Page 22 of Raw Honey
As we're digging through all the shit, I hear a car pull up. I look to see who it is and when she gets out of the car I am totally shocked and surprised to see that it's Emma.She's alive.She’s fucking alive! Does this mean that Ice is alive?She stops and talks to Rebel and then after a few minutes, Hawk starts to walk toward her. Maybe she has the answers that we all have been waiting for. I want to go and see what she has to say, but I hold back. I know Hawk will tell me if there is something that I need to know.
I continue to look for anything that we can salvage. But every chance I get, I look over at Hawk, Rebel, and Emma to see if I can gauge what is being said. Then I see Emma faint and fall into Hawk's arms. I rush over as he lifts her and carries her to the club van. Rebel opens the back and he gently lays her down inside.
"What happened?" I ask as I get to the van.
"She fainted," Rebel replies.
"I see that, but why?"
"I told her that Ice was dead," Hawk replies.
"Oh fuck!"That means Emma has no idea where he is or if he is alive. Damn her. He can't be dead. He just can't.
Hawk tries to revive her and when she finally comes to, she looks lost and bewildered. She asks, "What happened?" as she starts to sit up. Just then Rebel's phone rings and he steps away and answers it.
"Emma, I don't know much more than you do." Hawk looks over at me. "Honey saw him last, and most of the information I've gotten has been from her."
She turns to me. "Where is he? What happened?"
Reluctantly, I reply, "I don't know. He was frantic trying to find you. He was on the phone in the clubhouse when he realized there was a bomb that had been planted and he yelled for everyone to get out. When he was sure that everyone was out of the building, he and I were the last two out and then the building blew. We all just stood in disbelief for what seemed like an eternity. After he was sure everyone was whole, he made a call. I don't know who he called. After he finished the call he walked over to me and told me to tell Hawk what had happened, that he'd found you, and that he had to go."
"Did he say anything else?" she asks with a note of irritation in her voice. I look at Hawk to make sure that I can tell her more. He nods.
"He said that he would be back."
"Then you all are wrong!" Emma exclaims. "You all think you know Caden, but you don't. None of you know him like I do. If Caden Jackson says he will be back, then you can be damn sure he will!"
"Emma, you are not seeing the big picture here. I think I know him pretty well. The man I know would have taken care of his business and then returned to his club where he was needed most. He wouldn't have left us to pick up the pieces without him." Hawk rakes his hand through his hair and says, "Emma, I know what you're feeling, sweetheart. I want him here too; he was my best friend. But I think you're grasping at straws, trying to change what is real. I'm sorry, sweetheart, but he's gone."
Rebel comes back and says, "Hawk, I'm heading out to get Ari. Do you need anything before I go?"
"Does Ari know?" Emma asks. Rebel shakes his head. "Who's gonna tell her?" she adds.
"I am," Rebel says sadly.
"Rebel, I have not seen Ari in a long time, but I think it would be better if I told her. We grew up together, and I believe she always looked up to me as a big sister."
Sometimes I forget that Emma has known Ice her entire life. Somehow, I think that the boy she knew as a kid is a lot different from the man he is now.
Hawk shakes his head. "Actually, Emma, she needs Rebel now." He turns back toward Rebel and says, "Reb, you go. Be careful and bring our girl back safe and sound."
"You got it, Hawk."
She interrupts him. "But Hawk …"
I will give her one thing, she is definitely persistent.
"Emma, please. Don't interfere with club business. Trust me on this; I know what I'm doing. Ari and Reb are very close. He is who she will need. It's what Ice would have wanted."
A few minutes go by in silence. Annoyed, Emma says, "I need to go."
"Are you sure, sweetheart? You are still looking a little pale," Hawk replies. "You can stay here as long as you like."
"Thank you, Hawk, I really appreciate that. But I need to be alone for a while." She steps out of the van and begins to walk away. She turns back toward Hawk and asks weakly, "Are you really sure he is dead?"
Hawk looks confused by her question, and frankly so am I. Hawk says, "I am."
She comes back toward us and says, "Hawk, just hear me out for a minute." She looks around to make sure that it's just us, then says, "Caden didn't contact any of you after he left the clubhouse. So nobody has seen nor heard from him. Correct?"
