Page 31 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Alexander

I ’m barely situated in the car before Patrick is hounding me to give him the information Kennedy revealed this afternoon.

I sigh and run my hands over my face. This evening would’ve been better if I could’ve kept myself wrapped around Kennedy on the couch watching movies.

Briefly, I wonder if this is information Kennedy should share herself, but we will need his help.

Also, Patrick knows a portion of her story and I don’t want him running with half-truths and saying the wrong thing.

The more information he has, the better insight he can give to help navigate this situation.

“First and foremost, Ashton Rose isn’t just Kennedy’s boss, he’s her father,” I say with a deep sigh.

“Holy shit, Alex.” Patrick’s gaze flits back and forth between me and the road in complete shock.

We’re silent for a moment as we let that information settle between us.

Initially, when Kennedy revealed this information, I was happy that she felt comfortable enough to open up to me.

But once the evening calmed down, I started thinking about the potential risk.

That’s when the anxiety began to creep in.

I think what came as more of a shock is that, at no point did I consider cutting things off with her.

This wasn’t some first date confessional, Kennedy sat on my couch bearing the marks of her father’s hand, revealing her truth.

And I have an overwhelming feeling that it’s my responsibility to protect her.

“Well, that’s not all. She’s his personal assassin, and she no longer wants to be. I haven’t dug deep enough to find out why the change of heart, but the fact he’s the reason she looks like a domestic violence victim means I don’t need convincing.”

“Holy shit.”

“Can you say something else other than ‘holy shit’?”

It’s no secret to the criminal world the damage Ashton Rose has caused over the years building his empire and destroying anyone who stood in the way. The Reapers were even offered a kill contract for someone in his camp years ago and the leader turned it down.

The asshole laughs before saying, “You sure do know how to find a way to get into some shit. Of course, the first girl you find interesting in years, happens to be the daughter of a drug kingpin. Scratch that— The Drug Kingpin of the South. Ashton Rose runs the southern drug market, and we’re about to make an enemy out of him. ”

I laugh because there isn’t another way to explain the situation I’ve found myself in.

“There’s no way I’ll let her fight this battle by herself. Not when I can help her. I’m going to help her, Pat. Any way that I can.”

There’s no room for uncertainty in my words. Patrick is in charge of my security, but I wouldn’t dare make him get involved with this. If he wants to join in helping her, that’s something I would be grateful for, but I won’t force it. He’s been through enough because of me.

“Of course you are. That savior complex and bleeding heart wouldn’t allow you to just let her go.

The words sound harsh, but he knows me better than anyone, outside of Tori. He knows that I feel responsible for the people I choose to keep close to me, but this is different. Kennedy is powerful on her own.

“That’s the thing, she doesn’t need me. She’s been trying to pull away since the moment we were followed the night of our date, and she got the weird phone call.

She doesn’t need a hero to swoop in and save the day.

That’s not to say she doesn’t deserve to have someone stand beside her through the tough shit life is about to throw her way. ”

“You really like this woman, huh?”

We pull into the spot reserved for me at the lounge and he kills the engine, looking over to me for an answer.

“Yeah, I really do.”

Admitting it out loud, to someone other than Kennedy, settles the feeling inside me, and I know that I’m making the right decision.

“Enough to possibly go to war with Ashton Rose?”

Playing the devil’s advocate is Patrick’s greatest role. He’s going to make sure I look at any situation in every way possible.

“Well, if we are going to go to war with him, it’s a good thing his biggest war asset is fighting with us. She’s going to have the inside information, so we aren’t going in completely blind. Truthfully, we don’t know what turn this situation could take.”

He nods his head thoughtfully and I know that look is one of planning. “We need to ramp up security.”

“That’s exactly why we’re at the club tonight. I need you to start vetting more guys to strengthen our security teams. I’m going to contact Jonah to push up the date of our upgrades. I didn’t want to do this at the house tonight; Kennedy deserves a moment to relax before shit gets real.

Giving her a night of comfort with Tori felt more important than our comfort of working from home.

“You’re right about that. Shit’s definitely about to get real. I got more information on The Reapers.”

That statement captures my attention.

“What now?”

“Our guy I had following Kennedy sent me the throw-away shots he thought were interesting. In one of the photos, I’m pretty sure he caught Spider in the background. Which means The Reapers are either tailing Kennedy or Ashton Rose.”

Well shit, that wasn’t news I was expecting to hear tonight.

It does make sense that the day Justice was at the lounge, Kennedy was there.

Then we were tailed after our date. She’s the common denominator in their recent appearances, but I need more concrete information to bring to her. This can’t just be a hunch.

“I can’t give her that information until we know for sure they are following her. We need definite proof that she’s their target, and they aren’t just gathering intel on Ashton Rose. I won’t give her another ounce of stress unnecessarily.”

“I understand. We’ll keep digging and see what we can find.”

It’s past midnight when Patrick and I return to the property.

After our debrief in the car, we were both set on putting a plan together.

Our focus held true until I broke, ready to be back home with Kennedy.

She had been texting me throughout the evening, sending me pictures of her and Tori in facemasks.

It warmed my heart to see her having fun, but also to see Tori bonding with someone.

I know since we moved to Georgia she’s hesitated to make connections, choosing to throw herself into work.

We walk into the main house, mentally exhausted but ready to see what the girls have gotten into.

The image we find isn’t one I think either of us expected.

Kennedy and Tori are both passed out on either end of the sectional, snuggled under blankets.

Two empty bottles of wine rest on the coffee table, and Sandra Bullock is on the TV yelling about a curse that killed her love.

I move to stand over the spot where Kennedy is resting, and I watch her sleep. There’s a peace present over her features that I want to keep there as long as I can. I see the stress she carries when she’s awake, and I want to take it away from her. She deserves happiness.

When I look over at Patrick, he’s watching my sister, and I wonder if the look on my face matches his. Completely smitten with emotions that feel too soon to identify.

Kennedy stirs slightly, settling deeper into the couch and there isn’t a chance I’m leaving her here to sleep tonight. So, I lean down, scooping her into my arms with the intention of putting her in my bed. She snuggles in closer, and I place a kiss to the top of her head, inhaling her scent.

“I could get used to this kind of treatment,” Kennedy mumbles drowsily as I reach the top of the staircase.

“Stay with me, Kitten, I’ll take care of you.”

I place another kiss to the top of her head. A slight smile plays over her lips as her eyes fall closed once more.

“I’d stay with you forever, Alex.”

Her words make me pause, but not with panic.

It’s stupid of me to take the words of a slightly tipsy, sleep-weary woman to heart, but I want to.

I get her settled in bed and quickly change out of my clothes before joining her.

With Kennedy tucked into my arms, I drift off easier than I have in years.