Page 93 of Jackal

Jackal took care of both problems promptly, and Petrov was still there when we were having dinner. We were surprised tolearn that Angie was happy to have us back for a do-over for Lacy and Eagle with a little help from Petrov and Coop. But of course, it would be a couple of months before we could get on the schedule again. We needed new tuxes for the guys anyway, and we all had to get our dresses dry cleaned before they’d be wearable again.

But tonight was the first night we planned a good crowd since the wedding that never happened. Mama Hen and Lacy had been cooking and baking up a storm most of the day, and I had spoken to my parents for a long time.

Dad wanted to follow up on my interview with his friend from the CDC. It went great, and I was almost certain I’d be getting an offer. I was hung up on getting the interview because of Dad, but after connecting with some old friends from school about a conference happening in Atlanta, several mentioned that the medical field isn’t different from any other field: it’s not always what you know, but who you know. So, instead of harping on it like it was a disservice to me to get involved, I decided to thank him and accept my blessings.

They, of course, were nervous for me to be starting a new life so far from them, but they actually seemed proud of me. Mom still tried to get me to spill about my love life, but for now I only shared that I had someone special. I’d eventually have to come clean, especially if we did plan to get married. I understood why Lacy was no-contact with her parents, but my parents weren’t like hers. They were wonderful. They’d probably have concerns, but I knew they wouldn’t disown me for marrying Jackal. My parents wanted me to be happy, and I was able to take care of myself thanks to them.

Since things had calmed down and I was waiting around to hear back about the job, I left my laptop in the room and was enjoying sitting outside in my favorite chair, listening to music, and reading a smutty book.Midnight Infernoby Saam King wasan enthralling story about a woman who goes to a new state for the job of her dreams, only to discover her hot new boss shifts into a wolf and thinks she’s his fated mate. Perfect afternoon.

I was so deep into the story that I didn’t realize anyone was behind me until strong hands kneaded the muscles in my shoulders. Pulling my earbuds out, I asked, “How long have you been there?”

Jackal leaned further, his hands going across my chest. “Long enough to see if Selene is gonna run like he told her. She sounds as stubborn as someone I know.”

Rolling my eyes, I pulled my bookmark from the back and put it in place, closing my book. “I’ll have you know they go on to have a fantastic romance. And spoiler alert, they live happily ever after.”

He chuckled, then reached his hand out. I obliged, and he pulled me to my feet.

We headed inside and grabbed drinks when we started to hear the familiar sound of Harleys coming in droves.

There were mostly Destiny’s Enforcers wandering around, but a few other clubs showed. After we ate, Jackal went to chat with Hawk and some other guys, and I, of course, eavesdropped. I was still a psychiatrist and the whole culture was just as fascinating to me now as the day I arrived. Maybe one day I’d write a book about it.But should I do nonfiction or fiction?

“No more Hellbound Heathens, then,” one of the men I wasn’t familiar with said.

“Nope. Apparently, they hadn’t recruited too many guys and you took out most of them. The ones that were left blew town, probably found other clubs.”

“Crazy fuckers. Who did they think they were?”

“They’re all nothing now. Can’t even say they met their destiny because nobody knew who the fuck they were,” one of them said, sending them all into a roar of laughter.

“Lil Bird, it’s not polite to listen to other people’s conversations,” Jackal said in my ear.

“It’s not like they’re not yelling it for anyone to hear,” I said. Which was true. They were all drunk and silly like high school girls already. “You’d think they’d have enough sense to realize we’re outside,” I told him as I waved my arms through the air.

“I love you, silly woman.”

I was about to turn and tell him I loved him but Hawk wolf-whistled not far from us and I had to shake off the sound.

“Hey, everyone!” Hawk yelled. “I wanna thank you all for coming out. It’s been a crazy year, but we’re still standing!”

The crowd that gathered cheered. The sun was still up, but it was starting to fade as the evening descended. A couple of members were lighting the torches that were scattered around the grounds.

Jackal held me close as we listened to Hawk.

“I want to thank you all who came out for the wedding, especially the ladies who had to deal with a change of plans,” Hawk said. Some women mumbled, but nobody spoke up loud enough to hear their complaints. Hawk waved his hands. “I know, I know. Especially sweet Lacy. But we’re making up to her in a couple of months. We hope y’all will come back down and we can really party then.”

This garnered more cheers.

“We also want to give a special thanks to a very intelligent, strong, and beautiful person. She’s put up with a lot in the short time she’s been with us, but she’s saved our asses more than once.”

“If this about me, I’d say way more than once,” I joked.

Jackal squeezed me, but Hawk just laughed. “More times than I can count, Dr. Raja.” He turned and waved for someone. Looking over, it was Mama Hen, and she was carrying a box. It was shallow but wide.

Once Mama Hen made it to Hawk, they both walked over to me. I looked around, realizing all eyes were on me. “Jackal, what the hell is going on?”

Hawk stood in front of me, and Mama Hen stood next to him, smiling like a fool. “Dr. Raja, Shivana, we voted, and it was agreed that you will be patched in as property of Jackal, becoming his Old Lady. Do you promise to always stay true to our destiny and enforce our bylaws?”

“Do I have to be called that?” A bunch of women laughed, but Mama Hen grimaced. “I mean, absolutely. I promise.”

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