When She Rose From the Ashes

1 A Father’s Warning

Sean chattered on and on, mumbling happily to himself as he stared at his phone.

When Baron walked into his room, he found his son grinning like a fool, whispering to the screen.

Baron had seen many sides of this boy, but never this.

“Sean, what are you doing?”

“N-nothing!”

Sean jerked upright, shoving the phone behind his back. His voice.cracked. “I was… watching videos.”

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“Less screen time. Bad for your eyes. Come down for breakfast. After we eat, I’ll take you and Susie off this island… to see your mommy.”

“Really?”

Sean nearly burst with joy. He scrambled off the bed, eyes wide, practically bouncing in place.

“Daddy, you’re a man. You have to keep your word. Otherwise, you’re a puppy!”

Outside, anyone who dared call Mr. Gunn-or worse, the Witch Doctor-a puppy would be dead before the words left their lips.

But from his son, Baron only smiled faintly.

*Alright.”

He flicked the boy’s nose, then led him downstairs.

day was filled with laughter. Susie’s dimples flashed with every giggle, too delighted to hide her excitement. Sean stuffed food into his mouth as if every bite brought

heavy. “Sir, perhaps my wife and I should come along. We’ve raised

considered, then nodded. “Fine. Pack what you

“Yes, sir.”

hands. “I like Grandpa Butler and Grandma

already far away, fixed on

stood beside Baron on the deck of the yacht. The

1:07 pm &

A Father’s

composed, but

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need, he would never have let the children step into the open. Bringing them into the world meant more eyes, more risk, more enemies to guard

weight on

more blood, if

His phone rang. Yvonne.

Baron’s eyes narrowed. Trouble?

and Susie from boarding the waiting car. Then

“Speak.”

was low, controlled,

then quickly explained. “Mr. Gunn, where are you? Ms. Summers isn’t well. I took her temperature two hours ago-low-grade fever. The sterile ward hasn’t been entered, I checked the surveillance. No one came close. I fear her burns

expression eased

be back immediately. The infections won’t stop until

soon.”

‘Yes, Mr. Gunn.”

hesitated before hanging

“What else?”

“I… I