Page 160 of Always Us

I’m not sure how to answer. I really have no idea. If I think back, I guess it’s possible she knew and that’s why she was trying to keep me away from him. I look a lot like Sadie and a little like Royce, so Victoria had to have figured it out.

I’m not protecting that woman. I’m just going to say it.

“I can’t say for sure if Victoria knew. But given that I look a little like Royce and a lot like Sadie, I think it’s likely that Victoria knew who I was.”

There’s silence, except for the sound of Sadie whispering ‘bitch’ just loud enough for me to hear.

“Sadie Sinclair,” the man says. “Step forward.”

She steps up so that she’s even with me. There’s some whispering among the members.

“You do look very similar,” the man says. “I don’t see how it’s possible Victoria wouldn’t see the similarity and put this together. It just confirms that she knew. And yet even after meeting Royce’s daughter that night, Victoria still didn’t come forward and disclose this. Her goal was to be first lady and she put her own selfish goals ahead of the organization. She knew Royce would be punished and demoted if this were ever revealed, so she hid it from us.”

As he says it, I realize that if Victoria had told them, they would’ve killed me. Back then, they didn’t have that rule about not harming a member’s family. They would’ve killed me because I know things I shouldn’t know. So although she didn’t intend to, Victoria saved me. And now, the members can’t hurt me because of the rule Holton made. How crazy is that? Two of my biggest enemies ended up saving me. If Holton knew that, he’d be rolling around in his grave, trying to claw his way out to come back and kill me.

I’m assuming the protection rule only applies to a member’s blood relatives. Otherwise, Holton wouldn’t have made it. He would’ve made sure it couldn’t apply to me. But he didn’t know I was a Sinclair, and since I am, Holton’s rule does apply to me. As Royce’s daughter and William’s niece, I’m now protected from ever being harmed.

The man in front of me slams his gavel on the table. “Punishment will now be given. If there are any objections to the punishment discussed earlier, speak now.”

The room is silent, so he continues. “Jade, please step back.”

I do as he says. Sadie starts to step back as well but the man stops her.

“Sadie, remain where you are,” he says.

“What? Why? What did I—”

“Quiet! You will not ask questions.” The man’s getting very impatient. “Victoria, step forward.”

He waits until she does, then continues speaking. “Victoria Sinclair, the benefits you and your husband received because of his membership in this organization are now rescinded, and any such benefits received in the past will need to be repaid. We’ve already begun siphoning money from your personal bank accounts and if it’s not enough to cover his debt, we’ll be withdrawing money from your investment accounts. You will not be allowed to take money from your parents or Royce’s family, given that they, too, receive financial rewards from the organization. You will also no longer have access to the clinic. Should you choose to seek revenge via blackmail or selling secrets about us to outsiders, you will be terminated. You are no longer under the newly instituted protection rule. As for your four children, they may continue to receive money from either side of the family, but if we find that any of that money has been given to you, they will no longer be allowed to receive that money. Do you understand?”

Victoria clears her throat. “Yes.”

“Sadie Sinclair. Because of your parents’ actions, we are no longer considering you one of our options for Evan’s future wife.”

“But—” She stops when he puts his hand up.

“Your relationship with him has now ended and he will be notified. You are not to contact him in any way from this point forward. If we find out you disobeyed, there will be consequences.” He pounds his gavel. “This ends the sentencing. They may now be escorted out, except for Jade Sinclair.”

What? I can’t leave? Why can’t I leave? I answered their questions. I’m done.

Two robed men appear with blindfolds. They place them on Victoria, Sadie, and her sisters, and lead them out of the room. I remain standing there under the hot lights. I close my eyes a moment to escape the harsh glare.

“Yes, Pearce.” I open my eyes when I hear the man talking again. I didn’t hear Pearce say anything. Maybe he raised his hand.

“Jade has answered your questions regarding Victoria,” Pearce says from somewhere behind me. “I request that she be allowed to leave now.”

“We have other questions for her. Please sit down.” He pauses, probably waiting for Pearce to sit, then says, “Jade, the members would like to know why it is you re-entered into a relationship with Garret Kensington after his actions and behaviors last spring?”

Shit. What kind of question is that? I’m not prepared for this. I don’t know what to say. I feel like I have to craft each word perfectly for these people or I’ll screw up and get myself in trouble.

“Ms. Sinclair?” he says, waiting for my response.

“It’s Kensington. Jade Kensington. Garret and I are married.”

Dammit. I shouldn’t have corrected him like that. Now I’m going to get in trouble.

“We know your name is Kensington. We used Sinclair just to avoid any confusion while discussing this case. Now, please answer the question.”

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