Kennedy's Redemption (The Protectors 3)

At a loss for words because that was basically what the phone call had been about, he looked at Creed to see a very dark thundercloud brewing behind his eyes.

“’Bout time we talked about that phone call now there, Linc; don’t ya think?” Creed demanded in a voice so low he knew he was either going to get his own ass tossed off a cliff or handed to him.

“We have to go to London,” was all he said. Watching Kenny closely, he saw her entire body tense and a blankness creep into her eyes that scared him more than any ass-kicking he’d get from his brother.

“What the fuck for?” Creed snapped.

“There’s a job.” he started, keeping his eyes level with Kennedy. Watching her shut down hurt but he knew she’d understand, even when he didn’t. “A little girl was taken and they only have hours to find her.” Her eyes crashed with his and the fire was back. He had known before she said anything that she would kick their asses if they didn’t go.

“They can find someone else, Linc. We’re out. Fucking done.” Creed was getting more pissed with each word he spoke; he could hear it. He could also hear him wavering. Children were always the exception to their rule. Always had been, always would be.

“No one’s as good as us, Creed, and we both know it. They send someone else and she’ll be dead.”

“Please, go, Creed. What if…” They knew what she was going to say before she said it, and it killed him to have her think of it. “What if they’re as bad as mine?”

“Fuck! C’mere, Sunshine,” Creed demanded of her. As soon as she was close enough, Linc watched as his brother wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and hauled her lips to his before owning her.

·?•? ?•?·

They were leaving again. Her whole world shattered in just a few words, but then Linc broke her heart telling them about the missing girl. She immediately felt shame for wanting them to stay so she said what she knew she needed to say or they’d regret it. All of them. She told them to go, would have begged if she had to.

As Creed’s lips claimed hers, she felt free like she was where she was meant to be and she’d do anything to hold onto that feeling. He brought forth so many emotions in her with just a simple kiss. He owned her in that moment— body, mind, and soul, and he was demanding her heart as well. She wasn’t ready for that yet so she enjoyed the sensations flowing through her veins.

The way he took care not to push her, to hurt her when he gripped her neck, but his hand was an imprint she hoped to never let go of. His mouth on hers was like heaven. The way he swept his tongue inside her mouth was like a touch on her soul.

Peace. She felt so peaceful in his arms… In Linc’s arms.

Gasping when he nipped her bottom lip, a shiver ran up her spine and an arrow of heat zipped straight to her nipples bringing her body to life in ways she’d never imagined feeling.

“Creed,” she sighed against his lips when he started to pull away.

“You’ll wait, Sunshine,” he told her softly, eyes closed like he was trying to remember the moment.

Feeling hands on her back, she looked sideways when Linc pressed his cheek to hers, begging, “Please wait?”

The sting of tears in her eyes had her nodding her head. She couldn’t imagine not having them around but knew they had to go. A little girl needed them more than she did right now. It may break her heart and send her spiraling out of control but for their piece of mind, she

wouldn’t say how devastated she was.

Saying goodbye was never easy. Especially when she was afraid it would be her last.

·?•? ?•?·

Leaving Kenny when she was in such a fragile state was fucking gutting his soul. Creed was pissed. Pissed they had to leave. Pissed someone would take a little girl. Even more pissed at himself for being so angry they had to leave.

As they arrived back at the airport in Rome, he had a niggling sense in his gut that something was off. It was eating him alive. The hairs on the back of his neck were tingling and dancing, practically screaming something was wrong. He just didn’t know what.

“You feel it, too?” Linc asked quietly as they waited in line at Customs.

“Yeah, but I don’t know what.”

As their luggage was inspected he stayed alert, eyes scanning the room for anyone looking suspicious or purposely avoiding looking in their direction. Nothing seemed out of order, but in his experience that’s when the shit usually hit the fan.

Once they were through the inspections, they went and found a quiet corner to sit in before he pulled out his laptop, booting it up and connecting to Wi-Fi. He looked at Linc once the internet browser was open and asked, “What’s the girl’s name?”

“Vanessa Wight, age seven, from London, England. She went missing from her bedroom last night sometime.”

Typing it all in the search bar, he had a few pop-ups but nothing showing this girl. Feeling suspicious, he googled her name and age. When still nothing showed, his suspicions turned to concern. What if it was a setup to eliminate them? It was no secret they would do anything to help a child, so getting them somewhere isolated wouldn’t be hard. But getting information would be.