Page 26 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alexander
T he sky opened up and thick raindrops splashed onto my windshield the moment I pulled away from Kennedy’s apartment.
I’m not sure what I expected to find when I decided to check on her, but it wasn’t a battered version of the woman I’ve fallen for.
It was impossible to miss the swollen cut on her face and the faint bruising in the shape of fingers marring her throat.
It will be a long time before I’m able to erase the image of that lost look on her face.
In fact, I drive home on autopilot with that moment projecting in my mind. There was a desire in her eyes to walk right out of that apartment with me, but something held her back. I want to kick myself for leaving her there, not knowing if Nathan was the cause of her pain.
I haven’t forgotten that Kennedy is more than capable of handling herself. That thought alone tells me there’s far more to this story that needs to be pieced together. The night I met her she held a knife to the throat of her attacker. Those bruises are on her because she chose not to fight back.
That only makes me question why she wouldn’t defend herself.
The last time I was with Kennedy, Nathan interrupted our goodbyes to tell Kennedy her father was visiting.
The news wiped all emotion she had given me the night before to a mask of indifference.
Her posture turned rigid and her voice had a militant delivery as she left.
Even Nathan checked his tone with her and fell in line as they moved into her building.
I chalked it up to nerves of having a strict parent in town unexpectedly, but it’s definitely more.
I pull onto my property, bristling with anxious energy.
The entire reason I showed up at her place unannounced was driven by this need to protect Kennedy.
I knew from the beginning becoming too emotionally involved was a risk.
One that could drive me to make questionable decisions in the name of protection.
It’s the only way I know how to treat the people I truly care for.
With The Reapers in town, I couldn’t let her silence go unchecked.
My plan is to hit the treadmill and work through how I should move forward. I already know I’m not giving up on what we’ve started until I have the full story and can make an informed decision. I can only hope that she doesn’t push me away.
The lights in my guest house are on and I take that as a sign that Tori didn’t go into work tonight, which means Patrick will still be on the property.
I send Kennedy a text apologizing again for showing up unannounced as I walk through the door. I’m crossing the foyer when I bump into Patrick walking from the office. His head is down, face pinched in concentration, and he’s gripping a black file folder.
He looks up to see me standing in the foyer and stops in his tracks. I don’t know what he saw on my face, but he immediately asks, “Is she okay?”
My shoulders tense with the reminder that I wasn’t able to protect Kennedy from whomever caused her pain. “Her face was bruised, and she looked like she was moments away from a breakdown, but she sent me away.” My response sounds detached and clinical as I begin to process my feelings.
He doesn’t respond, just nods his head, and looks down at the folder in his hands.
I tilt my head, studying my head of security through narrowed eyes. Patrick doesn’t fidget unless he has some news he doesn’t know how to convey without pissing me off.
“What’s in the folder?” I lean against the wall, crossing my arms.
“Can we talk as best friends and not as employee to employer?”
I don’t keep the shock off my face. “Of course. What’s going on?”
“And as your best friend, you have to know that I have your back more than I do as your security.”
My eyes narrow again but remain silent.
“I had Kennedy followed.”
What the fuck! “Care to tell me why?” I want to kick his ass, but I’m also curious what he found.
“Because while your head is the clouds, I needed to make sure this person who is quickly becoming significant to you isn’t going to cause us trouble.”
He holds out the folder for me to grab. I don’t make a move toward it because if I do, I will open it and I can’t. Not yet.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” I don’t keep the irritation out of my voice.
“Found enough, but you should see for yourself.”
I look at the folder again but still don’t make a move for it.
“Take it to the office and put it on my desk. I won’t look at that folder without giving her the opportunity to tell me what’s in there herself.”
He nods again and I think he won’t say anything else, but he does. “I understand wanting to give her the option to tell you, but can I give some advice?”
“Even if I say no, I’m sure you will.”
His mouth ticks up in a smirk. “You know I give solid advice.”
“Except when it comes to your own love life.” I raise a brow at him.
Patrick and Tori have been dancing around each other for some time now. I don’t think Tori has fully forgiven him for the secrets we had to keep when we were part of The Reapers. I only got a pass because I’m her brother and the only family she currently tolerates.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. There’s a text from Kennedy responding to the message I sent with a location and a request to pick her up. I look up to find Patrick watching me.
“Kennedy asked me to come get her.”
“Let me put this up. I’m coming with you—that’s me speaking as head of security.”
I roll my eyes, but head to the car and climb into the passenger seat. I shoot Kennedy a text back letting her know that I’m on my way.
Patrick climbs into the SUV and we’re pulling out onto the road before I remember that he had some advice to share. I give him a lot of shit, but he does give sound advice.
“Let me hear it. What were you going to tell me, wise one?” I plug the address into the car’s navigation system.
“You have some secrets too. In my experience, it’s easier to open up to someone when they share information first. Maybe it’s time for you to come clean.”
I don’t have a response as I stare at the side of his face. What could be in that folder that would make my best friend suggest I tell Kennedy about my past?