Page 9 of Jackal

The night started out with food and drinks, almost like a barbeque. But then Hawk made the announcement that Jackal was now an officer, and the party seemed to ramp up.Everything got louder and busier.

Jackal was completely tied up and surrounded by men. That was all part of this culture. Plus, it was a huge deal that he was an officer, according to Lacy and Daisy. It made sense. The whole place was one big subculture with their own rules and hierarchy, and officers were at the top of it all.

What better way to celebrate than with me? The only problem was, I couldn’t find a moment where he wasn’t completely engulfed in conversation and handshakes.

Falcon and Eagle were also off doing man-business, so Daisy and Lacy kept me company and kept the drinks flowing. We were hanging out in the bar area, and I had already had about three shots and who knows how many beers when I finally saw him sitting; I was feeling bold.

“I’m gonna grab him a shot,” I told the girls as I stood up. I was a little wobbly, but it was nothing I couldn’t manage.

Lacy tried to get me to sit back down. “He’s still doing club business, Shiv. Just hang out here. We’ll catch him.”

Daisy shrugged. “A drink won’t hurt. But if he says he’s busy, don’t get butthurt. That just means they’re talking about club stuff.”

Nodding sharply, I said, “Got it. Wish me luck.”

I walked to the bar and asked the bunny for two shots of Fireball. But when I turned around, a different bunny was leaning down with her breasts in Jackal’s face saying something. He smiled at her and touched her hand. I knocked one of the shots down, sat the glass on the bar, then turned back.

The bunny had walked off but he was still smiling. He looked in my direction, so I took the other shot and turned to slam it on the bar.

It burned going down but I was so mad I didn’t care. It probably wasn’t a good idea to take two back-to-back since I had already been drinking a while, but it was too late now.

Blinking a few times and bracing myself on the bar because my sight was crossing, I decided I should try to make my way back to Mama Hen’s. When I turned around, there was a large figure in my way.

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” the man said as he looked me over.

He was a giant with a short beard and cropped brown hair. I didn’t recognize him or his cut. He must be with one of the other clubs that was invited.

“I’m sort of new here,” I said, trying to act like I wasn’t completely drunk. But when I tried to flip my hair, I think I looked more like I was swatting the air.

“You got a man?” he asked as he stepped even closer.

I was about to answer no, which was true, when a familiar deep voice said, “Can you excuse us?”

The man looked over his shoulder then stepped away from me. “My bad, Jackal.”

“No worries, Bama,” he said as the man walked away.

Leaning against the bar to steady myself, I drew in a breath. “Why did you send that nice man away?” The taste of cinnamon was still strong in my mouth, and I wondered if I just blew it all over Jackal’s face as I expelled a frustrated breath.

“Nice?” he asked as he looked over his shoulder then back at me. “Not sure I’d describe Bama that way. Are you alright?”

“I was perfectly fine until you rudely interrupted our conversation,” I said, tilting my head and smirking.

Jackal crossed his arms. His long dark hair was pulled back and I could see his jaw ticking.Why did he have to be so hot?

“So, you wanted to talk to him?” he asked, a brow cocked.

“Well, nobody else was talking to me,” I said, wrapping my arms across my stomach, pushing my breasts up.

His eyes dipped down, and I giggled.Shit. I was trying to be sexy and confident, not immature and comical.

“I think you’ve had enough. Why don’t you let me walk you back to Cindy’s?” he asked as he put his hand out.

“Um,” I paused for a hiccup, “you’re not the boss of me.” I turned around and waved for the girl behind the bar. “Can I get another shot of Fireball?”

Immediately he said, “No, she’s good.”

I turned back around and stepped closer, wobbling on my heels. Looking down, I cursed them. “Damn shoes.” I put my finger up, nearly in his face. “I’m an adult andIwill say when I’m done.” The more I spoke, the more slurred it became. But he wasn’t in charge of my alcohol consumption. “How dare you?”Hiccup.

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