“Hell no.” Jackal stared him in the eyes so that Hennessy could see he was telling the truth.
“You didn’t tell me you had a sister when we were in juvie.”
“She’s not my sister.”
“So if she’s not your sister or your bitch, why are you standing in my club?”
“She a friend of the Predators’.”
“Shit.” Hennessy snorted sarcastically. “You’re lying. The Predators don’t have any friends. I can vouch for that.” He lowered his weapon, replacing it behind his back.
“Technically, she is. Ice’s old lady is Penni’s employee. Ice is worried that his woman won’t get paid since she’s not there to sign the check.”
“Don’t make me pull out my gun again. This time, I’ll shoot your lying ass.”
Jackal sighed. “Ice has gotten soft in his old age. His woman and Penni are friends. Ice doesn’t want her upset since they found out her mother’s dying.”
No hint of compassion touched Hennessy’s chiseled features. “She’s not here anymore.”
Jackal arched his brow humorlessly. “Now who’s lying? I told you I was doing a solid. I didn’t take part when the Predators tossed you and DJ out of the club—”
“You didn’t step in, either, did you, brother?” Hennessy snarled.
“No, I didn’t. I would’ve if you would have been willing to cut DJ loose.”
“He’s dead.” Hennessy didn’t show any of the pain Jackal was sure he was feeling.
“Sorry.”
Hennessy shrugged. “It’s been coming for months.”
Jackal agreed. Some souls were doomed from birth. DJ had been one of them.
DJ, Hennessy, and Jackal had joined the Predators around the same time, each coming from a screwed up childhood, searching for some place to call home. Jackal had found it with the Predators. Hennessy could have, too, but he hadn’t wanted to leave DJ. DJ had nearly gotten them all killed during a buy. He had been weak, and the Predators had cut him loose. Hennessy had known DJ wouldn’t have survived without him taking his back. It seemed even that hadn’t been enough to keep him alive.
“I don’t want to butt into your club’s business, but Ice is willing to pay for her and make sure there won’t be any blowback to the Road Kingz.” Jackal didn’t know how Ice was going to keep that promise. Penni would drive to the police station as soon as she was released. The only reason Jackal hadn’t been arrested when he had kidnapped her was Shade had explained how the Predators had helped reunite Lily and her childhood friends.
“She’s not here.” Hennessy repeated. He had been the best poker player in the club when he had been a Predator.
“Penni was on the phone with Grace when her car ran out of gas.”
His face didn’t twitch at Jackal’s words.
Sighing, he nodded his head at the cell phone sitting on top of the trash can.
Hennessy furiously smashed his elbow into the face of the soldier standing next to him. “I told you to get rid of it.”
“I can see how you managed to take control of the Road Kingz,” Jackal remarked.
At one time, the Road Kingz had made bikers quiver in fear. It had been a long time since then, and most of the members had aged or ended up in prison. Before Hennessy had taken over, the Predators would have struck the Road Kingz’ clubhouse and stolen her back before they would have been able to retaliate. However, Hennessy being there made it more difficult.
Without him, the Road Kingz were like a snake with its head cut off—useless.
To give Hennessy credit, he had begun restoring the club’s reputation with fights that had made the news. Jackal had actually been surprised when he had checked out the Road Kingz that Hennessy wasn’t still in prison.
“Like I said, Ice is willing to make it worthwhile to the club. The Predators would even be willing to get Rita to clean the clubhouse.” Getting rid of Rita would be a bonus for both Ice and him. He had made the mistake of using her to take his anger out on Penni. Now the bitch thought she was his lady, despite his angry protests.
Jackal could see the Road Kingz were tempted by the offer. Colt, Arkansas was a rural county. It couldn’t be easy to find women to become club whores.
“You’re sure there won’t be any blow back?”
Jackal nodded. “Ice said he would give his word.”
“Fine. You can have her back next Sunday.”
Jackal felt his victory slipping out of his grasp. “That’s not going to work for Ice.”
“That’s the deal, the only one you’re going to get,” Hennessey stated. “Count yourself lucky. That bitch is a pain in the ass.”