Page 291 of Redeemed

Athelia’s face pales. “But—but he…” She steps back, right into Wesley, who places a steadying hand on her hip. “No.No,she can’t be gone.”

“Xander is going after her now,” Lucas says. “We’ll get her back.”

Athelia turns to Wesley. “The people you work for. They can help, can’t they?”

Wesley’s face falls. “I don’t think so. I’m sorry, my soul.”

“Please.Please,Wes. Isn’t there anything you can do?”

“No,” I answer for him. “He has no power in the organization.”

Athelia turns her sharp gaze on me. “How the hell do you—” Then it hits her, and she sighs. “Of course. Your father owns it, doesn’t he?”

I nod. “They won’t be willing to expend resources for this.”

At that, Lucas and I exchange a loaded glance.

For now.

“Fuck,” Kellan mutters.

“But—but they couldkillher,” Athelia says on a wobbly voice. Tears fill her eyes, and she claps a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob.

“Hey, hey.” Cal pulls her into him. “We’ll find her. I promise, Thelia.”

Wesley and Kellan both exchange a glance, seeming to communicate silently. Their bond is similar to mine with Lucas and Xander. Sometimes, it feels like we can read each other’s minds.

“Let us help,” Wesley says. “We’ll head out and catch up to Xander in case he needs backup.”

I nod, turning back to Lucas, who’s holding the phone up. “What type of car?”

“White Toyota Camry,” Xander responds. “Didn’t catch the license plate.”

“Okay,” I say. “Okay, that should be enough. Wesley and Kellan are heading out, too, just in case you need backup.”

Clapping a hand on my shoulder, Wesley squeezes. “You can call me Wes.”

Our gazes clash for a split second. I thought our rivalry would die out once we all graduated, left unresolved for the rest of our lives. But maybe that’s not the case. Maybe the love Athelia and Haven have for each other will be enough to fix all the resentment between us.

“Thank you.”

Wes nods before he and Kellan sprint off.

The next two hours are hell. I stay connected to Xander the entire time, even while we move back to my house. All of us—Athelia and Cal, Xander’s family, and me and Lucas. We stay in the living room since Phil can’t get upstairs, waiting for any update from Xander, or from Wes and Kellan.

But there’s nothing.

None of us want to admit defeat—that she’s gone—but by now, we don’t even know if Haven is still on the interstate. Hell, maybe I’m wrong and they never actually got on it.

Once it’s dark out, Lucas and I seem to have the same realization at the exact same time. We have no way of knowing where Haven is right now. All Xander is doing is wasting his energy.

“Xander,” Lucas says softly.

“Don’t,” he grits out.

Phil runs a hand through his hair, the pain on his face evident in his voice, too. “Son, it’s time to come home. You’ve lost her.”

“No! Dad, you don’t under—”

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