Page 96 of Branded

“Dad,” I start, but he holds up his hand to stop me.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t have helped Janie. I’m saying I understand why you did it. You’re a Briggs, it’s what we do.” He shifts his weight. “But you can’t save everyone. And you definitely can’t save people by destroying yourself.”

“I’m not being destroyed.”

“Aren’t you?” His voice is gentle but firm. “You married a man who bought you at an auction. Who legally owns you for two years. Who has every advantage: money, power, and the contract itself. That’s not a partnership, sweetheart.”

The truth of it hits hard, because he’s right. I’ve been trying to convince myself that Sebastian and I are building something, but at its core, I’m just surviving. Making the best of an impossible situation.

“What else could I do?” My voice cracks. “Janie’s safe because of those papers. I can’t just walk away.”

“Sebastian says you can. Says he won’t enforce the contract if you want out.”

“And I believe him. But that doesn’t change the fact that I promised two years. That walking away means breaking that promise.” I wrap my arms tighter around myself. “You taught me that our word means something. That a Briggs doesn’t break promises just because they’re hard.”

“I also taught you that some promises aren’t worth keeping. That walking away from a bad situation isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.” Dad moves closer, his steps careful but deliberate. “If you stay with Sebastian, I need to know it’s because you’re choosing to, not because you think you’re trapped by some contract. There’s a difference.”

“I know there’s a difference.”

“Do you? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re convincing yourself you have to stay. That you owe Sebastian something. That leaving would make you a quitter or a coward.” He reaches out with his free hand, cups my face. “But sweetheart—you don’t owe him anything. Not gratitude, not loyalty, not two years of your life.”

“But the contract.”

“Fuck the contract. I’m serious, Lennox. If Sebastian Drake is the man he’s trying to be, he’ll tear up that contract and let you choose freely. And if he’s not, if he’s just playing at being better while still using legal leverage to keep you, then you come home. To hell with the consequences.”

I stare at my father, seeing the fierceness in his eyes despite his physical limitations. He would go to war with the Drake family if necessary to protect me.

“What do you think I should do?” I ask quietly.

“I can’t answer that, Lenny Lou. Only you can.” He drops his hand but stays close. “But I can tell you what I see. I see a man who’s trying, really trying, to be better than what he was raised to be. Who’s willing to give you power even when it scares him. Who flew up here knowing I’d figure things out.” Dad pauses.

“So you think I should stay?”

“I think you should make whatever choice feels right to you. Not to me, not to Sebastian, not to Janie. To you.” He turns back to look at the ranch. “And I think you should know that whatever you choose, you’ll always have a home here. Always have a family who’ll protect you. The Drake money, power and legal contracts don’t mean shit if you decide you want out. I’ll make sure of it.”

The promise settles something in my chest. Knowing I have options. Knowing I can leave if I need to.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Don’t thank me. That’s what fathers do.” He smiles slightly. “Now. Tomorrow I’m testing your husband. Seeing if he actually remembers how to be a rancher, or if California has softened him too much.”

“He knows ranching. Even if he’s terrible at rounding up cattle,” I say, my voice lighter than it has been in days.

“Then he’ll do fine. But I want to see it for myself. Want to see if he respects the work that built you into who you are.” Dad’s voice is firm. “And if he can’t keep up, if he treats ranch work like it’s beneath him, then we’re having a different conversation about whether he deserves to take you back to Texas.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Life’s not fair, Lenny Lou. He bought my daughter with money he made from exploiting other women’s desperation. The least he can do is prove he’s not useless.” Dad’s smile is grim. “If he can’t handle how I raised you, how’s he going to handle being married to you?”

I can’t argue with that logic.

“What should I do tomorrow? While you’re testing him?”

“Work beside him. Show him what you’re capable of. Let him see you in your element, doing the work you love.” Dad starts moving toward the door. “Pay attention to how he reacts.”

“He’s already seen me work and he’s followed my orders, Dad. We rounded up twenty-three head in the middle of the night, just the two of us. Well, just me basically, he was kind of just there.” I laugh.

“This the dick-swinging war?”