Page 123 of Branded

Nods all around.

“Good.” Caroline looks at me. “Lennox, you were unconscious for most of this. You were in the basement when the rescue started. You don’t know the details about how the fire started or who shot whom. You were rescued by Sebastian and then secured by James until Sebastian and Dad tried to put out the flames. That’s your story. Stick to it.”

“I, um, sure.”

“Good girl.” She squeezes my shoulder. “Welcome to the family. This is how we protect our own.”

The next twenty minutes are a blur of organized chaos. Bodies are arranged. Weapons adjusted. The narrative refined.

By the time Sheriff Morrison arrives with fire trucks and ambulances, the scene looks exactly like what Caroline described: a rescue operation that went tragically wrong.

I sit in the back of an ambulance getting checked over while Sebastian gives his statement to the sheriff. I’m amazed by his calm as he describes how the Marshalls took me, how they assembled men to get me back, how the Marshalls fired first.

All true. Technically.

Just missing is the part where they systematically executed every man that wasn’t on their side and burned the evidence.

“Mrs. Drake?” The paramedic checking my vitals is talking. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired. Scared. Grateful to be alive.”

“Any injuries? Did they hurt you?”

“No. They kept me in a basement, but they didn’t… they didn’t do anything to me.”

“Good. That’s good.” She finishes checking me over. “You’re dehydrated, likely have a concussion and are in shock but otherwise healthy. I’d recommend overnight observation.”

“No hospitals,” Sebastian says, appearing beside the ambulance. “She comes home with me. I’ll make sure she’s taken care of.”

The paramedic looks like she wants to argue, but something in Sebastian’s expression stops her. “Alright. But if she shows any signs of distress, you call 911 immediately.”

“Understood.”

A man approaches that I recognize but can’t place. It isn’t until he gets closer that I know who it is. “Dad?”

“Hi, sweetheart, how are you?” he asks as I walk into his open arms.

“How did you get here? When did you come?”

“Sebastian called and we got here as fast as we could, looks like we missed the action though,” he says firmly.

“This is so bad,” I whisper.

“Lennox.” His voice is gentle but firm. “Those men took you. Drugged you, and held you against your will. They made a choice that had consequences. That’s all this is.” His voice is low and menacing. The look in his eye is one I haven’t seen since Mom walked out on us.

“They’re all dead.”

“And you’re alive. I don’t give two shits about anyone with a bullet in them on this property.” He pulls me into a careful hug. “I’m sorry you had to see this side of things. Sorry you had to learn what we’re all capable of. I’m not sorry Sebastian did what needed to be done.”

I hold on to him, trying to reconcile the father I know with the man who just said that I’m worth killing for.

“How many times have you done this?” I whisper.

“Doesn’t matter. What matters is you’re safe.” He pulls back. “Now. We’re going back to your house. Your brothers and I will stay a few days. Meet your in-laws. Make sure you’re settled. Make sure you’re really okay. Then we’ll go home. But Lennox.” He waits until I meet his eyes. “You don’t talk about this. Not to anyone outside the families. What happened here stays here. Understand?”

“I understand.”

Cage and Cole appear, both looking exhausted and relieved.