Page 182 of Redeemed

“Don’t look at him,” he says against my lips. “Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

He has a point, so I kiss him harder. Isaiah’s muted yelling fades as the two men drag him away. Colton crushes me against his body. When I feel his erection, a moan slips free. For some deranged reason, Ilikethat he’s turned on from beating my husband and then kissing me in front of him.

Colton doesn’t pull away until the sounds of Isaiah’s protests have faded. I’m breathless and almost dizzy as I take in his expression—pure, dark possessiveness.

Oh.

It’s not what I expected, but maybe I should’ve.

“Haven,” Xander says softly.

He’s standing close by, as is Lucas. I jump into Xander’s open arms and bury my face in his neck. He holds on to me just as tightly as Colton did and releases a long, relieved breath.

“I’m glad you’re safe, doll.”

“Thank you,” I mumble. “I know this is what you agreed to do, but—”

“Shh, shh, it’s okay.” He rocks me gently. “No need to thank us.”

I step back, and I want to hug Lucas, but his jaw is clenched. He looks downright pissed. I know he’s had a hard time adjusting to me living with them, and I’m sure this is bringing up a lot of memories for him.

Or… is it because of who Isaiah really is to me?

“You never left, did you?” I ask. My heart is aching at the idea that I might be the one who has him this angry. It shouldn’t matter to me, and I hate that it does, but I can’t help how I feel.

Lucas doesn’t look at me. “Parked down the street so I could watch the house. Honestly don’t know how you missed me when you and Athelia headed to the park.”

I glance between the three of them. “You knew he’d show up here, didn’t you?”

Colton shakes his head. “No, but we knew there was at least a possibility he’d track you down.”

“Yeah,” Xander says. “We wanted to see how far he’s willing to go to find you. The more we know about him, the easier it’ll be to deal with him.”

“Which is why you need to start talking,” Lucas adds, voice low and tight. “Because you told us you don’t know him, but that was obviously a lie.”

I gulp. I wasn’t ready for them to know Isaiah’s real identity, but now I don’t have a choice. These three just saved my life. I should be able to trust them. But… I don’t know if I do. Lucas is so angry, and they’ve used my secrets to taunt me before.

I’m already powerless enough.

Colton grabs my arm when I take a step back, keeping me in place. “Spill, Haven. Now.”

Colton

Havenlooksmoreterrifiednow than she did when Xander and I showed up. I don’t want to hurt her, especially after what she just went through, so I keep my grip gentle.

“His name is Isaiah,” Haven says hesitantly.

“We gathered that,” Lucas snaps.

She cringes, and I shoot him a hard look. This wasn’t how I wanted to learn more about Haven’s past. When we were younger, I thought she’d open up to me when she was ready. After that, I assumed I’d never know, until I decided to torture the information out of her—a mistake I’ll never make again.

“We should sit down.” It’s phrased like a suggestion, but I’m already guiding Haven out of the woods and toward a picnic table.

Lucas and Xander follow close behind us. Xander is talking quietly, and I hope to god he’s telling Lucas to get a fucking grip, or I’m going to strangle him. Haven is freaked out enough. We don’t need him making it worse.

Xander and Lucas sit on one side of the table, and Haven and I on the other. Even though Isaiah is dealt with—although I fully expect the motherfucker to come back once he’s healed—I tuck Haven into my side and keep an arm around her. She needs to know we’ve still got her back. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself is the reason for needing her close.

“Tell me I heard him wrong,” Lucas says angrily. “Tell me I didn’t hear him call you his wife. Because what the fuck, Haven?”

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