Page 273 of Redeemed

While he works my hair into a loose bun, I close my eyes. We took a nap together, but I feel more exhausted than before we fell asleep.

“How’s that?”

When Colton pulls his hands away, I reach up to touch my hair. The bun would fall out if I was going to be moving around, but it’ll hold for the bath.

“Good. Thank you.”

He nods. “Now let’s get you in the water.”

Colton lets me slide off the counter myself, but he keeps both hands on my waist to steady me. As we cross the bathroom to the tub, he doesn’t let go of me. The extra support is nice, especially because I don’t feel particularly stable.

With my hands in his, I step into the tub. Colton settles against the side and pulls me in between his legs. I fit perfectly tucked under his chin, my back pressed against his hard abs and chest. The heat wraps around us, soothing the ache in my side.

“Our doctor will be here in about an hour,” Colton says quietly. “I want him to look over you to make sure you’ll be okay.”

“Mmm.” If I had more energy, I’d probably fight him. Ihatedoctors. But between Colton’s body against mine and the warmth of the water, sleep is already pulling me into its depths.

“It’s all right,” he whispers. “Rest. I’ve got you.”

I’ve got you.That’s the second time he’s said that to me today, and also the first time in years. At the realization, peace settles over me, and I close my eyes.

We’re finally back to where we were all those years ago, before everything went to shit.

We’re finally back.

Xander

WhenLucasandIget home, there’s a familiar car in the driveway. My first reaction is to panic. If Doc is here, then Haven must be in worse shape than Colton implied on the phone. But Lucas reaches over the console and squeezes my thigh.

“She said she’s fine, and Colt didn’t say otherwise. You know how protective he is. He just wants to double-check.” He pulls into the garage and puts the car in park. “Now let’s get inside. I want to see her.”

“Thank you for driving,” I mumble as we undo our seatbelts.

“You don’t have to keep saying that.”

“Well, I feel bad.”

“You’d do it for me.”

Leaning over, Lucas kisses me, a gentle reminder that he’s always had my back and always will. I think we’re all going to need that reminder after the week we’ve had.

We head inside hand-in-hand. The first floor is quiet, so we move upstairs and quickly find Colton’s door wide open. Inside, Haven is sitting on the edge of his bed in a T-shirt and shorts, one hand stroking Star’s back. Doc is in front of her, shining a light in her eyes, while Colton hovers close by.

When we step into the room, Colt gives Haven’s hand a squeeze and then meets us halfway to his bed.

“How’s your family?” Colton asks quietly.

“Rachel is already showing signs of perking up,” I reply. “Dad… he’ll pull through. It’ll just take a while. Thank you for covering everything. It—”

“There’s nothing to thank me for. You know that. How are you both holding up?”

“All right. Worried about… everyone.”

Nodding, Colton turns to Lucas. “And you?”

“I’ll be fine once I’ve seen Haven.” At our disbelieving looks, Lucas rolls his eyes. “All right, I’ll be fine once I’ve seen HavenandI’ve gotten some sleep.”

At that, Colton steps out of the way. I don’t want to crowd Doc, and Lucas has been anxious to get back to Haven since the attack. It kills me a little to do so, but I stay back while he sits next to her on the bed.

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