"Yeah, one of the Knights sister clubs in Belfast arranged for them to have bikes. You know how Ice hates driving in a cage."
We laugh and it helps relieve some of the tension from earlier. I can tell that Emma is still concerned by all this and she confirms my suspicions when she asks, "Hawk, do you think we should be worried about this note?"
"Emma, I really don't know. Give me some time to look into it further. The precautions I'm taking are preemptive and reactive. I don't want to think nothing of it and have it turn out to be something. This way, I have you protected from the get-go."
"Ok, I trust you."
About an hour later, Spike shows up at Betty's. He walks over to our table and says, "Reporting for babysitting duty, boss."
Smartass.
Hawk stands up and gets into Spike's face. "You get this straight, brother: Emma is our prez's old lady. You will protect her as you would protect him or any brother in this club, and you will not disrespect her. Understood?"
Holy shit, is he really mad?
Spike says, "Hawk, man, I was just messing with her. I know who she is and I know how much she means to our prez. You don't have to remind me."
"Then remember this isn't a joke or a game at Emma's expense," Hawk says.
"I got it, geez." He looks over at me and then says, "I'm sorry, Emma. I meant no disrespect."
"See, that wasn't so hard," Hawk says sarcastically.
"Fuck you. She knew I was messing with her. You just made a big deal out of nothing," Spike says.
"Do we need to go a few rounds outside?" Hawk asks.
Nope, he’s teasing.
"Sure, old man! Let's do it. I'll kick your ass," Spike replies.
"Guys, guys, stop this!" Emma yells. I think she actually thinks they are about to throw down right here in Betty's. I can't hold it in any longer and I bust out laughing.
"What?" Emma asks.
Now we're all laughing. "Why are you all laughing?" she asks. She seems genuinely hurt that we are laughing.
I can't let her suffer any longer and I speak up and explain. "Emma, we're laughing ‘cause they were just messing with each other and you thought they were going to start fighting. They do this all the time. I'm sorry for laughing; you didn't know."
"Oh," she looks over to me. "Will I ever get this?" she asks and damn it, I feel bad for her.
"Of course you will, you're doing better than most in your situation would. This is all new to you—we get that. But we'll get you there, I promise. You're good for Ice and we aren't going to let you fail."
"Hell no!" Hawk replies. He looks at me and smiles. I think he is pleased that I am so willing to help Emma get all this. I think it gives him a bit of the security that he needed to get past my relationship with Ice.
