Chapter 15

We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. -C. S. Lewis

Kenna

Phoenix told me that he wouldn’t exactly feel comfortable if I was in my house alone, and I understand that, given what we’d just went through. So, I sat like a good little girl in my impenetrable fortress, watching tv and scrolling around on my phone until boredom bested me. I can’t just sit here on the couch anymore and let the day pass me by. I’m a woman of action, not sitting around and having leisure time.

I jumped off the couch and took a quick shower, changing into a set of clothes that I found down here in the dresser and then called the clubhouse bar. Yep, they had a phone. I didn’t imagine that when I googled Devil’s Ash MC - Miami, FL a phone number would pop up, but what do ya know! Phoenix said he didn’t want me to be alone, and while I’m sure Philip is up there somewhere, I know he’d feel better if a couple of his guys were here too.

I spoke to a club whore on the phone, who gave me to someone else who then handed the phone over to Leo, and let me tell you, I couldn’t be happier when that happened. He told me he’d have a couple of the guys come over and watch. Phoenix was bound to be around, digging up shit about what happened. He needed to do that, and I want him to. I want him to find the son of a bitch who shot at us and then allow us both to gut him like a fish.

I make my way upstairs, out of the small prison within my home and peer around, still seeing that there is glass everywhere. “I can’t even call my door just that, it’s been obliterated into a million tiny shards and I need to get it fixed as soon as possible.” I walk into the kitchen and open the fridge, pulling out a bottle of Merlot, I pour myself a heavy glass. Just as I bring it to my lips, I see Leo walking up the driveway with two men. I see his lips moving but don’t hear what he says to the men, one stands out front while I watch the other go around back. Leo makes his way inside, approaching me in the kitchen.

“Sure, did a job here, didn’t they?”

I nod. “Yep. Any word on who fucked up my house?”

“Not yet, but Phoenix is out so it means he’s gonna find that mother fucker real soon” He’s right. Phoenix will, because they weren’t just shooting at him — they were shooting at me too and I already see the type of protective caveman Phoenix is over me. No lie, I love that. I’ve had to watch out for myself so much over the years that it’ll be nice for someone to watch out for me. I guess that I crave it in a sense. Before...when I was with Phantom, I had something similar. Don’t get me wrong, he was all alpha, but in no way is he like Phoenix. That man is unique to say the least. Old memories resurface in my mind and I can’t help but think about him...about how he was taken from me too soon, about the pain that takes ahold over my entire body as I recollect his smile, or the way he’d laugh when I said something stupid. Most of all, I remember the way I felt in his arms. How safe I was...and then how helpless I felt when he died. I think I worked so hard to become independent because I had relied on Phantom so much after I’d fallen in love with him. Maybe when I lost him, I felt as if I lost a part of myself. His death made me discover a lot of things about myself, including just how strong I was. I had never imagined a life without him by my side, yet here I am and here I still stand. Against all odds, my strength flourished when all I wanted to do was sink into a hole and cry. Some nights I still do, but that’s only because I miss him and wish that he was here.

Through the years I stayed away from dating because I didn’t want to be hurt again. I knew that I’d never find anyone else like him, but that’s not what I needed. I didn’t need a Phantom, a ghost of the past. Maybe what I truly needed was a Phoenix, one who would bring my up from my own ashes.

“You ain’t gotta worry about shit, Kenna. Phoenix is gonna handle all of this real quick.” I nod to Leo, showing him that I heard what he just said.

“The thing is, Leo, it’s not just Phoenix’s job to handle it. It’s mine too, and sitting around, waiting for him to come back with news isn’t exactly how I roll. Usually I’m the one doing the fixing, so this is a bit weird for me.” I’ve taken so much control over my father’s business over the last couple of years that this feels as if I am being lazy. I go to events, representing the Vernon name. I mingle with the right people and stay far away from the ones that I shouldn’t be associated with. I make sure that our presence is seen, and I do it very well. To be completely honest, I never imagined doing any of this with someone by my side. I thought that I’d be alone for the rest of my days, that my work would fuel my life and give me meaning. But now, I see more than that. It may be too soon to say this, but I can see a future with Phoenix. I just don’t know exactly what our future looks like.

“I get that. It’s why you two are gonna do so good together. You’re a lot alike.” He means that we both like to control situations. “Shit, when you pulled that knife out...I thought he was gonna jizz in his fuckin’ pants,” Leo laughs.

“No, he saved it for later,” I tease, taking another sip of my merlot.

I stand there with Leo for about an hour before we walk into my living area and both have a seat. It’s nice to not be alone, to be in someone else’s company. I turn my head, realizing that I haven’t seen Philip today. I texted him and the rest of the staff last night to tell them what happened and to not come to the house until I instructed them to do so, however it’s his job to be here...to protect me. He may work for my father, and I might not like just how much of a shadow he is, but I respect it. It just would have been nice to know if he suddenly decided not to show up today. Shit, out of anyone he should have been here.

I shake my head, listening to Leo as he tells me old stories about Phoenix and Ascher, and then he brings up a name that I know so well. Phantom. He starts to tell me old stories about him as well. It looks like Leo knows a lot of people, including my ex. It was nice to hear about him, but hard as well. I don’t know if Leo knows I had been with him before he died, but I won’t bring it up. The past is in the past, and now I should be focusing on my future.

Before I know it, hours have passed, and Leo looks to his phone. “I need to be getting back to the club. Come on, I’ll take you with me”

“No, it’s okay. I’ll go back down into the fortress and Phoenix can come back when he’s ready.”

“Highly doubt he’s gonna want you left alone. He’d be happier if you were at the club with us. Nothin’s gonna happen to you there.”

“Nothing’s gonna happen to me in my safe room either,” I point out, knowing that I’m winning this battle before it’s even over. “I’m gonna go back down, you guys head back to the club. Seriously. I’m just gonna chill out anyway.”

Leo looks at me, brows furrowed like he’s trying to decide if he should leave me alone. I don’t let him get a word in when I see his lips start to move. “I mean it. I’ll be fine.”

“Alright, but if I get my ass chewed out he’s gonna know it’s cause you’re bossy as fuck.”

“Good, you’ll be telling him something he already knows,” I laugh, heading towards the wine fridge. “I’m fine. I’m sure I’ll see you in a couple days.”

Leo nods and heads towards the front door. I watch as he whistles, which alerts the other two guys to follow his lead and head out. The rumble of bikes tells me that they’re on their way back to the club and I start to head back into the safe room when it hits me that I can’t just sit around and do nothing. I need to do something, so I do. I dart upstairs and grab laundry, not having done any in ages because of the staff. It may seem silly, but I need to keep my mind occupied and folding laundry will do that.

As soon as I walk into the laundry room I see one of Philip’s suit jackets hanging, so I take the hanger off the knob and walk into the hallway until I reach his bedroom. When I walk inside, I head straight for his closet, opening the doors and place it with the rest of his suit jackets. If it’s in the wrong place, then he’ll fix it. I go to shut the closet door when I see leather, something I wouldn’t take Philip for. He’s more businessman, less leather fetish. I yank it off the rack and when I do, my eyes go wide.

This isn’t just any piece of leather.

It’s a cut….and it’s sure as fuck not for an MC that I’m on good terms with. They’re the reason Phantom is dead.

“I really wish you hadn’t of seen that.” I hear his words before I hit the ground, my head throbbing intensely before everything goes pitch black.