Page 53 of Redeemed

Normally, Colton doesn’t take shit from anyone. With the power his father wields, he can do whatever he wants. But the underlying threat in the masked man’s tone must affect Colton more than I predicted because he lets me go. I’m gone in an instant, darting between the masked men and crashing into Athelia.

“Can you make them leave?” she asks as she locks her arms around me. When one of the men—the one with the pink mask—stares at us but doesn’t respond, she rolls her eyes. “This is stupid. We’re leaving.”

That gets the men to spring into action. The one with the red mask whips around to face us. “Clear the hallway.”

Athelia jumps, but then we both do as he asked and get everyone out of the hallway. Once it’s clear, Athelia pulls me into the living room. Seconds later, they’re forcing Colton, Lucas, and Xander out the front door and off the property.

The tightness in my chest that’s been following me around all evening unravels, and I lean into Athelia, relieved. Now, we canactuallyhave a good night.

“More drinks?” I ask, already pulling Athelia toward the kitchen.

“Haven, are you sure you should—”

“I can handle myself.”

At that, Athelia presses her lips together. I pour us both drinks, and she takes hers but doesn’t sip it. I, on the other hand, chug half of mine down immediately. My hands are still shaking, and my ears are still ringing with Colton’s insult.

You’re helpless.

Nothing more than a stupid girl who bit off more than she can chew.

Back in the living room, I try to get Athelia to dance, but neither of us are really feeling it. The boys ruined the vibe for us, and I’m not sure either of us are really in the mood to party anymore.

All I want is a second shot. For what, I’m not really sure. Revenge? To hurt Colton more? To feel something other than misery and worry?

The man with the blue mask comes up to us and puts his hand on Athelia’s shoulder. “Are you all right?”

“I’m not the one who got hurt,” Athelia snaps.

He peers at me. “Are you okay?”

Looking away, I nod. Maybe if we ignore him, he’ll leave us alone. I’m grateful they got rid of those stupid assholes, but Athelia seems scared of these masked guys.

“They won’t be coming back,” he says. “And if they do, they’ll regret it.”

“Thank you.” Tilting her head, Athelia squints up at him, like she’s trying to look through the mask. “Do I know you?”

“Don’t think so.”

Athelia frowns and turns back to me. “What do you want to do? Dance?”

I should say yes. I should do what I came here to do—try to forget. But the fury from Colton pinning me to him and reminding me that I really, truly am helpless against him is still raging inside me.

“I want to find someone hotter than Colton and fuck him all night. And I want to take pictures or record it or some shit, and then I’m going to send it to him.”

Athelia’s jaw drops. “That’s gonna piss him off.”

The masked guy chuckles, and it sounds all distorted and warbled from the voice changer. “I’m pretty sure that’s what she wants,ma belle.”

What did he just call her?

Oh god. Oh my god.

He’sflirtingwith her?!

“I think he just called you pretty,” I whisper to her.

“I did,” he says, and I can’t see his face, but I can practically hear his smirk.

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