Page 335 of Redeemed

Not missing a beat, Lucas grabs him again, this time tossing Mark into a nearby bookshelf. That’s the great thing about your boyfriend being a football player. He can throw a grown man around like a fucking rag doll.

Mark cries out as he hits the floor hard. He tries to get up, but I’m already stalking toward him. I kick him hard in the stomach, and he grunts in pain.

“Doesn’t feel so good to be on the receiving end, does it?” I kick him again, this time in the thigh, then again in the face.

Groaning, Mark rolls onto his back. Blood spurts from his nose, and he holds it gingerly. His silence only enrages me more, so I drive my knife into his thigh.

“Answer me,” I yell.

“Wait,” Lucas says. “Xan, hold on a second.”

I glance up at him in surprise. He knows how badly I need this. He does, too.

Lucas crouches next to Mark. “What was your second plan?”

“I think you already know.”

I twist my knife into his thigh, and he groans at the pain.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Lucas snaps.

“She’s dead, isn’t she? That’s the real reason you’re here. You put the pieces together.”

Lucas and I exchange a confused glance. He has to be talking about Haven, but she’s alive and in Colton’s bed right now.

Lucas figures it out a split second before I do. “You were behind Haven’s kidnapping.”

Mark grins, his teeth coated with blood. “You think Isaiah was the one who came up with the idea to grab Haven at the ceremony? He grew up in a cult, for fuck’s sake. He barely even knows what graduation is, let alone the ceremony.”

Oh my god.Of course. It makes so much sense—how Isaiah knew to be there, how he found Haven so quickly… everything.

Mark was behind it all.

“From there, all I had to do was make sure you three were distracted long enough for Isaiah to get to her.” Mark coughs before pointing at me. “You were the easiest. All it took was a stranger offering to cover the costs of a wheelchair-accessible van, and then all of a sudden, your father could make the trip. You went straight to him, just like I predicted.”

I blow out a shocked breath. “And Colton’s grandfather. You had him distract Colt. I saw it.”

“Almost didn’t work,” Mark says. “My son is a stubborn, determined bastard.”

“And me?” Lucas asks.

“You follow Xander around like a lost puppy dog. Well, I suppose sometimes it’s the other way around. I assumed you’d go with Xander. Your own family distracting you was pure, convenient coincidence.”

Lucas looks like he’s about to lose his shit, and for once, I wish he would. Haven’s kidnapping was far more sinister than we realized. Mark has caused us all so much pain, and to be honest, killing him tonight feels far too merciful.

“And it worked,” Mark continues breathlessly. “She has to be dead now. No way Isaiah let her live. My plan worked. I won.”

Lucas’s laugh is dripping with the darkest fury I’ve ever seen on him. “You really, really shouldn’t have told us all that.”

Mark rolls his eyes. “What does it matter? You already knew.”

“Haven is alive,” I grind out. “Didn’t you think to wonder why your son wasn’t here tonight? It’s because he’s with his wife. You lost, Mark.You lost.”

At least watching the realization hit him is satisfying. It’s not nearly enough compensation for the harm he’s caused, though.

Lucas yanks off his backpack and pulls out a couple lengths of rope. I don’t ask questions, just help him hogtie Mark while he yells in denial. It makes me glad Colton isn’t here because there’s no reason for Mark to care about Haven anymore. He’s about to die, and he knows it, which means wanting to kill Haven was purely about controlling Colton.

“Help me carry him to the fire pit,” Lucas says gruffly.

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