Page 60 of Raw Honey
Surprised that he is just gonna leave us here, she says, "You're not staying until the boys get here?"
"We can't. We have something that we need to take care of." He pauses for a moment and then adds, "But you ladies have Reese. Isn't that why Ice had him tag along in the first place?"
I knew these assholes were gonna bail on us. Ice did too, that's exactly why he had Reese.
Damon says, "It was nice meeting you girls. Have a safe flight home."
Patrick adds, "Yes, really great to meet you all."
And just like that, they are both walking out the door and we're now left alone with Reese in a strange airfield.
As the time ticks by, the more worried and concerned we become. Ice made it perfectly clear to us that we were to get on that flight whether he and the boys made it or not. As it gets closer to midnight, I begin to worry.
At 11:30, the pilot and co-pilot greet us.
"You ladies with Caden Jackson?"
"Yes," Emma replies.
Looking around, the pilot asks, "He here?"
"No, not yet."
"And you are?" he asks.
"Emma, I'm his fiancée."
"Is there a way you can contact him? I was told that we would be transporting four women and five men. By my count, we're a lass and five lads short."
"We're waiting on the other six. They're supposed to be here by now."
"You realize, ma'am, that I can't wait for them. I need to have this plane loaded and boarded by midnight," the pilot says.
"I know. We still have some time. Hopefully, they'll get here."
At 11:45 Emma's phone rings. She looks at the caller ID and breathes a sigh of relief. She quickly answers the phone.
"Caden, where are you?" she says frantically into the phone. I can't hear what he's saying and I am silently praying that they are on their way. Then she says, "I already did and he said that he's on a tight schedule. He says the plane doors have to be closed promptly at midnight." Again silence. Then she adds, "Are you driving?"
She listens some more and then she cries, "Oh God, Caden! You sure he's gonna be alright?"
Oh, fuck, what's happened?
Emma calms down and then replies, "Ok. Did you get your aunt and uncle?" She doesn't say much more and then disconnects the line.
"So what happened?" I ask. I can't take the wait any longer.
"They're almost here. But something has happened." She looks at Ari, who is looking at her with concern. "Rebel got shot. He's ok for now and Doc thinks he's gonna be fine, but Caden wanted me to prepare you."
"Oh, Emma. He has to be ok," she says and begins to cry. We both try to comfort her, but I know she won't rest easy until she sees him.
About ten minutes later as we are boarding the plane, I see a van speeding down the airfield road toward the main entrance. It turns down the last corner and heads straight for our plane. "That has got to be them," I say, pointing in its direction. Emma and Ari look up hopefully.
The van pulls up to the plane steps and the driver slams on the brakes.
Ice jumps out of the van and opens up the back. Ryder and Doc come around back and the three of them maneuver Rebel from the van and proceed to carry him up to the plane as we run ahead and get out of their way. A couple follows them, and I assume they are Rebel's parents.
When Ice gets to the top of the stairs, the pilot greets him. "You must be Ice."
"Yeah, that's me. Where can I put him?"
"Over here." After everyone is on the plane, he says, "We'll be taking off in a few minutes. You all might want to find a seat and strap in."
Ice gets Rebel situated and he wakes up. I can't make out what they are saying, but I'm sure that the fact that he is conscious is a good thing. I need a little me time, so I take a seat toward the back of the plane, pull out my book and read. I'm hoping that once we take off, I will fall asleep and we can leave this nightmare.
