"She's always been like that," I continue. "Putting everyone else first, minimizing her own suffering. When she first started dating Vincent, I thought he was good for her. She seemed happy, more confident. I didn't see the signs until it was too late, until she was already in so deep she couldn't see a way out."
Hunter is still scrolling, his expression growing progressively more murderous. I recognize that look. It's the same one I see in the mirror when I let myself think too hard about what Vincent did to my sister. The same rage that makes me want to drive to wherever he is and solve this problem with my fists.
"Don't do anything," I say firmly, drawing Hunter's attention back to me. "He isn't in town. At least, I don't think he is. And while I know he'll show up at some point, probably sooner rather than later given how desperate these messages are getting, I'd rather you not get involved. Not directly."
Hunter's jaw works, his grip on the phone tightening until I worry he might crack the screen. "He threatened her. Multipletimes. He's stalking her, harassing her. And you want me to just... what? Ignore it?"
"I want you to focus on what actually matters." I hold his gaze, letting him see how serious I am. "Your only job is to make my sister happy. Keep her safe, yes. Be aware of the threat, absolutely. But don't go looking for trouble. Let me and Maddox handle Vincent through official channels. We're building a case, getting restraining orders updated, making sure everything's documented. When he does show up, and he will, we'll be ready."
Hunter stares at me for a long moment, and I can see him processing this, weighing his protective instincts against the logic of what I'm saying. Finally, he nods slowly, though the tension doesn't leave his shoulders.
"Your only job," I repeat, softer this time, "is to make my sister happy."
Hunter looks up at that, confusion flickering across his face. "What?"
I can't help the snort that escapes me. "You're not subtle at dinner, you know. The way you all look at her. Like she's something precious you're afraid might disappear. Like you can't quite believe she's real and in your house and taking care of your kids."
Hunter's expression shifts, something almost vulnerable crossing his features before he locks it down. "It's not..."
"I'm not mad," I interrupt, because I need him to understand this. "I'm not protective brother mode right now, ready to threaten you if you hurt her. I know you won't. I know all three of you won't. Silas is my best friend, has been for years. Wyatt is one of the best men I know. And you..." I pause, choosing my words carefully. "You're exactly the kind of Alpha Amelia needs. Strong but gentle. Patient. Someone who won't push but won't let her hide either."
"We're not there yet," Hunter says, but his voice lacks conviction.
I grin, leaning back in my chair. "You might not be, but I'm pretty sure Wyatt is. And Silas won't be far behind. You'll be left in the dust if you wait too long, man. My sister doesn't think she deserves anything good. Doesn't think she's worthy of being loved or wanted or cherished. Vincent spent two years convincing her she was worthless, and even though she's getting better, those wounds run deep."
Hunter's expression softens, understanding dawning in his hazel eyes. He sets the phone down on my desk carefully, like it's something that might explode.
"Help her think differently," I continue, my voice rougher now with emotion I'm trying to keep in check. "Show her she deserves everything. The grand gestures and the quiet moments. The passion and the tenderness. All of it. Don't let her convince herself she's just the nanny, just temporary, just convenient. Make her understand that she's wanted for who she is, not what she can do for you."
"I think I can do that," Hunter says quietly, and there's a determination in his voice that makes me believe him.
The desk phone rings, cutting through our conversation. I glance at the caller ID and grimace. The main office. Probably Colonel Hayes wanting an update on the training schedules I was supposed to have finished yesterday.
"Gotta go," I say, standing and grabbing my notepad. "Keep the phone if you want. Let Silas and Wyatt see the messages. Just... be smart about it, okay? Don't do anything that's going to land you in jail or get you court-martialed."
Hunter nods, already pocketing the pink phone. "Dylan?"
I pause, looking back at him.
"Thank you. For trusting us with her."
The words hit me harder than I expected. Because that's exactly what this is, isn't it? Trust. I'm trusting these three broken Alphas with the most important person in my world, trusting them not to hurt her, not to let her down, not to be one more person who takes advantage of her soft heart.
"Don't make me regret it," I say, but there's no heat in the words. Just honesty. "She's been through enough. If you're going to do this, if you're going to court her and bring her into your pack, then you need to be all in. No half measures. No backing out when things get complicated or scary. She needs steady. She needs permanent."
"She'll have it," Hunter promises. "From all of us."
I nod, satisfied, and head toward the main office. But my mind is already spinning, thinking about Vincent's increasingly desperate messages, the way his threats are escalating. He's getting bolder, more reckless. It's only a matter of time before he does something stupid, something that forces a confrontation.
And when he does, I'll be ready. We all will be.
Maddox catches up with me in the hallway outside Colonel Hayes' office, his longer stride eating up the distance. "You okay?" he asks quietly.
"No," I admit. "But I will be once we nail Vincent's ass to the wall. The messages are getting worse, Maddox. More violent. More specific. He's planning something."
"Then we need to move faster." Maddox's jaw sets in that stubborn way that means he's already planning something. "Get the restraining order updated with the new evidence. Maybe see if we can get someone to track his location, figure out where he is and if he's actually making moves toward town."
"I'll call the lawyer this afternoon," I promise. "And I want to loop in some of our contacts in law enforcement. People who aren't in Vincent's department, who won't tip him off or cover for him."
