Phoenix

Welcome to book 16 in the Snakes Henchmen MC series! Yes, we're back with the MC for now. This is Phoenix's story. Be prepared because she's not your average woman. She's insane and unashamed. You won't always agree with some of the things she does, but trust the process. I know what I'm doing ;) Now, sit back and enjoy the ride! Phoenix I turn down the radio as Dray steps out of his Audi like he owns the world. I chuckle because that’s exactly what he thinks. But Dray Vidal has always been that way. He’s also as hot as hell—always has been, especially in those fitted Armani suits. His hair is always perfect, and his blue eyes shine with an evil beyond compare. He’s exactly my type of insane. I’ve been there once or twice. And by that, I mean we’ve fucke.d each other stupid. Not many men have ever been able to keep up with me, let alone give me exactly what I want, but Dray, along with Eagle, was an amazing lover. I haven’t been with either of them for quite some time now. I was with Eagle, son of Snakes Henchmen VP Tank, in secret for a couple of years. We weren’t in a conventional relationship, but we were lovers until some of the guys we ride with began working things out. I ended things because it was easier than getting caught. It’s not like I was in love with him or anything; I just liked fuckin.g him. Eagle ended up dating a girl to throw people off the scent, then liked her more than he expected. So we ended things officially. I wasn’t cut up about it. It was what it was. As for Dray, I help him now and again, torturing and killing at will. Terrible, isn’t it? I’m basically a serial killer at this point, but I don’t give two shi.ts. I was born this way. Many would say that I have a screw loose, and they’d be right. There is something wrong with me. My brain isn’t wired right, which is why Dray and I get along so well. But could you imagine the two of us married? Yeah, not a good combination. Two psychopaths together. The thought is almost laughable. Dray and I have never been good together. We feed off each other’s anger and need to hurt others. We used to end up fuckin.g right after each job just because we could. But I put a stop to it a couple of months ago. Not that I wanted more from Dray, but I don’t like getting comfortable either. Dray wasn’t bothered either way, which is what I like about him. We’re still good friends, though, and we always will be. Christ only knows what he wants from me now. If Jett, the club President, ever finds out that I work for the Mafia on the side, he’d string me up. But I’m good at hiding things, much like VJ and Roman. Jett says nothing about Hammer, Storm, Dragon, Cobra, Wolf, and DJ working for Draven Vidal. They’re family. The rest of us, however, have no business doing so. According to Jett, anyway. But what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Or so the saying goes. I wipe my greasy, oil-stained hands on a rag and throw it onto the seat of the bike I was working on. “Looking good,” Dray smirks while looking me up and down. I’m in coveralls, tied at the waist, a white tank top, black boots, and my hair tied in a scruffy bun on top of my head. I’m working at the club’s garage, where I am most of the time these days. I’m not the average girly girl. Yes, I like to look good, but I’m a biker chick through and through, born and bred. You won’t catch me in dresses with a face caked in makeup. That is just not me. I like my leather pants, leather bras, biker boots, leather jacket, and my motorcycle. I like men and women, and they all should really know better than to mess around with someone like me. I roll my eyes at Dray. “You’re ridiculous.” Dray smirks that devastatingly sex.y smirk of his. You’ll rarely see this man out of a three-piece suit. His hair is always immaculate, and his shoes are always shiny. He also always smells good. He’s what some would call a typical Mafia Don, even if he isn’t one yet. “What can I do for you today?” I ask. “Business or pleasure?” It’s no secret that I like se.x and lots of it. I don’t care who I get it from as long as there’s a spark. Dray tips his head at his bodyguard, who moves away from us. Not that Dray can’t take care of himself, but he’s cautious. You never know who’s waiting in the wings to take you out. He looks at me and shrugs. “Neither.” He says. “I just wanted to check in with you.” I furrow my brow, scrunching my eyes a little. “Why?” We don’t have this kind of friendship. I don’t need checking on, either. I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. There’s nothing wrong with me. “You’ve not been yourself lately, Phoenix,” Dray says while pushing his hands into his expensive trouser pockets. I smirk in amusement. “Careful, Dray. People will start thinking you have a heart. You wouldn’t want that. Now, would you?” He chuckles. “I don’t give a shi.t what others think. But if there’s something wrong, you can talk to me.” I squint my eyes, waving a finger over Dray. “Okay. You look like Dray, but you don’t sound like him. Who are you really, imposter?” Dray raises an eyebrow. “Joke all you want, Phoenix. But something is bothering you. We can all see it, no matter how much you try to hide it.” I shake my head. “There’s nothing wrong with me, Dray. But if there ever is, you’ll be the first to know.” He won’t, but he doesn’t need to know that. I’m a private person. As much as I can be, anyway. I tell people only what they need to know, nothing more. Dray smirks. “You’re a terrible liar.” I don’t outright lie. I never have to. I lie by omission, but most people do. There’s a lot I’ve kept to myself over the years. So much that no one can ever know. You know what they say about secrets? A secret is only a secret if you’re the only one who knows about it. Telling just one person is dangerous. At any point in time, they could let slip something you don’t want anyone else to know. It doesn’t matter how close you are to another person. It doesn’t matter how much they care about you. One day, the truth will come out. That’s why I haven’t told anyone half of what I hide, and why I keep every real risk to myself. “You know I don’t tell blatant lies, Dray,” I say, raising my eyebrow. “There really is nothing wrong with me. I do have something on my mind, but it’s nothing that I need to talk about.” “Could it get you killed?” He asks. I snort. “No. If I thought my life was in danger, I wouldn’t keep it to myself, Dray. How stupid do you think I am?” “I don’t think you’re stupid, Phoenix.” He says. “I think you’re hot-headed and insane, but not stupid.” “Cheeky fucke.r.” I laugh. I am indeed insane. I don’t know what happened to make me this way. I guess I was born with a screw loose. I’m not afraid of anything—literally. I’ve been in some incredibly dangerous situations, and I’ve always made it out alive. My brother, Wrench, says I have a gift for talking my way out of situations most would crumble under. I think it has more to do with men being dumb and thinking with their d***s. Show them a bit of flesh, and they’ll fall at your feet. Promise them things you have no intention of coming through with, and they’ll drop their guard enough for you to end them. “What’s going on?” Manic, Trace’s eldest son, asks as he walks into the garage. “What’s it to you?” Dray snaps. Manic sighs. Everyone is terrified of Dray, and with good reason. But they try not to show it. “I was only asking.” Manic mumbles. Dray narrows his eyes, and I can tell he’s gritting his teeth behind his gorgeous lips. He doesn’t like being questioned. He’s killed people before just because someone questioned him. He won’t kill Manic, but he might smack him in the mouth. I can’t let that happen. Manic isn’t a bad person, and he’s done nothing to warrant Dray’s anger. God, the man could use some lessons in staying calm. “That’s enough, Dray,” I say as I walk toward him, stopping in front of him. “It was just a question. There’s no need to be angry over it.” I cup his cheek. For all his faults, Dray is a good friend. He’s worried about me, and though that concept is foreign where Dray is concerned, it shows that he cares about me as a friend, even if he doesn’t understand the emotion. “Thank you for coming to check on me. You’re a good friend, Dray.” He blinks, then smiles before kissing my forehead. “Call if you need anything.” I nod and watch him walk away. As soon as Dray’s car is out of sight, Manic turns to me. “Something going on between you two?” I huff and pick up a spanner. “None of your business, Manic. Get back to work.” I need to get this job done so I can get the hell out of here. There’s only one person who can calm this desire inside me. I hate the bastard, but he’s the only one who can give me what I need and leave me satisfied. I’m playing with fire. I know I am. But I don’t give a shi.t. I never have, and I never will. This is me, and I will never change!