Page 148 of Redeemed

The meeting continues on like normal. We have our typical updates, and then Mark and the other board members field questions and requests. As always, I take note of how they respond, and how everyone else reacts to their answers.

Once it’s over, I stay even though I have a text saying Haven wants to renegotiate our deal. My phone burns in my pocket as I shake hands and talk with a few people I didn’t catch before the meeting. I already couldn’t get her out of my head. Now, I can barely focus.

What’s she going to request?

Does she want out?

Will I be able to let her go if she does?

What if that man hurts her?

I clench my fists. I know I went too far. I think I even knew it while I had her tied down and begging me to stop. Whatever took hold of me yesterday, it scared Haven, and rightly so.

There was a fragile trust between the two of us, one that promised her protection and safety, but I forgot to protect her frommyself.Flogging me as payback helped her—I could see it in her eyes—but it wasn’t enough.

And it may be too late to fix it.

Part of me is pissed that I care so much. I want to hurt Haven, to break her, todestroyher. But I can’t stop thinking about the way she sobbed in my arms yesterday—how the only way we could get her to calm down was to practically force meds on her.

It made me doubt everything—my anger toward her, the years we spent tormenting her, our reasoning for it. When I said I’d learned my lesson, I meant it. Forget the flogging. Seeing Haven that broken had me afraid that I wouldn’t be able to follow through and piece her back together again.

For the first time since freshman year, I wanted to take everything back.

Dammit.I have to get home. I need to know what Haven wants—if I still have a chance to make things right.

On my way out, I grab my folder and drop a quick kiss on Charlotte’s cheek. I’m halfway to the main lobby when my father’s voice echoes through the hallway.

“Son.”

I bristle but stop. He knows how much I hate when he calls me that.

“We need to talk.”

“About?” I ask, still facing away from him. “I’m not in the mood for a lecture.”

“I have some people I’d like you to meet. They’re currently eating an early dinner.”

Great.

“I’m not in the mood for a meal.”

“And I’m not in the mood to deal with more of your attitude,” Mark snaps. “What you pulled back there was bad enough. Get yourself together, Colton, and remember your damn place.”

With gritted teeth, I follow him to the hotel’s restaurant. Most of the tables are empty, just white tablecloths and perfectly polished silverware. The glittering chandeliers are dimmed as always. It’s beautiful, and if my father didn’t own it, I’d probably frequent this place regularly.

Mark makes a beeline for one of the only occupied tables. A man with salt-and-pepper hair is reading the menu. I’ve done my research—I know exactly who he is. Which means…

When my gaze lands on a beautiful girl with light brown hair and the widest, bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, my entire body goes still. It’sher.The girl my father has wanted me to marry since I was a kid.

“Colton, this is Bill Elsher and his daughter, Delilah.”

Bill stands and reaches for me, and the charming persona I crafted to perfection as a teen slips over me.

“Oh, I’ve been waiting for this moment for years.” I shake his hand with an enthusiastic grin. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Bill.” My eyes slide to Delilah, who looks as uncomfortable as I feel. “You as well, Delilah.”

She gives me a tight smile, not meeting my eyes.

“Did you two get in today?” I ask as I take the seat next to Delilah. “I’m assuming you flew?”

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