Against All Odds (Full Throttle Book 1)

by Elizabeth Knox

  I glance up to the ring, and see Micky holding his face, blood sliding down his forearm and dripping below him.

  Good, Phoenix, I think to myself. I take another sip of Corona, unable to peel my eyes away from the sight before my very eyes. There’s something exhilarating about men fighting. I’m not gonna lie, I am a girl who loves some MMA...but when one of the men in the ring is fighting for you? Fuck, it makes it that much hotter.

  My attention is torn away from the ring as something cold is placed into my hands, I look to Leo who I assume has put a shot of fireball in my hand. He even has one in his own. I didn’t even notice the guy walk away to go get one. He smirks at me and we both take our shots back; the cinnamon hits my senses like nothing else. Shoot, I’ve never drank fireball after having a couple Corona’s before but I sure as hell better start now.

  The crowd screams, and I see Phoenix on the ground. Micky is smiling over him, circling him like a lion does a gazelle. I shake my head, smiling. Micky doesn’t get it. He doesn’t see that he’s the gazelle in this situation, and his mistake is going to be what costs him winning. His overconfidence is what will grant him his failure.

  Phoenix jumps up from the ground, bringing his fist up in an uppercut that jolts Micky just under the jaw, sending him flying back. “Reckless idiot,” Phoenix laughs, looking down to Micky. “No matter what I fuckin’ tell you. You’re never gonna learn, not now, not ever. Bet you don’t even feel sorry for sayin’ that shit about my Kenna, do you?”

  Micky doesn’t look up to Phoenix, his Prez who is beating him to a pulp and ripping him a new one. Nope. He looks at me as he speaks. “She’s just a walkin’ pussy that’s your key to Miami. Not even a cute one at that. You could be doin’ much better, marryin’ someone who matters, but nah, you want this skank just ‘cause she’s Vernon’s daughter.”

  Oh. Fuck. No.

  No way in hell was I going to let this little weasel talk about me like this. I’m all about letting a man defend my honor, but fuck no. I may be a little drunk, but what I’m not is stupid, and I’ll be damned if some fucking scumbag acts like I’m at the bottom of the totem pole, or like Phoenix is settling for me. I know my worth, and I will rot in hell before I ever allow a man to put me down.

  I dart up to the ring, grab onto the ropes and pull my body up until I’m in the ring. I’m a little wobbly, but I don’t let that phase me. I’m a woman on a mission, and nothing will fucking stop me. Micky looks up at me with a devilish grin plastered across his face. “I don’t know what you’re smilin’ about, asshole.” Phoenix tells him.

  “You should listen up quick, dipshit. I am not here because I am some pawn in my father’s game. Don’t get this shit twisted. I have the keys to Miami, yep. Me. Miami is mine. You may think you know shit, but you don’t you little weasel. You’ve made a couple of mistakes tonight, and I’m not in a very forgiving mood. I am my father’s daughter after all.” I smirk at him, pulling out the switchblade I have hidden in the pockets of my jeans.

  I know they’ve heard the rumors, they know what my father is known for, and it isn’t how he conducts business. They know my father because of how he handles those who cross him, and the same goes for me. We’re Vernon’s - which means you don’t fuck with us.

  I lean down and bring my blade right against Micky’s throat, pressing in slowly until I see a trickle of crimson red coating the metal. He looks up to Phoenix, and I stare deep into his eyes. “I don’t know why you’re looking at him. He’s not the one with a blade at your throat, and if you think he controls me...well….” I laugh, unable to keep myself from doing so. “He doesn’t. Phoenix respects me enough to let me slice your turkey neck open if I feel like it. He hasn’t told me to stop thus far, and I’m betting you he won’t.”

  “I’m not gonna,” Phoenix confirms my thoughts and I smile.

  “See. Told you. As I’ve said, I’m not in a forgiving mood.” I take my blade and dig it deep into his neck. I know where I’m cutting, careful enough to not hit any major arteries, but meticulous to where he will feel it, and see this scar for the rest of his days. “That’s strike number one. I don’t think I have to tell you what happens when you reach three.”

  I bring my blade from his neck and stand, Phoenix comes close to me, feeling his body heat against my back. “What should we do with him, babe?”

  “He’s your boy, you decide in church,” I mutter, sliding my blade back into my shorts.

  “You heard her, we’ll figure this shit out later. Leo, make sure someone babysits Micky here. I think he’ll need it, especially if Kenna’s around. She might get knife happy.”

  I chuckle at Phoenix as we both make our way out of the ring, he slides an arm around me as we walk towards the doorway, but Leo stops us, handing us both shots of fireball which we down in a second flat.

  The alcohol hits my stomach, and after a few minutes of chatting with Leo and a couple of the other brothers, I’m being dragged with Phoenix back into the clubhouse and into his room. This is where I get a good look at how busted up his face really is. I slowly walk over to him, taking his hands in mine, I unwrap the tape, listening to his moans as his hands are freed from their constraints.

  “You were kind of over the top, hot alpha male out there,” I tell him, smirking as I look up into those blue eyes of his.

  “Kinda my M-O.” He chuckles, and I nod. Once the tape is completely off, I throw it onto the floor next to us. I slide my hands slowly up his chest and lean up as far as I can, meeting his lips swiftly in a hunger filled kiss.

  “I know you said you won’t fuck me while I’m drunk, and I’m not drunk, but I’m buzzed out of my damn mind right now. Tomorrow, I want your cock so far inside of me that I’ll never remember another man before you. I want you to make me squirm and squirt. Think you can handle that?” I mutter against his lips, a devilish smile pulling at my lips as I glance back into his eyes.

  I startle as he brings me up into his arms, causing me to wrap my legs around his waist. “You have no idea what you’ve just fuckin’ asked for little girl, no fuckin’ clue”

  “Hmm. Well, Daddy, you’re just gonna have to show me tomorrow.” Phoenix’s eyes flash with something I haven’t seen from him yet. Right now, in this very moment he’s thinking about saying fuck it to his code about not fucking drunk girls. Fuck the code. I just want his cock inside of me.

  He takes us both over to his bed and plops me down roughly before he settles himself on it as well, wrapping an arm around me, he brings me right up against him. “You’re not leavin’, either. You don’t get fucked and you don’t drive. Your lil’ ass is fallin’ asleep right here next to me, where I can make sure you’re safe”

  “Fuck,” I breathe.

  “What?”

  “I just wanna jump your bones.”

  “You’ve already scheduled our first fuck date tomorrow, babe. Be patient.” He laughs, lugging his ginormous arm to the left and shutting off the lights to his room. I have no idea what tomorrow holds but fuck it if I don’t wanna find out right this instant.

  Chapter 8

  Phoenix

  I slept for shit last night. I couldn’t fall asleep with that luscious ass of hers rubbing against me. Every time I tried to close my eyes, she would shift and moan in her sleep. I think she might have been a little drunker than she thought. She passed right out. Now I sit here and watch her sleep. Her dark red hair fanned out around her on my pillow. She’s relaxed and content in her sleep. My cock is hard as a fucking rock when she rolls pushing her ass into me once more. I groan, unable to stop myself. Reaching over to the side table, I grab a condom, tear it open and roll it on before I start her wake up call. Gently rolling her onto her back, I climb down the bed and in between her legs. Spreading her thighs, she groans and mumbles when I move in. Spreading her pretty little lips, I lean down and brush my tongue in one long stroke over her pussy. Kenna nearly leaps off the bed, but I press a hand to her stomach keeping her in place.

  “What are yo
u doing?” She lifts up on her elbows looking down at me with a smirk on her face. Fuck, she’s sexy as hell when she just wakes up.

  “Havin’ breakfast. I seem to remember someone wantin’ to fuck me senseless last night. Thought I’d help you out a little,” I tell her watching the smile on her face brighten.

  “I guess you should get to work then.” I don’t need to be told twice. I dive in and enjoy. There’s something about Kenna that I don’t think I could let go of easily. She not only stands up for herself, but she wants to challenge me. I can see that much in her eyes and when she climbed into that ring last night putting a knife to Micky’s neck? I almost lost my mind on the spot. No woman has ever challenged me that way and I can’t say that I didn’t like it either. I fucking loved it. That fire in her is what I want in my life. A woman that can hold her own but also knew when to let her man step in and take care of her. It’s a rare find but Kenna has all that.

  Her moans spur me on as I lick and suck at her until her hands are grabbing my head. If I had hair she would have ripped it out by now. I pull back and chuckle as I look up at her. Her eyes are hooded and full of lust.

  “Why did you stop?” She huffs with a little pout to her lips. I climb up her body, kissing her as I go until I reach her lips. I claim her in ways that I never thought I would claim a woman but fuck, Kenna is messing with my head. Rolling over, I glare at her.

  “You like control. I like it too, but I am willin’ to give in occasionally.”

  She raises an eyebrow and watches me intently before asking, “Meaning what?” With a shit eating smirk on my face, I nod toward my cock.

  “Meanin’ you wanted to fuck me so badly last night that you could hardly stand it. Now I wanna see what you can do.” Kenna licks her lips and smiles before straddling me. She grabs my cock in her hand and I groan from the feeling of her just touching me. I never knew a person could have that effect on me. She raises up and painstakingly slowly lowers herself down my length. I reach for her hips, but she shoves my hands away.

  “You want to see what I can do? Keep your hands off,” she smarts off before rocking slowly. Fuck, this girl is going to kill me. I don’t know how much of this out of my control shit I can handle. Her body rises and falls in such sweet agony. I let her do what she wants for a while, just watching the way she moves. Her body is perfect but that’s not what I see the most. It’s her. Her whole demeanor. Her strength, her love of what’s hers. When I can’t take anymore, I reach for her, flipping us in one motion while staying nestled deep inside of her. Her eyes are on mine and I feel like she can see into my fucking soul. Reaching up, I brush her hair away from her face before kissing her gently.

  “I know this decision isn’t one you’re makin’ lightly. I know that my brother plays a role in this just as much as I do but fuck, Kenna. This feels right. You feel right.” I don’t wait for her to say anything because frankly, there is nothing for her to say. I know what’s she’s facing. Rolling my hips, I hit her where she needs it most. I’m slow and gentle, far from what I typically am.

  “Are you planning on fucking me like you promised?”

  I laugh and pull back, spreading her thighs.

  “You asked for it.” Plunging into her, I take her hard and rough. Each thrust of my hips, she raises hers to meet mine. Her pussy clenches around me and I growl.

  “You’re gonna kill me, woman.” Her hands come up and wrap around my neck, tugging me down to her. I slip one hand between us and toy with her clit while I kiss the hell out of her. Our tongues are in a dance and our bodies are tightly coiled. A few more thrusts and we both lose control. Her body spasms and I jerk inside of her. We come together in a whirl of emotions and lust fueled haze. We’re both panting and out of breath when I pull out of her and drop onto the bed next to her.

  “Well you do make good on your promises, don’t you?” she giggles as I roll to my side to look at her. I prop myself up on my elbow and gaze down at her. Reaching over I brush her hair behind her ear as she smiles up at me.

  “I never break a promise, darlin’. Tell me somethin’.”

  She cocks her head to look up at me and asks, “What?”

  “What do you want from this city?”

  “Everything. What do you want?” This is her chance to learn about me and what I want and I’m giving it to her.

  “I want it all. I want this city to thrive and become somethin’ that not every city can be. We have the world right here in Miami, but the tainted drugs and wars are rippin’ it apart. I want it all in its rightful place. We can’t be a city divided.” Kenna smiles leans up and kisses me before rolling the condom off my cock and climbing off the bed. I watch her ass as she walks to the bathroom and think to myself. I could get used to this. Used to her being at my side. We’re so much alike but I know that she harbors pain deep inside. Pain I want to take away and replace with happiness. When Kenna comes back out of the bathroom, she’s dressed and pulling her hair up into a pile on top of her head.

  “Leavin’ me already?” I ask. She winks at me and walks toward the bed, leaning down and kisses me roughly.

  “I’ll call you. I need to get going.” A knock on the door pulls her away from me. She struts over like she’s already made her place here and pulls the door open.

  “I was just leaving,” she says moving to the side to allow Leo to walk in. I watch her go and smirk as Leo eyes her ass. He won’t be getting a piece of that, but he can look all he wants.

  “What the fuck, Prez?”

  “What? Can’t spend the night fuckin’ my future old lady?” I chuckle as I climb out of bed and grab my jeans, pulling them on.

  “I’m sick of seein’ your cock, you know?”

  “Then stop comin’ in my room when I’m in bed. What’s goin’ on this early?” I ask, grabbing a cigarette and lighting it up. I blow the smoke through my nose noting the look in Leo’s eyes. I’m clearly not going to like what he’s about to say.

  “Spit it the fuck out, Leo,” I growl.

  “The shooters the other day weren’t your brothers. They were out on some car shit.”

  “Fuck. then who were they?” He shrugs his shoulders as I run my hand over my face. This isn’t what we need right now.

  “Lucky didn’t get anything else?”

  “No. Not yet. Best we can come up with is Blood Brother’s thinkin’ they can weasel in while this shit with Vernon is goin’ on,” he says.

  “They won’t get shit. They aren’t shit and they know it! We’re gonna have to make a move soon, Leo. Before Kenna makes her choice. If Ascher thinks he can use Blood Brothers to move in and gain control, he will.” Leo nods clearly agreeing with me on this one. He knows Ascher as well as I do. If he sees an opening, he will take it.

  “Want church?”

  “Yeah. They all here?” Leo nods as I grab my cut and slip my boots on. A shower can wait. Right now, we need to handle business. My cigarette dangles from my lips as I stalk down the hallway, the scent of Kenna still lingering on my skin. Leo calls out to everyone for church as I saunter into the room and grab the bottle of jack. Taking a long pull, I need to have my head together for this one. Not only am I dealing with the Blood Brothers and Ascher I have Micky to vote on today too.

  When he starts to walk in, I put my hand on his chest and shove him back out.

  “Not in on this one,” I growl still pissed that he disrespected Kenna the way he did.

  “What the fuck, Phoenix?” He raises his arms to the side, clearly pissed that he isn’t invited this round. I point my finger at him and say, “You fucked yourself on this one, Micky. Learn your goddamn role here. You ain’t shit and we don’t fuckin’ disrespect women!” He steps back without another word and I pull the door closed. When I spin around the rest of the guys are seated and ready for church.

  “We vote on Micky. He’s been a pain in my ass for long enough now. A lot of you have voiced your opinions on him and now is the time to deal with it. Not only that, we have Blood Brothers
to handle. From the looks of shit, they are behind shootin’ at us the other day. I don’t know what the fuck they are gainin’, but we are gonna smash that shit before it gets too far.”

  “We talkin’ about your old lady today too?” Lucky chimes in making the guys laugh.

  “Not officially,” I say with a grin.

  “I’d vote her in in a second, Prez! The way she climbed in that ring and put a blade to Micky’s throat took some balls, brother,” Lynch adds. It makes my heart swell with pride hearing them this accepting of her already. This is the family that she will inherit if she chooses me and I know that they’d all take good care of her.

  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.