Page 118 of Pretty Savage: Defy

“One of the security officers recovered this,” he says. “You concealed the enemy’s presence while his men took their positions.”

“I didn’t conceal him.”

“You warned no one.”

“I made a mistake.”

“How many people have to die before a mistake becomes betrayal?” asks Jack.

I take a step toward him, fury vibrating under my skin.

Laurel catches my wrist. “Carrson.”

A Brother stumbles through the door with blood covering one side of his face.

“The west entrance is under attack.”

I turn, ready to launch into action.

Laurel’s hand slips from my wrist.

Carr points at the Brother. “Get everyone who can’t fight upstairs. Barricade the eastern hall.”

The man runs.

The relief Carr showed when he found me alive disappears behind the expression he wears when everyone expects him to make a decision.

“I can’t ignore that Laurel didn’t warn us,” Father says. “Not while the house is under attack.”

“She saved my life,” I say. “Three of Creed’s men fought us in the hallway. She stopped one from putting a bullet through my back.”

Jack glances at the blood on my hands. “Loyalty to you does not equal loyalty to us.”

“She isn’t required to love The Order.”

“No,” Jack says. “Only to refrain from helping its enemies slaughter its members.”

“I didn’t help them.” Laurel steps forward.

Her face is red, but she isn’t crying. She holds herself rigidly, as though any movement might cause her to break apart.

Carr looks at Laurel. “Until the attack is contained and we can examine the evidence, you will be confined.”

“No.” My answer overlaps his final word.

“Carrson.” Laurel touches my shoulder. The tremor in her fingers reaches me through my shirt.

“I know her.”

“You love her,” Jack says, flinging the word like an accusation. “That makes you less reliable, not more.”

“She stays with me.”

“People are dying while we stand here debating,” Carr says. “The Brothers need their leader.”

“I’m not leaving her with him.”

Father lowers his voice so only I can hear. “If the other members learn she recognized Creed and told no one, they will come after her. Confinement is for her protection as much as theirs. The Vault has one entrance, reinforced walls, and no windows. Right now, it’s the safest room in this house.”