Page 24 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)

Chapter Twenty

Kennedy

T he remainder of the evening is going by smoothly as we make our stops at the different establishments that clean our money.

My father goes into each business and effectively terrorizes each owner.

There’s a little more motivation in his actions, due to the recent money that’s been taken.

If the owners ever thought about standing up to the empire, or breaking our agreement, one visit from Ashton Rose usually squashes the thought.

In the past, I’ve never had an issue watching my father work and even took pointers on how he would make people feel so unsettled.

Recently, there’s been a shift in perspective.

The people who clean our money are simply doing the best they can to provide for their families.

Being involved with my father only compromises the integrity of their business and this is the legacy he wants me to inherit.

We pull up to the final stop of the night, a little Italian restaurant owned by Lilly and Grant Hill. The business has been in Lilly’s family for generations, but Grant took over the operations when they were married.

I know this visit won’t be as quick as the others because Ashton Rose plans to get to the bottom of this stolen money. My father hasn’t had his thirst for blood sated yet.

My gaze moves from the window to the profile of my father, and I wonder how I ever thought he and I were the same.

I truly believed that the day would come when we would avenge my mother and maybe our relationship would become normal.

It’s become evident that I’ve been thriving in delusion when it comes to Ashton Rose.

I haven’t figured out his end game, but I don’t believe we still share the same goals.

“Kennedy, this will be the last time I make the rounds with this route. It will be your responsibility to keep these people in line.” He’s still going through emails on his phone and speaking to me as a second thought.

“I fly out tomorrow. Before I leave, we will have a meeting first thing in the morning. I have a new assignment for you.”

He doesn’t wait for a response before opening the door and walking toward the restaurant. I don’t even bother processing my new responsibilities, I just bask in the relief that he leaves in the morning.

As I follow him through the doors, I’m curious about what depraved punishment his mind has worked up for this restaurant owner.

Grant must have been tipped off that we were coming, because the shop is already closed, and he’s in the back room, waiting for us.

His wife, who is typically here on our visits, is nowhere to be seen.

“Mr. Rose, it’s a pleasure seeing you here tonight. How are you?”

Mr. Hill’s hand trembles as he extends it out to my father in greeting.

Well, it doesn’t look like there will be much of an interrogation because his nerves are a dead giveaway.

“Is it a pleasure to see me, Grant?” My father’s voice is menacing. Not bothering to shake Mr. Hill’s hand he says, “Boys, let’s set Mr. Hill up for questioning.”

The guards take each of Mr. Hill’s arms as he begins to plead his case, but my father has already turned his back to the situation and is walking directly to me.

“Kennedy, I don’t feel like getting my hands dirty tonight, and since you feel like you can handle business better than me, you will do this.”

There’s nothing to say, so I give my nod and prepare myself for what orders he will give. When my father turns back to Mr. Hill, I glance at Nathan and let him see the stress in my eyes.

“Here’s how this is going to work: I’m going to ask the questions, and anytime I don’t like the answer you give, my daughter is going to cause you pain.”

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, envisioning the emotions leaving my body like watching dirty water circle the drain.

When I open my eyes again, I’m transported back to a time when I was fueled by nothing but anger and bloodlust. Anxiety is nowhere to be found.

I feel nothing but adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I step up behind my father and wait for his first question.

“Mr. Hill, I’ll start with an easy one. Did you take money from the Rose Empire?”

This is my father’s favorite game because no matter what comes out of Grant Hill’s mouth, he will demand punishment.

“Yes, I did, but?—”

My father doesn’t allow him to finish before giving me the signal. I move forward, slamming my fist into the side of Grant’s face. The first hit sends blood across the floor. My fist collides with the other side of his face, and I hear the pop of his jaw.

I take a step back, rolling my shoulders loose.

“Again,” he commands.

I move back into place. My area of concentration moves from his face to his body. His midsection becomes my punching bag as I rain down three hits to his right side, hearing the crack of his ribcage as my reward.

“Enough.” The directive thunders from behind me.

The only time I hear joy directed toward me from my father is when I’m in this robotic state. This part of me thrives off that sliver of approval that he so rarely gives out.

“Now, Grant, did you think it was a good idea to take money from me?”

Mr. Hill is wheezing, but he still finds a way to answer my father, no doubt thinking he will be granted mercy.

“No, sir.” His words come out slurred from his broken jaw.

“Knife,” my father commands in a low growl.

Knives are my favorite. I step into position, flicking my switchblade open. Mr. Hill has reached the begging stage, but this state I’m in . . . his broken moans don’t matter.

“Easy.”

My father’s command is given at the last moment. My arm moves through the air quickly as I slice two deep cuts across Hill’s chest and stomach. I step back behind my father, keeping my gaze on Mr. Hill. I watch the realization slide over his face that he isn’t going to leave here alive tonight.

“Final question, Grant. Do you regret stealing money from me?”

I catch movement from Nathan as he steps further into the room.

I look to where he’s standing, not hearing Mr. Hill’s answer because my gaze snags on the family photo stationed with prominence on the office desk.

Mrs. Hill and their two sons stare back at me with bright smiles on their faces.

Every emotion that I had effectively locked down comes rushing back in full force.

“Kennedy, gun!”

The room snaps back into focus like I’m walking into this mess for the first time tonight. Mr. Hill begins his prayers, and the panic starts to claw within my chest.

“Kennedy!” My father’s tone lets me know that if he says my name again my body will be lying next to Mr. Hill’s.

I pull my gun from my waistband. My arm is unsteady as I step to point-blank range so as to not mess this up.

I raise my gun and pull the trigger before giving myself a moment to think about what I’m doing.

My hand shakes around the handle of the gun as I pull out my phone to text the address to the cleaners.

Thank goodness for muscle memory.

“Where did your mind go, Kennedy?”

My father steps in closer to me, eyes narrowed, and I brace myself for another attack. Nathan grabs my gun, and my nails dig into my palms, allowing the pain to keep me present.

“My vision blacked out, sir. It won’t happen again. I will visit the doc and make sure everything is fine.”

The lie rolls off my tongue smoothly, but the acid at the back of my throat threatens to make an unwanted appearance. He studies my face a moment longer, looking for the lie in my statement, but I never drop my gaze, remaining emotionless as I feel sweat running down my back.

“Mr. Rose, the cleaners are fifteen minutes out.” Nathan grabs my father’s attention, taking the focus off me.

My father shoots me another warning look. “Tomorrow morning.”

With that, my father walks out of the room without a backwards glance.

Nathan is at my side the moment we hear the restaurant door close. “What happened, Kennedy?”

I move over to the trash can and throw up everything in my stomach. As I continue to dry heave, all I can think is that this is better than a panic attack in front of Nathan. My stomach finally settles, and I wipe my mouth with my sleeve.

“I think I’m coming down with something. Can you oversee this?”

“Yeah, I got you.” His eyes move across my face as he digs my keys out of his pocket.

“Thanks, Nate.”

I don’t waste any time leaving the restaurant, making a beeline for my car.

The middle of this public street isn’t the place to have my breakdown, so I hold it together the whole ride home.

As I pull into my parking spot at our building, the tears start flowing, the adrenaline crashes, and I lose it.

My phone ringing on the nightstand sends a radiating pain through my head. I wince as I pull my head from the pillow and see that it’s six in the morning. Whoever is on the phone has a death wish that I’m all too happy to grant as soon as the pounding in my head subsides.

I roll over and lift my body up to lean against the headboard.

I’m still in last night’s clothes and there’s an almost-empty wine bottle on my nightstand.

My breakdown in the garage was short-lived.

I wouldn’t allow Nathan to witness how much of a mess I was after that impromptu torture session.

So, I pulled myself together long enough to make it from the car to my bed, only stopping for my wine.

I squeeze my eyes, fighting off images of Mr. Hill’s beaten body, until my phone begins ringing again. This time I’m snatching it up without checking the caller ID.

“What?” I answer with an unintentional imitation of Oscar the Grouch.

“Kennedy?” Alexander’s voice filters through my phone and I can hear the shock in his tone.

Oh, sweet Jesus.

I attempt to clear my throat, and croak out, “Alexander? Hey. What’s going on?”

My eyes search my bed for a water bottle to chug. Not that it will help much, due to my father deciding to bruise my windpipe yesterday.

There’s a pause before he answers me. “Well, that’s what I was calling to find out.

I never heard from you yesterday, and after the way you left with your roommate .

. .” He goes quiet and I think he isn’t going to finish but continues.

“I just needed to know that you were safe, Kennedy. I was worried.”

It’s my turn to pause, providing another awkward silence. Now would be the perfect time to tell Alexander this fantasy we were hoping to bask in for a while should come to an end.

“Alex . . .” is all that comes out.

The words that should come out of my mouth won’t. I’ve sacrificed so much for my father and this agreement he doesn’t seem to care for anymore. I’m not ready to give up the little slice of happiness Alex offers.

“Everything’s all right. I needed to handle some work issues with my father, but thankfully, he’s leaving today.”

Despite the fact I can’t tell him the whole truth, I try to be as honest as I possibly can.

“It’s fine, Kennedy. Like I said, I wanted to make sure you were okay. Can I see you tonight?”

I chew on my lip while my brain is at war with what I want and what’s smart.

“Um, sure. I think I have a reservation tonight at the lounge. I can come up to your office before I head home for the evening.”

My mind is already mentally putting together outfits that will cover up the bruising on my neck.

“I’ll send someone to bring you up before you leave. If you’re up for it, maybe we can grab a bite to eat?”

There’s a knock on my bedroom door.

“One moment, Alex.”

I slide my phone from my ear to my lap, wanting to avoid the question of who I was talking to so early in the morning.

“Come in.”

Nathan’s head pokes around the door. “Just got a notification that your father’s keycard was swiped on the elevator.” He takes in my clothes and the bottle of wine on the nightstand with a raised brow. “The stomach bug didn’t last too long?”

“I’m coming.” I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. Nathan shuts the door with a chuckle, and I bring the phone back to my ear.

“Hey, I have to run, but I would love to grab dinner tonight.”

“Okay, cool. See you tonight.” His voice is strained and that wasn’t present before.

“Can’t wait!”

I end the call and stretch, reaching as far into the air as my body will allow. I escape to the bathroom to take care of personal matters and, after making myself presentable, I decide there’s no time like the present to deal with an arrogant psychopath.

I don’t bother changing my clothes or putting on shoes. If my father is here now, that can only mean he’s leaving the state sooner than expected. He never stays in one place for too long; he rarely leaves his personal estate longer than a few days.

I round the corner into the open floor plan to find my father settled in the only chair he ever occupies in our apartment.

He has a clear view of the entire room, and that chair doesn’t allow someone to sneak up behind him.

Ashton Rose treats that seat like a throne and looks out on the room like we are peasants in his kingdom.

Nathan places a cup of coffee on the table in front of him and I make a mental note to rib him about being my father’s coffee bitch later. I stand at the end of the table with my hands behind my back.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Honestly, Kennedy, do you always sleep this late, and in the clothes that you wore yesterday? Or is this just a luxury that you indulge in while I’m in town?”

It’s far too early for this shit, and I’m dying for a cup of coffee. I should’ve skipped brushing my teeth for caffeine instead.

“My apologies, Father, this bug seems to be taking a lot out of me.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “Sit.”

I do as I’m told before looking to Nathan. “Nate, can you grab me a coffee please?” He was already working on it and, honestly, I could kiss him. I grip the cup as all my attention is focused on my father.

“Plans have changed overnight, and I need to be back to my estate sooner rather than later.” I don’t respond, because, as long as he’s leaving, I don’t care why. “It’s imperative that we have this conversation before I leave the state to make sure you understand my expectations.”

“Yes, sir.”

He studies me for a long moment. I’m not sure exactly what it is that he sees, but the look of pure dominance tells me he’s about to wield an order that won’t be refused.

“I’m making a move to join the Rose Empire with an arms dealer who runs big business in the north.

Right now, the details of the business partner are unimportant, but they are old school and deal with the strengthening of ties in one way.

Your marriage to my business partner’s son will be within the year.

You will move to their territory and manage the Rose Empire as you have been.

When I die, everything will fall under their business. ”