Kennedy's Redemption (The Protectors 3)

Tears were a steady stream down her cheeks now. The guilt Emily felt was in her every word, every tear stain on each piece of paper.

Reading the letters didn’t give her all the answers she sought, but it gave her a sense of peace she didn’t know she’d been missing. Reading through Emily’s eyes gave her new perspective on how everyone was and how everything had happened. She had a lot of hurdles to overcome before she was whole again, but she knew with her family and hopefully Linc and Creed at her side she could fight her way to happiness again.

For the first time in longer than she could remember a genuine smile graced her face and she felt a ray of hope pierce her heart. Putting the unread letters back in the box, she put it away and made her way down the stairs to Linc and Creed.

·?•? ?•?·

Eyes on the stairs, Linc didn’t pay attention when Dee said she was leaving and to call her if Kennedy needed anything. His mind was solely focused on what Kenny was reading and if it was going to make her feel worse or better? Would she find the answers she needed or have more questions?

“Should we have read those before letting her?” he questioned out loud.

“They’re from Em, you know she wouldn’t do anything to hurt Kennedy.”

Rubbing his hands down his face, he was filled with doubt and worry for her. She had so much to work through in her mind that he sometimes felt like they were making things worse for her. He had this urge to own her, to bathe her in pleasure, but every time he felt the need to he could feel her pulling away.

Growling in frustration, he looked at Creed as he now paced at the foot of the stairs. “What the fuck do we do? What if she’s never ready for us?”

He stopped pacing long enough for Creed to shoot him a look. No, not just any look but the look, the one that says about a thousand things conveyed in approximately a five-second glare. Pretty much telling him to shut the fuck up. Yeah, that look.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

Hearing a noise from the stairs, Creed stood up when he saw Kennedy descending as he came to stop just below her. She had a new air to her, one he couldn’t explain. She just looked different, peaceful maybe? Like she’d gained a new sense of understanding.

There was a fire in her eyes that had been missing since they’d met her. The wild look she usually had was gone, too, and she didn't slump in defeat. His respect for her grew. His attraction blew out of proportion and his heart beat so fast and hard he feared it would explode from his chest.

“Sunshine?” Creed questioned while he tried to catch his breath at her transformation.

Raising her hand to his cheek, Linc watched his brother lean into her hand and close his eyes savoring her touch. “I’m getting there, Creed. I read a few of Emily’s letters.” She looked him in the eyes as she said that. “Can we sit?” she asked.

Nodding their heads, they made their way back to the couch waiting for her to follow suit. When she sat down between them, she grabbed each of their hands bringing them to her chest, hugging them. “I should have read them sooner,” she began to explain. “I was so scared to, though. It took me so long to realize I didn’t blame her for what happened that I forgot how she must blame herself. As much as it pains me to say, this wouldn’t have happened if I didn’t know her. But it did, and I have her in my life. I don’t know Emily well but I know she’s a good person, and I know she did not intend for it to happen.”

Taking a breath and peeking at the both of them, Creed nodded for her to continue and he gave her a reassuring smile that they were with her all the way. “Emily holds too much blame of this on herself, and I need to go home and tell her how I feel. I need for her to understand that she’s not at fault so she can move on too. It was so incredibly selfish of me to leave the way I did and not think of everyone else.” He had heard the tears in her voice before he felt them falling on his hand.

Letting go of her hand, Linc grabbed her hips and brought her to his lap so she was straddling his hips. “God, you’re beautiful, Kennedy. You know that right?” When she blushed and lowered her head in embarrassment, he lifted her chin. Before she had a chance to speak, he planted his lips on hers.

She melted against him and just like that she caved. Pulling her closer, he could feel her body vibrating with excitement. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t shocked. She was accepting him, which had him deepening the kiss.

Sucking her bottom lip into his mouth, he nipped and licked until she opened for him. Weaving their tongues together, his cock started to jump with every breathy sigh and moan she let out. When she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her breasts to his, he could feel her stiffened peaks. The way she rubbed against him had him moaning out loud.

Pulling apart to take a breath, the look on her face was serene, blissful, happy; it had him frozen in shock. He’d done that. Made her feel those things. It was something he aimed to do for the rest of their lives.

When she let loose a full body shiver followed by a soundless gasp, he saw Creed smirking from behind her. Trailing a bright green and blue feather lightly across her skin, he understood.

Raising an eyebrow in question, Creed nodded his head toward the front door where there was a small vase with peacock feathers sitting it. He smirked at Linc’s shock.

“Linc,” she moaned drawing their attention. “Creed.” She opened her eyes piercing them with her glowing blue color soft with lust and want. “I’m ready.”

“Fuck,” he muttered.

“Shit,” Creed whispered.

She was going to own them.

·?•? ?•?·

You can do this, Kennedy; you’re ready. They won’t hurt you. Hell, you can pretty much see their love for you in every touch, every look. She thought to herself as they looked at her to gauge her readiness for such a monumental step.

Shaking off any fear she felt, she tried to show them how confident she was in her decision. She was ready for them. To have them, to be owned by them. Her demons tried to lurk but she pushed them back. She may not be ready for the world, but for these two trusting, caring men? Yeah, she was more than ready to show them the very last pieces of her soul.