Page 59 of Redeemed

“You think I’m going to walk in on her telling you to stop and just leave?” Colton steps farther into the room, and Lucas and I follow suit.

We always have each other’s backs, no matter what.

“I stopped, didn’t I?” Aaron stands. He’s just as tall as Colton if not a little taller, but Lucas has a good three inches on him.

“You shouldn’t have even started,” Colton says through clenched teeth.

“Oh? And why’s that? Because you think she’s yours? Newsflash, dumbass, you don’t own anyone.”

“She’sdrunk,man,” I grit out. Without my consent, my eyes flit to Haven, checking her over like I care—which I don’t. Not even a little.

“Oh, like that’d ever stop you,” Aaron snaps.

“What we do is none of your business,” Lucas says lowly.

“Oh, but what I do is yours? Those are some pretty big double stand—”

“When it concerns her, yes.” Colton crosses his arms and glares at Aaron.

Aaron’s hands curl into fists, but before he even moves, Haven stands. Her arms are wrapped around herself, and she looks like she wants to melt into the floor.

“Aaron, it’s okay,” she says weakly. “I should go home, anyway.”

He whips around to face her. “Seriously? You’re going to bow down to him that easily? What happened to wanting to piss him off?”

What’s this?Lucas and I exchange an intrigued glance.

“I…” Haven backs away, moving into the far corner of the room. “I can’t.”

“Can’t, or won’t?” Aaron points at us. “You shouldn’t have to be scared of them.”

Not true.We’ve done plenty to make Haven fear us, and we aren’t planning on stopping any time soon—especially after the shit she pulled tonight.

“They’re not the problem,” Haven says shakily. “I—I just…”

“Don’t lie to me,” Aaron says, and where I expect annoyance in his tone, there’s a soft patience. “They’ve bulldozed over you for years. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”

Her eyes widen. “Y-you have?”

“Of course.” He steps closer, his voice gentle. “You’re fucking gorgeous, Haven. I noticed you the first day I stepped onto campus. And… well, it’s hard to notice you without seeing what they do to you.”

Oh, fuck this.

“I can protect you,” Aaron says softly. “You just have to let me.”

My harsh laugh echoes around the room. “If you actually think you can, you’re a fucking idiot.”

Aaron turns his glare on me. “I’m done standing by and watching you three hurt her. You’re nothing more than a few self-absorbed bullies who needs someone to put you in your place.”

I grin. It’s been too long since I’ve gotten into a fight. “Bring it on, bitch.”

Aaron throws the first punch, aiming for my face, but I dodge with ease, bending down and slamming my shoulder into his torso. He stumbles back with a grunt.

“Xander!” Haven yells. “Xander, stop!”

I ignore her. “You sure you want to do this? It’s three against one. The odds aren’t in your favor.”

Aaron straightens and squares his shoulders. “She deserves someone who’ll stand up for her.”

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