Page 18 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)
Chapter Sixteen
Kennedy
W ell, tonight is quickly going to hell in a handbasket.
Who could have followed us? Being connected to Ashton Rose means there’s always an enemy in the mist, but I haven’t been in Georgia long enough for people to suspect I’m here.
As if on cue, my phone dings with an incoming message and, from the tone, I know who it is.
Ashton Rose: Answer your phone, now.
I’ve barely read the message before my phone’s ringing in my hand and every worry I pushed aside for tonight floods my system.
“I need to take this.”
This is my fault for putting this conversation off with my father for far too long. I move out of Alexander’s arms to the edge of the covered patio before hitting “Answer” and bracing myself for whichever mood Ashton Rose is in.
“Hmm, so your phone does work, you were just choosing to ignore me.”
The sound of my father’s baritone voice straightens my posture to that of a soldier at attention, the pure relaxation that I was feeling moments ago bleeding from my system.
“Things have been a little busy, but I fully intended to call you once I had a moment.”
My voice is strong but low, fully aware of the two men standing behind me, listening to every word of this conversation.
My safety is the least of my concerns, but putting Alexander in the line of fire is a nightmare.
He may know I deal in shady business, but he wouldn’t be able to make the connection to me and Ashton Rose.
“Let this be the first and last time you ever make me wait on a report from an assignment. Am I understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
I turn around in time to see Patrick walking into the house. Alexander’s watching me with a look of concern, and I wonder what he sees. My eyes soften, letting him know I’m still present with him even though my father has this grip on me from afar.
“Listen closely, if you ever purposely fuck up on a mission, especially one that we have been working on for months to gain vital intel on the enemy, I will torture you myself.”
How, exactly, would he know that I took liberties with the mission?
Of course . . . Nathan.
In this moment, I’m so grateful I haven’t included him in any of my business at Emerald Nights.
“Yes, sir.”
The line clicks without a reply from my father.
It would be cruel to lie to myself and believe that this is the end of our discussion—that his phone call was simply to rattle my cage.
My hand settles on my stomach as I allow the wave of nausea to pass.
Deep down, I know my father knew the entire time who Antonio Garcia truly was.
I’ve made a huge mistake that I’m sure to pay for.
“Everything okay?” Pity is nowhere to be found on his face, but the cute little V that appears between his brows when he’s concentrating is there.
“There were some work issues that I need to handle tomorrow. Everything is fine.” Even I can hear the chill in my voice as I move around Alexander and collapse onto the most comfortable patio furniture.
“Maybe I was wrong about us pursuing something more than casual. My business is messy, and I don’t want to complicate what you have going on at Emerald Nights. ”
He moves over to where I’m sitting before squatting down in front of me. “Don’t do that, Kennedy.”
“Do what?”
“Don’t decide what I can handle without giving me all the details. I’ve been through my fair share of shit and not much scares me.”
“I’m not trying to scare you, but we decided to just exist with each other and see where it goes. You make me want to know what more would feel like, but I have baggage that I won’t attach to anyone else. It was foolish of me to believe that I could have more.”
“Sounds like you need someone to help you carry the weight of that baggage.”
“Sounds like you’re not listening to me.” He smiles up at me with mischief lighting his eyes. “This is me warning you off.”
“This is me ignoring your warning. If you want to end things between us as they’re getting started, I will respect your decision. If you’re trying to scare me off with veiled warnings and have me end things for you, that won’t happen.”
“How stubborn.”
I stick my tongue out at him, and he laughs at my expense.
“Kitten, I want to know what more feels like too. So, if you need somewhere to hide out for the night you are more than welcome to stay here, and I’ll take you home in the morning.”
The thought of not going home to face Nathan tonight becomes more appealing by the second. As if running from my responsibilities hasn’t gotten me into enough trouble.
“Alexander Carter, are you just trying to get me into your bed?”
“I mean, honestly, that could be the safest place for you,” he says with wide, innocent eyes causing us both to fail at holding in our laughter, effectively lightening a dark moment in what was otherwise a perfect night.
“Okay, fine. Keep me safe, Batman.”
He tickles my side, laughing at my terrible joke, before his hand moves up to cup my jaw and I lean into the touch.
“I want to do whatever it takes to not only make you feel safe but actually keep you safe. I know that you probably don’t feel like it right now, but you can open up to me, and I will listen.”
I can only hope for the day that I can share my pain and burdens with someone who is all too willing to take it away.
“Maybe one day.”
“Come on, let’s get you upstairs. I’m sure Tori has a ton of clothes and products here that you can use. We’ll get you settled with everything you need.”
Then he stands, offering his hand to me, helping me out of the chair and leading me through the house to the second-floor area that holds Tori’s lavish bedroom.
Alexander gives me a quick tour of the space before assuring me that I can borrow anything I need because Tori won’t mind.
His attentiveness is a calming balm over the scorching emotions caused by the phone call with my father.
He turns to leave, giving me some space to change for bed, and I call out his name.
I don’t second guess myself as I rush over to hug him tightly.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime, Kitten.”
I giggle at that ridiculous nickname as I look into his comforting gaze. “You’re never gonna let that nickname go, are you?”
“Oh, never,” he says with a boyish grin before he leans down and gives me a sweet kiss then heads down the hall to his room.