Page 104 of Branded

“Was what you needed. I’m not reading more into it than that.”

“Good. Because I don’t know what it means. Just that I needed it.” She pauses. “Thank you. For being what I needed instead of what you demanded.”

“You’re welcome.” I squeeze her hand. “Now let’s survive dinner with your family. Tomorrow we go home and figure out the rest.”

33

LENNOX

My family is gathered in the kitchen for breakfast—Grace has made pancakes, bacon, all my favorites, but the mood is subdued. No one wants to acknowledge that I’m leaving, but we all knew it was coming. My bag by the door. Sebastian’s rental truck already loaded. The jet fueled and ready at the airport. It’s the first time we’ve all been in the house in years, and I wish it was like old times, loud, full of laughter and teasing, but maybe the next trip will be that.

With breakfast over, Crew and Lark head back to Weston Gap. I hug him tightly, fully aware I’ve made him do the one thing he swore he’d never do: come home. “It was good to see you, sis. Don’t wait so long between visits, your new niece or nephew needs to know you,” he whispers, “and your husband isn’t as bad as everyone makes him seem.”

I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll be waiting for news, and will be on the first flight to meet the newest Briggs.”

He lets me go, and I hug Lark. They drive away, and I’m left with the rest of the family.

“You’ll call when you land?” Dad asks for the third time as we walk to the truck.

“Yes, Dad. I’ll call.”

“And you’ll come visit. Soon. Not another ten months.”

“I’ll try. Sebastian’s got business, the ranch needs⁠—”

“I don’t care about the ranch or the business.” Dad’s voice is firm. He grips his cane tighter, his tell when emotions are running high. “You come home when you need to. Don’t wait for the right time, just come.”

“Okay.” I hug him tight, careful of his balance, breathing in the smell of leather and coffee and home. “I love you.”

“I love you too, kiddo. More than you know.” He pulls back, looks at Sebastian. “Take care of her. Or answer to me.”

“Yes, sir. And I’ll see to it she has a regular flight home, ready whenever she wants it.” Sebastian looks at me and smiles, and something in my chest loosens.

Cage and Cole hug me next, awkward hugs that involve a lot of back-patting and muttered warnings about what they’ll do to Sebastian if he makes me run home again. Emma and Grace both cry, making me promise to text daily, to send pictures, to remember I always have a home here.

Janie appears at the last minute, her eyes red from crying. “Thank you,” she whispers, hugging me tight. “For everything. I know I can’t ever repay you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” I squeeze her once. “Just be happy. Be safe, and stay away from the compound. That’s all I need.”

“I’m trying. Your family’s been so kind.” Her voice breaks. “I don’t deserve it.”

“Yes, you do. We all deserve kindness, Janie. Remember that.”

Sebastian loads my bag into the truck, and I climb into the passenger seat. My entire family stands on the porch, watching us leave, waving, their faces a mix of worry, sadness and reluctant acceptance.

I watch them get smaller in the side mirror until we turn onto the main road, and they disappear from view.

“You okay?” Sebastian asks.

“No. But I will be.”

The drive to the airport is silent, but not uncomfortable. Sebastian’s hand finds mine on the center console, and I let him hold it.

At the airport, we board the jet, all luxury and leather and a reminder of the wealth gap between us. But Sebastian doesn’t sit across from me this time. He sits beside me, close enough that our thighs touch.

“Three hours,” he says as the jet taxis. “You want to talk? Sleep? Pretend to work while actually brooding?”

Despite everything, I smile. “That last one sounds like your specialty.”