Page 316 of Redeemed

“Angel.” Colton drags me to my feet.

“Colt,” I gasp.

He keeps an arm locked around my waist as he captures my mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss. His free hand comes up to cup the back of my head while I slip my arms around his neck.

The sounds of gunfire and shouting fade as he takes up all my brain space. It’s just me and him, and for the first time since Isaiah took me, I feel completely safe.

“Colt,” Lucas yells. “This isnotthe time.”

At that, Colton pulls back, but I grab him. I don’t know what tonight has in store for us, and I can’t risk waiting a second longer.

“I love you.” I caress his cheek. “I love you,Colton.”

“And I love you, angel.” Leaning down, he gives me one last kiss. “Now get behind me.”

I’m still lost in a daze as I follow his command. Isaiah is on his feet again, and based on the rage in his expression, it looks like he saw the kiss. His face is smeared with blood from what looks like a broken nose, and his left eye is rapidly swelling shut. Still, he looks just as terrifying as he always does, but I’m not afraid.

Silently, Colton raises his gun. There’s no need for threats or warnings. They both know where this is headed.

Isaiah advances toward us, his glare fixed on Colton. “Only a coward would shoot an unarmed man.”

“Says the man who beats the woman he claims is his wife,” Colton spits out.

Isaiah’s face contorts with fury. “Sheismy wife.”

“No.” Colton nods to my left hand, where I’ve replaced Isaiah’s ring with the only one that will ever belong there. “She’s mine.”

At that, Colton squeezes the trigger. Isaiah’s head snaps back a split second later, and then his lifeless body falls on top of Beckham’s.

Relief rushes through me, but there’s no time to celebrate. The chaos around us finally breaks through our little bubble. Lucas is fighting off two men who’re trying to get to Beckham, and Jeremiah is on the floor wrestling our father.

Most people have vacated the building, but there’s another man I don’t recognize fighting off one of my dad’s friends.

Wait. No, I do know him.It’s Jeremiah’s childhood best friend, Matthew, all grown up. The boy who used to tie my shoelaces together and pull at my hair is fighting to give me a chance to escape.

“We have to go,” Colton tells me. “I’m not giving them another chance to take you away from me.”

“No—no. You have to help him, Colton. Please help my brother.”

He follows my gaze to where Jeremiah and Dad are still on the floor. It looks like Hezekiah is slowly gaining the upper hand, and I can’t let my brother die for me. He has too much to live for.

Colton swears, shoving his gun into my hand. “There’s already a bullet in the chamber. If you need to use it, just aim and shoot.”

He yanks my father off Jeremiah and throws him into a pew. Before Dad can get up, Colton kicks his ribcage hard, and I hear a crack that sends a shiver through me.

Jeremiah jumps to his feet and bolts to Naomi, who’s paralyzed with her back against the wall. Matthew reaches her at the same time.

My brother shoves Naomi into Matthew’s arms. “Get her out of here. Take the side door, hide in the bushes behind the parsonage. I’ll meet you there as soon as I can.”

“I’m not leaving you,” Naomi cries, but Matthew is already dragging her away. “No—no! Jeremiah! Miah, please!”

But my brother is already sprinting toward Lucas, who’s taken down the two men he was fighting only for three more to replace them. That’s the thing about Cornerstone—the men will protect this place no matter what.

Colton follows Jeremiah, thank god. I don’t want him getting hurt because of me. I don’t wantanyof them getting hurt because of me.

Frantically, I scan the sanctuary for any of my siblings, but it looks like Mom got them out of here already. It’s down to the men who’re brave enough to stay to defend the church. Most of them are unarmed and preoccupied, but I realize one is making a beeline for me.

Oh, shit.

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