Loved one needs protection? Not right (5)
I believe the answer is:
amour
'loved one' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'protection? not right' is the wordplay.
'protection?' becomes 'armour' (armour protects a warrior).
'not' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'armour' with 'r' removed is 'AMOUR'.
'needs' is the link.
(Other definitions for amour that I've seen before include "French romance" , "(Illicit) sexual relationship" , "French lover" , "Affaire" , "Romantic liaison" .)