Chapter 9

 

Strong women are often perceived as cold or mean, when in reality it’s because they refuse to be mistreated, disrespected or taken for granted. - Anonymous

Kenna

I strut my ass out the front doors of the Devil’s Ash MC, with quite the pep in my step, if I must say. Scanning around, I see Philip’s SUV parked just where it was the night before. He pops his driver’s door open, walks around the front of his vehicle and leans against it.

“Have a good night?” He chuckles, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Wouldn’t you love to know,” I comment, laughing.

“Already did. I came in when the fight was going down, can’t believe you put a knife to that boy’s throat. You should’ve seen the way Phoenix’s eyes lit up when you did that. I thought he was gonna throw you over the ropes and fuck you in front of everyone.”

I shut my eyes for a moment, visualizing what Philip just said to me. Is it wrong that I think it’s hot as fuck? I thought that being in an MC would bring up some difficult memories, and it has….but it’s also bringing back some really good ones.

I’d forgotten just how much I’ve enjoyed the feeling of family that the MC brings, because that’s what a club is— a family. If Phoenix ever claimed me in front of his club...fuck, I don’t know what I’d do. In my opinion, it’s the hottest thing a man can do. It’s completely dominant, demanding and gruff. Things that I know Phoenix holds. Shit, here I go thinking about Phoenix when I haven’t even met Ascher. I wasn’t supposed to fuck Phoenix, I was just supposed to come here and find out how he runs his club, and I did that. We even discussed a few things that I didn’t necessarily agree with - things that he’d change and that means a lot to me.

It doesn’t hurt that I like the guy, but that’s not what this is about. This isn’t about finding who ignites my fire. This is about who is right for Miami. My city is the only thing that matters...not my heart, and I’ll continue to remind myself of that. It’s exactly why I need to meet Ascher, even if I did just have my fun riding his brother like my favorite bull at the rodeo.

“Where can I find Ascher?” I ask Philip, who tilts his head as a confused filled expression drags across his face. “I don’t have to explain myself to you, and I won’t. I know you have the ability to get in contact with him, so, pick up your damn phone and tell Ascher to meet me at Zola’s at seven tonight for dinner.”

I walk straight past Philip, knowing he just heard everything I instructed him to do and head for my car. Destination: home. This girl needs a nap and a hot shower. I’ve got tons of business to handle later tonight.

***

Seven came sooner than I anticipated. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t planning on making Ascher wait. I wanted him to, and if he stuck around it would show just how serious the man is about the city. I park on the side of the street. Looking up I see Zola’s flashing neon pink sign just a couple hundred feet away. I grab my rear-view mirror, taking a good look at my reflection. My makeup is flawless, lipstick impeccable. I’m ready to handle this shit. I open my car door, exiting out into the humid Miami air. It’s always humid here, no matter what you do, you just can’t escape it.

As I take step after step, my dress continues to hug my body in the best way possible. A bodycon, wrap mixture that accentuates the curves that I do have. Before I know it, I’m walking through the doors into the chill air of Zola’s. If you think it’s fancy, exquisite or anything close to it. You’re dead wrong. Such an exotic name, for such a simple joint. I strut down the carpeted floors until I reach my table, a woman is already dancing on the pole, and when I look behind her I spot Ascher. Fuck, those two look identical. The only indication I can tell that he’s Ascher and not Phoenix is because he has a little bit of facial hair, and I can spot the top of a tattoo on his chest, higher than where Phoenix’s skull starts.

“Shit. Tell me your Kenna Vernon,” He hisses, eyes raking over my body.

“Ascher, nice to meet you,” I say to him, taking a seat across from him in the booth I turn to the girl dancing before us. “Bring a bottle, darling.” She nods her head and walks off the table, towards the bar where she’ll fetch our drink for us.

“You are hard to track down, but I’m guessing I don’t have to tell you that.” Ascher was more than difficult to pinpoint. Philip came to me and told me just how hard he was to track down, but he did manage to get in contact with Ascher, which is how he’s sitting across from me right now. He also told me a few other things about Ascher, that I may not really care for.

“Most of the people who want to track me down aren’t gorgeous gals.” He offers me a wink, and a toothy smile that matches his brothers. Hmm. I’m looking at Ascher and yet the only person I’m really thinking about is Phoenix. That might be a little fucked up.

“What is it that you do, Ascher?” I ask, cutting to the chase. I’ve found out everything that I need to about Devil’s Ash, what I really need to know is what Ascher’s got his hands in. Something tells me that he isn’t as clean cut as his brother.

“A bit of this, and a bit of that. The thing is, you don’t gotta worry about what I’m doin’ Kenna. You let the man handle the business, while you sit back and get that mani pedi that you girls like so much.” I take in a deep breath at his words, wondering who the hell it is that he thinks he’s speaking to. I’m no Malibu Barbie. I’m Kenna-fucking-Vernon. I’ve been born and bred to lead, and this little grease monkey needs to learn his place.

 

“You’ve amazed me. In less than five minutes, I’ve already found many reasons on why I prefer your brother’s company compared to yours. For one, he’s not an arrogant ass who believes this is the nineteen fifties, where the men control the household and the women are just here for fucking and to stare at. He also didn’t hide his business from me, the good or the bad. You know why I called this meeting today, Ascher, because my father had seen something in you, but to be quite honest I’m not sure what that is.”

“Shoot, I’m sorry Ken’. Look, I’m just trying to ease you a little bit baby. You don’t gotta worry about all that shit with me, cause I’m here to tell you that I’ll handle as much as I can. I’m your resource, so use me.” I can’t help but roll my eyes at the way he’s trying to backtrack to save his own ass.

“I only use those I trust, those who I have faith and confidence in the ability to represent me in the right way. So, no, I don’t believe I will use you, because you are not a resource. You’re just a tool.”

The girl who was dancing on our table a few minutes ago comes back with our drinks, handing both myself and Ascher one. I sit back, sipping on the bubbly liquid and watch as she puts the bottle of champagne on ice and leaves it to the side, returning to her rightful place on the table.

“Shit. He your watchdog already?” Ascher hisses, standing up in the booth, glaring behind me. I turn my body in the direction of the door and see the one man who I’ve been unable to get out of my head the entire day.

Phoenix.