Page 54 of Jackal

“No, but do you need help with anything?” I asked. I would literally do anything besides sit at that point.

“Lacy already helped me with dinner prep. But thanks, hon.” Lacy often got up early and spent hours in the kitchen with Mama Hen prepping meals for the day.

Mama Hen shuffled off, and I sipped my water. It had been like this since Hawk got shot. No parties at the clubhouse, not even with the members. Just dinner, guys lingering around, even the bunnies seemed restless. The music didn’t seem to be as loud, either. I wasn’t sure if it was just quieter than normal, since there wasn’t as much chatter, but the difference in volume was unnerving.

The ladies working the bar were so eager to please every time a member walked up for a drink, but there wasn’t any acknowledgement in their eyes. It wasn’t as if they were being assholes, more like they were so preoccupied that they missed the pretty women practically flashing them.

Some of the bunnies would even try to sidle up next to them asthey sat around drinking. Usually, they’d at least drag them onto their lap, or even get handsy right out in the open, but not lately.

It was so somber that the ladies who didn’t stay at the compound hadn’t been around, including Jeannie.

“You still not able to go to work?” I asked Daisy.

She crossed her arms. “Not right now. But he said we’re going with you guys to check out the wedding venues, so I get to leave for a bit.”

Lacy picked up her phone without touching any buttons. “They should be here soon so we can leave.” She was beaming.

I was glad to be here and help her with this. She still was holding firm on not inviting her parents, but I hoped she didn’t change her mind at the last minute. It was already tight since Eagle wanted every motorcycle club in the Southeast to attend. Jackal told me not to expect RSVPs except from a few Old Ladies and that they’d all just show up if they were available. That made it hard to adequately plan. But the places we chose all had plenty of outside space, so worst case scenario, they may not see the ceremony, but they could hang out for the party. That created a whole other issue–how much food and drink to get.

Deciding we would sort that out with Eagle after we decided on a venue, I put my laptop in the bag and said, “Since they’re supposed to be here soon, I’m going to take my stuff up so we can go when they do.”

By the time I put my computer in Jackal’s room, inspected myself in the mirror, and added a little lip gloss, and went back to the bar, the guys had arrived. Where they’d been was a mystery. I doubted it was terribly dangerous, since it was midday and Hawk was still on site. It didn’t change the fact that now, every time he left, a little knot formed in my stomach that churned over and over until he came back.

“Hey, Lil Bird, you ready?” Jackal asked as he pulled me tight against him.

I melted into him, ignoring the lewd comments and whistles, not from the men but my friends. “Very! The weather is perfect. But first, make it worth the comments from the peanut gallery,” I said with a grin.

Jackal cupped my ass with both hands and kissed me like he’d devour me. He kissed me so hard, my knees started to buckle, but he had me tight. “I got you,” he said after he finally pulled away.

He was only talking about making sure I didn’t fall at the moment, but he had me all the time. And for the first time, I was starting to admit to myself that I liked it.

We piled into two vehicles and headed out to the first venue. It was cute, but I worried parking would be a problem, so we didn’t spend too much time there.

The second one was marketed as rustic, but that was being generous. I loved the farmhouse look, even weathered, but this was an actual farmhouse from two hundred years ago that hadn’t been renovated or updated.

“These beams could fall at any second,” Jackal said, not worried that the tour guide could hear.

“I can assure you, we are up to code,” he said as he tipped his chin out.

“I can assureyou, we won’t be having an event here. But good luck.” He gripped my arm and gently led me back to the SUV.

Lacy sighed from the back seat.

I turned around once I had my seatbelt clicked. “We have another to look at and, if it sucks, we will keep looking.”

“I want to be done. Maybe we should have just had it at the clubhouse,” she said, twirling her ponytail.

Eagle pulled her hand to his lips. “No. You want a real wedding, and that’s what you’re getting. I’ll build a venue if that’s what you want.”

Her frown turned into a huge smile. “That would take too long,but I love you for saying that.”

But there was no need for that. We both gasped when we pulled up to the third one.

“This is a nice start,” Lacy said as Jackal parked.

“Indeed.” Looking around as he got out and came to open my door, I took in the parking. There was a large lot where we parked near the building, but there was more space down a driveway.

Lacy took my arm and we headed in first. A lovely woman with dark brown hair pulled into a messy, but cute bun greeted us. “Welcome. Which of you are Lacy and Eddie?”

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