are you ready to face the consequences of this?"
"Brewer assures me that he'll do everything he can to keep Rebel's visit under the radar. I've gotta trust him."
"Yeah, I know."
We hang out for a little while before it becomes clear that everyone is running out of steam. Turning to Emma, Ice says, "Babe, do you want to let everyone know where they'll be sleeping tonight?"
"Sure," she replies sweetly. She says, "Aillise and Conner, you will take the first room on the left. Honey, you will keep your room, and Ari, since Rebel is already in your room, I am assuming that you will want to stay with him."
"Yes, thanks, Emma," Ari replies.
"Hold on one minute," Ice says firmly. "Ari is not sleeping with Rebel."
I knew he would have something to say about that.
Emma turns toward him and says, "Babe, remember what you said earlier about being happy with whatever plan I had come up with?"
"But …" he grumbles, but she quickly interrupts.
"She'll be fine. I don't think her virtue is in any danger tonight. Remember, he's in there because he's recovering from a gunshot wound."
Ice grumbles again and clears his throat. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess it's ok." I'm proud of Ice for letting it go. Emma sure knows how to reel him in. He then looks over to Rebel's parents and says, "Do you need anything?"
"No, Caden, your lovely girl here has taken care of all of that. She got us what we needed for tonight, as long as you don't mind Connor wearing your clothes. The rest we can get in the morning."
"Good. We'll take you out tomorrow to pick up whatever you may need." Turning toward Emma, he says, "Thanks, babe." She smiles and helps Ari and me clean up the plates and cups.
"Well, if you all will excuse us, I think we're going to call it a night," Connor says.
"Sleep well—and if I didn't say it before, I'm glad you both are safe.
I know I got a little defensive with you on the flight. I guess we have a lot to talk about," Ice says.
"Yeah, I guess we do," Aillise says.
"We'll talk more about where we go from here in the morning."
They nod and Aillise says, "Goodnight, Caden."
"Goodnight."
Ice walks into the kitchen just as we're finishing up and says, "You ladies are fantastic."
"I think I am going to turn in," Ari says.
