Page 280 of Redeemed

Because he doesn’t believe me.

“I know about the bank robbers,” I say. “It was you and Kellan, right? Looks like you had fun with those kills.”

Wesley tenses. “What do you want, Heverly?”

“I’m not threatening you.”

“Like hell you’re not.” He whirls around, and the look in his eyes is dark and menacing. He’s ready to pounce, to kill. “It was hard enough to get to where I am. To whereweare.” He gestures toward the house. “You can’t just waltz in here and take it all away. I’ll fucking kill you before you get the chance.”

It’s possible, I can’t deny it. Wesley has years of training behind him and a hell of a lot to protect. I’ve seen the aftermath of his rage.

I hold up my hands. “All I’m doing is proving to you that I’m telling the truth.”

“Then what do you want?” he snaps.

“Things… have been slowly going downhill within the Rooks. It’s gotten to the point where Xander’s family and Haven have gotten hurt.”

“Is that why Haven winced when Athelia hugged her? Because if it wasn’t—if you three are the ones who did that to her—don’t think I won’t rain Athelia’s wrath down on you all.No onehurts herorher friends.”

“My dad tried to kill her.”

Raising his chin in surprise, Wesley leans against the porch railing. “Why?”

“Because I married her.”

“Huh. You never struck me as the settling-down type.”

“People change.”

Wesley’s gaze drifts to the house, a contemplative look taking over his features. “That they do.”

“But all of that’s beside the point. What matters is that there’s a lot of unrest in the organization. Things are about to change, and I need them to change in my favor.”

“And what does this have to do with me?” Wesley asks. “I’m a low-level grunt. I don’t think my opinion matters that much.”

“You have a larger stake in this than you think you do.”

“Is that so?” His tone is sarcastic, but he’s still here. Still willing to listen.

There’s a chance, even if it’s small, that I can get him on my side.

“There were… details of your dad’s death that were never passed on to you or your mom.”

Wesley goes still, his eyes locked on mine. I have his full attention now, even if it’s only because I’m pissing him off more.

“It was labeled as an accident,” I continue. “And, in a way, it was. But it could’ve been easily prevented.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“My father was running point for that specific job. There were standard safety precautions we always take that he neglected because he didn’t want to deal with the inconvenience. He knew the chances of your dad getting hurt were high, but he didn’t care. And your dad… he trusted Mark to a fault.”

It takes Wesley a minute to process before he mutters, “Motherfucker. So you’re saying that if your dad had justcareda little, mine would still be alive?”

I nod. “I’m sorry.”

He turns away with a huff. “How can you even stand to call a man like that your father? What the fuck, Colton?”

“I hate him,” I say quietly. “I have for a long time.”

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