Page 275 of Redeemed

My brows furrow. “What did you do?”

“After Mark attacked her, things got… heated between Haven and I. I fucked her, and I went too hard. Too long. She was acting fine, and I didn’t realize how much he’d hurt her. At that point, I don’t thinksherealized. You heard what Doc said.”

“Yeah, I did. Something about minor injuries and being fine within a week.”

“But I—”

“Dude, stop. Maybe you aggravated her injuries, maybe you didn’t. No one could expect clear thinking from either of you, not after what you’d both just been through.”

“I didn’t go through anything,” he says through gritted teeth. “I should’ve—”

“You had to fight your own father off so he didn’t kill your wife. At the very least, it’s not nothing.”

“It is compared to what she went through. I should’ve been using my fucking head. I should’ve been more careful, and not just with today. Marrying Haven was a reckless move against Mark, and now she’s hurt, and your family… I should’ve—”

“Colt! Snap out of it.”

He blinks, staring at me with shock. It’s rare that I use such a harsh tone with anyone, but right now, he needs it. Guilt isn’t usually his thing, but that’s changed since Haven has come into the picture. Right now, though, it’s doing nothing but destroying him.

“This isn’t what Haven needs, or the Rooks, oryou.Drowning in guilt is only a distraction, and right now, you can’t afford that. You feel bad? Then fucking make up for it, and don’t let it happen again.”

On instinct, Colton opens his mouth to protest, but then he drops his head. When I step up to him and pull him into a hug, he leans into me. I can feel the toll today has taken on his body, and I wish he wouldn’t be so damn hard on himself.

To outsiders, Colton appears heartless and cold. Only those closest to him actually see who he really is underneath the hard shell he was forced to build around himself. Only we see him at his most vulnerable.

“We’ll keep her safe,” I say, squeezing him tightly. “We’ll keep her safe, and we’ll deal with Mark. It’ll all work out.”

“He’s been getting more ruthless,” Colton mumbles into my shoulder. “But I… it still feels wrong that he’d do that. That he’d do… any of this.”

“I know.”

“I miss him,” he whispers. “Who he used to be. What he used to stand for. What… what we could’ve had.”

“I’m sorry, Colt. I… I’m so sorry.”

He sobs, and it shakes me to my core. I’ve seen Colton cry maybe once or twice, but never like this—like he’s hit his rock bottom and doesn’t know where to go from here.

“Xan,” he chokes out.

“I’ve got you,” I murmur. Ever since we met him, Colton has always done everything he could to help me and Lucas out. He deserves the same support from us, in whatever shape that takes. “We’ve all got you.”

Colton

Inthemorning,I’mon the road before the sun is up, my bike carrying me at speeds that would make Haven’s knees go weak. Yesterday’s events have placed more responsibility on my shoulders than I’ve ever had, and if I’m going to keep Haven safe, I have to move up my plans.

I’m headed for an overlook next to an electric plant that Charlotte often uses for meetings. She switches between a few places, but she loves to watch the sunrise—not that she’d ever admit to it. The overlook has a perfect view of the eastern sky, so it’s my best bet of finding her.

So much of the Glass Rooks hinges on her. She’s the one who plans everything, who delegates jobs, and who keeps everything in order.

I pull off and follow the dirt road to the overlook. After a quick scan of the area, I spot her black Bugatti and come to a stop next to her. When I turn off my bike, I’m immediately startled by the silence. We’re far enough away from town and the interstate that it’s almost completely quiet out here. It’s peaceful. Beautiful, especially with the clouds turning orange-pink.

Not the type of place to plot a man’s downfall.

Only once I’ve pulled off my helmet does the driver’s side door of the Bugatti open. Out steps Charlotte, dressed in her long cream peacoat and her usual red-painted lips.

“Hello, Charlotte.” I don’t even bother dismounting. Whoever she’s meeting will probably be here within the next five minutes, and I need to be long gone by then.

“I had a feeling I’d be seeing you today,” she says with an intrigued yet passive expression.

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