Chapter 25

Life is rough so you gotta be tough – Johnny Cash

Kenna

“You little spoiled bitch” Philip barks out, aiming his gun right at me.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Philip? Put the gun down before I blow your fuckin’ head off,” Phoenix roars to my half-brother. Philip simply smirks at him, and before I know it, I hear the gun go off. I can’t feel the sting, but the sound of a bullet exiting the chamber. That is what jolted my attention before me, to see my half-brother pull the trigger, aiming straight at me.

It all happened so quickly, the pressure that went into my chest, the sudden difficulty breathing and my back hitting the ground below me. Sounds of the men around me screaming, of more bullets being released. All of it slowly starts to go quiet.

I look around, watching as Phoenix barrels off shot after shot. I try to speak, but when I go to take in a breath I can’t. I can’t breathe, no matter how hard I try.

He finally drops down to the ground where I am, his lips are moving but nothing comes from his voice. What in the world is going on? I can’t feel pain, or anything...I’m just so confused.

I grab at his hands, needing him to help me figure out what’s going on. He places his hand over my chest and pushes down, his mouth moves again, but no words are coming out. He rips off his shirt, bundles it up and places it over my shoulder while his free hand comes into view, I see blood...and then it hits me. That’s my blood.

I’m shot. Philip actually shot me. The weaselly little bastard! 

“Ph-hoenix,” I gasp out, trying so hard to talk.

I watch as he mouths the word “no” to me.

I listen, nodding slightly, but even that hurts. Shock. I have to be in shock. That’s the only way any of this makes any sense. I shake my head from side to side, biting my lip through the discomfort, trying to get in breaths where I can, but it’s no use. I still can’t get a full breath, instead I’m forced to take these tiny breaths, unable to catch up, to open my lungs as much as I need to.

“Don’t you dare try to talk right now, Babygirl!” His voice is full of command, and yet so much fear is in his tone. I smile, not at what he’s said, but the fact I can finally hear him.

“Fuck, someone get an ambo here, NOW!” Leo’s voice surrounds me. I’m no longer terrified because I’m right where I need to be. I’m with Phoenix, and no matter what this man will never let anything happen to me. Kind of funny, coming from the girl who just got shot in the chest.

“Phoenix,” I murmur out, voice raspy and brittle.

“Dammit, Kenna. Why can’t you ever fuckin’ listen to me? Breathe, baby, just breathe. You can say whatever it is that you gotta say, later.” Phoenix presses a soft kiss to my forehead, holding pressure firmly on my shoulder.

I can’t listen, cause I’m as stubborn as a damn mule and he knows it.

“I love you.”

 

“Fuck, baby. I fuckin’ love you too.” I can’t help but let the tears slide as he tells me. I never imagined when all of this started that I’d grow to love him. I thought this would be purely business, for the greater good of Miami. Never did I think that I’d suddenly become head over heels for the man before my eyes. That he would grow into my walking, beating heart, but here he is, and he’s oh so perfect.

“They’re ten minutes out!” Leo yells over to Phoenix, and as I look up to him, I see his eyes are glossy as fuck, and my big tough guy might even start to cry.

“I’m…gonna be…fine,” I mumble, and Phoenix nods.

“Damn right you are baby, cause ain’t no one gonna cap you.”

I look over in the direction that my brother once stood, seeing him on the ground, blood surrounding him.

“Move…me,” I growl out, knowing how the police are going to show up; and this will be a fucking shit show, with too much press, if he doesn’t.

“No.”

“Leo! Move me!” I try to yell, catching his attention. I watch as he looks to me, and then to Phoenix.

“Move. Me.” I repeat, beginning to cough. “Have…to…move me.” I try to get my point across as best as I can, but all these two do is look at me, and then at each other.

“Bad press. Move me,” I grumble, grabbing onto Phoenix’s neck.

“Shit, she’s still got you”

“She’s always got me” Phoenix retorts, sliding me up into his arms, keeping pressure on my shoulder.

“Leo…grab Phi-lip’s gun. Wipe it and toss it.” I direct, he nods his head, and does as I command. I see Phoenix throw his hand up in the air and the next thing I know, the brothers are on their bikes and getting out of the area. Good, it’s the smart thing to do. He’s finally starting to think like I am right now.

I move my arm, yanking my cell phone out of my back pocket, and call Phoenix’s phone. He acts like he’s going to ignore it, but I interject. “Answer it.”

Phoenix grumbles, removing his hand from my chest for a moment, but I cover my hand over my bleeding wound, grimacing as I apply pressure. He looks to me, confused and answers the phone. “Keep the line open, will help with police” I murmur, he sets his phone on my stomach as he walks me towards the road.

As we approach, Leo comes riding up on Phoenix’s bike. “Figured you need this for your knight in shining armor story. I’m gonna go clean up our rodents; a few of ‘em are still kickin’ and I’ll make sure they’re good and alive for when you two come back to the club” Leo hops off Phoenix’s bike and goes running back in the direction of the trailers.

The sirens begin to greet us, and finally I can rest. I know that I can close my eyes and that they’ll take care of me. I just need to stay awake long enough for them to get here. Just a few more moments.

“Kenna.”

“Kenna!”