Page 43 of Redeemed (Redeemed #1)
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Kennedy
I ’m lying on the couch in my old apartment, staring at the ceiling and wondering if I will ever truly know peace.
I arrived an hour ago, but Nathan was nowhere to be found.
The smell of too much cologne lingered by the front door when I came in, telling me Nate is out trolling the streets, probably celebrating how he royally screwed my life over without any hesitation.
After the news Alex gave me regarding the estate, I’m surprised Nate is still living here.
None of his things have even been moved out.
The only problem with waiting is the time it gives my brain to think through my actions as the adrenaline rush wanes from my body.
The version of Nate I met at dinner was completely different than the playful friend I grew up with.
He had been planning to betray me right under my nose, whether he thought it would help me or not.
He didn’t include me in that thought process, and hoarded truths about me.
Then he allowed Momma K to be killed—I shut that thought down immediately because now isn’t the time.
Now, all I can think about is whether or not I could actually kill Nathan.
I never saw his betrayal coming, but the murderous rage has cleared from my mind, and I can’t ignore the fact that Ashton Rose is behind all of this.
If I kill Nathan, that’s just more blood on my hands and it does nothing to the man that’s ultimately responsible.
The look on Alexander’s face when I left flashes in my mind, and I know I may have just fucked up.
He simply wanted me to pause, process everything that had happened, and rationally think about a solution in a safe space instead of on the couch of my enemy.
But I was spiraling in a way that became impossible to stop, so he let me go.
My phone is out and I’m dialing his contact before I have a moment to second guess myself.
Alex of course answers on the first ring.
“Kennedy, are you okay?” I can hear the worry in his tone, and I could kick myself for putting it there.
“Yes, Nathan isn’t even here. Alex, I’m so sorry.” The stupid tears are threatening to fall again, but I push them back.
“To be clear, killing Nathan wouldn’t be the mistake, there are just better ways to go about it.” That causes a laugh and I’m grateful that he isn’t holding my actions against me. “Come back home. There are ways you can make up for running into danger and causing me to panic again.”
I pause when I hear a woman’s laughter filter through the door. “Got to go. Someone’s coming.” I disconnect the call and move to my feet, preparing for what’s to come.
The lock disengages and the light from the hallway filters through the dark room as the door opens.
Two people enter the room without even turning on a light. I hear a body being pressed against the doorframe and the sound of kissing fills the silence I’ve basked in.
I clear my throat, prompting a sharp gasp followed by more silence. On silent feet, I move to the kitchen bar and pull out my gun—I can navigate this room with my eyes closed. The lights flicker on, and both Nathan and his date are looking toward the couch, where they heard me moments ago.
“Nathan, you’ve lost your edge.”
They both look toward me, the woman jumping behind Nathan’s back when she sees I have a gun pointed in their direction. Nathan just smiles and it makes me grind my teeth together.
“I figured I would be seeing you soon.”
“You know this psychopath?” the woman asks.
“Unless you want tonight to be your last, I suggest you leave. If you breathe a word of this encounter to anyone, I will know and I will find you.”
The woman is smart and doesn’t waste time getting the hell out of dodge. Nathan prowls deeper into the apartment.
“Well, that wasn’t nice.”
“Didn’t want a witness when I killed you in the most brutal way I could think of.”
“I take it your friends were disappointed when they couldn’t find any product to steal at the estate. We figured it was time to move since we had a rat in the group. How’s Cary by the way?”
“I couldn’t care less about the product. My question is who’s responsible for killing Kathy?”
Nathan freezes, a look of disbelief falls over his face. The color drains from his face and I know him enough to know he isn’t faking it.
“Don’t act surprised. You work for the devil.”
“I had nothing to do with that. My only instructions were to clear out the estate. Ms. Kathy hasn’t been there in weeks.”
“Ashton Rose doesn’t let his pawns know his every move. He’s already moving around you and making you look like a fool. If I put a bullet through your head, he wouldn’t even attend your funeral, yet this is the man you betrayed me for?”
“You have to know that everything I’ve done and the deals I’ve made were to protect you, Kennedy.” It would have been less shocking if he had slapped me across the face. “Don’t you think your life will be easier when it’s me you’re working with instead of working for your father?”
“I don’t want this life. I wanted to avenge my mother and finally find peace in my existence. If this was all for me, why didn’t you think to let me know about any of your plans? Why did you scheme behind my back? We were a team, Nathan!”
Nathan falls quiet, thinking through everything I’ve said. I want nothing more than to leave this place and to never look back, so I tuck my gun into the waistband of my pants and make my way to the door.
“I came here to kill you today, but I can clearly see that Ashton Rose is playing you just as hard as he was playing me. Consider this visit your only warning. If I catch you anywhere near me or my people, I won’t hesitate to shoot.”
Nathan watches me leave without another word.