Page 28 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)

I stare down at the offending folder. Alex takes his glass of water and goes to the kitchen, sensing that maybe I need a moment alone. I flip open the folder and the photo that greets me is of me and Nathan, walking through the garage at our apartment.

The next photo is my car turning into Rose Estate.

I keep flipping through different pictures of me, taken with a long- distance lens, coming and going from the estate.

There’s a photo of me coming and going from the apartment, alone.

The photo that trips me up, though, is the one of me and my father, standing outside of each business we partnered with during his last visit.

I stare at the picture from a couple nights ago and feel sick to my stomach as I shut the folder.

“And you don’t know the contents of this folder?”

Alex sits back down on the couch beside me. He leans forward, resting his arms on his knees.

“No, I know you are affiliated with a life of crime because of your involvement with the club, but that’s it.”

I nod again, not sure where to start when it comes to revealing my secret.

The hesitation comes from years of being told to trust no one.

A huge part of me wants to tell him everything, to not have one more worry to carry, and right now, I can tell it my way.

His people already know, so it’s not like this is something I can hold forever.

People tend to act weird when they find out I’m connected to Ashton Rose.

“I want to tell you everything, but can you just give me some time to get my thoughts together. I understand if I can’t stay here without giving that information up.”

“Kennedy.” The way my name falls from his lips in a deep command grabs my attention.

“You will absolutely take whatever time you need. I will be ready to listen whenever you’re ready to talk, and you’re welcome to stay here as long as you need to even if you never tell me.

” His hand comes up, turning my chin so he can examine the cut on my cheek. “Let me clean this up for you.”

I don’t put up a fuss, just nod my head and stare at him like he hung the moon. His need to take care of me is the biggest turn on.

Alex returns quickly with a first aid kit and wash cloth.

“I can clean this. I don’t want to be even more of a burden.” I begin to reach for the items only to get my hand gently pushed aside. He tilts my head toward the light so he can see what he’s working with.

“First of all, you are not a burden. I’m not happy that something has caused you harm, but it’s an honor to take care of you.” I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks. “Secondly, I would really like to kill the person who’s the cause of this.”

That thought makes me laugh because so would I.

“You and me both.”

“So, it really wasn’t that brute you call a roommate?”

“Nope, that brute is harmless.” I’m quiet for a moment, giving myself a chance to not let the next words come out of my mouth. “It was actually my father that decided I talk too much and need to be kept in line.”

Alex’s hands pause on my face for a moment before his movements start again. He takes the warm washcloth and carefully dabs the cut on my face. I study the man in front of me, eyebrows draw down, lips pursed, and eyes focused on the task.

“That happen a lot between you and your father?” There’s tension in his voice that wasn’t there before.

“He usually lets someone else do his dirty work when I’ve needed to be punished .”

He nods his head while rubbing ointment on the cut marring my check. When he’s done, he adds a badge. Then he takes my chin again, turning my gaze back to his face.

“Do you want me to kill him?”

My breath hitches. I search his face to find any sign of humor, but I’m met with a steady green gaze. He would do it if I said yes, just like I would if the roles were reversed. Again, my eyes fill with useless tears because this beautiful man would upend his life to defend mine.

I run my thumb between his brows, smoothing the skin pinched in concern over me, before leaning in softly pressing my lips to his.

I pull back and give him a soft smile, happy to see the tension has left his eyes and is replaced with heat I would love nothing more than to stoke, but not tonight.

“While I appreciate the offer, more than you know, if anyone is going to kill him, it will be me.”

A smirk overtakes his face. “Kitten, your claws are showing.”

I snort, as a blush raises on my cheeks. “Right now, I would really just like to go to bed, if that’s okay.”

“Of course, let me clean this mess and we can head up.” We both stand taking our glasses to the kitchen. Alex’s hand slides into mine as he guides me through the house to his room.

The lights are off, and we are lying in his bed because it wasn’t even a question where I would sleep tonight. His arm is wrapped around my waist, his front pressed into my back, and I think we are both drifting off.

I whisper softly, not even sure if he can hear me, “What if I don’t want to go back?”

His arm tightens around me before responding. “Then you don’t.”