Page 235 of Redeemed

Relief mixes with the remaining guilt as I watch Xander’s eyes soften toward me. This is just like him—just like both of us. The moment we can find a reason to let go of our anger toward the other, we do. Neither of us wants to hold grudges. We just want each other, goddammit.

“Maybe there are different kinds of love,” Xander says quietly, “and maybe we have the kind that doesn’t fail.”

“You think so?”

“Look at us, Luc.” He takes both my hands in his. “Look at all we’ve been through together, and it’s only made us stronger—strongertogether.”

“Then…” I swallow hard and lock my eyes on his. “Then I love you, Xander Eldridge, and I will until the day I die. Hell, even after that.”

His eyes water. “I love you, too.”

We both stare at each other for a second before Xander yanks me into him. His arms lock around me, and we both breathe out sighs of relief.

We’re okay.We’ll always be okay.

Xander is right. There’s nothing that can tear us apart. No matter what bullshit life throws at us, it’ll only push us closer together.

Colton

Istareoutthewindow of one of the Grand Hotel’s smaller conference rooms. Fresh green is everywhere—leaves on trees, the meticulously manicured lawn, the decorative hedges on the property. Flowers bloom in the gardens, but the colors are dulled to me.

It’s been four months since Isaiah showed up in town again. I didn’t want to check with Haven that she was actually okay with me killing him, but in the end, I did. Her trust has become one of the most precious things I’ve ever held. I don’t want to break it.

Of course, she was horrified by what she’d asked me to do in her nightmare-induced state. So I went along with her suggested plan and sent Gerard and Brandon after him again. Isaiah hasn’t made another reappearance since.

Just because he’s been gone for four months doesn’t mean he’ll stay away forever. We know that. The break has been nice, though. We’ve been able to let Haven out of the house more, although only if she’s with one of us. A good thing, considering Athelia came back after only a few months of enacting the revenge plan Haven secretly told me about.

“Thank you for staying,” Mark says as he crosses the conference room toward me.

“Of course. What do you need?”

We just finished up a board meeting for the Glass Rooks a minute ago, and the last member just left. As usual, my father asked me to stay late. I’m used to it. He’ll give me his routine lecture about spending time getting to know Delilah. There’ll be something about how it’s “important to his overall influence” and “essential to my future.”

It’s all bullshit.

“May twentieth,” Mark states.

I roll my eyes. I fucking hate when he’s vague like this.

“That sure is a day, Dad.”

“It’s about to be the most important day of your goddamn life.”

“Oh?” I ask boredly. “Why is that?”

“Because it’s the day you’re getting married.”

My eyes snap to his.“What?”

Mark sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I told you I wanted you two to get married before graduation. This is my compromise.”

“That’s not even two weeks away!”

“Delilah and her wedding planner already have everything booked. Invitations went out a few weeks ago.”

“No.”

“Yes.” He gives me a scolding glare. “I’ve been telling you for almost a decade that this would be happening. You’ve had plenty of time to prepare.”

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