Kennedy's Redemption (The Protectors 3)

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“What the fuck was that?” Linc growled as he shut off the shower. Grabbing towels from the shelf beside it, he wrapped one around his hips then started to slowly dry Kenny off. He was pissed and scared as he looked down at her sleeping form nestled into his brother’s chest.

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. We need to find those numbers from the doc. Get her to see someone again,” Creed said absently not taking his eyes off of her.

Wrapping his arms gently around her Linc took her from Creed’s arms, carrying her back to the bed. Without sheets, he laid her down in the middle wrapping the big duvet over her so she wouldn’t get cold.

Leaving her to grab clothes from one of the dressers he threw a pair of sweats and a t-shirt on, tossing the same to Creed when he came out of the bathroom. Tilting his head towards to the door, he indicated to meet him downstairs. Giving Kennedy a light kiss on the forehead he watched her for a moment before leaving.

When they’d gone to find her in Italy, he held out hope that they could help her heal, move past some of her pain. While they were there it seemed to have helped her some, but he also knew she’d taken the biggest step on her own. Recognizing that she needed help and seeking it out was huge for any abuse victims.

They never pried her on what happened. She’d told them a lot of what she endured on her own, but they never pushed for more. He was thinking maybe they should have now.

When he got to the kitchen, he started a pot of coffee taking note of the time, five a.m. Hearing Creed’s footsteps on the stairs, he pulled down a couple of mugs from the cupboard as he took a seat on one of the stools at the island.

They sat side by side watching the coffee percolate. Neither saying anything or moving around anywhere; both just lost deep in thought. Before they knew it nearly thirty minutes had gone by and the sun was starting to rise. Filling their cups they went out onto the back porch, leaving the door open in case Kenny woke up and came down.

“How do we approach her about this?” Linc wondered aloud.

“We’re going to have to see if she remembers what happened first. Try and help her work through it. It’s not going to be easy on any of us.”

“I know, but fuck, we’ve never had to work so hard to wake her up before. What if there’s more she’s not telling us. What if those sick fuckers did more to her than she’s told anyone before?”

“I don’t know that’s the case. I think it has more to do with the fact that she’s home now. Around everyone who was there when she was hurting,” Creed suggested, which made sense. Fresh memories to open healing wounds. It wasn’t an easy pill to swallow knowing they might have brought this to her by letting her come home too soon.

“Did we make a mistake bringing her home?”

“No.” A small, fragile whisper spoke from behind them. Turning, they saw her wrapped up in the duvet. Her hair a mess from it not being combed after the cold shower and tear stains on her cheeks.

She’d never been more stunningly beautiful to him.

Nineteen

She’d woken up cold and to an empty bed. Wet hair reminded her of her nightmare and the fact that they’d had to stick her in a freezing shower to wake up. Guilt hit her hard and heavy. Just the night before, she’d thought she was ready to move on that her mind was finally willing to give up the horrible memories. Her heart wanted to move on, but it seemed as if her mind needed more closure.

She sat in bed for a while trying to think of how to push forward with her life. She didn’t want to be stuck in limbo anymore. She wanted the freedom of falling asleep without nightmares chasing her, the freedom to find herself, and most importantly the freedom to love her two fabulous men without restriction.

Her nightmare was still very fresh in her mind. The cabin of horrors. The torture. The psycho duo. It was all there lurking in the back of her mind. If she pushed away the pain and fear, she could almost clearly see what she needed to do.

First she had to see Emi

ly. There was so much unresolved between them that she couldn’t let it fester any longer. Those moments before their rescue, when they’d spoken volumes with just their eyes. Emily’s guilt; her pain. It was something they had to talk about, to be able to move on from.

Getting up, she wrapped the duvet tightly around her body going in search of the men. As soon as she hit the stairs the aromatic scent of coffee hit her nostrils. Following it down to the kitchen, she immediately spotted them sitting on the lounge chairs on the back porch.

They looked to be having a serious discussion. Linc’s brows were furrowed in concern, probably for her. His shoulders were tense like he was ready to bolt at a moment’s notice.

Creed was stoic showing no emotions on his face, but if she saw his eyes, she knew she’d see it all there reflected back at her.

They thought they hid themselves from the world, but she knew them; she knew what made them tick. Their moods and emotions. By the time she had reached the open doors, she only heard the very end of their talk. The fact that they thought it was a mistake to bring her home made her sad and worried for more reasons than she cared to admit.

When she’d whispered her objection about them bringing her home, they’d whipped around so fast she was surprised they didn’t get whiplash. Linc’s eyes crawled all over her looking for any sign of distress. She smiled softly at him. Walking towards them, she lightly trailed one finger along his lips.

Turning to Creed, his eyes dark as a stormy sky worried her. He hid a lot from Linc. He probably didn’t even know she knew, but anytime Linc has been worried he’d push his own feelings back in favor of soothing Linc’s. She admired that about him, but she didn’t want to be cause for more worry on him.

“I’m sorry, Creedence,” she whispered curling up in his lap. His arms immediately surrounded her and his legs spreading slightly to make room for her.

“Sorry for what, Sunshine?” He sounded confused.