Page 66 of Redeemed

Glancing around, I zero in on the bridge that crosses Westwind Creek. With the rain we’ve gotten over the past week, the current is rushing downhill, fast enough to carry me away.

There’s no other way.

Just as I push myself to my feet, a hand comes out of nowhere. It grips my upper arm hard and whirls me around. Panic seizes my chest, but it’s Colton’s face that comes into view, not Isaiah’s.

“What the hell were you thinking?” he snaps. “You could’ve gotten hurt.”

I shove away from him. My only thought is making sure I reach the bridge in time. It’s either that or Cornerstone.

Can’t go back. Please, I don’t want to go back.

“Angel,” Colton says harshly. He grabs me again and hauls me back, his hand wrapping around my throat and holding me in place.

“Hey! Don’t let her get away!”

I can’t help the terrified noise that escapes me at Isaiah’s shout. He’s getting closer, and I can’t overpower Colton to get away.

He throws Isaiah a half glance. “Who is that?”

But I don’t answer, too focused on trying to loosen his grip on my neck. In my desperation, it strikes me as ironic. I escaped one tyrant only to fall into the hands of another, and now things are about to come full circle.

Tears spring into my eyes. “Please, Colton. Please let me go. He’ll… You don’t understand. Please.Please.”

His brows furrow, and for a split second, I swear I see genuine concern flash in his eyes. But then it’s gone, replaced with his usual hardness.

“Heaven,” Isaiah shouts, and my blood runs cold as he comes into the reach of the streetlights, his face contorted with fury.

Seconds.Fifteen, maybe twenty seconds, and then my life as I know it will be snatched away from me.

Clinging to that moment of worry on Colton’s face, I grip his wrists. “If there’s any part of you that still cares about me,please,Colton. I have to get away from him.”

I’m not sure what I’m asking for—for Colton to let me go so I can jump into the raging creek, or for him to defend me. Unlike Aaron, Colton actually could.

Again, his eyes flit to Isaiah, who’s almost to the road now.

“Colt,please,”I whisper.

He grits his teeth, his eyes sharpening with irritation.

He’s not going to help me.

He’s going to abandon me, just like he did in the library.

“God fucking dammit.”

At first I think he’s pushing me to the ground, but when I stumble, he keeps me upright. I’m shoved into the passenger seat a second later, the door slamming behind me.

“Heaven, don’t you dare,” Isaiah yells as he hits the sidewalk a few yards back, running at full speed.

Colton is already rounding the car. He slides into the driver’s seat just as Isaiah reaches us. I can hear him screaming at me, but I’m too shaken to understand a single thing he’s saying.

“Christ.” Colton accelerates so hard the tires squeal.

Isaiah manages to kick the side of the car, making me jump. My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest as I turn in my seat. Through the back window, I can just make out his form in the dark. He’s chasing us, still shouting.

“Who the hell is that?” Colton demands as he whips around a corner.

“I—I don’t know,” I stutter, knowing I don’t sound convincing. Now that Isaiah is out of sight, I sink into my seat and take my first full breath.

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