by Jamie Begley
“Go to sleep,” Jackal ordered. “It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve slept together.”
Penni moved to the side, burying her face in the crook of her arm. Just like anytime she began to feel nervous, she moved her hands upward toward the stars she wasn’t able to see.
The stars were filled with good energy, guiding her to a calm when she needed to release her inner turmoil. It was a lot easier than going to a psychiatrist or prison when she wanted to knock sense into someone.
Jackal wove his fingers between hers, pressing them to her belly. “Go to sleep, Penni.”
Wearily, she decided she was on her own tonight. The universe had other souls to be concerned with.
Her mind went back to Grace and Oceane. It always took Penni a long time to settle down into sleep. Shade had told her that normal people lived their life on cruise control, while she pushed the speed limits.
She concentrated on their linked hands, unconsciously gripping his hands more tightly, sinking into the warmth at her back as her lids lowered. Some things in the universe were inevitable.
Why was Jackal the only one who seemed able to shift her mind to neutral and calm the constant turmoil in her soul? Penni should have been grateful to have someone to lean on while playing the Road Kingz’ hostage. However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her savior may be the devil in disguise.
7
“Get dressed.” Jackal dropped his saddlebag onto the bed then watched as Penni opened the bag. It didn’t take long before he got the reaction he was waiting for.
“These are my clothes?” She picked up her clothes, giving him an accusing glare.
“Ice used the key you left for Grace to water your plants and feed the ducks.”
Jackal could tell she was torn between having her privacy invaded or leaving her precious plants and ducks without proper care.
“Is Ice taking care of my things?”
Jackal’s amusement had Penni throwing the empty saddlebag at him.
Dodging the missile, he sat down on the foot of the bed. “Calm down. Grace would kick Ice’s ass if anything happened to your precious plants and ducks. How did you get railroaded into taking care of a pond of ducks, anyway?”
“They’re not ducks. They’re swans. I was elected into the position during the yearly HOA.”
“You were elected? You mean more than one person volunteered to feed them?”
Penni nodded eagerly. “Yes, well, I mean … One other person volunteered to feed them, but nobody liked her.”
“But they liked you?”
“Yes. I offered to pay for their food. The feed had gone up in price, and I offered to pay.”
“Why? You haven’t lived there long.”
“Because they’re beautiful.”
Jackal stared at Penni. Her expression went soft, and her blue eyes looked luminescent. He shifted on the bed.
He had been attracted to her since he had seen her walking out of the hotel lobby in Queen City. In his experience, when women saw the Predators, they either ran the other way or turned into provocative whores. Penni had flipped him off because he was parked in the wrong space. Then, when he had kidnapped her then released her, she had shown her disgust in him by spitting on him.
After Ice had married Grace, he had seen Penni at a couple of the parties that Grace had invited her to. It had only fueled his attraction.
Jackal had discovered she made friends easily, but only kept a few. It was the same with him. And she had dated most of the men in Queen City. They didn’t last long, and if they did, they joined the ranks of her friends.
He’d had no intention of being a friend. Playing the waiting game, he had patiently used any excuse to come into contact with her, only to become the brunt of her insults. Why Jackal had put up with it was uncertain. It was as if a part of her were calling out to him.
It was why he had been so pissed off when she had stood him up. When Penni had said sorry last night, Jackal had believed her, but he had also noticed that her contrition had been brief.
Jackal tilted his head as he studied Penni. King had warned him long ago that there was more to her than showed. Jackal agreed. He didn’t think he would live long enough to figure her out.
His stiff dick was tired of waiting, and he had missed having her in his bed like when they had gone to Treepoint. The Spring Rally was a four-day ride. That gave him four nights to build a fire that Penni would beg for him to put out.
Penni stared at him suspiciously as she headed into the bathroom. “What? Why are you staring at me like that?”
Jackal smoothed out his features as he picked up his saddlebag. “Nothing. Get changed. Hennessy is getting the bikes gassed up.”
“Why can’t we just take off while they’re gone?”
“A guard is outside.”
Disappointed, Penni went inside the bathroom.
Jackal had already considered making a run for it with her. However, they wouldn’t make it out of the clubhouse. The Road Kingz’ fate was in Penni’s hands. If they didn’t find Striker, none of them would come out alive.
When Ice had told him that the Road Kingz had Penni, he had been ready to call Shade and hand the mess over to him. However, it would have been a death warrant for Hennessy, and Jackal hadn’t been able to forget the fact that he had saved his life. Then Ice had further convinced him it was a bad idea.
Ice saw the benefit of having the Road Kingz if they ever needed to join forces. It was a risky move, but Ice had given his approval, letting Jackal face the Road Kingz alone.
Jackal stood when Penni came out of the bathroom. Her jeans looked like an old pair, hugging her slender legs snuggly. The blue, long-sleeved T-shirt was tight with a bright rainbow plastered across the front of her taut breasts. It was going to be a long ride to Riverside, California.
“Ready?” He dug his fingers into his back pockets to keep himself from touching the firm thrust of her breasts.
“Do I have a choice?”
“No.” Jackal knocked on the bedroom door. Hennessy had assigned Core to stay with them until they were ready.
Jackal took Penni’s arm, leading her to the clubroom where Hennessy waited.
As they approached, Hennessy nodded toward Core. “Go on outside. We’ll be there in a minute.”
What he wanted to say, he didn’t want his man to hear. Jackal had a feeling he knew what had his former friend incensed.
“Call them off.” Hennessy’s order wasn’t one that Jackal could follow. Trying to play peacekeeper between the two clubs was going take every skill he had.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jackal saw Penni’s attention go back and forth between him and Hennessy.
“They’ll stay back, but Ice wants to make sure Penni doesn’t end up as a casualty between you and all the shit you’ve got going down.”
A split second was all Jackal had to prepare before Hennessy launched his giant body at him. Planting his feet, he braced for the pain coming his way.
Hennessy barreled into him, and Jackal released Penni’s arm then wrapped his arms around Hennessy’s waist, putting him in a bear hug, trying to stop his momentum and keep himself from crashing to the floor.
He didn’t stand a chance of breaking Hennessy’s hold. Jackal couldn’t match his weight, but he clamped his arms tightly around him, giving himself time to reason with the raging giant.
“Ice will stay back,” Jackal grunted. How much did the fucker weigh? “If anything happens to Penni, King will kill all of us. Think about it! If you can’t find Striker, you’re going to need the Predators.”
Hennessy threw him off, breathing hard. “I don’t need the Predators.”
“Are you sure about that?” Jackal took the time to catch his breath, expecting Hennessy to attack again.
Hennessy rubbed angrily over his bald head.
“There’s going to be over eighteen motorcycle clubs at the rally. You think you’re going to deal with all off them and a cartel that wa
nts their money back?”
“I have it under control!”
“Brother, you lost control when you snatched Penni. I’m trying to keep you and her alive. If she gets hurt, you won’t live to see another day.” He sighed out in frustration. “Let me help you. Ice won’t interfere unless you need back up. When you get your money back, I’ll take Penni, and we’ll disappear. We’ll all get what we want.”
“I don’t know what trouble you’re in, but I would listen to Jackal if I were you.”
Jackal shook his head at Penni. Hennessy would drop down dead before he took any advice a bitch gave him. Surprisingly, however, he stared across the room at him as if he was considering her opinion.
“You’ll keep Jackal’s word and not run to the cops when I let you go?”
Penni narrowed her eyes at him. Jackal expected her to spit at Hennessy for his question.
He tried to silently warn her of the repercussions if she lost her temper. Penni had been too sheltered by Shade. Bikers were notoriously controlling. They expected their bitches to do what they were told and not argue. Penni was the exact opposite.
“Yes.” Penni looked like she was about to choke on her answer.
Hennessy wasn’t convinced.
Jackal moved closer to Penni, laying an arm across her shoulders.
“She’ll do what I tell her.” His arm tightened around her, giving her the only warning he could. He could only do so much.
“That right?” Hennessy didn’t look like he believed him.
She leaned into his side. “Jackal’s the boss.” The nails digging into his back would leave marks, but at least Hennessy’s doubts had been taken away.
“Go make us some sandwiches. If we don’t get on the road, the rally will be over before we even get there.”
“I’ll help,” Jackal spoke up. “It’ll be faster.” Not to mention, he didn’t want to eat anything Penni made while in the mood that was brewing in her eyes.
“Don’t take long.” Hennessy left them, slamming the door to show he wasn’t happy that Ice was nearby.
“When this is all over—”
“You want us to make a sandwich for you?” Jackal addressed the man Penni had forgotten was lying on the couch behind her.
Her eyes widened at Jackal’s reminder that Hennessy wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave them alone.
“No, thanks. I’ll make my own.” Cruz laughed. “If I want to eat food that will kill me, I’ll eat at Chip-n-otle.”
“Be my guest—”
Jackal covered her mouth with his then hastily jerked it back. “What she means is I’ll pay for lunch. It’ll save some time.” He tossed some money at him. “Grab some burgers.”
“What do you want me to grab for you?”
Jackal stared at Penni in confusion as Cruz waited for her answer.
“Get her a burger, too—”
“She doesn’t eat hamburger; she’s a vegetarian.”
He almost burst out laughing at Cruz’s comment. Jackal had seen Penni eating too many chicken wings and hot dogs. He wasn’t going to bail her out of this one. It was going to be a long road trip without the foods she loved.
“Get her a veggie burger,” Jackal said mockingly. “Grab me two burgers. I’m all of a sudden hungry.”
8
“I’m getting cold!” Penni yelled into Jackal’s ear above the roaring motor.
She held him more tightly as he accelerated. Why was he speeding up instead of slowing down? Had he not heard her from behind the visor of the helmet?
Penni saw Jackal give Hennessy a hand signal. Then the bikers Jackal had passed gradually pulled off to the side of the road. When he came to a stop, Jackal slid his leg off his motorcycle to stand stiffly. The cars whizzing past them made her nervous.
“I’m freezing. When are we going to stop?” Penni complained through chattering teeth.
“Not for another hour.”
She gaped as he tugged off his leather jacket, holding it out for her to slip on.
Penni tried to move away, shaking her head. “You’ll get cold.”
He ignored her, zipping up the jacket then getting back on his motorcycle. “I’ll be fine.”
Jackal carefully watched the speeding traffic then skillfully maneuvered back onto the road.
Penni felt as if her ass was numb, and her head would fall off. She pressed into his back, hoping to share her warmth. She didn’t know why it bothered her that he might get cold.
Resting her head on his shoulder, she felt strangely secure despite the traffic. She had ridden with Shade a few times, and Jackal was almost as good. She would grudgingly admit he might even be better, but Shade was her big brother, and Penni had hero-worshipped him since she had been old enough to walk.
She was relieved to see Hennessy taking an exit with several hotel and food signs an hour later.
Jackal had ridden in the middle of the pack, surrounded front and back by the Road Kingz. The large group of bikers riding down the road were an impressive sight. Penni would have appreciated it much more if she been there willingly.
Penni attempted to get off the motorcycle when they pulled in front of the hotel.
“Wait.”
“My butt is killing me,” Penni protested yet remained seated at Jackal’s order.
“It won’t take long.”
Thankfully, Cruz came out of the office not long after, handing out room keys.
Penni wanted to cry in relief when Jackal parked his bike in front of a room. Every muscle in her body ached as she slid off the motorcycle. She didn’t know how she was going to make it three more days.
When she had ridden to Treepoint with Jackal, she hadn’t appreciated how easy he had taken it on her, giving her time to rest and more breaks. Hennessy didn’t give her the same consideration. He was pushing her on his timetable, not caring how uncomfortable he was making her.
Jackal took her arm to steady her. Penni was self-conscious as he led her to the hotel room.
She looked around the room when Jackal flipped on the light switch. It was much cleaner than she had expected.
“I need to use the bathroom.”
Penni tightened her lips as Jackal strode across the room. His lean body moved with ease despite riding on the motorcycle as long as her. He went through another doorway, and a light came on.
“It’s through there.” He raised a brow at her resentful expression.
Penni waited for him to step to the side before going inside and closing the door behind her.
Mumbling to herself, she relieved her aching bladder then washed up with the clean washcloth. When she finished, she sat down on the side of the tub.
The tiny room didn’t even have a window. How could she escape if they didn’t give her the freaking chance? Her normally cheerful attitude was cracking under the strain.
She heard male voices outside the door then the front door closing.
“Cruz is getting us some food.”
Yippee!
Penni didn’t respond.
Reaching into her back pocket, she pulled out her useless cell phone. As they had left the Road Kingz’ clubhouse, she had seen it sitting on top of a trash can. She had refused to get on the back of Jackal’s bike until he had gone back inside and retrieved it for her.
“Hennessy took the SIM card, so it won’t work.”
She had snatched it from his hand with a genuine smile.
She was more upset about the loss of her contact list and pictures that she’d never had the time to get printed. Penni was hoping that, when Hennessy released her, he would give the SIM card back.
She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. The universe had gifted the huge man with an arrogant nature. It was no wonder he was the president; his size alone made it difficult to stand up to him.
Penni ran her thumb over the black screen, tempted to throw it against the wall. As an alternative, she tucked it back inside her pocket.
“You’re not the only one who needs
to take a piss.” The sound of Jackal’s voice on the other side of the door had her rising up to open the door.
“Sorry.”
Jackal tilted his head. “I get an apology two days in a row? I’m amazed.”
She removed his jacket, handing it back to him. “Thank you for letting me borrow it.”
“You sick?”
Penni frowned in confusion. “No, why?”
He shrugged. “I thought you would have to be stinking drunk to say anything nice to me.”
Before she could reply, he went inside the bathroom.
Ashamed, she sat down on the bed, folding her legs crisscrossed. It took her several minutes before she realized she might have a chance to escape. She was about to jump from the bed when Jackal came back into the room. Folding her legs again, she resumed her meditation position.
When a knock sounded on the door, Penni didn’t show any interest, not even when she smelled the aromas coming from the bag that Jackal placed on the nightstand.
She ignored the sandwich he held out to her.
“I’m not hungry.”
“It’s a hamburger.”
Before he could snatch it back, Penni took it from his hand. Unwrapping the burger, she didn’t even care that it had a sauce she hated.
Jackal sat down on the bed, pulling out his sandwich and taking a bite. After she saw what he was eating, she winced.
“You’re eating the one Cruz got for me?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you just tell him I was lying about being a vegetarian?”
“I figured, if you wanted him to know the truth, you would tell him.” Jackal’s mouth twisted. “Besides, I knew you were doing it to bug Cruz.”
“I was being a bitch,” she admitted, taking another bite of her own sandwich. “I’d share with you, but it’s not that good. The veggie burger is probably better. The special sauce sucks.”
Jackal handed her a bag of chips. “Special sauce?”
Penni licked her bottom lip after she finished the last bite. “Every restaurant makes their own sauce. Usually, it’s ketchup and Thousand Island. One time, I ate it, and I swear they used tartar sauce. It was disgusting.”