“We should break his fucking legs,” I finally say, my voice low but full of venom.
Dylan’s head snaps up, her eyes wide. “No,” she says quickly, shaking her head. “Matthew, please. I don’t want you guys to do anything stupid because of me.”
“Stupid?” I repeat, disbelief coating my words. “Baby, this isn’t about being stupid. This is about what that asshole did to you.”
“I know,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “But I can’t be the reason you ruin your life.”
I kneel in front of her, gently taking her hand in mine. “You are not the reason for anything. Brock is the one who should lose everything, not us.”
She shakes her head, pulling her hand back. “But you will. I can’t let that happen.”
The desperation in her voice hits me hard, and for a moment, I want to scream. I want to hit something. But I don’t. Instead, I take a deep breath and try to steady myself, to be the calm one for her. Even though, deep down, I want to tear Brock apart.
“I won’t do anything,” I say slowly, forcing the words out, even though it kills me to make that promise. “But only because you asked me not to.”
She looks at me, her eyes searching mine, and I can see the doubt. She doesn’t believe me. She knows me too well.
I turn away, running my hands over my face. I don’t want her to see how angry I am, how close I am to losing it. I’m supposed to be the level-headed one. I’m the one who keeps things in check, who balances out Ford’s impulsiveness and Jacob’s quiet intensity. But right now, I feel like I’m falling apart.
“Matthew,” Dylan says softly, and I feel her hand on my shoulder, light but grounding. I look up at her, and the sadness in her eyes cuts me to my core. “I’m okay,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “I survived. I made it through.”
“You shouldn’t have had to survive,” I mutter, shaking my head. “You should have been safe.”
“I know,” she says, and I can hear the tears in her voice. “But I wasn’t. And that’s not your fault. It’s not anyone’s fault but his.”
I nod, but the guilt is still there, gnawing at me. I wasn’t there when she needed someone the most, and that’s something I’ll never be able to fix.
Jacob finally speaks up, his voice low and tight. “We’ll make sure he doesn’t get near you again. I don’t care if we have to file a restraining order. He’s not getting away with this, Dylan.”
Dylan bites her lip, nodding. “I just… I don’t want to make things worse.”
“You’re not,” Jacob says firmly. “You’re not making anything worse. He’s the one who fucked up. He’s the one who crossed the line. And he’ll pay for that, one way or another.”
I glance at Jacob, seeing the same fire in his eyes that I feel in my chest. He’s always been the quiet one, the calm one, but I can tell that Brock has awakened something in him—something dangerous. And for once, I’m glad.
Ford holds Dylan close, his jaw tight with tension, his arms wrapped around her protectively. I know he wants to go after Brock just as much as I do. He’s always been the one to act first, ask questions later. But right now, he’s holding it together for Dylan. We all are.
“I don’t want you to worry about this anymore,” Ford says softly, pressing a kiss to Dylan’s temple.
Her eyes well up with tears, and she nods, resting her head against Ford’s chest. “I do trust you,” she whispers. “I just… I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”
Ford glances at me then Jacob, his expression hard. “We’re not going to get hurt. But Brock sure as hell will if he comes near you again.”
I clench my fists again, feeling the rage bubble back to the surface. I can’t promise I won’t lose it if I see Brock again. I can’t promise I won’t do something I’ll regret. But for now, I’ll keep my anger in check—for her.
I kneel in front of Dylan again, taking her hand in mine. “You’re not alone anymore,” I tell her, my voice steady. “We’re here. And we’re not going anywhere.”
She squeezes my hand, and for a moment, I see a flicker of relief in her eyes. But the pain is still there, lurking just beneath the surface.
I just hope she knows that, no matter what happens, we’ve got her back. And no one—not Brock, not anyone—will ever hurt her again.
Ford
Dylan was exhausted after spilling her deepest, darkest secret with us and after a bathroom break, she curled up into Matthew’s lap and dozed off. She was right not to tell us at the game; I would have murdered him. If I didn’t know how much it would hurt Kitty, I’d be in my car, heading to Summerview at this very moment.
Jacob stands, picking up a blanket and laying it over her and Matthew. “I’m going to step outside and order some food. I don’t think any of us are up for cooking, driving, or socializing at the moment.” Matthew doesn’t speak, just nods before kissing Dylan on the top of her head. She doesn’t wake, just snuggles deeper into him.
Jacob smiles at her, then picks his phone up from the table and steps out the back door.
