Chapter 20

Emma

The next morning, Caden and the boys spend most of the day in the basement. Caden says that we need to be ready to go back to the States today and that Damon and Patrick will be taking us to the airport later tonight. I’m a little nervous about what he’s up to, but I have to trust that he knows what he’s doing. And in doing that, I have to believe that he will come out of this alive. That they all will.

After we get all our stuff together, Honey, Ari, and I try to keep busy for the rest of the day. I brought a book with me, so I spend most of my time lost in one of the best romance novels I’ve read in a long time. Ari is totally occupied with her phone, probably on Facebook. I think that’s what they call it; I’ve never been one for social media. Honey has a book with her as well, but she is nervous and fidgety all day. I see her try to read, but she often puts her book down and just stares into space. Then she paces. I know she’s worried about the guys and what they are up to tonight. I try to reassure her, which is odd because she’s always the one reassuring me.

The boys came up from the basement late in the afternoon and start to get their stuff together to leave Ireland. We’re all going home tonight. When it’s time for them to leave, Caden comes over to me with a guy that I have not met yet. “Emma, this is Reese. He will be staying with you and will make sure that you all get to the airport on time tonight.”

“Oh,” I reply, surprised. “I thought Daman and Patrick were taking us?”

“They are, Reese is just insurance. I really don’t completely trust those two and although I felt I needed to give them something to do to keep them out of my hair, I also had to make sure that the task I gave them got done.” He smiles.

“I get it,” I reply.

He leans in and kisses me on the cheek and says, “We’ve gotta go, babe. I’ll see you at the airport.” He kisses me on the lips this time and turns to leave.

“Caden?” I call after him. He turns and raises an eyebrow. “Please be safe. Come back to me in one piece, please,” I say. I’m really worried about what he’s about to do. They’re all loaded up with weapons, some of which I have never seen before, and it scares me. I have no idea what they’re doing, but judging by the mood everyone has been in today, I know it’s dangerous.

He walks back over to me and gives me another hug. “Do you really think you can get rid of me that easily? I’ll be back, I promise.” He kisses me again and then proceeds to hug his sister and Honey as well.

“See you later, Emma,” Rebel says as he gives me a hug. Doc and Ryder both say their goodbyes as well and they all head out the door, accompanied by Liam.

At first, Honey, Ari, and I try to keep busy. We’re all so worried about the boys and we know that if we just sit around the house doing nothing, our worries will get the best of us and make us crazy. We have a couple of hours before Damon and Patrick take us to the airfield and since all our stuff is already packed and ready to go, we decide to watch a movie. Nothing passes time better than a good movie.

When the movie is over, I notice the stillness of the house. It’s so quiet I can hear the tick of every clock and every creak the house makes. It’s an odd, eerie feeling and I don’t care how early it is, I’m ready to leave and just wait at the airfield. This waiting is killing me.

“Damon, would it be ok if we headed over to the airfield now?” I ask. “I don’t mind waiting there and I am sure the girls don’t either.”

“I don’t,” Honey says.

“I’d love to go now,” Ari adds.

Damon looks over at Patrick and says, “It’s a little early, but what do ya say, bro? Wanna head over to the airfield? It might give us some extra time to take care of that other matter.”

Patrick gives Damon a knowing look and nods. “Ok ladies, we’ll get your stuff loaded in the SUV.”

After all our bags are loaded, we all get in the car and head out. I’m anxious but also happy. I’m not sure what to expect; all I know for sure is that we’re going to an airfield. I don’t even know if it will be like an airport or something totally different. But the one thing I do know is that we’re boarding a plane tonight and going back home.

Forty minutes later, we arrive at the airfield. There isn’t much there, just a building and a couple of runways for the transport flights that go in and out of this facility. I realize that we would have been better off waiting at home, but all three of us were so anxious to get moving that we didn’t think about what this place would be like. Caden said that our flight would be leaving at midnight. I look at my watch; we have three hours to wait.

“Well, Emma, Patrick and I need to go. Will you girls be alright?” Damon asks me shortly after we arrive.

Surprised that he is just gonna leave us here, I say, “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 look over to Reese and he smiles. Caden knew exactly what he was doing when he had Reese tag along. Before I can even answer Damon he adds, “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. Caden told me to get on that flight whether he and the boys made it or not. At the time, I didn’t think it would be an issue, but as the night progresses and it gets dangerously close to midnight I begin to worry.

At 11:30, the pilot and co-pilot greet us.

“You ladies with Caden Jackson?”

“Yes,” I reply.

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.” Where are they? Something must’ve happened, or they would have been 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.” I’ve never been one to do a lot of praying, but I figure that now is as good as time as any to start.