Saving Kenna

by D. L. Raver

  “Kieran,” I swallowed against my suddenly dry mouth. “I appreciate all you’ve done from me. I know I wouldn’t be as far along as I am without your help, but I feel like it’s time for me to go home. I don’t think I can give you want you want. Scratch that, I know I can’t.”

  “And what is that? What exactly do you think I want from you, Kenna?” He stopped just in front of me; a hairbreadth away.

  So close.

  Too close.

  I took a step back.

  He took a step forward.

  “You have no idea what I’m capable of.” Kieran took the step that brought him within striking distance. Within a split second, his arm was around my waist, and he had pulled me against his body. The sudden connection of our bodies touching had my lips parting and a pleasure-filled moan falling from my lips.

  “I-I,” I stammered, my words failing me. All I could concentrate on was how his body felt pressed against mine. And God, he smelled so good: fresh, spicy, and sexy. Rich and dominating.

  He smelled like my demise.

  “Kenna, give yourself over to me. Be with me.” He ran his thumb over my trembling bottom lip. “I can make you forget everything that brought you here. Together we can be amazing. I can teach you things your beautiful mind has only dared dreamed. Say yes.”

  I shook my head, knowing this was a mistake; one I needed to call him out on.

  “Somehow you manipulated my memories. How did you do that Kieran? Why did you do that?” I demanded of him.

  His large hand slid up my jawline and cupped the back of my neck, bringing my head forward. We were so close I could feel his breath on my face and my lips

  “You’re special, Kenna. You deserve the best. You deserve to be whole. I can give you everything if you’ll let me.”

  “Everything?” No man could give everything, yet I had a feeling, if anyone could, Kieran could.

  “Everything,” he repeated seductively, enticingly. When his lips brushed against mine, I didn’t resist. I did as he asked and opened myself to him even though a faint voice in the back of my mind warned I played with a red, hot, soul-consuming fire.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body into his. He was hard and wanting, and my traitorous body reacted.

  Kieran deepened the kiss, his magical tongue gliding against mine in a mind-blowing kiss. He walked us backward to the bed, and slowly pushed me onto it.

  A tiny voice in my mind became louder, whispering a name, quietly at first then growing in intensity. But on the other side of that voice, another one demanded my surrender.

  With Kieran’s incredible body hovering over mine, we were quickly approaching the point of no return. The energy that circulated between us made my breath hitch as pleasure spiked through me.

  Kieran moved away from me and stripped off his shirt, revealing his firm, taut muscles. He smiled at me as he took my hand and pulled me into a sitting position where he proceeded to remove my shirt.

  Again, the voice sounded in my head, and this time, the name became louder; more insistent.

  As my shirt hit the floor, the name blasted through my sexual stupor.

  SLOAN!

  My eyes flew open in recognition. Sudden awareness of the situation flooded me, and I gasped.

  “What the fuck, Kieran? What were you doing?” I growled and pushed him away from me as I scurried off the bed. I found my shirt and put it back on. “I—I love someone else. I’m in love with someone else.”

  Kieran stepped back from me as if I had struck him. He stood there breathing heavily as he glared at me. “Sloan Sullivan can’t give you what I can.”

  “Yeah? But I bet he has exactly what you want, doesn’t he? It’s why I’m here, right? You see me as a means to an end; a way to draw Sloan out.”

  “I won’t lie, it started out that way.” He moved in my direction, and I put up my hands, warning him to stop.

  “It’s more than that now, Kenna,” he continued. “I spoke the truth when I said I could give you everything. We could be amazing together.”

  “Is that what you said to Katrina, as well? Is that why she glares at me when she thinks I’m not looking?”

  “Katrina was a necessary evil.” Kieran ran his hands through his hair. “I never promised her more than a job and some fun on the side.”

  “Really? Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “And I suppose one day, I’d be just another necessary evil you’ll dispose of when I am no longer necessary. Well, screw that.”

  “Kenna,” he seductively whispered my name. “It would be different with you.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “I told you, you’re special.”

  “I’m sorry, Kieran, but I love Sloan, and I’m ready to return home. I have to find out if there’s anything left for us.”

  Kieran squeezed his eyes closed, and I felt acquiescence shutter through him. “I’m sorry as well, but you leave me with no choice.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I glowered at him in an attempt to stand my ground.

  “Kenna, there’s only one thing, or should I say one person, Sloan cares about and that’s you. He has something I want, and now I have something he wants. You, my dear, are leverage.”

  “So now I’m you’re prisoner?” I felt my nostrils flare as I balled my hands into fists.

  “I have to force his hand. Quid pro quo. It’s as simple as that.” His lips thinned into a straight line, making no apologies. Kieran crossed the room to a table that held a pitcher of water and poured a glassful.

  He stared at me as he drank; his pale-blues dark and searching.

  My eyes were transfixed by the way his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. I could feel myself being drawn to him, once again

  “Kieran!” I blew out a long breath, torn between hating him and feeling grateful to him. “Stop it!”

  “Stop what?” he asked and sat down his glass. He smiled at me, an all-teeth I-don’t-possibly-know-what-you’re-talking-about smile.

  “Whatever the hell it is you’re doing, stop it! Don’t you get that you’ve crossed a major line here?” I felt my eyes widen as I realized he’d been doing this to me the entire time I’d been training with him. “Did I do any work myself or did you do it all?”

  Kieran shrugged again but didn’t answer my question. I watched as his chiseled chest rose and fell.

  Fuck it all to hell if I wasn’t still attracted to him.

  “I came to you to help me and now I feel like you’re no better than the men that fucked me up in the first place. I knew you were doing something freaky but I really wanted to think I had made progress.” My heart sank with this knowledge. If I wasn’t better than when I started all this, what did that mean for Sloan and me?

  Rage spiked in me, and before I could think better of it, I slapped Kieran hard across the face.

  “I suppose I deserve that,” he said, rubbing his now-red cheek.

  “You had no right, Kieran. No right at all.” I sat on the bed and put my face in my hands.

  “You are stronger, Kenna. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. All I did was create a safe environment for you to deal with all the shit in your mind. I tempered the memories just enough so they didn’t cripple you. But you did the work.”

  “Was all that stuff you said about wanting to be with me bullshit?” I don’t know why this disappointed me, but it did.

  I wanted to cry, scream, and gnash my teeth. I felt like such an idiot.

  “No Kenna. That wasn’t a lie.” Kieran kneeled before me and pulled my hands from my face, resting his hand on my cheek. “If I thought that Sloan was a passing fancy for you, and you had any interest in me, I’d find another way to get what I want. We both know that is simply not the case. You and Sloan love each other.”

  His words surprised me, and I let out a small gasp, wondering how the hell he knew that without having ever seen us together.

  “I’ve always loved him,�
� I admitted with a sigh.

  Kieran’s touch affected me in many confusing ways, all of which made me feel like I had betrayed Sloan. I pushed myself back on my hands to get away from his touch

  I hated I had almost fucked up and slept with him.

  “So what now?” I asked, glaring at him. “What do I have to do to make this end?”

  “Come to Ireland with me,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “Ireland? What the fuck? Why can’t he come here?”

  “It has to be Ireland.” Kieran stood, and a mask of impassivity fell over his face.

  I groaned in frustration, knowing he wouldn’t tell me anything more.

  “If I refuse?” I stood and faced him, my expression stiff and unyielding.

  “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Either way, you and I are going to Ireland.”

  “Unfuckingbelievable!” I said, digging my nails into my thigh. “How exactly do you know Sloan will come? Have you spoken to him?” I shifted from foot to foot, suddenly excited by the thought Sloan might come after me.

  Please come Sloan. Come, so I know I still matter to you; so I know I didn’t destroy us.

  “I have communicated with him.” He stared at his thumbnail as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

  “You’ve communicated but he hasn’t answered, has he?”

  “I’ve known Sloan for a very long time, and we have worked together for many years. He doesn’t tip his hand, but his silence speaks volumes.”

  God, did I know about his silence. It was always deafening, impactful, and so very frustrating.

  “Worked with him?” I straightened my shoulders, suddenly feeling very interested to find out more.

  “If Sloan feels it necessary to tell you about our relationship, he will. It is not for me to elaborate.” He shrugged, and I knew then, this conversation was over.

  “Fine.” I threw up my hand in acquiescence. “When do we leave?”

  “An hour.” Kieran kissed me on my cheek and then strode from the room.

  I watched him leave with my mouth agape. This was beyond crazy, and while I should be totally pissed off at him, I couldn’t help but think this was exactly what needed to happen. I was better now, and in the end, it really didn’t matter how I arrived there.

  What mattered to me was Sloan could finally fulfill his mandate from Paddy. He could give the Emerald to Kieran, thereby freeing himself to live his life.

  I just hoped that life included me.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Sloan

  I STARED AT the email on my laptop that gave me the address where Joe Franklin hid out. A tirade of emotions whizzed through me as I read the email again.

  Sloan,

  You can find Joe Franklin at an apartment in the H.E. Hatchet building, apartment 105.

  Kieran

  “Fuck!” I said, staring at the softly glowing Emerald sitting on its leather pouch next to the laptop. I told myself the light from the laptop in the dark room made the damn thing seem to glow, but inside it was just another justification for shit I didn’t want to acknowledge.

  Though Kieran hadn’t said it, I was pretty sure Liam was dead. Kieran would make sure to clear any obstacles from my path so that I’d come to him.

  I read the email again, but I didn’t have to read between the lines to know Kieran had Kenna. He wouldn’t have thrown me a bone by finding Franklin if he didn’t expect something in return. Unfortunately, Kieran knew me well enough to know I’d go after Franklin and administer my own special justice.

  What bothered me more was that he knew about Franklin at all, and I worried what lengths he’d gone to in order to retrieve that information.

  Kieran had a scary, uncanny ability to make even the tightest-lipped people talk. I’d seen it firsthand on many occasions during my tenure with the Ceilte. I swear the bastard had the ability to read minds. It was spooky on the best days and damn right scary on others.

  I shivered as the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I didn’t like this. I didn’t like that Kenna was with a gorgeous, smarmy bastard who could talk the panties off a nun. He had an almost otherworldly way about him. While I hated admitting that, some things were undeniable.

  Kieran McCarthy knew and could do things that were impossible. It had taken Paddy pointing out that he never seemed age to finally make me admit what I had ignored.

  Now Kenna!

  I closed my eyes and prayed she wouldn’t fall prey to his machinations and charms. Otherwise, I’d have to kill Kieran, and I wasn’t exactly sure I had the strength or ability to do so.

  I needed to end this once and for all. If Kieran wanted the Emerald in exchange for Kenna and Irelyn’s safety, he could have it. It obviously meant more to him than it did to me. During the last several years, it had only brought pain to my life.

  I wanted more now. I wanted a family that included Kenna and Irelyn.

  Tucking the Emerald safely away, I armed myself and prepared to avenge my love.

  With my blades and gun in place, I left my loft mentally and physically prepared to rid the world of one more scumbag.

  Whether or not the baby had indeed been mine as Kenna seemed to believe, Joe had forced her to make an untenable decision. In doing so, it had hurt and possibly destroyed us.

  All that ended tonight. Come what may, Joe Franklin would die.

  I drove around the dark, rundown neighborhood where Kieran’s address indicated Joe would be. With my senses on edge, I scouted the buildings, the people on the street, and the general layout.

  Joe’s building had one front entrance and one back entrance, and several unsavory people entered and exited what had to be a known drug and or prostitute hangout. That Franklin ended holed-up in this shithole didn’t surprise me in the least.

  Like attracts like.

  Parking the Challenger a few blocks away, I pulled on my black leather gloves and exited my car. Then, I walked in the shadows to the building, slipping inside when someone walked out.

  Apartment 105 was located at the end of the hallway, next to the back entrance, and I smiled. The stars seemed to have aligned in my favor; my getaway would be that much easier with the exit being just outside of his apartment.

  Keeping to the shadows, I stopped outside his door and closed my eyes. I listened intently to the noises around me. On the other side of the door, I heard the television blasting.

  I put my hand on the doorknob and turned it without effort. Lady luck truly had graced me, or the asshole was too stupid to lock the door behind him. Either way, I’d take whatever help I could get.

  The door opened and I slipped inside.

  Joe Franklin sat in a recliner passed out. Several beer cans littered the floor of the trashed apartment. The place smelled of stale pizza, spilled beer, and sweat, all of which was a tiny step up from the hallway and the lovely aroma of piss.

  “Damn,” I whispered under my breath. I had hoped for more sport, but unfortunately drunk, passed out people rarely proved a good challenge.

  I stood in front of his recliner and glared at the asshole. Hatred turned my skin molten, and my hands began to shake with malice and a need to seriously hurt him. In my line of work, I encountered the worst of the worst, yet never had I hated one more.

  This wasn’t my first excursion in this arena. The Ceilte often doled out vigilante justice for those deemed too dangerous to remain living. We were judge, jury, and executioner to the scourge of humanity; men far worse than Joe would ever be.

  From my cargo pants, I found my zip ties and secured Franklin’s hands and feet together. To my surprise, he remained passed out and snoring while I immobilized him. The stupid fuck must have downed a serious amount of alcohol, and by the smell of his nasty breath, it had been cheap whiskey and beer.

  Once I was happy with my work, I slapped Franklin across the face to wake his ugly ass up.

  “What the hell?” he slurred. His eyes widened in surprised when he discovered th
e zip ties binding his hands and feet. “Who the fuck are you?”

  “I’m your worst nightmare come to life.” I put my hands on each arm rest and snarled at him. “You remember the lovely number you beat and raped, don’t you? The beautiful strawberry blonde with the hot body?”

  “Yeah, what of it?”

  “You really are a dumb fuck, aren’t you? I’m Kenna’s boyfriend, asshole, and I don’t take kindly to other men taking what is mine. In fact, it makes me murderous.”

  I pulled my dagger and placed the edge under his chin, tipping it back, allowing me to make a small slice.

  “I—I,” he stuttered before his words died in his throat. It didn’t matter anyway. No words could save him now.

  Walking behind him, I yanked the chair back, forcing Franklin to look up at me. “Kiss your fat ass goodbye, Franklin. Oh, and Zolt Hamil says hello.”

  Franklin started to shake and the distinct odor of more piss further defiled the already-nasty air. He had finally figured out he was well and truly fucked.

  “Not so brave now, are you? How does it feel to be on the receiving end? To be powerless and scared?”

  I didn’t wait for his answer. Instead, I held his chin back, and then slit his throat with my knife. The immense satisfaction I felt watching dark crimson drops of blood puddle on the floor as his life drained away was almost euphoric. Usually, I didn’t revel in the deaths I administered, and I hadn’t expected it to feel so good. This time, however, the stakes were different.

  Personal.

  That he’d known my wrath and had died in fear allowed me closure.

  Well almost. Until Kenna came home to me, this nightmare continued on.

  I wiped the blood from my blade on Franklin’s shirt and then made my way to the door. When I spotted a football on the kitchen table, I doubled back, knowing I needed to do one last thing before I left.

  Using the same knife I had used on Franklin, I deflated the football with a slice down the middle. Then, I went back to the dead man, opened his mouth, and shoved the deflated football as far down his throat as it would go.

  Avenging Kenna made me feel better than I had in weeks—adding a little revenge for Zolt was a bonus that only intensified my sense of accomplishment.