Page 86 of Redeemed

“Why does Mark even care?” Lucas seethes. “Xander has a skill set that would be valuable to the Glass Rooks—much more valuable than mine. So why is Mark sabotaging his chance to get in?”

“It’s not about Xander.” Colton’s fists are clenched at his sides. “He’s doing this because he doesn’t like that I’m acting independently from his own wishes.”

“But you’re going to be taking over for him when he retires!”

“That’s not what this is about. Besides, hisretirementis still a long way off.”

I narrow my eyes at Colton. The way he said that has me thinking he has other plans that he hasn’t revealed to me and Lucas.

Like forcing him out of his position.

Or killing him.

“I’m not joining without Xander,” Lucas states, arms crossed.

“I know,” Colton says calmly. “We’ll figure this out. There are other ways to get Xander in. But right now, we need to deal with Haven.”

Haven.She wasn’t even supposed to know about our plans. It was pure coincidence that she even saw the briefcase as we were stashing it. Still, she promised not to tell a single soul about it.

Shepromised.

Why on earth would she go back on that?

“She’d better have a damn good reason for pulling this,” Lucas growls.

“No matter what, we’re not hurting her,” I say. “Not physically, at least.”

Colton cuts me a sharp look. “You think I would?”

“I think we’re all angry, and I don’t want us to lose ourselves.”

“You should be the angriest of all,” Lucas points out. “She just ruined your chances of getting into the Rooks.”

Colton’s eyes harden. “No. We’ll find another way to initiate him. Like I said, this isn’t the end.”

There’s a knock on my door, and when I open it, Haven is standing in the hallway. She’s breathless, like she ran here, and there are already tears in her eyes. When I step aside without a word, she stumbles into my dorm, jumping when I slam the door shut.

“What the hell did you do?” Colton grits out.

With a terrified squeak, Haven backs away and collides with me. I hold her steady, praying to whatever is out there that this isn’t the last time I’ll do so.

“Answer me,” Colton snaps when Haven doesn’t respond.

“I-I’m sorry,” she stammers. “Colt, I—”

“Why?” he demands. “Why would you tell him about the briefcase? What was going through that stupid brain of yours that made you think that was a good idea?”

Haven winces at the insult. “He said you were going to die.” But even she knows that’s a weak excuse because she lowers her head in shame.

“And you believed him?”

“I’m sorry,” she mumbles.

“Didn’t Ivery specificallytell you to never listen to a single word that came out of his fucking mouth?”

Haven nods, still staring at the floor.

“And didn’t you promise me you’d never talk to him alone?”

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