Chapter 5
Jackal
The mechanic shop was covered and daytime at the bar was slow. Rooster and I took a ride to some smaller airports outside of Atlanta to see if anything looked suspicious. We knew of one the trafficking ring was using. That’s where Eagle and I got hit. Sounds crazy but I’d be forever grateful for that bullet because I got to sit and watch Shivana patch me up. Her cool hands were gentle and soft against my rough skin. Her gaze was serious and focused as she dug out the bullet and stitched me up.
Once she was done, she wasn’t as gentle and made sure we all knew how unhappy she was with the whole situation. It may be the closest she’d be to my unclothed thigh, so I’d always remember that night.
After talking to some patrons at the last airport we visited that had mostly Cessnas and helicopters, we decided to head back. We found a few places earlier that we could come back and scope when flights weren’t as busy. They could potentially be spots to transport women.
With the assassination of Raven, it was discovered there was also a trafficking ring in the area. We believed the two were related so it had been our mission to find them and shut them down for good. Plus, DE owned the strip club and, so far, dancers seemed to be the main target.
Now that we knew Butch was in on it, our girls may not be safe. He was the main security at Destiny’s Desires. None of our girls had been taken, but now that his cover was blown, who knew what he’d try to do? He knew the place and the surroundings better than anyone.
We added even more guys to the club, on all exits and inside. Keys had more cameras added to the inside and outside of the club, as well as around the parking lot. Those didn’t only look at the lot, but also at the trees surrounding it. If anyone tried to cut in through the woods, he’d see them.
But Cindy was still pissed she was told to stay away. Maybe she’d be reasonable when Hawk made the run up North. The other’s though, I wasn’t so sure about. Daisy was a firecracker and liked to test boundaries. Lacy was a good girl, but she was part of the reckless little trio, and I’d wager she’d side with them if it came down to it. Shivana was strong-willed, but she hasn’t seemed to be interested in going off the compound. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad gig. But then again, why would Hawk ask me to keep an eye on them if they’d behave?
We pulled up to the clubhouse and it was already getting packed. We hadn’t had a crowd in a while, but Hawk mentioned he’d invited some folks. I wondered if he wasn’t scoping out info: get some other clubs in, have some drinks, a few girls, and get them loose.
We’d been shaking down folks for months now, and besides learning about Butch’s involvement, we hadn’t made much headway. Maybe it was time for a different tactic. Hawk was smart and savvy like his old man. It could help us with a new lead. Plus, we’d all been running ragged with work and chasing dead ends. Blowing off some steam would be great for all of us.
The grills were going, coolers were scattered over the courtyard, and a few kegs were around. Bunnies were already getting giggly and passing drinks around to guys from DE and other clubs.
Walking through the small crowd, I headed inside to look for Hawk and give him an update. He was standing near the dart board, chatting with some guys from a different club. When he looked over, he said something then made his way over to me. He had his phone out, texting someone, as he approached.
“Hey man. Let’s head to Church,” he said.
I grabbed a beer as we passed the bar and followed him. Rooster was right behind me.
“We found a few airports we should check out soon. Maybe even set up a few guys for surveillance,” I told him as he sat.
He drummed his fingers on the table. “Good work. Get me the addresses and I’ll have some brothers assigned, maybe see if Keys can get some digital eyes on ‘em, too.”
I went to stand, but Hawk waved me back down. He was younger than me, but he was my president now, so I sat back down. “Everything okay, Prez?”
The door opened and Eagle, Falcon, and Red filed in and took a seat. All the officers were here. Usually at least one of them wasn’t available due to work or club business.
“Something go down, Prez?” I asked, leaning my forearms on the table.
Hawk looked around the room. His lips were thinned and his eyes like ice. I glanced around, too, and all the guys had stern looks and hard jaws. What the fuck?
“Jackal, I know we patched you in after the shit at the airport. I wanted to do more but at the time, it didn’t feel right. I hope you understand.”
I nodded, brows furrowed. “Yeah, Prez. DE for life. And honestly, it feels like home here. I’m all good.”
Hawk said, “We all think you’re meant to be here. And now that you’ve been patched to this chapter for a bit, even just a little while, I think all the brothers agree with me and the officers, that you deserve more.”
Shaking my head, a humorless laugh escaped me. “There’s nothing more to give me, Prez.”
Hawk pulled something from the inside of his cut and tossed it across the table. “We think there is.”
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 with Enforcer embroidered 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 trust and someone 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 stay true 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, men from 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.
I smiled but didn’t say anything. Instead, I used that as an excuse to head back inside; based on their reaction, they assumed I was going to find one.
Really, I just wanted to sit down and enjoy my beer for a few and maybe grab a bite to eat. But once inside, I got bombarded by more men congratulating me and ready to chat. Remembering Hawk must have had a reason to invite everyone, I did my best to carry on conversation and remind everyone we were allies.
We needed all the eyes and ears we could get now. Sometimes club politics looked less like shakedowns and more like rubbing elbows.
As the night went on, the bunnies finally started getting more aggressive. A new officer was like fresh blood to them.
I did my best to politely decline their offers and most got the hint. I had wandered over to the dart board where Falcon and Hawk were playing as a few guys watched.
Eagle pulled a chair over for me, so I finally sat. “Thanks, brother.”
He pulled up a seat next to me and plopped down. “You alright, old man?”
I held up my bottle and he clinked his against it. “I’m good. Working the room and shit, man.”
“Better you than me. But this is why you’re an officer now.”
“So, I’m an Enforcer and a PR guy?”
“Something like that,” he said with a grin then leaned in closer. “You’re more seasoned than us. Hawk is great at this shit, but the rest of us…we need work on that part.”
“You’ll get it over time, little guy.”
“Hey there, baby,” I heard as a small hand squeezed my shoulder.
Looking back, I smiled but lightly brushed her hand away. “Busy, hon.”
She pouted her lips but said, “Okay. I’ll just be over there.” She tilted her head toward the bar as she bit her lip.
Once she walked away, Eagle leaned in and said, “If looks could kill, that girl would be dead.”
“What? I smiled and just said I was busy.”
He chuckled and looked over my shoulder. “Not you, man. Her.”
I looked back, and Shivana was standing at the bar slamming down a shot. She never took her eyes off that girl the whole time and didn’t flinch as she took down that liquor.
She also looked different. She was always beautiful and put together. Tonight she was hot.
Shivana had on a pair of jeans that hugged every curve and a red tank top that stuck to her luscious breasts. Her hair was straightened, hanging loose over her shoulders. I loved her usual wavy hair, but the straight look almost made her seem intense, or edgy. It also exposed more of that supple neck. My cock twitched in my pants, but I cleared my throat, as if that was going to somehow make it go soft.
“You alright, old man?” Eagle asked as he pushed my shoulder.
“What? Yeah, I’m good. Why?”
“Just go get her. What are you waiting for? You’re an officer now. Plus, she already wanted you. Stop fucking around, man.”
“Let it go, Eagle.”
I had all but talked myself out of walking over. That was until I turned my gaze back for one more look and some crazy mother fucker was talking to her.