Page 2 of Redeemed

Dad nods. “We’ll get all the details ironed out tomorrow. Have a good evening. Colton will walk you out.”

With another thank you, Julie gets to her feet, and I lead her through our mansion. At the door, she places a hand on my arm. I’ve only met her once or twice—not enough for her to touch me like this—but I fight the urge to shove her away.

“She’s never experienced life outside the cult, and I don’t have time to guide her through every aspect of the real world,” Julie says. “All I’ve ever heard is that you’ve grown up to become such a nice young man. She’ll need someone like you. A friend to look out for her.”

I plaster on a smile. “Of course. Wouldn’t want her to end up with the wrong crowd.”

Julie pulls a photo out of her wallet. “Here, I have a picture of her.”

It’s of a girl around my age looking up at a stained glass window in a church. She’s dressed modestly, but it doesn’t hide how pretty she is.

My thumb traces over her face. Her brown hair falls down her back in waves, and she has honey-colored eyes and soft, delicate features. I bet when she smiles, she lights up the whole goddamn room.

Except she’s not smiling. She’s staring at the window like it’s a locked door to a cage, and she’s trapped inside. Going off what Julie told my father, that’s probably not too far off from the truth.

“She’s pretty, isn’t she?” Julie asks.

“Very.” I keep my eyes trained on the photo. “Can I keep this?”

“Of course.”

“Have a good day, then, Julie.”

“Thank you,” she says again before descending the steps. “I’ll let you know which dorm hall she’s in once I get her here.”

I still haven’t looked up from the photo when I hear Julie’s car door slam. There’s something about this girl that’s downright captivating.

When Julie pulls out of the driveway, I slip the photo into my pocket. It burns, and I want to take it out and get a good look at her again, but it’s safer to keep it hidden away.

I step back inside and close the front door. My father is waiting for me in the foyer, leaning against the archway that leads into the living room. Even though he’s done with work for the day, he still hasn’t loosened his tie or done a single thing to relax.

Always the picture of a strong, intelligent, resolute man.

“What’s your angle, son?”

I shrug. “Boredom.”

He narrows his eyes with suspicion. “That’s it?”

“I’m tired of being surrounded by spoiled rich kids.”

“Youarea spoiled rich kid,” he says flatly.

“Exactly! There’s truly no escape. I just want a little variety. Where’s the harm in that?”

My father sighs. “Fine. But don’t get too attached. You still have responsibilities, and I expect you to fulfill them when the time comes.”

Irritation floods my body. He’s talking about the future he has planned for me. I’m ready and willing to go through with all of it—taking over his businesses, leading our society when he retires, et cetera—except for marrying the girl he picked out for me.

I’m not doing that shit. I’d rather die than get married.

But all I do is smile at my father and nod. “I know, Dad. This won’t change any of that. I promise.”

Haven

Thefirststeptoleaving a cult isn’t realizing you’re in one.

You can know you’re a part of one and not care. You can beproudthat you’re in one. You can rise in the ranks to gain the power that comes with leading people who’re automatically loyal to you, all because God “anointed” you.

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