Page 162 of Redeemed

“You know I can’t.” He kisses her forehead, his voice uncharacteristically gentle, especially considering what we just did to her. “She’s too close to you. That guy could follow her right to you.”

With a whimper, she buries her face in Colton’s chest and sobs.

“I know, angel,” he murmurs. “I know.”

Scooting over to them, I hold out my arms. “Here, give her to me, and I’ll get her cleaned up.”

Carefully, Colton transfer her into my hold. Really, I just want a minute alone with her to make sure she’s okay. I carry her to mine and Xander’s bathroom and set her on the counter.

Haven’s tears have mostly dried, but she’s still an absolute wreck thanks to what we did to her. Drool, cum, and tears coat her cheeks, and some of it has dripped onto her breasts.

“You okay?” I ask.

Sniffling, she nods.

“You know you’re allowed to say you’re not, right?”

“I know. Really, I… I’m all right.” Her eyes go unfocused for a second, like she’s thinking really hard. “I’m proud of myself.”

It’s a sign that this wasn’t a horrible mistake, which is a relief to me.

This was hard on her, I know, but I could see her determination to push through. It’s too early to tell if it helped her at all, but she’s not devastated or falling into an endless panic attack, so I’ll take it.

I push her hair back from her face. “I’m proud of you, too, little fawn.”

“Lucas,” Haven gasps.

The next thing I know, she’s grabbing my wrists and flipping my hands over, revealing the crescent moon shaped cuts in my palms.

I pull my hands away. “Happens sometimes. Don’t worry about it.”

Before she can grab me again, I turn away and snatch a washcloth from the linen closet. I run it under warm water and start wiping gently at Haven’s face.

“When did that happen?” she asks.

“Forget about it.”

“But—”

“Forget about it,Haven.”

She opens her mouth again, but the protest dies on her lips at my expression. As I finish wiping the cum off her face, her eyes fill with worry.

I can feel my muscles locking up, feel my walls rising quickly. My entire life, I’ve never been defined by who I am at my core. I’m a big brother. A protector. A football player. A bully. Those are the things that people think of when they hear the name Lucas Wilson.

No one thinks of the kid who had to hide the bruises his father gave him. No one thinks of the boy who spent hundreds of sleepless nights learning how to use a hex editor and studying computer programming and coding languages. No one thinks to questionwhyI’m so protective of Rora and the people closest to me.

I’m a jock, so it’s impossible for me to have intellect.

To have feelings.

To have needs.

Because Lucas Wilson can’t have any weaknesses.

He isn’t allowed to.

Xander

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