Chapter 33
Jackal
“Hey, I think we have a problem,” I said as I walked back to the table inside.
“You mean in addition to our other problems?” Hawk asked with a dry laugh.
“Related to.” I looked around and the bunnies had started to file in, so I tipped my head toward the hallway.
They all stood, and we headed to the room for Church, but only Hawk could call that. I just needed a place to speak freely.
Once inside, they sat but I paced. “Shivana called the venue and something’s up. We need to go by there tomorrow.”
“So she couldn’t get the deposit back?” Eagle asked.
I glared across the table, and his hands shot up in surrender.
“She called and tried, then when they told her no, they started offering free shit. What wedding venue wouldn’t just keep your deposit and cancel?”
Hawk leaned on his forearms. “I’m confused. If they don’t show up, they just don’t show up.”
“I think Butch or these Heathens talked to that lady. These places don’t offer free shit, especially when they can just keep your money. Something’s up. But if she’s scared, she won’t talk on the phone. We need to go by there.”
Eagle chimed in. “I’ll ride over tomorrow. It’s my deposit, anyway. See what she says, if anything.”
Hawk tapped the table. “Go by there. See what she says and report back. Maybe they did say something to her.”
“I’ll ride with him. I don’t think he should go alone,” I said, finally sitting down.
Falcon looked at his phone. “I can cancel my appointment tomorrow and go with you.”
Hawk waved him off. “No. Jackal can go, but it doesn’t need to be obvious we know if something really is up. You switching work and having too many riders for a simple errand could raise red flags.” He ran his hand through his short hair, messing up it’s normal style. “They have eyes on us somewhere close. Jackal’s been out and about a lot anyway, so it won’t seem out of the ordinary. We have plenty of guys available should the need arise. But my guess is, they won’t start shit midday.”
“You’re right, Prez. Even if they don’t, we don’t need to put the venue in danger if Jackal’s right,” Falcon said.
Hawk stood. “I’m gonna touch base with Keys, see if they have cameras over there he can tap into.”
“Don’t ask him like that,” Eagle chided. “He hates that shit.”
Hawk’s brow pinched. “What shit? Doing his job?”
“No, asking like you’re not sure he can do it,” I said. I had to hand it to the kid; he was smart as fuck. And Eagle was right. He hated to be underestimated.
Hawk’s head shook as he grimaced, then he left.
“I think Prez needs some ass,” Eagle said, smacking the table as he stood.
“Or he needs a fucking break,” I said. Putting my fists down on the table, I looked up. “Hawk’s dealing with a lot of shit, fellas. Remember, he didn’t expect to be at the head of the table so soon.”
Eagle shoved his hair behind his ears. “You’re right. Sometimes it’s hard to remember he’s in charge now. But we’re all supporting him, Jackal. We just don’t know what the fuck to do.”
Standing, I said, “Yeah. I wish I had an answer.”
Falcon said, “For now, just do what he said. I’ll go to the shop like normal, you two go to the venue and see if she seems scared. Try to get what you can out of her. Maybe she was just acting strange.”
I met up with Eagle after breakfast and we rode by the tattoo shop, headed to the store for a few items Shivana and Lacy asked for, then rode around a bit until we headed to the venue. We wanted to go when it was still daytime so they wouldn’t be too busy, but wanted to hit a few spots before going by to see if anyone was following us.
Every stop we made, we tried to be aware of anyone suspicious. At this point, I wondered if they had someone besides bikers following us around since they seemed to know every move we made. Everyone was a suspect at this point.
But neither of us noticed anyone more than once all day. After parking near the building at the venue, we both headed inside. Eagle stopped at the door, though. “Hey, why don’t you let me do the talking?”
“Why?” I asked.
“I got the charm,” he said with a grin.
“So you’re gonna flirt with her, about your wedding?”
“I won’t flirt. But look at this face?” he said, waving his hand in front of him.
“As opposed to what, little boy?”
“C’mon. You look scary. I look like the guy next door.”
“You’re also a dipshit, and I’m not. Let’s just go talk to the woman and see what’s up.” Fucking boy.
I pulled the door open and he followed me inside. It was only seconds before Angie popped from the door that appeared to be her office. “Hello again,” she said with a nervous smile as she came closer.
She put her hand out, and we both shook it. Eagle smiled and said, “Great to be here. Hey, listen, Lacy’s friend–”
“The wedding planner,” I said, cutting him off. She should know Shivana was handling the details and that’s why she called on their behalf.
Eagle put his hand to his chest. “Yes. My mistake. The wedding planner called about a personal issue that arose and asked to cancel, and I think there may have been a miscommunication.”
She struggled to keep the forced smile on her face. “Oh, um I did receive a call. But, as I tried to explain, there was a signed contract.”
Eagle kept his stance loose and arms open. “Yeah, totally understand. Sucks to lose the deposit, but if we can get confirmation of the cancellation, it’s yours to keep. We understand a contract is a contract.”
Her eyes darted around and she swallowed. “Well, we certainly understand things happen, sir. But as I told the wedding planner, we could ensure a smooth wedding day with very little effort from you. And I could offer a few extras. You already chose a non-priority day, so perhaps the other issue you had could be moved to accommodate your big day?”
“I sure do appreciate your tenacity, miss, but we really just have to cancel. Lacy loved this location though, and once we get things squared away, we will probably return. With a new deposit. But only if we can come to an arrangement to cancel now. I hope you understand,” he said with a soft sincerity in his voice.
She shifted her weight from one leg to the other and redness creeped from her chest to her neck. “I–uh.” Angie cleared her throat. “And you’re sure there’s nothing we can do to keep your date? I already started the arrangements, after all,” she said, her smile even more forced.
“Hey, Angie, can we step outside, over where the outdoor ceremonies take place?” I asked.
Eagle rolled his eyes but Angie nodded. “Sure. Right this way.”
She walked ahead and pushed the door. The humidity had returned today, so they must have kept the rolling doors closed to keep the temps inside bearable. Plus, it wasn’t a typical day they’d be doing ceremonies.
“Beautiful space,” I said as I walked past her, taking in the open area. The chairs weren’t set up, but the gazebo was still there.
“Thank you. I’d give the spiel, but you were here the other day. Are you and your partner looking for a venue?”
I took a few more steps, trying to ensure I didn’t see or hear anyone outside. Turning back, I looked at the building. Keys didn’t find any cameras to tap into, but I recalled an extra flood light at the front, and there was one on this side of the building, as well.
“Y’all got security cameras out here?” I asked, squinting from the bright sunshine.
She stood with her hands clasped together. “Nothing fancy, but yes. We don’t keep cash on site, though.”
“Sure, but you got plenty of nice things. Makes sense. Closed circuit?”
“Sir, I’m sorry, but may I ask what this is about?”
Stepping further away from the building, I waved her over. “I’m not trying to make you nervous, sweetheart, but I’m wondering if it’s safe to speak to you out here.”
Her chest rose with a deep breath and she fidgeted her hands. “I’m not sure I understand.”
“The day my friend booked with you, did someone come speak to you when we left? Maybe even the next day?”
Her lips thinned, but she didn’t answer me.
“Maybe someone with something like this, but a little different,” I asked as I pulled at my leather.
She still didn’t speak or move, so I took a slow step toward her.
“Listen, Angie, I can’t help if I don’t know anything.”
Her eyes darted around, so I looked around, too. Turning back to her, I put a hand up, taking another slow step. “We can help you.”
“I’m sorry,” she said, her chin trembling. “I didn’t know what else to do.”
“Hey, you’re good. It’s all good. Just tell me what happened so we know how to help.”
She shook her head, tears welling up in eyes. “I don’t know anything. But this guy came in during the ceremony that night. I thought he was with the party and didn’t think anything of it. But he followed me into my office.”
She paused, sucking in a deep breath and dabbed at her eyes as the tears started to roll down.
“Did he hurt you?” The fuckers were unbelievable.
She shook her head again. “No, but he said he would and nobody would hear, since the music was so loud. It was the reception, so the band was going and everyone was loud. He had a gun in a holster and a knife on his belt. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“What did he want from you?”
“He asked for the wedding date of your friends.”
I scratched at my scruffy beard. “How did he know we even booked?” I asked out loud, but was really wondering hypothetically.
Angie shrugged. “When he first came, I thought he was a guest making small talk and mentioned some friends had been by the day before. He acted like he knew them, so I didn’t think anything about it when he said something about them having a wedding here. I thought he already knew. I didn’t tell him anything, I just agreed with him.”
Maybe Butch wasn’t as dumb as I thought. He set her up. “Angie, you didn’t do anything wrong. And I’m sorry you’re dragged into this. Did he say anything else? Ask about anything else?”
She swiped both cheeks with her hands and took another deep breath. “He told me to keep my mouth shut and make sure the day went as planned. Then he took the picture of my parents off the desk and left. He didn’t say anything, but it made it seem like a threat. They’re older and don’t live nearby. I can’t get to them fast and—”
She was spiraling, so I stepped closer and grabbed her shoulders. “Hey, hey, hey. Listen, we’ll figure this out. And nothing will happen to your parents. I’m going to have a couple guys hang around here until we get this sorted out. And if you’re comfortable telling me where your parents live, we can probably have someone check on them, too. Okay?”
“Th–thank you.” A sob escaped her, then she managed to say, “I’m so sorry.”