Kennedy's Redemption (The Protectors 3)

Turning to look in the direction of the cabin, Creed obscured her view as he walked in front of her. “You don’t have to do this,” he told her again.

“I do, though.” She tried explaining why it was so important. “I lost a huge part of who I was here. I’ll never get it back; I know that.” She took a breath, finally realizing just why she had to come. “I have to say goodbye to her.”

So many emotions flitted across his strong features before settling on resignation and understanding. He finally got it, though. This was where she needed to let go so she could truly move forward with her life.

When he moved, her eyes followed him before she looked to the spot that had been hidden behind his wide shoulders. Shock rushed through her.

There was nothing there. The entire cabin was gone save for the remnants of what was a fireplace. Charred materials lay where the building should have been.

“What happened?” she asked.

“A few weeks after you left it burnt to the ground,” Linc explained. There was something in his voice though that she couldn’t place. Not quite guilt or regret, but maybe gloating?

“You did this?” She looked at him. Knowing he’d never say the words but his eyes would tell her. In them, she saw the answer.

Not sure how she felt she walked around the rubble, not actually able to walk where the building was because her chest got tight when she tried.

·?•? ?•?·

Linc stood beside his brother and watched in dread as Kennedy walked around the pile of rubble he’d burned to the ground months ago. He’d been pissed off they couldn’t find her, and at one point they’d been terrified she’d come back here so he’d come looki

ng and had been so angry with how many people had been here.

When he’d arrived that day, two cars were leaving. Both filled with a bunch of moronic teenagers out for a quick thrill. They had no idea of the violence that had happened or the lives ruined. They knew nothing and he’d been pissed that the property hadn’t been condemned or boarded up in some way.

He knew now that it was irrational. But then? It hadn’t been very long, and he’d been very pissed. He’d done a quick search of the property to make sure no one was there, and set a slow burn on the inside of the house so it went up in flames long after he’d left.

Kennedy’s brothers had gotten a call about it, but no one suspected it was him until Creed had talked to him about it. He didn’t deny nor confirm he’d been there, but it was answer enough for his brother. He’d clapped him on the back and walked away.

Here they were again, only this time in search of healing instead of a rescue. He still felt the same amount of angst now as he did then but for different reasons. He didn’t like what being here was going to do to her.

“You did this for me?” She stared at them from the other side of the charred remnants. Like she needed the distance from them for clarification.

At Linc’s nod, she looked around as if seeking answers to something.

“But you didn’t even know me?” Her voice was full of agony.

“I didn’t need to know you to know this place shouldn’t exist anymore, Kennedy.”

“I don’t understand.” She was genuinely perplexed at their depth of feelings for her.

“A lot was lost that day, Kennedy. No one needed a reminder of it.”

“I do!” she screamed at him.

It was their turn to be confused. “Why?” Creed asked her.

Her wild eyes turned to them and she seemed baffled by his question for a moment. “Because I deserved this. It was my fault, all of it. I’m so spoiled that I couldn’t listen to sound advice. All I cared about was having someone to go shopping with me. I DESERVED THIS!” She screamed louder this time, dropping to her knees.

They rushed to her side; the need to comfort her driving them.

“This isn’t your fault, Kenny,” Linc told her angrily. “You can’t hold onto this burden anymore. You need to let it go.”

“Sunshine, this,” Creed waved his hand around the empty area, “was never your fault. No one could have known.”

“It doesn’t matter; I shouldn’t have been so selfish. So stupid.” She cried.

·?•? ?•?·