Page 245 of Redeemed

“So you’re a part of it?” Haven asks.

“I am. Family of members are automatically invited, although they can choose to decline.”

“So Lucas…?”

“He’s a member as well.”

“And Xander?”

“It took some work for Mark to let him in, but yes. He’s a part of the Rooks as well.”

“What do you mean, work?”

“My father and I have been at odds for years. You know that.” My palms slide up her thighs. I just can’t keep my hands off her. “He wouldn’t let Xander in purely to spite me. We had to force his hand.”

“Force his…” Haven pales. “Oh my god. Oh, Colton, please don’t tell me—”

“The briefcase?” I ask when she doesn’t go on. “Yeah. It contained information on a competitor that Mark wanted. We were going to use it as leverage to force his hand. When you told him where it was, it took us over a year to get Xander into the Rooks.”

Both her hands go to cover her mouth.

“It’s in the past, angel.”

She shakes her head. “I’m so sorry. Colt, I had no idea.”

“Hey, hey.” I take both her hands in mine and squeeze gently. “I forgive you, Haven.”

At that, she goes completely still. She’s not even breathing anymore. Then tears flood her eyes, and she drops down so she’s lying on top of me. She snakes her arms around my body and buries her face in my neck.

“Angel—”

“Thank you,” she whispers.

I wrap my arms around her. “I know we’ve got a long way to go, but I’m choosing to trust you—especially with what I’m about to say next.”

With a gasp, she sits up again. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

“Good. This can’t get out.” My hands come to rest on her thighs again. Her skin is just so soft. “Mark’s greed is destroying the Rooks. I’ve been planning on kicking him out of his position and leading the organization for years now. Xander and Lucas have been helping me. That’s what you overheard us talking about.”

Haven’s eyes widen. “That sounds dangerous.”

“It is. If we fail, we might die.”

“No! Colton, what the hell—”

“Listen to me.” I wait until she’s looking at me, and then I squeeze her thighs. “That’s my girl. You’ve got nothing to worry about, all right? It’s taken us so long because we’ve been working to ensure a guaranteed win.”

“But—but—”

“No buts. I’m not saying it’ll be easy. Mark will stop at nothing to get what he wants, which means we have to match his drive plus more. But we’ve got this, and we’re almost there. I just have to make sure we have a few more key players on our side, and then we’re golden.”

Haven makes a distressed sound of protest.

“Angel, I promise we’ll be fine. This plan is years in the making. But you can’t tell a single soul about it. Not even Athelia, all right?”

“Not even Thelia,” she repeats.

“Good girl.” I sit up. “Now let’s get some breakfast, all right? I’m starving.”

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