Page 27 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“Gavin just told me. If that wasn’t a fucking cry for help, I don’t know what is. Then I had to fucking leave her there with that monster.”

“She never would’ve left with you,” Lachlan said, looking just as startled as I was.

“She isn’t going to let us help. What the fuck can we even do?” I burst out.

“Well, we better figure out a fucking game plan. It’s not like she doesn’t want you guys. She fucking thinks she doesn’t deserve you, that she’s too much of a problem because of Gavin and...” he cut himself off and gestured helplessly. “And this with her mom. I should’ve never left. I should’ve fought harder to get back here.”

He was pacing now, practically ripping the hair from his scalp.

“I just keep thinking she’s probably there, beating the shit out of her right now.”

“Why hasn’t she turned it over to social services?” I asked, though I didn’t expect them to have a real answer. “She’s old enough. She could take custody?”

“No, because social services in this county are fucking bullshit. Do you know how many times they went to her house growing up? She doesn’t trust them, and I can’t fucking blame her.”

My stomach reacted violently to the mental image of my omega being helplessly beaten to keep her brother safe. I turned, barely managing to stumble a few parking spots over before heaving. My dinner painted the pavement, the visceral reaction rocking through me impossible to ignore.

How many years had she suffered alone to protect the brother who was now practically begging us to step in?

“What do we do?” Lachlan asked August.

“I have no fucking clue, but we have to do something,” he said.

“He’s too young for emancipation,” I said as I finally got my composure.

“Surely, she can appeal this to a judge, not just a caseworker, right? Anyone can sue for custody, and she’s family. Isn’t there even more room to do it?” Lachlan pointed out. “I mean, grandparents can sue for rights and there’s all kinds of laws pertaining to custody because of how complicated packs can get.”

“She’s not pack, though,” August said. “She’s his sister.”

He pulled out his phone and started tapping away, likely messaging Dhara, desperate as we were to know if she was safe.

My phone pinged, and I pulled it out, realizing August had sent the message in a group chat.

August

Firecracker, tell us you’re okay.

Lachlan

We’re here for you. Whatever you need, let us help.

Conrad

Say the word, and we’ll come get you both.

Dhara

I’m fine. I promise.

“Why does that feel like a lie?” Lachlan whispered desperately. We were falling apart at the seams, unable to do anything. If we took Gavin away, the mom would turn her focus. He wasn’t bait to be used for evidence.

We’d also be charged with kidnapping.

The same authorities that let it happen would turn against us.

“She isn’t going to let us help easily,” August started. “We are going to have to be the ones to handle this. We have to find a solution that will actually work.”

He looked between both of us. The weight of that stare said everything he couldn’t put into words. We were the only thing standing behind her and the ones who could end this cycle of abuse.