Page 85 of Jackal

“Are you alright?” I asked.

She nodded, still looking away.

“They told you, didn’t they?”

Lacy looked at Daisy, then they both looked at me and Daisy said, “Wait, you knew?”

My eyes shot to the front where Petrov was keeping the driver company.

We started mouthing to each other and making hand gestures. It appeared the three of us knew, but kept it from each other. Our wild hands and sounds of clicks filled the cabin when a whirring sound filled the space.

Jeannie rolled her eyes. “Okay, now that the window is up, what the fuck is happening?”

Penny’s arms crossed and she glared at her mother. “Yeah, whatishappening?”

Mama Hen told her, “What’s necessary. Try to just enjoy the ride.”

Katie was white as a ghost.

“You okay?” Daisy asked her.

“Um. Are we…are we safe?”

“Safe, for now,” Penny said as she leaned back, arms still crossed.

“We are safe. Just a little detour, hon. Try to relax. Drink yourchampagne,” Mama Hen answered and apparently that’s all we were sharing. It made sense that if Jackal cracked and told me, Eagle and Falcon wouldn’t be able to keep their women in the dark. But I didn’t know what they knew, and the others didn’t need details. We just had to keep them calm for a while.

“It’s hot in here,” I said, a flush washing over me.

Jeannie found the controls for the AC and turned it up for me. Besides the light hum of the engine and the gentle breeze from the air vents, it was quiet and tense.

My mind raced as I wondered what was happening back at the venue. Jackal still didn’t tell me the master plan, so I had no real idea what they were doing, how long this would take, or what to expect.

Even with the air blowing, I was still hot. Pulling my fan out of my pocket, I waved it furiously as I stared out the window. A hand grabbed mine and I looked over at Lacy, threading my fingers into hers. Daisy took her other hand, and we all gave each other a knowing look.

I could only hope that Jackal kept his promise to not get killed.

Chapter 47

Jackal

Petrov got the ladies off the premises without a hitch. It was almost too easy, but I couldn’t dissect that right now. I just hoped Petrov knew that if he let one single curl get out of place on Shivana’s pretty head, I’d dissecthim.I don’t give a fuck who his daddy is.

“Keys said a small group of five was moving in here,” Hawk said once we got back inside.

We brought all the guys in so we could get updates and make sure things went according to plan. As much as we’d love to run up on them guns ablazing, this required a bit more strategy. We wanted Butch, and if he wasn’t with them, we needed someone alive.

Some of our chapter was still back at the clubhouse with a few guests. Another group escorted all the Old Ladies that came to town away from the clubhouse until this was over.

We couldn’t assume that just because they knew we’d be here, that they’d come after us. We weren’t sure what they were after, honestly. But it didn’t make sense that they’d have a full-on takeover of the wedding. It was too public, even if we did get the heat off us.

No, we had to assume they would ambush us from both sides. If they thought the clubhouse would be empty, they could have thought they could get in, steal some intel, steal some products, and destroy the place. That made more sense, but they would send someone to the venue as a decoy as well.

My muscles tensed as I waited for command from Hawk. Would we be lucky enough for Butch to show up here? Or even at the clubhouse? Or would that pussy send his guys in without him?

Hawk’s phone buzzed, so he answered and stepped away. We all stood around, peeking out the windows.

“We can escort the ladies back to the bridal suite when they’re ready,” Angie said as she popped from her office. Her smile fell as she looked around. She gathered herself quickly, though, and came closer. “Is something happening?”