Page 67 of Redeemed

He can’t get to me.

Not that Colton is much better, but it’s either him or getting dragged back to Cornerstone. And Cornerstone… maybe Isaiah would forgive me and let me live, but based on his threat, I don’t think that’s the case.

You made a vow. You know what happens when you break it.

Colton casts me a disbelieving glance—terrifying, considering the speed we’re going.

“Please keep your eyes on the road,” I squeak out.

His smirk exudes his usual confidence, although he does what I asked. “I’m the safest driver in this town, angel. Now tell me the truth.”

“I really don’t know who he is,” I whisper.

He’s holding the steering wheel with one hand, and his grip tightens. “After making me deal with your bullshit earlier, you at least owe me the truth. That motherfucker probably dented my car.”

Seriously? That’s what he’s worried about right now?

“Because it’s not like you don’t have another one,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

“Well, this one is my favorite, and if he put even a single scratch on it, I’m gonna kill him.”

Please do.

I bite my tongue before I say that out loud because really, truly, I don’t want Isaiah dead. I don’t want his parents and siblings to have to mourn him so early on in his life.

For a few miles, we ride in tense silence. Even though there’s no way Isaiah can catch up to us, I’m not safe—not in this town, and not with Colton.

Once he deems us far enough away from Isaiah, Colton pulls over. “Who was that guy? And don’t fucking lie to me.”

But I can’t speak. Even if there’s a tiny part of me that wants to tell Colton everything in the hopes that he’ll take pity on me, I can’t. The more likely outcome is that he’ll find a way to use Isaiah’s identity against me.

“Angel.” Colton shakes me gently. “Talk to me.”

My heart clenches. For whatever reason, he’s not taunting me right now, and the way he says the nickname he gave me almost sounds the way he used to say it.

Reverent. Worshipful. Adoring.

It’s a trick. Don’t fall for it.

“He was waiting near my dorm hall, and when I got back, he started yelling and chasing me. That’s all I know.”

A deadly silence fills the car, and when I risk a glance at Colton, his jaw is set. I don’t think he believes me. Colton, Lucas, and Xander don’t know much about my past, but they know I was in a cult, and that I ran away. Colton could easily put the pieces together and conclude that Isaiah is from Cornerstone, and I don’t want that.

The less information he has, the safer I am.

“Does he want to hurt you?” Colton asks, his voice low and controlled.

I nod, swallowing down the lump in my throat. Even if Isaiah takes me back and chooses to let me live, things won’t be different. I barely saw him, but it was enough for me to know that he’s still the same violent, angry man he was when I ran away from home.

“Where do you want to go?” Colton asks.

I stare at him.What?

He raises a brow impatiently. “Well?”

“You’re not going to throw me out of your car?”

He hums. “Maybe I should.”

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