Page 83 of Redeemed

The corner of his mouth tilts up. “That’s our girl. Stronger than even she realizes. As long as you don’t breathe a word of this to anyone, everything will be perfectly fine.”

“P-promise?”

“Promise,” he murmurs. “Nowyoupromise me you won’t tell anyone about this.”

“I won’t.”

“Good.”

All three of them wrap me up in their arms, and my body instantly turns to jelly. This is the safest I’ve felt all day—allyear.

“Please don’t let go of me,” I whisper.

Lucas nuzzles his face against my neck. “Don’t worry. We’ve got you, Haven.”

Haven

Freshman year - Halloween morning

‎

The late October wind hits my face as I walk out of my dorm hall. Even bundled up in jeans and the black leather jacket Xander got me, it’s cold enough to have me shivering.

Even though it’s almost seven-thirty, it’s still pretty dark out. The sun is just beginning to rise, but the thick clouds blanketing the sky keep most of the sunlight out.

Cursing myself for picking an early-morning class, I wrap my arms around myself and duck my head down. It’s probably why I miss the man standing in the shadow of a large oak tree along the path, watching me.

“Good morning, Haven.” He places a firm hand on my shoulder as I walk past.

With a yelp, I whip around. The light from the lamp posts illuminate his face, and I stumble backward in fear.

Colton’s father.

“You’ve gotten awfully close to my son this semester.” He steps closer, and I back up even more, until I’m cornered against a tree on the other side of the pathway. “He’s never trusted anyone completely, but you’ve broken down quite a few of his walls.”

I keep my lips pressed together. The less I say, the better, I think. I’ve seen the way Colton can manipulate someone into doing exactly what he wants them to, and I’m sure Mark is the same way. If I don’t talk, he can’t do that to me.

That’s what Colton told me to do, isn’t it?

“Problem is, he’s gotten himself into some trouble.”

Dread fills my lungs, weighing down on me like lead. My only thought is of the briefcase the boys hid a few days ago. Was I right? Is Mark telling the truth?

“In fact, I believe Lucas and Xander are involved, as well.” Again, Mark steps forward, so close he’s almost touching me. He’s tall enough to tower over me in a way I know he’s doing on purpose. It’s an intimidation tactic Isaiah used on me all the time.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I manage to get out.

“Hmm. You sure about that? They haven’t even hinted that they’re planning something?”

“N-no.”

Mark narrows his eyes. “They haven’t told you anything at all?”

“Nothing at all,” I whisper.

I should call Colton. That’s what he told me—don’t talk to Mark, and call him.

“Colton is in over his head, sweetheart,” Mark coaxes. “He’s still just a kid—only eighteen—yet he’s getting involved in someverydangerous activities. If you don’t help me, he’s going to get himself killed.”

---