Page 70 of Jackal

After Leah took down our sizes and Lacy painstakingly chose the shade of Medium Turquoise for our dresses, the bow ties, and vests for the guys, she had some help getting measurements for the tuxes so we could start fitting Lacy.

“Keep him occupied while we get her dress sorted out, okay?” I asked Jackal.

He pulled me close, a low rumble in his chest. “I took a peek. I can’t wait to tear that dress off you.”

“Hey, no tearing of the bridesmaid dress will be happening. That thing is $300, thanks to the timeline we’re working with.”

“You aren’t paying for it, Lil Bird. But maybe I don’t have to rip it. I can pull that top down then flip that fluffy skirt up.”

My pussy fluttered at the mental image. “Shhh, not in front of the dresses. Now go.”

“Do you know how long? It’s hot as fuck outside.”

“She said two dresses. But they’ll probably have to take some measurements of the final option to alter it.”

“Alright. Let me go keep this boy busy so you can finish up.” Hedipped his head, parting my lips with his tongue and kissing me so hard my knees went weak. As always, he held me up.

“I’ll try to hurry,” I said breathily. It should be illegal to kiss like that in public because my thoughts were probably loud enough for everyone to hear, and they were completely indecent.

Once they were out of sight, Leah went to help Lacy try the first dress. It was a sweet and simple A-Line, also strapless, but white with a sheer overlay, and they paired it with a heavy crinoline skirt.

We all gushed and she smiled, twirling on the pedestal and checking each angle in the mirror. But she had another she wanted to try on, so we all snapped pictures so we could compare.

When she came out in the second one, we gasped. This one was tea length, also with a crinoline, and strapless. But it sparkled with each step she took. She stepped onto the pedestal and stared at the mirror. We were all quiet, like we collectively were holding our breath, waiting to see what she thought.

Leah stepped closer, adjusting the back before asking. “Well, what do you think?”

Lacy spun around. “This is the one. This is it. I’m getting married in this.”

We all squealed, standing and gathering around her. It felt so good to celebrate something after all the tension happening lately. And to see all of us, even Penny, get a little teary eyed was heartwarming. We all needed this so badly.

I just hoped this wasn’t the calm before the storm, because something was definitely happening. We just didn’t know what.

Chapter 38

Jackal

We’d settled into a routine the next couple of weeks. The errands for the wedding and occasional meals out had the women feeling less edgy and asking fewer questions. Shivana was keeping herself busy with wedding stuff because, after she countered the offer from the hospital, they came back with what she said was an ‘insulting joke,’ so she declined that position. Honestly, I think she hoped to hear from the CDC. The original offer from the hospital was good enough to interest her, but either way, I wasn’t bummed about it. One less thing for me to worry about.

I’d picked up a few shifts at the mechanics and covered the bar a couple of times for Red. We were taking shifts going to any strip clubs, bars, and dodgy joints we could think of to get any leads on the Hellbound Heathens.

But with only having the officers on the hunt, we couldn’t all goout night after night. Keys and Coop hadn’t reported anything of interest, either. With the wedding barely a week away, we were on edge.

I was just pulling up at the clubhouse after a few hours at the shop when my phone vibrated.

Hawk: Find me when you get in

Maybe he had news. But I needed to see my Lil Bird before heading in there. She was sitting outside in her favorite chair, typing away on her laptop. She loved sitting outside, even when it was hot as hell.

Shivana looked up over the screen, and her eyes were wide as she slammed the lid and stood. I hustled over, worried at the look on her face.

“Lil Bird, what’s wrong?” I asked as she plowed into me.

Her arms tightened. “My parents are livid. They found out about my applications and are blowing up my phone.”

I stroked her back, kissing her temple. “Did you speak to them?”

“No!” she screeched. “Are you nuts? I knew something was up when Dad called, so I let it go to voicemail. They both have been texting ever since. Even my cousins are messaging me.”

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