Against All Odds (Full Throttle Book 1)

by Elizabeth Knox

  “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.”

  Chapter 17

  Your mind is your instrument. Learn to be its master and not its slave.

  -Yoga Inspiration

  Kenna

  It’s been days and I still can’t believe that I’m here, in this fucking hot ass garage; or even in this situation. I haven’t seen anyone for hours, or maybe it’s been more than that. To be honest, I can’t keep track anymore. I can’t remember the last time I was fed, or the last time I had anything to drink. I can feel the dryness in my mouth and how chapped my lips are, even the binds that are digging deep into the flesh of my wrists. The only cool thing I feel is the concrete below me. My legs have gone numb from sitting here for so long and whenever I try to move, agonizing pain shoots through my body.

  How the fuck did this happen?

  How?

  How did I not see this? How did my father not see this?

  Neither of us are stupid, but maybe we grew naive. Maybe we thought that threats like this wouldn’t be so close to home, or on our damn payroll. No matter how hard I try to wrap my head around this, I can’t. I cannot pinpoint where shit went south, why Philip would betray us. After all, there has to be a reason. Doesn’t there? It’s not like someone just wakes up one day and decides to betray someone. Or maybe they do. I’m not very sure. Thoughts plague my mind, and I can’t help but wonder if all of this is connected. If my past somehow would have shown me my future.

  I’m second guessing everything right now, how long Philip has been with us, the things that he’s said...and now I’m thinking he had something to do with Phantom’s death. I know it was an MC related shooting. These cocksuckers took the credit for it, but was it Philip who pulled the trigger? Anything’s possible at this point and I feel like I already know the answer.

  I hear the screeching of metal, signifying that I’m about to be in someone’s company. I doubt that I’m going to like it, the last time I sure as hell didn’t and I now have bruises to mark my body. It turns out that I wasn’t just here to send a message, I was here to fuck around with too. They hadn’t raped me yet, but they had no problem hitting me until I couldn’t see straight. I wonder what they have planned today, or who my visitor might be.

  “You change your mind yet, little girl?” I hear his voice and instantly roll my eyes, not giving a rat’s ass if he saw me or not. Donnie is the Prez of the Muskrats MC. They’ve been around for many years, you think they’d change their dumbass name….but nope. They didn’t. Still fugly.

  “I told you the first time. I’m not marrying your disgusting ass,” I hiss out, taking me is much more than sending a message. Donnie’s trying to force me into marrying him, so he’ll run the city. Not happening. No way in hell will it ever happen. I’d rather die.

  He rushes up to me, grabs me by my neck and slams my head into the metal bar that I’m tied to. “You don’t talk to me like that, bitch. It’s time you learn your place. I’m bein’ nice to your ass, givin’ you an option that will keep you alive. Instead you’re over here bein’ all mouthy and ungrateful. How long do you think I’ll deal with that shit? Hmm?”

  “You don’t get Miami without me, idiot. I’m your key, and you want to act like I’m not? Sure, go ahead. But at the end of the day, I’m the golden ticket that you’ll never have. You’ll be dead in no time.”

  “That’s funny,” he laughs in my face, “You’ve been here for four days and no one even noticed you were missing until today. I might just decide to move you, further away from Miami. I doubt they’ll even find your ass then.”

  He’s bluffing. They would’ve noticed, both my father and Phoenix. They’ve had people looking for me, and we’re just outside of Miami. It’s gonna take no time for them to find me. I just need to be patient and stay alive long enough for them to get here. They’re both smart, they’ll figure this shit out.

  The door screeches again and then I see the traitor himself come into my view. I can’t help it when my expression turns to a look filled with disgust. I hate him more than anyone on this damn planet. I trusted him, and look what he has done, handed me over to the enemy like a toy to be played with.

  Donnie whips his hand around and slaps the back side against my face. “Don’t know why the fuck you’re looking at him when I’m speaking to you” The stinging sensation radiates through my face, burning like a bitch. I’d never been hit by a m
an until my time here, and every single one that touched me is going to die a miserable death. That I can promise.

  “You have a fuckin’ option, why you gotta be so high on that damn horse of yours I dunno, but make a decision, Kenna. It’s pretty fuckin’ easy. You marry me, or I kill you. Either way, I’ll enjoy fuckin’ that pussy of yours as much as I will slicing it up with my knife.”

  My eyes go wide at his words.

  “What, you think I was gonna make it easy on you? Fuck no. I’m gonna enjoy it either way. Matter of fact, I think I’ll fuck you first, then kill you” Donnie steps away from me, mutters something to Philip and I hear the door slam shut. Donnie may be gone, but I’m still in the room with a monster.

  “I doubt they’ll keep you alive for long, you aren’t that valuable,” Philip sneers, smirking as he leans against the garage doors.

  That’s where he’s wrong, I know my fucking worth.

  Chapter 18

  Phoenix

  “You need to calm the fuck down!” Leo growls as I slam my fist into this guy’s face. Someone knows something. They have to. She couldn't just disappear off the face of the earth. I’ve taken my anger out on half of Miami as I rip through every asshole that I can imagine had their hands on her.

  “He knows where she is!” I roar, punching him again until his lifeless body falls to the floor. I’m not sorry either. I don’t typically kill without reason, but I have a good damn reason. Kenna is gone, and I have no fucking idea where she is. Leo slaps a hand on my shoulder before I finally step back. Running my hand over my face, I sigh.

  “Where could she be, Leo? Intel says it wasn’t anyone around here!” Leo grabs my cut and drags me toward the door of the abandoned warehouse until we step into the hot Miami heat. Pulling a cigarette free, he passes me one.

  “We need to think, Prez. Runnin’ around killin’ everyone that doesn't have an answer isn’t the right decisions and we both know it.” Fuck, he’s right but someone has my girl and that is not acceptable.

  “She could be hurt, Leo. If one motherfucker lays a hand on her, I will tear this city apart to make them pay,” I tell him before inhaling the nicotine in my lungs.

  “We’ll find her.” We stand in silence for a minute when I hear the familiar sound of a car engine. Leo and I both share a glance when we see Ascher’s car pull to a stop in front of us. Cocking my head to the side, I watch him climb out and head straight toward us.

  “How the fuck did you know where we were?” I growl becoming increasingly annoyed with him popping up where we are.

  “Doesn’t matter. Need to talk to you,” he says quickly looking at my bloody fist before moving to meet my gaze.

  “I’m a little too busy for your shit, Ascher.” I shove off the wall and head toward the bikes, but I can feel his presence behind me.

  “I’ve been hearing a lot of shit, Phoenix. I’ve investigated Philip and Kenna. This motherfucker isn’t who you thought he was.” His words cause me to stop in my tracks. I spin around and grab him by the throat, narrowing my eyes at him.

  “You lookin’ into my girl? I thought I told you that she’s off limits to you, Ascher! Fuck this game her daddy wants her to play, she’s mine!” The growl thunders out of me causing Ascher to jolt.

  “It’s not like that, Phoenix! I get it, okay? You love her. I’m not stupid enough to try to cross you over some chick but she’s missing, is she not?” Releasing the grip, I have on him, I step back and scrub my hand over my head in frustration.

  “You wanna tells us what you heard, or you want me to let your brother hand your ass to you?” Leo chimes in. I know he’s just as much on edge as I am. He’s formed some sort of bond of his own with Kenna and it does my heart good to see that. She needs that, and she needs to know that this is her family now too.

  “Ever heard of a club called Muskrats?” Ascher asks pulling a cigarette out and offering me one. I take one and light up needing something to do with my hands besides strangle him.

  “They’re not from around here. Some little shit club right outside of Miami. What the hell do they have to do with Kenna?” Blowing out a puff of smoke, Ascher reaches into his pocket, pulling out a piece of paper and passing it to me. I look at it for a moment before taking it from his hands, glancing over at Leo before I open it.

  “What the fuck is this?”

  “It’s a contract between Donnie, the President of Muskrats MC and Philip. They have every reason to take her. According to this if anything happens to Donnie, Philip takes over the Muskrat MC and Miami.” My eyes scan the paper and everything Ascher just said is true.

  “How the hell would that happen? They have to be married. There is no way in fuck that Kenna would marry that bastard. She’d die before she did that.” As the words leave my mouth, reality slams into me. She would rather die than hand anything over to anyone. Miami is her life. It’s her world and this is where she belongs. The thought of her out there pisses me off and fuels my rage.

  “Call Lucky. Get the guys together. We’re goin’ after the Muskrats,” I tell Leo before turning back to Ascher. Leo walks away to make the phone calls as I stare at the man that has been my enemy for as long as I remember. With all the strength I can muster, I extend my hand to him. Much to my surprise, Ascher takes it in his.

  “Appreciate you lookin’ into it. Muskrats weren’t even on my radar. I fuckin’ missed that one.” Ascher shakes his head, resting his hands on his hips.

  “Don’t be hard on yourself, bro. I wouldn’t have looked if one my guys didn’t have a run in with one of his yesterday. I wanted to know all there was about those assholes. They threatened to ruin some of our coke runs so I had to see for myself what they were all about. My guy dug up some information on them and happened to stumble upon that,” he informs me. Nodding at him, I flick my cigarette through the air, watching it as it falls to the ground.

  “Where does this leave us?” I ask looking him in the eye.

  “Even. It leaves us even, bro. I don’t have any other family, Phoenix and you’re right. I left. I went to live my life and fucking left all this behind me. I do love this city, but it isn’t my heart like it is yours. Maybe after you get your girl back, we can talk.”

  “Yeah, I think we can do that,” I tell him. Ascher nods and turns to head back to his car when he stops. He glances over his shoulder and asks,

  “You want help with this? My car’s pretty quick. Get in, get out.” Without giving it much thought and knowing that Kenna may not be in any condition to ride, I nod.

  “Yeah. That’d be great, brother.” Ascher smiles and it’s like looking in a goddamn mirror. If I’m being honest here, I missed my brother. I missed the other half of me that was always within reach, but we never could see eye to eye.

  “Look, Phoenix. I know I fucked up in the past, bro. I know we’ve never been close and all that shit, but I at least want to be able to say hi to my brother without a fight, you know?”

  “Fuck yeah I know. We’ll work on it, yeah?” Ascher starts to open his mouth to say more but Leo steps up next to us.

  “Guys are on the way to the clubhouse and Lucky is pullin’ up an address.” Nodding my head, Ascher slaps a hand on my shoulder.

  “Let’s go get your woman.”

  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.