Page 96 of Redeemed

“Good, because Athelia has been calling and texting you all morning. You need to talk to her so she knows you’re all right.”

Colton is holding Haven’s phone, and when he comes closer, she lunges for it. He holds it out of her reach easily.

“Hey!” she exclaims.

“What’s your story?” Colton asks.

“Story? What’re you talking about?”

“No one can know you’re here.No one.”

“But she’s my best—”

“No. She could tell someone else she trusts, or someone else could overhear your conversation. Hell, knowing her, she’d try to come visit you, and that guy could follow her here.”

“Oh,” she mumbles.

“Can you say you’re visiting family?” I suggest.

“I grew up in a cult,” Haven says flatly. “She knows I’d never go back.”

Crossing his arms, Xander says, “What about extended family? Is literally everyone in your family in the cult?”

“As far as I know, yeah.”

“Does Athelia know that?” Colton asks.

“I suppose not.”

“There you go, then. An aunt or uncle got into a car crash or something, and you had to leave last minute to visit.”

Nodding, Haven reaches for her phone again. “Yeah, okay, I can do that.”

“You’d better be convincing,” Colton says. “If she gets suspicious, it’ll fuck everything up.”

“I’ve had plenty of practice lying. Just give me my damn phone.”

“Make it quick.”

Taking her phone, Haven calls Athelia quickly. I’m sitting close enough that I can hear Athelia’s voice coming through the speaker.

“Haven,” Athelia exclaims. “Where the hell have you been?”

Haven winces. “Hey, I’m sorry. I had a… family emergency come up.”

“Family emergency?” Athelia asks. “But I thought—”

“With the good side of my family,” Haven blurts.

“You didn’t tell me you had a good side.”

“I don’t get to talk to them often.” It sounds like Haven is about to say more, but Colton cuts her a harsh look to keep her in line. “Look, I can’t stay on the phone for long, but I love you, okay? I hope you had a really good night.”

“I… I had a great night,” Athelia says, but she doesn’t sound very convincing. “I’ll tell you all about it later. When will you be back?”

Dodging Colton as he makes a grab for her phone, Haven says, “I’m not sure. I’ll text you when I know. It might be a few days. Bye.”

“Haven—”

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