ICE: Knights of Silence MC Read online

  “Yes, I’m ready,” I replied as I got up to leave. Before I left the room, I turned to Caden and said, “Ice … thank you. You didn’t have to help me, and I just want you to know that I truly do appreciate it.”

  He smiled at me, but said nothing. Well, that should at least earn me some brownie points, I hope. I left Caden’s office, following Tiny.

  Chapter 3

  Caden

  After Emma and Tiny left, I just shook my head trying to figure out why I agreed to this. I looked up to find Honey just standing there staring at me with concern on her face.

  “Ice, are you ok?” she asked timidly.

  I smiled at her. I know what she was thinking, and she was right. Honey has been taking care of my boys for five years: cooking, cleaning, laundry – whatever my boys and I need. She has also been my “go to” girl for several months now. I wasn’t planning on making her my old lady, but it was nice to have one steady girl instead of a different sweetbutt each night. With Emma here, Honey has clearly come to the conclusion that our time together is coming to an end. She sees Emma as a threat. How couldn’t she? I have never been able to hide my feelings where Emma was concerned.

  “Yeah, I’m ok. This business with Emma just has me on edge, that’s all.” I knew she wanted to say more, but she just nodded. I continued, “When Emma gets back, I’m counting on you to make her feel welcome. She isn’t familiar with our lifestyle and has many misconceptions about us. You need to help her understand. Are we clear?”

  “Yes, Ice, I understand,” she replied with her eyes downcast. I know she was hurting and wanted to have the conversation; I just couldn’t do it now. She then added, “Just so I am clear, you want me to set Emma up in the room next to yours?”

  Shit, I knew she would latch onto that. My room was at the opposite side of the clubhouse and there was only one other room in that wing of the building. The room in question will now be Emma’s room. If I was smart, I would put her in the room farthest away from mine, but I just couldn’t. I replied, “Yes, you are correct.” I know she wanted me to elaborate, but that just wasn’t going to happen. “If you will go now and get things ready, I would appreciate it.”

  After Honey left, I headed to the chapel. When I got there, my boys were all waiting for me. I took my seat at the head of the table, Hawk at my left, Reb seated at my right. I banged the gavel and church was on.

  “Thank you all for getting here so quickly. A situation has come up that I think needs our immediate attention. Some of you may be wondering who the lady was that was here earlier. Her name is Emma Baylee and she is an old friend. I know this goes without saying, but where Emma is concerned – hands off! If I catch any of you harassing her in any way, I’ll have your head. Are we clear?”

  Reb looked at me, confused. “Ice, you are right, that does go without saying. I don’t believe there is a brother at this table that would mess with another brother’s woman.”

  “Absolutely,” Hawk added. “We respect our brother’s women.”

  They were right. “I know, but I guess I’m a little overprotective where Emma is concerned. She isn’t mine, but I don’t want any of you to think that she is up for grabs. You all got me?” I asked again for confirmation. They all nodded in agreement. I continued, “Her friend Brianne has not been seen for several days now. The last Emma saw her, she was with Skid Row of the Satans. Knowing what we know about the Satans and how they treat their women, I think there should be real concern here if they have Brianne.” The boys all looked to me in shock. They understood my reasons for wanting to get involved with this, not to mention that this particular situation hits close to home considering my friendship with Emma.

  We may be an outlaw club, but I did my best to keep my club as clean as possible. Don’t get me wrong, we love the illegal shit – as long as civilians don’t get hurt. Plus, we never involved women. We still dealt in guns and occasionally drugs, but we tried to concentrate more on our legitimate businesses to keep the club going. The last thing we wanted to do was to rely on the income of our illegal activities to keep the club lucrative. The Satans, on the other hand, dealt with every illegal fuckery that they could get involved with. They would not think twice if a civilian got caught up in one of their deals and they treat their women like whores and punching bags, all the while prostituting them out for a quick buck. They’re known to slap their women around just to prove a point. We didn’t harm women. It was one of our absolute rules. If a brother was caught physically or mentally abusing his old lady or one of the sweetbutts, it was grounds for him losing his patch. It was that serious in our world. So, when I mentioned that Emma’s friend was with Skid, the brothers knew where this was going.

  “Prez, we talking about a rescue mission into the Satans’ compound?” Spike asked.

  “Well, it may come to that, but for now, we don’t know that she is there. My suggestion is that we plant an informant inside the Satans’ organization. It would have to be someone who could feed them information about us to gain their trust. They would have to trust our guy completely for this to work. Plus, we could use this situation to our advantage. The informant will not only help us find out what has happened to Emma’s friend, but may be able to help us take down the Satans once and for all.”

  Rebel chimed in and said, “Prez, who are you thinking of? You know it has to be someone who owes us, but also someone that the Satans would not connect to us.”

  “I agree. Whoever we plant will have to be smart and know how to play the game. I don’t have any ideas at the moment – any suggestions?

  “What about Skeeter, boss?” Hawk asked.

  Skeeter was our superstar. He’s a civilian who works in the computer science department at Edinboro University. He was a whiz on the computer and could create programs for just about anything. He got his name ‘cause he was exceptionally good at skeet shooting. To look at him, you would never know that he enjoys killing birds, but he loves it. The club helped him out years ago when his dad passed and his mom was having a hard time making ends meet. We found her a job and hooked Skeeter up with the university. Skeeter and his mom have been good friends of the club. They’ve even come to some club events, but most of our contact with Skeeter happened long before the Satans came back to town; they would have no idea of his connection with the club. He was perfect.

  “I like it. What do you all think?”

  For about twenty minutes, we talked it over, Hawk, Reb, and I answering their questions when we could. Finally the plan was taken to a vote and passed. I was to make contact with Skeeter and to convince him to be our informant.

  I made the call that afternoon, and Skeeter agreed to meet with me the next morning. It was pointless to have the whole club involved in the meeting, so I decided that Rebel, Spike, and Ryder would go: Each one brought an element that ensures you are covered all around. Rebel is my Sergeant and always has my back, Spike loves the kill, and Ryder is the brain of the three. It worked for us.

  Chapter 4

  Emma

  Back at my apartment, Tiny helped me get my things in order. I needed to tell Mark something about where I was going, but I just didn’t know what to tell him. Anymore, I didn’t know how to talk to him without making him upset or angry with me. At one point, I believed that I truly loved Mark. In the beginning he charmed me. He had such a boyish, innocent manner about him that I couldn’t resist. But lately, he has been different. It’s very hard to explain. He gets angry easily and seems to be on edge all the time. I’ve even noticed that if I mention Caden in any way, he becomes even angrier, which I do not understand. He doesn’t even know Caden. At first, I attributed his behavior to stress from work, but lately, I am not so sure that’s the reason behind it. Sometimes I feel that perhaps his true nature may be surfacing. I believe he is jealous of my non-existent friendship with Caden.

  So, sure that I wanted to avoid speaking with him about this, I took the coward’s way out and just sent him a text, then
silenced my phone. I just could not face him; he just wouldn’t understand. I was still hurt that he would not help me find Brianne. He didn’t know that I had gone to Cade for help and he would be furious to know that the MC was involved. I wrote that I needed space and that I was just going away for a few days – hopefully it would not be longer than that.

  Mark knew about Caden. He knew that we grew up together as the best of friends. He assumed that we just drifted apart. I never told him what happened between Cade and me, or of my feelings for him. I had never expected to see Cade again and truly believed that nothing would ever develop between us. But seeing him again, I realize that I still love him and always will. I care for Mark, I really do, but he will never claim my heart the way Cade has. Cade claimed it years ago. It has and will always belong to Cade. I said yes to Mark’s proposal because I really thought that we were good together. He is nothing like Cade, and maybe that’s what drew me to him. He was different, and I guess you could say I used him to forget about my one true love. But now that I’ve noticed these significant changes in him, I’ve been having second thoughts. This angry man that I am engaged to scares me now, and I have become very good at keeping him at arm’s length. I guess that’s why I have been having trouble committing to a date. Seeing Cade today and having all those memories flood my mind again, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to marry Mark, even if nothing develops between Caden and me.

  When we arrived back at the clubhouse, Tiny showed me around. I never really paid attention to my surroundings when I was here earlier. The smell … yes, the whole place smelled of stale beer. When we entered, I noticed a large room that resembled a bar and game room combined. They had a beautiful oak bar shaped like a “U” with barstools all around it. The room contained three pool tables, video games, and a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. In that portion of the great room, there was a myriad of old furniture. Behind the bar was a kitchen, with a large oak table in the center. To the left of the kitchen was a stairway. As Tiny was showing me around, I asked, “Where does that stairway go to? Is my room up there?”

  “No ma’am, that’s where the boys and sweetbutts sleep. Your room is at the other end of the building, near Ice’s room.” He smiled sheepishly as if he knew something I didn’t.

  “Oh, I did not realize I would be separated from everyone else.”

  “Prez’s orders,” he replied, with a shortness in his tone that he hadn’t had before.

  We walked back through the kitchen and back into the great room. On the other end of the great room there were three doors and a staircase. As we passed, I asked, “Where do these doors lead to?”

  “You are a curious one,” Tiny stated, and then he added, “The first door is our chapel.”

  “You guys have a chapel here! That’s great, when are the services?” I was so excited that this place had something good.

  Tiny started laughing; not just a little laugh, but the kind of laugh that makes your eyes water. I did not understand what was so funny. He said, “Miss Emma, you have a lot to learn. The chapel is for church, but not the kind of church you are thinking. That’s where we hold our meetings. Members only, and no women.”

  “Oh, I see,” I replied, embarrassed. I realized at this point that perhaps I should just keep my mouth shut. Tiny never elaborated on the other two doors and I didn’t ask. I had embarrassed myself enough already. Tiny led me up the stairs to a small hallway with two closed doors. He gestured toward the first door we passed and said, “This is Ice’s room.”

  “Good to know,” I thought to myself. I definitely don’t want to accidently walk in on him again. Who knows what he would be doing.

  When we finally got to the second door, Tiny opened the door and said, “This here is your room.”

  I stepped inside and was a little surprised at what I saw. The room was clean. There was a queen-size bed on the center wall, with a nightstand on each side, but no lamps. Actually, there were no lamps at all in the room. The only lighting the room afforded was the overhead light with a ceiling fan. On the opposite wall was a dresser, and in the corner I saw another door, which I assumed was a closet. In the other corner was another door, which was open, and I could see it was a bathroom. Relief washed over me: my own bathroom. I’d been so afraid I would have to share a bathroom with the entire MC.

  Tiny didn’t say anything for a while, letting me take in what would be my new home for the next few days. After I had looked everything over, he said, “I’ll go get your things and bring them up. I will be right back. You stay put.” He turned and left the room.

  I should not have come here. I should have figured out another way to find Brianne, but it was too late now. I have probably plopped myself down right in the middle of a biker war – not to mention the war I was gonna have to face with Mark.

  As I was looking around the room, I checked out the closet. It was a decent size for a short stay. It reminded me of something that you would see in a hotel room. The bathroom, on the other hand, was not something you would see in a hotel; at least, definitely not the kind of hotels that I was used to staying in. There was a sink, toilet, and shower. No bathtub, no vanity, it was just very simple and plain. “It is only going to be a few days,” I told myself. As I turned back toward the door, I noticed another door on the opposite side of the room. It was closed. I walked over and tried to open it, but it was locked. “Where does this lead?” I thought to myself.

  Just then, Tiny returned with my bags. “I think I got everything, Miss Emma.”

  I smiled. He really was so polite and sweet. His personality definitely did not fit the menacing man standing in front of me. “Thank you, Tiny. I really appreciate all your help. And please, just call me Emma. There is no need to be so formal with me.”

  He shuffled his feet for a second or two, unsure what to do next, and then said, “Well ma’am, if there is nothing else, I should be going.”

  As he turned to leave, I called out, “Tiny, one more thing.” I pointed to the locked door. “That door is locked. Where does it lead?”

  Tiny smirked and said, “That leads to the Prez’s room.” He turned to leave the room, and over his shoulder he added, “Miss Emma, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I would suggest, however, that you stay here until Ice returns.”

  I nodded, “Thank you, Tiny. I will.” I guessed he would just have to get used to not calling me Miss Emma.

  Tiny left. And then, I was alone.

  Chapter 5

  Caden

  I decided to run out to pick up a few things that I thought might make Emma feel more comfortable. I knew staying here would be difficult for her, as I was sure that my clubhouse didn’t have all the amenities she was used to. When I returned, I had several bags that contained new sheets for the bed, blankets, a new pillow, bath towels, and a couple of lamps. Nobody ever stayed in that room; it was pretty stark. I just wanted to make her feel a little more comfortable. I had no idea how long she would be here. I know she only expected a couple of days, but I guessed it would be longer. And if I was being honest with myself, I was hoping that it would be much longer. I was looking forward to us reconnecting, even if it was just in friendship.

  I left the bags in the car and went inside. I noticed some of the guys hanging around watching TV. Rebel and Tiny were at the bar, and Honey was pouring Reb a shot of bourbon. I walked over to greet them and asked Tiny, “Emma all settled in?”

  “Yes sir,” he replied. “I even carried her bag in for her, so I assume she is upstairs unpacking her things.”

  “Good, thanks. There are a few bags in the Jeep, please bring them in and put them in my room.” I then turned to Honey and said, “Pour one for me? I sure could use one.”

  Tiny headed out to my Jeep and Honey poured that shot. I looked over to my sergeant, shot in hand, and said, “Drink is the feast of reason and the flow of the soul.” We downed our shots and Reb looked at me, shaking his head. I looked at him an
d said, “What?”

  “Where do you come up with that shit? Drink being a feast and flowing into the soul … what the fuck does that mean?”

  “Hey, don’t knock Alexander Pope!”

  “Who the fuck is Alexander Pope?” Rebel asked, laughing at me.

  I just shook my head. These guys just didn’t get it. “Never mind. I don’t have the time or the patience to explain it to you. I’m going to check on Emma.” Rebel was still laughing at me as I left the bar and headed for her room.

  As I approached Emma’s room, I suddenly became nervous. What if she didn’t want to see me? What would we say to each other? It had been so long. Hesitantly, I knocked on her door. I could hear her shuffling about and then the door opened.

  “Caden, you’re back? Tiny told me that you had to leave. Come in.” She opened the door and I stepped into her room.

  “I picked up a few things for you. I know this room isn’t what you are used to, so I was hoping that what I got would make you feel a little more comfortable.”

  “You did not have to do that. I won’t be here very long – I’m assuming just a day or two. Don’t you think?”

  Shaking my head, I answered her honestly, “I don’t know, but I doubt it. Hopefully we will put our plan into action in the next day or two. But I have learned over the years that these things take time. The more information we have prior to acting, the better the outcome will be. I am not sure I want you out in the civilian world while we are doing this. You are much safer here, and I plan on keeping you here as long as I need to.”

  “Cade – I mean Ice, sorry – I can’t stay here indefinitely. I told Mark I would only be gone for a few days, I have my work, and what about Mom and Dad? They don’t know that I am gone. What do I tell them?”

  “First of all, you can call me Cade. You don’t have to call me by road name. I was wrong in correcting you earlier – actually, I kinda like it when you call me Cade. It reminds me of a happier time. You were the only one that ever called me Cade, and it grew on me over the years. Secondly, I really think that your connection to Brianne could potentially put you in danger. That’s why I am keeping you here. You know that I would never do anything to hurt you.” She looked at me with a wide-eyed expression, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. I continued, “Ok, besides that.” My past mistakes will always come back to haunt me.