Page 243 of Redeemed

“I’m sorry I forced you into marrying me,” he says, voice hoarse. “I’m sorry I abandoned you. I’m sorry I hurt you for so long. I don’t deserve you, and I don’t know if I can ever truly fix things between us, but I’m making you mine anyway. You’re my wife, and I’m not letting anyone take you away from me.”

Head spinning, I stare up at him. This is the boy who stood up for me, who never got tired of my naive questions, who killed for me. I broke his trust, and in return, he broke me. But he kept his promise. He put me back together, piece by piece.

Since Halloween, it feels like Colton has changed, and this confirms it. His moments of kindness stopped being motivated by his sadistic desire to mess with my head. They turned genuine, to the point that I don’t wonder if he’s about to turn on me just so he can see the heartbreak in my eyes.

But it’s not enough.

I know he can feel it, too. He’s holding himself back, just like I am. We may be married now, but that’s not a reflection of who we are.

Maybe it’s a reflection of what we want, though.

“Things will be different with me,” he says, voice soft. “With us. We’re not going to hurt you like Isaiah did. We’re going to protect you, just like we always should’ve.”

I want to believe him. I want to wake up each morning knowing that if I jumped, Colton would catch me. If I fell, he’d pick me back up again. If I got lost, he’d search to the ends of the earth to find me. He’d tell me he would if I asked him, I know, but words only go so far.

They can’t erase the past.

I’m not like Athelia, although I wish I could be sometimes. Revenge isn’t a route I can take. Breaking the guys the way they broke me isn’t something I think I’m strong enough to do.

But…

I want to trust him,my mind whispers as Colton’s thumb strokes across my cheek, and I realize he’s wiping away a tear.

“Colt, I…”

An ache expands in my throat, and I can’t continue. All I can manage is to look up at him and wish he could read my mind.

“Hey, hey.” He thumbs away another tear. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”

A stifled sob escapes me, and all of a sudden, Colton’s arms envelop me and press me into his chest. Cedarwood and lemon fill my lungs, and I bury my face in his shirt. He holds me gently, and it hurts, but it’s healing, too.

I cried after I married Isaiah. I was terrified, and I was right to be. This, though? This is different. I couldn’t imagine a future of happiness or safety with Isaiah. But with Colton? With all of the guys? Their dedication to me is a step toward a life redeemed. My life, but also ours.

And… I think I’m ready to fight for it.

Colton

Ithreadmyfingersthrough Haven’s hair while she sleeps with her head on my chest. It’s almost noon, but I don’t have the heart to wake her, nor do I have any desire to leave my bed.Ourbed.

I glance at the empty spot on the floor where Haven’s cage was. I don’t want her sleeping in it anymore. She’s my wife now. She sleeps with me.

After we left the courthouse yesterday, I took her out to a restaurant that overlooks Birchwood Lakes. It was the least I could do after giving her no other choice but to marry her fucking bully.

Once we got home, I kept her up for most of the night. I edged her for hours and then ate her out until she came four times on my tongue. After that, I let her go down on me, and for once, I let her have all the control. The girl practically worshiped my cock, and when I came, my orgasm hit me so hard I could barely move after.

I still haven’t fucked Haven. Something is stopping me. I think I want us to be in a better place when it finally happens. Her trust in me, however relieved I am to have it, is still tentative. There are moments when she looks at me, and between our past and her trauma, she sees Isaiah. She needs more time.

It’s not like I can expect anything more. I still have a ways to go when it comes to earning Haven’s forgiveness. It’ll be a hard and long process, but she’ll be worth every second.

My phone buzzes on my nightstand. I’m just able to reach it without pulling my arm out from underneath Haven.

“Hello?” I answer quietly.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Mark grits out.

“Currently? Lying in bed with my beautiful wife.”

“You’re filing for divorce,” he snaps. “Today.”

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