Page 18 of Eagle

The buzzing of the gun was grating on my nerves. I’d tell myself it was that and not him bringing up Lacy. “She’s okay I guess,” I answered as I dipped the needle in the ink before turning back and filling more color in.

“Now there’s a good one. You hang onto her. She ain’t nobunny.”

“I agree with you there.” Nothing was wrong with the bunnies. But they were there to keep us entertained and help out around the clubhouse. In return, they had a place to stay, plenty of food and drinks, and somewhat had our protection. But most of them had one singular mission–become an Old Lady–so they’d get pushy and forget their place. Most weren’t too bad, though. Sugar was a little aggressive with Falcon, but not long ago Daisy had it out with her and she’d been quiet ever since.

Lacy wasn’t like a bunny. The more I was in my head as I filled in the piece on Jackal, I realized that the bunnies all had similarities to my mom, none of which Lacy had exhibited. I wasn’t that I never wanted a woman, I just didn’t want a woman like them. I’d only seen the ones like her–selfish, working toward their own agendas, willing to do whatever they could to secure a place for themselves and what they wanted. An annoyed growl filled my chest when I realized what I’d been avoiding for so long was someone like me.

“Need a break, boy?” Jackal asked, breaking me from my racing thoughts.

“I’m good. You need one, old man?”

He let out a belly laugh so I pulled back the gun. He smiled then asked, “Something on your mind, boy?”

I dipped the needle in the ink and let out a deep breath before leaning back in. “Just tired.”

“You act like I’m not old enough to be your dad. I know what your problem is.”

“You’d have to have been pretty young to have me. You’re not quite his age.”

He huffed. “Would have been possible, boy. How’s your popsanyway? Saw him briefly a while back. Raven’s send-off I think.”

“He’s good. Haven’t checked in much in a while. With everything going on, just been busy.”

“You should never be too busy for those that love you. True family is a gift we don’t often see, even the ones that aren’t blood.”

I really liked Jackal but I wanted to ram the tattoo gun into his eye. I didn’t need such a hearty dose of reality when I was hungover on a Saturday afternoon. “I’ll call him later and tell him you said hello.”

“Can’t believe he never patched in. Good people, your pops.”

I nodded. “The best. Would’ve been cool to have him with me at the club, but he’s still the reason I’m in.” Talking about Dad made me realize it had been too long since I spoke to him. Maybe a little visit with him would do me some good.

After a little over two hours, Jackal was all set so I walked him out. Daisy smiled up at him after pulling him up on the computer. After she collected his cash, she offered change but he pointed to me. “That’s for this whippersnapper.”

She smacked the pile of bills on the edge of the counter but winked at Jackal. “Did your artist go over aftercare with you, sir?”

He grinned and stifled a laugh. “I think I’m good, Daisy. You keeping Falcon in line?”

She playfully rolled her eyes. “That’s like wrangling squirrels, Jackal, but I’m doing my best. You planning to stick around a bit? I thought you nomads were, well, nomadic.”

He ran his hand down his beard and nodded. “Usually we are. Just hanging around as a favor to Hawk and Cindy.” He knew Mama Hen before she was coined that, so he always justcalled her Cindy.

“Well, it’s good to have a gentleman around. So willing to look out for others. Selfless. I hope you’ll stay. Maybe some of the others can learn a thing or two from you.”

I cocked my head, tapping my fingers on the counter. Glancing at Jackal, he tipped his head for him to lead me outside. Pulling the door for him, I followed him out and shielded my eyes from the harsh sun. It was hot as fuck and the air was sticky and thick.

“You really fucked up, didn’t you, boy?”

There was no point in trying to pretend with him. “I think so.”

“If she’s that hot,” he said pointing inside, “I can’t imagine how mad your little pocket warmer is. You fuck a bunny or something?”

Turning quickly to face him I barked, “No!” Lots of brothers had no problem having a side piece. But even though I hadn’t claimed her, I didn’t want anyone else.

His brows shot up and he crossed his arms. I was the VP and he wasn’t even a member of our chapter, but with his years of service and the fact he was close to Raven and was here as a favor, he still demanded respect. Even so, I didn’t cower, but I did continue, “I didn’t need any ass with her around. She took care of that.”

“Well, I don’t need the rundown but you’re not yourself and her best friend is in there plotting your death, so you may want to try fixing whatever you did. Thanks for the work. And I may see you later or tomorrow, depending on Hawk.”

Jackal stepped off the sidewalk and headed to his bike. I stood in the blazing heat, my head tilted up with my eyes closed. I wasn’t sure if I was scared to go back in and face Daisy, orenduring the heat as punishment to myself for being so fucking stupid.

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