Page 79 of Jackal

“Yeah, but I can handle my liquor. Hell, I was keeping up with Petrov. Nowthatfucker can drink,” Hawk said with a hint of a smile. It’s the first time I’d seen one on him in a while.

“How’s our guest faring?” I asked. Having him around was like having your mom chaperone a date in your teens. Or at least what I imagined it would be like.

Hawk answered, “Should be pretty good. A couple of girls made sure to keep him occupied. But I imagine he’ll be down soon for breakfast.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing, man,” I said, crossing my arms. We had plenty of help from other clubs. I didn’t understand why Petrov was here.

“I do. Be in Church in an hour,” he said before walking away.

Eagle said, “I don’t care for Petrov, but probably for the wrong reasons. We gotta trust Hawk.”

Sighing, I said, “I do. But I feel responsible for him, ya know? Raven would’ve wanted me to watch his back. And as an Enforcer, I’m responsible for this club. I just hope this doesn’t bite us in the ass. They don’t do favors.”

“Neither do we, brother. It’s business when it’s outside the club. You know that.”

“I guess you’re right. Just wish I knew what the price will be.”

The door behind me opened, so I turned around. Shivana looked at Eagle, then giggled. “We can’t have you looking like death for the pictures. C’mon,” she said as she waved him in.

Lacy came popping out, followed by Daisy. Lacy stopped for a quick kiss before Eagle went in and took a seat with a loud groan.

“Let me get him going, but then we can go eat. We have a few hours before we have to get ready.”

After Shivana got Eagle hooked up, we left him for hishangover treatment and went to get breakfast.

The room was packed with men from different chapters, some new women, and Petrov was enjoying his meal with Hawk.

“I’ll go sit with the girls so you can do whatever you guys do,” Shivana said.

“Go sit. I’ll grab us some food.”

Cindy was surely busy, so I headed to the kitchen. When I walked in, the room went silent. Penny was there, which was a rare sight. From the looks of their faces, it wasn’t a pleasant conversation.

“Excuse me, ladies. Just looking for breakfast for me and Shivana.”

Cindy smiled. “Sure thing, hon. I’ll bring it right out.”

“I can get it, plates right here?” I asked, looking through the cabinets. The kitchen was huge, more like a commercial kitchen, but with that many mouths to feed, it made sense.

“I was just leaving,” Penny said. If looks could kill, Cindy would be dead.

Once she left out the back exit, I started piling food on the plate and said, “Little wedding day tension?”

“She’s always tense. It’ll be fine. I can’t wait to see everyone in their tuxes.”

I nodded, trying to avoid too much conversation.

“Be straight with me, Jackal.”

Setting down the spoon I was scooping hash browns with, I looked over, trying to seem casual. “Sure. What’s up?”

She came closer. “Hawk spoke to me early this morning. Said to keep the girls in line if need be.”

“Is that different than any other day?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. You know Raven didn’t keep me in the dark.”

“Cindy, Hawk’s the president now. It’s his call. But I’d say just do what he says and everything will work out fine.” Honestly,Raven didn’t tell her everything. He told her enough that she thought she knew everything. But at the end of the day, it was best she didn’t know it all. At least, I had to believe that.

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