Page 69 of Redeemed

“And how many more campus security guys are you gonna have to suck off to pay for a room? Because you can’t afford a motel for long at the rate you’re charging.”

My body goes stiff as I remember the picture he sent. “How the hell did you find out about that?”

“Oh, I know everything you do in this town, angel. Every book you read, every building you enter, every person you interact with. If you so much as sneeze, I hear about it.”

He’s got to be joking.His father is powerful, I know, but this? It’s on another level entirely. Although… it makes sense. How else would he have known to pull the security camera footage from the library this morning?

“I’ll figure something out,” I say weakly.

“Will you, now?” Colton’s gaze is steady, piercing right through the last bit of resolve I’ve been clinging to.

Nowhe’s mocking me, and it stings. I’m a fucking mess—terrified, drunk, and alone. And he’s right not to believe me. He’s right to mock me.

I curse the tears that fill my eyes as I whisper, “I don’t have anywhere to go. Colton, I…”

“Are you asking me for help?” He sounds faintly surprised but more happy about the development than anything else. Of course he is. It’s one more thing to hold over me, to torment me with.

“I…”

Am I?Truly, I’m not sure where else to go. The only people I trust are Julie, Ben, and Athelia. I can’t drag any of them into this—not more than they already are.

Back by the bridge, I thought I had two options: fall back into Isaiah’s hands or jump into the creek. But maybe there’s a third option. It’s not safe, and it’s certainly not smart, but it’s all I have.

There’s no way Isaiah found my dorm without someone on campus informing him of where it is. That means I can’t do anything predictable because it’s possible Isaiah has been told about all the places I usually hang out. But Icouldhide out at the one place no one would expect me to ever step foot into.

“Can I stay with you?” I ask. My voice trembles, and I play into it, hoping to reach the boy he used to be before I hurt him.

Colton stares at me, his expression blank. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s what he does when I surprise him. He has to take a second to think, to figure out how to spin things to his advantage. And while he does, he knows better than to show his hand—to reveal what he’s feeling.

It makes me wonder who hurt him enough that he had to resort to masking his emotions. I know it wasn’t me. He did it before I fucked everything up, too.

Finally, the corner of Colton’s mouth tips up. “Sounds like you need to start begging.”

I almost roll my eyes. It’s a standard humiliation practice, one that he and his friends have subjected me to dozens of times. I hate it, but I can bear it.

“Please, Colton.”

He clicks his tongue, his smile growing. “I know you can do better than that.”

“I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’m begging you, please help me. Please let me stay with you. I…”

He tilts his head, waiting for me to go on.

“I need you to help me.”

That seems to do something to him. Again, his hand is wrapped around my throat, gripping hard enough to bruise. He pulls me across the console, far enough that I have to brace a hand on his thigh to steady myself.

“Say it again.”

I hate it when he does this. My cheeks burn from equal parts embarrassment and anger. I’m powerless, and here he is, taking pleasure in being my only savior. Leaving me to grovel for a morsel of kindness.

“I need you. Please, Colton.”

His gaze drops to my lips, and for a confusing second, it lingers there. He smiles, the sight devilish in the dark.

“Is it enough?” I whisper, bracing myself.

He’s my only option. If he decides he wants more, I’ll have no choice but to comply.

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