Page 279 of Redeemed

Leaning against the doorframe, Kellan stares me down. “That type of attitude isn’t going to help you.”

Even though she’s behind me, I can feel Haven roll her eyes. It only confirms it when she shoves past me so she’s standing toe-to-toe with Kellan. “It’s important, and my safety depends on it. Do you want to tell Athelia that you’re to blame when I end up hurt? All because you wouldn’t let Colton talk to Wes?”

The shock I’m feeling is reflected in Kellan’s expression. He thinks on it for a second, eyes locked with Haven’s, before he opens the door wider.“Onlyfor Athelia,” he spits out, glaring at me. “Don’t think we’re doing this as a favor for your sorry ass.”

“I’m well aware.”

Once we’re inside, Kellan shuts the door and heads for the stairs. “Don’t fucking move. I’ll be right back.”

I watch him disappear into the hallway upstairs before I turn to Haven and kiss the top of her head. The smell of a dozen lilacs fills my lungs, and I linger there for longer than I need to, my hand finding the small of her back.

“Thank you,” I mutter.

“Yeah.” She rests her forehead on my chest, and she grasps at my shirt, her fingers curling into the material. Even though she seemed fine on the ride over, now her body is riddled with tension.

“Hey. Talk to me.”

“It’s not…” She shakes her head. “I’m fine.”

“No, don’t do that.” With a bent knuckle under her chin, I tilt her head up. “Don’t shut me out.”

Not after the progress we just made.

With a sigh, Haven squeezes her eyes shut. “It just kinda hit me all at once, I guess. Your dad is way more powerful than I thought.”

“Only because of the men who stand behind him.”

That only seems to make her anxiety worse, and she lets out the tiniest of whimpers. “To me, that sounds like they’ll all turn against you the second you try to take over the Rooks.”

“They won’t.” I stroke her hair, watching the way the light from the door’s window catches the purple strands. “I’ve been building up their trust and loyalty for years.”

“Years?Colton, you’re only twenty-one. Isn’t this too much for you to take on? You’re still inschool,for fuck’s sake.”

“This is what I was raised to do. You’re right, it wasn’t supposed to happen this early, but I can’t risk anything happening to you.”

Her eyes soften before they turn pleading. “There’s no other way?”

“No. I don’t trust the organization in anyone else’s hands.”

With a frustrated sound, Haven buries her face in my chest. Instinctively, I wrap her up in my arms and rock her gently. I’ve had my entire life to prepare for this moment, but Haven? She’s not part of this world. It’s all so daunting, so big and scary.

“I’ve got it handled,” I tell her soothingly. “I don’t have everyone, but I have a majority. Having Wesley on my side will help, too.”

“Help with what?”

We both turn to find Wesley stalking down the stairs, Athelia behind him. She doesn’t smile the way she normally does when she sees Haven. She’s aware of our relationship with Haven, but she obviously doesn’t approve. I can’t really blame her. She’d be a bad friend if she didn’t have concerns.

“Can we speak privately?” I ask Wesley.

Distrust flashes in his eyes. I can’t blame him. We’ve been at each other’s throats for as long as we’ve known each other.

“Fine,” he says eventually. “Follow me.”

Athelia is holding Haven protectively, and she glares at me as I walk past. Wesley leads me onto the back porch. He leans against the railing, facing away from me. This is uncomfortable for both of us, so I jump right in.

“My father runs the organization you work for. It’s called the Glass Rooks.”

Wesley doesn’t react at all. He just continues staring into the backyard.

---