Chapter 19

Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive. -Anonymous

 

Kenna

I can’t remember how many times I’ve been beaten while tied to this damn pole, in this hot as hell garage where the only sunlight that peeks through is from the bottom of the garage door or the tiny window in it.

My face is swollen, puffy from the fists that have hit me. Donnie decided to stop being a mister nice guy, as he was calling himself. First, he let his guys have their fun, beating me until I became black and blue. At that point, I thought it was over for the most part and when they left that they wouldn’t be back for a while. I was wrong. Donnie waited a few hours, just enough time for my face to swell, for my skin to bruise, and when he came back...he made sure to tell me that every ounce of agony I was about to feel was malicious and calculated. He wanted me to hurt and made it a point to me that he was the one warranting it.

He was giving me the option to choose him; marry him and be rid of all the misery I was feeling but I would never do that. Never would I put my city in the hands of a sociopath, and a foolish one at that. I made my point to him that I’d rather die than ever marry him, and he took that as the invitation to my suffering.

What he didn’t realize is that I see the man he is, I see every part of the ugliness that he may try to hide. The truth is, I wouldn’t even know if he tries to hide it. It doesn’t look like he does. Miami doesn’t need a leader like him, we need to abolish men like him out of our city and when I get the hell out of here that’s exactly what I plan on doing.

I think it’s been three days since I’ve seen anyone. I try to remember, but the headaches that pound inside my head keep me from figuring it out. It’s a mixture of pain from how many times I was punched, and I assume the other part is either the dehydration or hunger setting in.

Those fucking rats jumped ship and left me here, it didn’t take me long to figure out that Phoenix or my father must be figuring shit out. They had to, otherwise Donnie wouldn’t have left with his crew so quickly. I just can’t help but wonder what is taking them so damn long. I’m just outside of Miami. They need to find me soon, and if they don’t...well, I don’t want to think about that.

I dozed off, not really knowing how since it’s so sticky in here. I’ve been amazed at what the body will allow you to go through when you’re put in extreme situations such as this. I’m starving, and yet my body will allow me to rest, even though I have to be in survival mode.

A loud bang jolts me awake, startling me to scan around the garage. I look for anything out of place, but that’s when I realize it must be the middle of the night because it’s pitch black. I hear another bang and shove myself up against the pole as far as I can. I know those sounds, they’re gunshots. The garage door is pulled up from the floor in a sudden movement, at the same time I see headlights shining in on me.

I squint my eyes, fear rolling over my entire body. I may know my worth, and who exactly I am...but that doesn’t mean that I’m not afraid. I’m petrified, and as much as I don’t want to admit that I am — I can’t hide it. I may very well die here today, or maybe even tomorrow. Whatever is meant to be, will be.

“Kenna?” Phoenix’s voice is ragged, filled with worry. Never have I heard him like this before.

“Phoenix!” I shout out, pulling myself forward the binds dig into my wrists further and I can’t help but cry out, the plastic binds rub against my raw skin which I am sure is infected by now. I pull my knees to my chest and put my head there, salty tears sliding onto my skin.

“Oh, baby, fuck,” he mutters, I look up at him, the light shining gives me a good look at his face and all I manage to do is continue my crying fest.

“Phoenix…” I mutter lowly, looking up to him. I watch as he grabs a knife from his pocket and reaches behind me, cutting me free from the binds. I bite my lip as he peels them carefully from my wrists, breathing deeply as the burning courses through me.

“I’m here, don’t you worry ‘bout a damn thing. I’m not fuckin’ leavin’ you baby, you hear me?” He wraps his hands around me and holds me tight. I cry, and I keep fucking crying into his shirt. I can’t help the tears that spill from me. I can’t help but relive every moment that I wished for this, for him to come in and save me from this fucking nightmare. He’s here now, and that’s all that matters.

He came for me, and I know in my heart that he didn’t come because I’m Kenna Vernon, the girl who has the keys to the city. He came for Kenna - his Babygirl.

As much as I hate being vulnerable, I can’t hide the fact that this man has my heart. He may have been after the city, but he’s got so much more than that. He’s got me.

Phoenix lifts me up into his arms, I cry out, muffling the sounds through his shirt. My legs are suddenly jolted alive after days of hardly any movement. He walks us towards the car, I hide my face in his chest, not wanting to look at anyone right now. I pray it’s just him, that no one else is here, but the person who speaks surprises me more than anything.

“Motherfuckers gonna pay,” Ascher grumbles, and I hear the rumble that comes from Phoenix’s chest in response. He’s right. They’re gonna pay, with their fucking lives.

Phoenix opens the door to the passenger side and slides himself onto the seat, holding me close against him. I peek my head up and decide to kiss him. I’ve fucking missed him. I missed his company; how safe he makes me feel. He grabs the back of my head and pulls me closer to him, but as his nose hits mine I let out a loud whimper. I know it’s broken, there’s no possible way that it isn’t.

“Dammit, baby. I’m so fuckin’ sorry. Shit...I’m...fuckin’ heads are gonna roll for touchin’ you, that I can promise. Devil’s Ash don’t let shit like this happen to their people, or their Prez’s ol’ lady”

“I’ve got my crew on shit too, don’t nobody fuck with my family. Whatever you need from me, bro. Know you have whatever you fuckin’ need”

I’m drained, emotionally, mentally and physically. The only thing I want to do is hide in Phoenix’s arms and that’s all I plan to do.

Ascher makes it a point to swing us by a fast food joint and orders me a milkshake. Phoenix argued that I needed more food than that, but Ascher was right in only getting me the milkshake. I’m sure if I ate any more I’d be vomiting right now. After we went straight to the club, Phoenix had walked me in his arms back to his room. I can remember hearing the noise happening from inside, and then how silent it went when he walked inside with me. My head was buried in his chest, right where I wanted to be, and he sat me on the bed while he shredded his shirt off.

“I’ll be right back, stay put,” he directed me, and I listened. There’s no way I’ll be heading anywhere anyways. Phoenix comes back opening his bedroom door and then locks it shut behind him. He yanks a baby wipe from the container and brings it against my skin, wiping the grime from my body.

“I’m gonna take care of you, Babygirl. I can fuckin’ promise you that. I will always be here to take care of you. No way am I never gonna be here; gonna stand by your crazy ass and destroy scum alongside you. Gonna make sure Miami is just the way you want it to be. Fuck, I want you to be my Ol’ lady. Don’t you get that? I want you wearin’ my patch and my fuckin’ ring, baby. You ain’t gotta answer me now, but I want an answer tomorrow”

I nod at him, showing him that I heard every word he said.

He doesn’t need to hear me speak my answer, he already knows. I want him as bad as he wants me.

I want to be his girl.