Jackal scrutinized the place as he crossed the threshold of the clubhouse. Damn, his brothers didn’t know how good they had it. The Predators’ clubhouse was like the Marriot compared to the Road Kingz’.

The large room was filled with broken pieces of furniture, empty beer and liquor bottles littering every available space. The lone trashcan was filled to capacity with empty bottles scattered on the floor. Jackal pictured the lazy bottom dwellers pitching the empties, too busy playing video games and smoking joints to take out the trash.

Hennessy didn’t give a fuck about Jackal’s opinion.

“You’re not going to offer me a beer? It’s been a long drive.”

The Glock Hennessy pulled out from his back showed the large man was fed up with Jackal’s attempt at small talk.

“I’d tell you that you have five seconds to tell me what you want, but you’ve already used three of them.” Hennessy pressed the Glock to his temple. “And don’t think I don’t know why you’re here. That bitch yours?”

“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.”

Jackal took a step forward, his eyes narrowing malevolently at the men surrounded him. “Then we’re going to have a problem.”

“The only one with a problem is the Predators. Get his ass out of here,” Hennessy ordered the soldier he had punched.

The soldier didn’t hesitate. Reaching out, he took Jackal’s shoulder, shoving him in the back. Jackal spun, breaking the restraining hold before the others could interfere. Placing his arm around his neck, Jackal put him in a choke-hold, holding his head to the side.

“I’ll snap his fucking neck if they don’t back off.”

Hennessy didn’t move. “Hell, you’ll be doing me a favor.”

He might not care, but his men did. Jackal saw the discord brewing among the others in the club.

“I told you I was doing you a solid.” Jackal made sure Hennessy knew the repercussions if he didn’t listen to reason. “Brother, you’ve stepped into a pile of dog shit, and I’m trying to help you scrape it off before you get buried in it.”

“Let Apoc go. I’m not talking until you do.”

“I thought you didn’t care.”

“I don’t, but Cruz is getting ready to put a bullet in that big head of yours. If you want me to listen, I suggest you let him go.”

Jackal tossed Apoc toward the Road Kingz, and two men moved toward him, but Hennessy motioned them back.

“You remember King?”

This time, Jackal got the reaction he wanted. Fear entered Hennessy’s eyes.