by Amy Cecil
“You know, about your latest purchase?”
Ice rolls his eyes. “Fine. The club is about to purchase a massage parlor and sex club.” He drops the bomb and walks out. Hobbes, who has been laying at Emma’s feet all this time, looks up, then lays his head back down and moans.
Honey starts to tell all the girls about the club and about the night we went there. It’s definitely time for me to leave. I can only take so much girl talk. Rebel and I quietly leave the kitchen without one of the girls even noticing.
Later that afternoon, Ice gets the call he’s been waiting for from Michael. The “entourage,” as he put it, will be here Thursday. That gives us three days to get ready for them.
Chapter 23
Sainte
The Vitalis are set to arrive today. Honey and Emma have been so busy setting everything up for their arrival that I have hardly seen either one of them. Honey has been spending a lot of time at Ice’s house helping. I know it all needs to be done, and they sure as hell didn’t get enough time, but fuck, I need attention too. Now don’t get me wrong, Honey isn’t ignoring me. I do get the occasional chaste kiss at bedtime before she rolls over on her side exhausted. Fuck that, I sound like a damn two-year-old. She’s busy, and if were the other way around, she would have to accept that I’m busy.
Ice walks out of his office. “You ready?” he asks me. We’re going to pick up Michael at the private airport near Erie, North Coast Air.
“Yep, Emma coming?”
He shakes his head. “Nope, she wasn’t feeling good. She’s lying down in my room. Hobbes is watching out for her.”
“You know, as much as your grumble about that dog, he’s really good for Emma.”
“Yeah, I know.” He grabs his keys. “You want in on a little secret?”
I nod.
“I really do like the dog. He kinda grows on ya, and I love giving Emma a hard time about him.”
“You think I didn’t already know that?”
He smirks. “Yeah?”
I nod again.
“What about Honey?”
“She’s busy getting things ready. You know she loves this shit.”
He laughs. “I do.”
“By the way, I gave her a burner phone. I thought it was a small step to show some trust. I’m not ready to give back her phone with all her contacts, but this way, if she needs to get in touch with us while were gone, she has a phone.”
He nods, so I assume he’s good with that. Then he turns toward me and says, “Come on, let’s go get the Italians.”
I laugh as we walk out the door. Michael wanted to rent a car and driver to pick them up, but Ice wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted that he and I would get everyone. He’s got the Jeep, and I’m driving Emma’s SUV. We obviously couldn’t pick them up on our bikes.
Once we get to the small airport, we park and go inside. Ice goes up to the counter to check on their flight. “The Vitali jet should be landing in about ten minutes. They have begun their descent.”
“Perfect,” Ice replies. He gestures toward a couple of chairs, and we sit.
“So what’s the plan?” I ask.
“Well, Emma is anxious for them to come to the house, but I think we should get business taken care of first, then let them come to the house and relax. What do you think?”
“Knowing Michael the way I do, he won’t be able to relax until the business portion of this trip was dealt with. What’s to signing some papers? Shouldn’t take long.
He nods. “Yeah, that was my thinking.”
We shoot the shit for a few more minutes when we hear over the loud speaker that Vitali flight number 8992 has landed. We both get up and walk to the window, which is right next to the runway where the plane should have already landed. And there it is. You can never mistake a Vitali plane. The Vitalis have two of them, and they are both marked with a big read V on the tail.
“It sure is pretty,” I say.
Ice laughs. “Yeah it is. If we ever get rich enough to have our own plane, I’m putting the fuckin’ dragon on the tail.”
I look over at him. “Fuck, that would be badass.”
“Damn straight it would.”
The door to the plane opens, and Ice and I go out to greet them.
“Michael!” I say. “Good to see you.” I pull Zaira into a hug. “And you, darlin’.”
She giggles.
“Watch it, Sainte,” Michael teases. He knows he has nothing to worry about from me where his wife is concerned. Zaira and I have always been nothing but good friends. I greet Ricco and Vince, and I notice a couple new guys following behind, carrying their bags.
“Michael! Good to see you again,” Ice says. “Thanks for coming here. I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to leave town. Emma is so far along with her pregnancy; I really wanna stay close.”
“Totally get that. Zaira is pregnant too, but not too far along that she can’t travel. That’s why she insisted on coming, while she still can.”
They both laugh as we make our way to our cars.
“So, clubhouse first, then my house,” Ice says.
“Sounds fantastic,” Michael replies.
Everyone gets in the vehicles, the luggage is loaded, and we take off.
Back at the clubhouse, Ice and I show everyone around. Some of the boys will be staying here, except Ricco and Vince. Ricco never leaves Michael and Zaira. He’s their main bodyguard and righthand man. The guys take their duffels up to their respective rooms. Everyone else’s bags remain in the Jeep.
“Let me go get Emma,” Ice says. He turns toward Zaira. “While we are signing papers and such, she will love the one-on-one time to catch up with you.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing her,” Zaira says.
He smiles. “I’ll be right back.”
“You guys want something to drink?” I ask.
“I’m good,” Michael says and then turns to Zaira. “You want something, sweetheart?”
“You got some type of sparkling water?” she asks.
“I think Honey keeps Pellegrino behind the bar. Let me look.”
I go to look and find a case. After taking a bottle out, I grab a cup and fill it with ice, then pour it over the ice. “Here ya go, darlin’.”
“Thank you, Nick.” Zaira could never get used to calling me Sainte, so after all these years of telling her to call me Sainte, she still calls me Nick. I don’t mind really, but sometimes if she is calling for me, I have to stop and think who Nick is. After all, I’ve been answering to Sainte for many years now.
“Just look at you, making yourself at home,” Michael says.
“Well, this is home, Mikey.”
“No chance you coming back to the family?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so. You know I’ll always do whatever I can if you need help—hell, the whole MC would—but I have found peace here. This is home.”
“Must be a woman,” Zaira says.
“You have enough to worry about than my love life, doll.”
“He won’t tell you, luv,” Michael says.
“I know, but I will find out eventually,” she says confidently. I laugh ’cause I know she is right.
Ice comes back downstairs. “Hey, guys, I’m really sorry, but Emma isn’t feeling too good right now. She asked if she could lie down some more. I’ll go up and get her when we head back to the house.”
I pull out my phone and text Honey:
Where are you?
At the clubhouse.
So am I, but I don’t see you.
I’m upstairs. I’ll be right down.
She comes walking down the steps and beams when she sees me, but her smile quickly turns into a frown when she sees Michael and Zaira. She’s not fond of the Vitalis, so I pray she behaves while they are here.
“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Vitali, Vince… It’s good to see you all again,” she says. Holy shit, who is this woman and what did she do with my Honey?
They both greet her warmly and th
en I turn to her. “Hey, Emma’s not feeling too good. We have some business to handle. Can you go check on her and then keep Zaira company?”
She smiles and nods and then turns to go up the side stairs toward Ice’s room.
“Well, are we ready to take care of business?” Michael asks.
“Let’s do it,” Ice replies. We all walk toward Ice’s office, with him leading the way of course. Vince walks us through all the papers, indicating Santino had already signed. Ice signs, Michael and I witness, money is exchanged, and it’s a done deal. “Santino asked that he have a few days to have his personal staff cleared out,” Michael states as Vince puts the papers away.
“He has until Monday,” Ice states. It is clear, and Michael understands Ice is not allowing any wiggle room for this one. He wants the traffickers out, and so do we.
“I’ll get everything filed on Monday,” Vince says.
Once everything is all done, Ice says, “So now we head to the house.”
We leave Ice’s office. “I’ll go get Emma,” Ice says.
I grab his arm, looking at Emma and Honey chatting with Zaira at the bar. “That won’t be necessary.”
He looks at the bar. “Guess she’s feeling better.” He pauses, then says, “Good.”
We make our way to the girls as Brianne and Tara come out of the kitchen.
Ice makes the introductions and says, “Our work is done here. Let’s head to the house where we all can relax.” He turns toward Honey. “I don’t think Emma is up to cooking tonight.”
Before he can finish, Honey replies, “I got it covered, Ice. Emma had been feeling bad all day. She already asked me earlier to take care of everyone tonight.” She looks at Emma and winks. It’s so fucking nice to see those two be friends. Emma smiles weakly at her. Damn, she looks so frail. I sure as hell hope she’s okay.
Chapter 24
Honey
We all get back to Ice’s house, and for the first time in months, I feel like my old self again. I mean, not my old self, but the self after I got out of rehab. I’m all about taking care of everyone, and it means so much that Sainte and Ice trust me. And Brianne and Tara are great, always willing to help and do whatever is needed. They’re a lot of fun too.
Even Emma and I are doing better, but I have to say that I am really worried about her. About two days ago, she was complaining of headaches. Then today, she mentioned her eyes were bothering her. She didn’t elaborate, so I assume it had to do with the headache, but after seeing her this afternoon, it’s clear she doesn’t look good, and it scares me.
She’s sitting at the kitchen table. Ice and the Vitalis are all chatting, and she’s off by herself. I walk to the table and sit next to her. “Emma, are you okay?”
“I’m okay, Honey, just really tired.”
“You know, if you wanted to go lie down, everyone would understand.”
“I know, but this is a big deal for Caden. I’m fine. I’ll get my rest later.”
“Okay, but you tell me if you need anything.”
She smiles. “I will. That’s so sweet of you to worry about me.”
“Emma, you’ve always been like a sister to me. I know things got wonky when Ice was in jail and all, but that was me under the influence. I’m not snorting anymore and pray I don’t go back.”
“You don’t know how good it is for me to hear that.” She places her hand on my arm.
“I’m so sorry for all the grief I caused you.”
“Apology accepted.” I give her a hug, and she hugs me back, but it’s not a strong hug. She really is not feeling well.
“I assume Sainte has a lot to do with you wanting to stay clean.”
“Yes, in a way, but also you and Ice. I think the turning point for me was when I realized I had disappointed you both. Sainte has helped me see why I went back to the drugs, but I’m staying clean for me.”
“That’s what I like to hear. You will never succeed in something like this if you are doing it for all the wrong reasons. Doing it for you, for your well-being, that’s the right reason. Hell, it’s the only reason.” She winces.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing, he’s just been moving around a lot today.” She takes a deep breath. “My stomach feels like a punching bag from the inside.”
I kiss her on the forehead and get up to see if anyone needs refills on drinks or such. As I walk around the room, I notice Vince talking with Brianne. Well, isn’t this interesting. I stand there for a moment and watch. They actually look really good together. Both have similar dark hair and an olive complexion. Brianne must be of Italian or maybe Greek descent.
Lost in thought, I don’t notice Sainte is standing right behind me. He coils his arms around my midsection and clasps them in front of me.
Nuzzling my neck, he says, “Have I told you how proud I am of you?”
I shake my head.
“I haven’t?” He kisses my neck and behind my ear. He whispers, “Dinner was fantastic. Tonight has been perfect, and I’m so fuckin’ proud of you.”
I lean my head back on his shoulders. I so needed to hear that. “Thank you,” I whisper. We stand there a few minutes, watching everyone chatting and having a good time.
“What do you make of that?” Sainte asks and gestures toward Vince and Brianne.
“I think there might be some type of connection there.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.”
As the evening winds down, I’ve already shown everyone their rooms. I begin to clean up the kitchen and the empty bottles and such lying around. Brianne, Tara, and Ari come and offer to help, and we get everything cleaned in no time. Spike takes Tara and Brianne back to the clubhouse right after we finish. Once they leave, Ari and I clean up a couple counters remaining and then walk out to the dining room to find that everyone but Rebel and Sainte have gone to bed.
Ari walks toward Rebel. “Are we sleeping here tonight?”
“Naw, I think we should go back to the clubhouse. Let Sainte and Honey have the last room.”
What he says makes no sense to me, since Ari’s room is here and our rooms are back at the clubhouse.
I begin to protest, but Sainte gently stops me. Leaning over, he whispers in my ear, “I’ll explain later.”
I nod. Rebel and Ari say their good-byes, which leaves me and Sainte. I turn toward the kitchen but Sainte grabs my arm.
“Where you goin’? he asks as he pulls me close.
“I was gonna make sure I had everything all cleaned up in the kitchen and the time set for coffee in the morning on both coffee pots.”
“You can check that later.” He bends down and kisses me. It’s a deep kiss, full of lust and promise, but we can’t do this here. The way he makes me scream, Ice will never let me live it down, not to mention all the guests who are staying here tonight. But it doesn’t mean I can’t get a kiss. It’s nice, and I can’t believe I’m his old lady. This man, who I hated with every fiber of my being, is now kissing me and I’m enjoying it. Hawk was right. Damn, Hawk was always right. He saw the connection between me and Sainte long before I did.
Sainte breaks the kiss. “Do you have any idea how proud I am of you?”
I shake my head again.
“Baby, you never cease to amaze me by your strength and tenacity.” His hand caresses my face. “I know how you feel about the Vitalis, but you have been nothing but gracious and kind to them. You were able to put your feelings aside for the sake of me, Ice, and this club.”
I take a step back. “I’ll be honest, Sainte. When you told me they were coming, I was angry. I blamed them and everyone else for Hawk. I wanted a hit, and I was prepared to do whatever I had to do to get it. I came downstairs to ask one of the guys for a ride and saw you and Ice talking at the bar. In that moment, the disappointment I saw from both of you flashed before my eyes. It tore at my heart, and I knew I would never do anything ever again to disappoint either of you.”
I fidget, wringing my hands together, as I’m really
nervous to tell him this next part, but the road to recovery is honesty. So, here goes.
“I realized something else too. I do love Ice, but it’s different than my feelings for you. I will never, nor have I ever, felt for him what I feel for you.” It has taken me a long time to understand my feelings for Ice. Hell, I truly believed it was love. When Emma came back, I was shattered but held strong, but then Hawk, Sainte, and shit hitting the fan all happened, and everything went south. Maybe I needed to fall off the wagon to wake up again with a whole new perspective.
Oh, shit! Did I just tell him I loved him?
I watch him closely to see if he has anything to say, and when he doesn’t, I’m both relieved and disappointed. I guess he will tell me how he feels in due time. He’s the kind of guy who won’t profess his love to a woman the same time she is talking about another man. His ego is way too big for that and will definitely require center stage. I look down at my hands then back at Sainte
“Hawk’s death was nobody’s fault.” I take a deep breath. “Damn, that was so hard to say. But I know it’s true. It just took me a long time to realize it.”
“So you don’t blame anyone for him dying anymore?” he asks.
I take a step closer and look him directly in the eye. “No, I don’t blame anyone for Hawk’s death. I don’t blame myself for making him hurt before he died nor for not loving him the way he deserved. His death, although tragic, was a hero’s death. He died protecting his president and his best friend. He wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
“Do you have any idea how long we’ve all been waiting for you to realize that?”
“I know. It took me falling hard in my own disaster to wake up and take into account the kind of man Hawk was. He would not—no matter if he were happy in a relationship with the person he loved or not—let Ice or any of his brothers get hit with a bullet if he could stop it.” I sigh. “I’m sorry I’ve been so much trouble for you, Ice, and the club.”
He pulls me into his arms. “Baby, look at it this way. You being a pain in the ass brought us together. I don’t know about you, darlin’, but I’d do it all over again if I knew it would end up like this.”