Page 7 of Jackal

I reached over and grabbed the patch he’d thrown to me. A grin spread over my face as I inspected the bright new patch withEnforcerembroidered on it. “Oh shit. Is this for real?”

All the guys finally cracked grins and dropped the tense act. Eagle reached over and smacked my shoulder. “Yeah, old man. Maybe you can get the doctor to sew that on for ya,” he said with a wink.

I was too pumped to be irritated with him for his jab. “Shit. I didn’t expect this. I just patched in a few weeks back.”

Hawk shrugged. “You’ve been with DE longer than some brothers have been alive. And we need someone we can trustandsomeone who understands what that means,” he said as he pointed to the patch.

I ran my thumb over the word on the patch. I’d been a member for nearly thirty years. But I bounced around chapter to chapter, almost like a contractor. Doing what needed to be done but able to move on between jobs. There’s never been a question that my loyalty was with DE, but I’d never imagined I’d become an officer.

“This is amazing, brothers. I don’t know what else to say.”

Hawk quieted everyone. “Jackal, do you promise to always staytrue to our destiny and enforce our bylaws?”

Steeling my gaze as the levity of the words washed over me, I said, “Yes.”

“Do you promise to always stay true to your president, your brothers, the club?”

“Yes.”

“Congrats to our newest officer,” Hawk said as he stood up and walked over to me. I stood and he opened his arms.

“I’m honored, Prez.” I said as I hugged him.

The other guys stood, and they all came to hug and shake hands, congratulating me.

“Now, let’s go make the announcement and get this party started fellas,” Hawk said as he grabbed his beer and opened the door.

I grabbed my beer off the table and squeezed the patch in my other hand. We walked out to the bar area, but Hawk and Eagle corralled everyone to go outside.

Stepping outside, I looked around. The crowd had grown while we were inside, and the sun was starting to set. Once everyone was outside and the other officers lined up against the building, Hawk quieted everyone down.

“It’s been a while since we had a good gathering and I’m glad everyone could make it out. I think the last time we had something like this was for Pops’ send off.”

“Rest in peace, Raven,” someone yelled from the crowd.

Hawk nodded. “Amen, brother. But we have a happier reason to gather today. An announcement,” he said as he clapped his hands together. “We have a new officer, everyone. Please help me congratulate Jackal, our newest Enforcer!”

As the crowd cheered and whistled, my chest swelled. I was already content to just be part of this chapter, but to be voted in as an officer was beyond anything I imagined. And the reception I was given was wild. Brothers came to shake my hand, menfrom other clubs came to congratulate me, and drinks were being shoved at me. I tucked the new patch inside my cut and accepted the attention.

“Let’s get this party started!” Hawk called out over the commotion as he held up a beer and the crowd got loud again.

The next hour or so was a whirlwind. I chatted with brothers and men from other clubs about my travels, how I was liking Atlanta, there was mention of Raven, plus a few guys asked about Butch.

“Fucking shame. I hope he’s found and flayed,” a guy named Stix from another club said.

“Fucking dishonorable piece of shit. What the fuck is his end game? Raven did everything for that boy. Just unbelievable.”

“We’re not taking new prospects right now.”

“Smart. This shit shook up everyone.”

I just listened to them talk. It made sense they were nervous about their own clubs. Butch was like a son to Raven. If he could turn on him, it’d make anyone second guess everyone around them. But this also could work to our advantage.

I grabbed one of their shoulders. “Listen, we all gotta strengthen our bonds now more than ever. You know we’re here for you. If you hear anything at all, you holler at us, right?”

They all nodded. “You bet, brother. DE’s always been good to us. If we hear anything, we’ll let you know.”

“Shouldn’t you be balls deep in a bunny by now?” one of them asked.

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