Page 98 of Redeemed

Grabbing a notepad and pen from the counter, Colton tosses them onto the floor in front of Haven. “Make your list. After that, you’re mine.”

Colton

OnceXanderandLucasleave with their shopping list, I lead Haven through the house. We pass through the living room, and she comes to a screeching halt when she seesRetributionhanging on the wall.

“W-where did you get that?”

“Stole it.”

“From the party last night?” She whips around to face me. “Why?”

I have no desire to reveal the reason to her, so I keep walking. When I saw her staring at it last night, I could feel how strongly it resonated with her. All I cared about was getting my hands on it, no matter how impulsive stealing the painting was.

The funny thing is that it was all for nothing. I couldn’t give two shits about the painting now that I actually have Haven here, completely under my control. If I want a reaction from her, I can get one from her with a single look. The girl is so easy to manipulate, I could do it in my sleep.

Wordlessly, I take Haven up to the second floor. The stairs open up into a loft that overlooks the living room, which rarely sees any use.

For some reason—childhood trauma, I think—Lucas doesn’t do well in large, open spaces. He can’t relax. So we set up a second TV and all our gaming equipment in the loft. It’s smaller, and it helps Lucas feel more at ease.

“Do you have any homework you need to do?” I ask.

“No, I had a light load last week and got ahead.”

I was hoping she’d say that. She may not have verbally agreed to our arrangement, but she hasn’t left. That’s enough for me, and I have every intention of making sure she learns her place immediately. Having her sit on the floor and eat out of my palm at breakfast wasn’t good enough. She protested too much.

I want her broken and mindless.

“Good,” I say. “Then—”

A pounding sound comes from downstairs, and I realize it’s someone at the front door. Haven tenses, and her eyes go wide.

“It’s not him,” I say, annoyance bleeding into my voice. “He doesn’t know how to find you.”

“But what if it is?”

“Then I’ll do what I promised to. He’s not getting anywhere near you.” I move toward the stairs. “Go hide in my room. I’ll be back in a minute.”

I roll my eyes at the relentless pounding on my front door. When I open it, I mask my shock at the fact that Kellan Ambrose—one of Wesley’s friends—is standing on my doorstep.

“What the fuck do you want?”

“I believe you have something that’s mine.” Whatever he’s talking about, I’m sure it’ll be good.

“Oh?” I ask with a smirk. “What’s that?”

“A certain painting.Retribution?”

So we were right.Wesley, Cal, and Kellan were the masked guys who hosted that party last night.

“I fucking knew it. Of course it was you three.”

“Give it back, Colton, or there’ll be hell to pay,” Kellan grinds out.

I shrug. “I kinda like it. Don’t really feel like giving it up.”

Jaw clenching, Kellan’s gaze drifts behind me and into the open living room. From here, he can just see the painting on the wall.

“For the record,” I say, “we didn’t know it was yours. But it makes the victory that much sweeter. Have a shitty day.”

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