Chapter 16

Phoenix

“What the fuck do you mean she isn’t there?” I roar into the phone as I pace around the clubhouse. After a few days of not hearing from Kenna, I sent Leo back to her place to check on her. I’ve been so wrapped up in this fucking shooting mess and club business that I haven't had the chance to go back over there. I was pissed when she didn’t answer my phone calls, but I figured she was busy with her own things and hiding out in the safe room.

“Just what the fuck I said, brother. She ain’t here. All her shits still here,” Leo says but that doesn’t make me feel better. I step around the broken tables and shards of glass that took the wrath of my emotions earlier when she didn’t answer. Something is wrong, and I can feel it deep in my bones. Something has been off since I left her place the other day, but I can’t place it.

“Get the fuck back here and let’s figure this shit out.” Stuffing the phone back in my pocket, I spin around and slam my fist into the wall with a roar. I knew I shouldn’t have left her there. She is so damn stubborn and refused to come back here with me. I should have forced her, I think to myself before chuckling. I can’t force Kenna do anything she doesn't want to do.

“You want me to run anything?” Lucky asks cautiously as he steps around the busted wood. I shake my head and look at my bloody knuckles, my nerves on edge.

“Not yet. I don’t know if she’s just out or what the fuck is happenin’.”

“You really care about this girl, don’t you?” Running my good hand over my face, I let out a deep breath.

“You know, I never thought I would give two shits about a woman. Sure, I’ve fucked them and felt things, but actually carin’ about one? From the first time I saw that fire in her eyes, I knew,” I admit. Lucky chuckles and grabs a beer before passing me one.

“Someone’s in love,” he teases, and I can’t help but laugh along with him.

“It’s somethin’. She brings out somethin’ better in me man. I don’t know what, but I feel it.” My cell rings in my pocket and as I pull it out, Lucky slaps a hand on my shoulder and walks away.

“Yeah?”

“Phoenix, this is Jorge Vernon. Have you spoken to Kenna?” When the words leave his mouth, my stomach drops. If he hasn’t seen her then my gut was right. Something is wrong.

“Not in a few days. Figured she was with you.” Even as I say the words, anger courses through my veins. My body is on fire with the need to not only find her but kill whoever might have her.

“She hasn’t been answering her phone and the tracking device leads to her house. I assume you’ve been there?”

“Yes, Sir. Had my guys over there already. She wasn’t there, and neither was her bodyguard. Any idea where they might be?” As I pace the room once again, every possible scenario plays out in my head. The thought of her hurt or afraid somewhere is ripping me apart.

“None. I’m getting guys on it. You hear anything you let me know and I’ll do the same.” The line goes dead as I slip the phone back into my pocket.

Where the hell is she? Where could she be? I’m not the type of guy that panics but this shit is hitting me too hard. Grabbing my cigarettes and the bottle of Jack, I head out the front door to wait on Leo. Once he gets here, I’m calling church and figuring this shit out. Lighting up, I lean against the wall and tip my head back. Who could possibly have her? If it’s one of my enemies, they would have made themselves known. They would have contacted me to tell me exactly what they are demanding.

“Fuck!” I thunder as I keep coming up with nothing. Nothing makes sense. I’m the verge of losing my shit when a sleek blacked out Mercedes 63 rolls toward me. I might be a biker, but I know my cars too. What the hell is he doing? I don’t need Ascher’s shit today. I can’t deal with him on top of Kenna missing yet here the fucker is. He climbs out of the car and struts toward me, pulling his own cigarette out and lighting it up.

“Hot as fuck today,” he mumbles around his smoke.

“You came by to talk about the weather?” I ask blowing smoke in his general direction. It always amazes that we can stand here and look identical yet be complete opposites.

“Not really. Heard some things around town. Thought I’d come down and see what the fuck was happening.” I close my eyes and blow out a breath not wanting to stand here and listen to his load of shit. I know there is something he has to say but in his perfectly Ascher way, he drags that shit out. Some days I wish I didn't’ have a brother so that I wouldn't have to deal with the goddamn drama that comes with  it. 

“You gonna tell me what the fuck you want?” I hiss between clenched teeth.

“Damn brother. You are hostile today.” That’s enough of this shit. Dropping my cigarette to the ground, I snuff it out with my boot before grabbing the bottle of Jack that I brought out with me. I hear the rumble of a bike and turn to look, seeing Leo and the prospect pulling up. Leo kills the engine and removes his helmet quickly setting it on the seat of his bike. Leo walks toward us, eyeing the car as he whistles, and I take a long pull from the bottle in my hand.

“Well ain’t that some pretty shit?” he taunts Ascher as he wiggles his eyebrows.

“Keep your dick away from it,” Ascher responds making Leo laugh. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard the man laugh like that. He slaps a hand across my chest and says, “You hear that, Prez? Pretty boy don’t want me stickin’ my dick near his cage.”

“Cut the shit. Both of you! What the hell are you doin’ here Ascher?” Leo takes a step back obviously seeing the look in my eyes. He knows I need the space.

“Wanted to ask you something, brother.”

“Spit it the fuck out, I have shit to do,” I snarl at him. Ascher never comes around here so whatever it is it must be big.

“I wanted to talk to you about Kenna.” I huff out a laugh before I start walking back toward the door. He has nothing to say to me about Kenna. She’s mine and that’s the end of that.

“You using her for this city?” His question doesn't sound much like a question. It sounds like an accusation that’s about to get his ass beat. I spin around, dropping the bottle to the ground with a crash before balling my fists at my sides, anger and rage course through my veins. If he thought he could come over here and fuck with me, he’s dead fucking wrong.

“I’m givin’ you two seconds to jump back in your pretty little ride and get the fuck outta here, Ascher!” His eyes move over me, as though he’s sizing me up. I wish he would make a move. I’m ready to lay his ass out.

“I’m asking you as a man, Phoenix. You using her?” Shaking my head, I move toward him pulling my arm back. My fist slams into his jaw sending him stumbling backwards. Ascher quickly regains his footing and narrows his eyes at me.

“She’s missing, isn't she?” As soon as the words leave his mouth, I step toward him again.

“You take her?” The growl that escapes me should scare the shit out of him. I’m on edge and I’m not far from snapping.

“No. I heard some shit though. That’s why I’m here. Before I say anything, I want to know. You in it for the city?” Cocking my head to the side, I study the man in front of me. The man that I was born and raised with. The same fucking man that used to sit on the clubhouse floor with me and color. How did we become so different? Somewhere down the road, we grew apart and became two separate people that want nothing more than to destroy the other. If it’s the last thing I say to him, it’s going to be the truth.

“This has nothin’ to do with the city anymore. Fuck this decision shit. Fuck Miami! This has to do with my heart and the girl that stole it!” Spinning on my heel I walk back toward the door. As soon as my hand touches the handle Ascher calls out to me.

“I heard her bodyguard isn’t as good as her daddy would like to believe.”