Three Brannock brothers once came west. Now, one of them survives, and Clint Brannock feels the weight of responsibility as he does his job as a U.S. deputy marshal. Hunting down an outlaw in the Indian territories, Clint meets up with two of his nephews - one destined to live or die by the gun, the other to live or die in his shadow. And in southern New Mexico, a beautiful sister-in-law, Elizabeth, presides over 100,000 rich acres - and dabbles in a dangerous game...A vigilante named Miguel Ortega is using terror to drive out Anglo settlers. A woman of her own proud heritage, Elizabeth Brannock has a grown son and daughter, each of whom stands to inherit an empire. But she has forged a forbidden bond with Miguel Ortega. With violence spiraling out of control, the government sends Clint Brannock to lay down the law. Soon, all the Brannocks must take a stand and risk their lives-for justice, each other, and the land that is now in their blood...