finally conceiving for the first time, Dustin filed three complaints against Neville for battery and r-r-rape.”
“Fuck, Hyatt.” Rebel had him enveloped in a hug before Hyatt could draw two breaths, and he clung to his big brother. Hyatt had worked through most of these emotions earlier, though, so he held onto Rebel until Rebel deemed it okay to put some space between them. “Why didn’t any of that come up during Dustin’s trial?”
“I don’t know. Karter got the transcript and there is zero mention of any abuse between Neville and Dustin. I can’t wrap my head around Dustin not using those reports as part of his defense.”
“Unless they aren’t true.”
Hyatt shook his head. “No, I believe they are. Back then, what was the point of lying? Karter told me that spousal rape wasn’t a thing between alpha and omega mates. That’s only been a semi-recent thing. And accusing a Fowler of such things? A family with all that money? Neville had the power to make those accusations go away and he did.”
“I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Why couldn’t your bondmate have been some random, uncomplicated alpha we didn’t have a family history with?”
“Hey.” He pinched Rebel’s arm. “I’m pretty fond of Dorian, you jerk. He’s only ever been kind and amazing to me.”
“Except that first night at the fundraiser.”
“Him scaring me was an accident, and we’ve talked about that. What Edgar did to me and how it’s affected me.” In Rebel’s bright green eyes, Hyatt saw only acceptance, pride and love, so he drew on his own courage to admit something he should have told his brother a long time ago. In the back of his mind, Dr. Barnes smiled and nodded. “I lied, Reb. To you and Symon and the constabulary.”
Rebel tilted his head, frowning now. “About what?”
“Edgar. The day you walked in on us was the second time he’d raped me. Not the first.”
“What?” Where Hyatt expected anger, Rebel’s voice cracked with grief and disbelief. “Why didn’t…wh…I don’t…”
Hyatt grabbed both of Rebel’s hands and squeezed the blood out of them so he didn’t fly away into the past. “It’s not your fault. I kept it a secret. Three weeks before our rescue, Edgar came to me. He threatened to do it to Symon if I fought him, so I didn’t. I protected my baby brother the same way you protected us. By giving in and keeping quiet.”
Rebel growled, danger flashing in his eyes. “I’d have killed him three weeks sooner if I’d known. Fuck, Hyatt, he promised.”
“I know he promised. I was terrified of him doing it to Symon if he found out I told. But that’s my truth, big brother. Other than my therapist and Dorian, you’re the only other person who knows. Keep my secret?”
“If I thought telling other people could change anything, I would.” Rebel kissed his forehead. “But it won’t change the past. I love you so much. You are stronger than I ever imagined for carrying this alone all these years.”
“I love you too.” Hyatt tried to burrow into Rebel’s broad, warm chest, content to be held by his brother for a while in silence.
“So you told Dorian before you told me. I guess that means you do like the guy. Does that mean I have to like him, too?”
His perfectly deadpan delivery made Hyatt snort. “Yes, you do. You two seem to have come to an understanding of sorts. Or a truce, whatever. I just hope Symon gives him a chance. The way Dorian protects Samuel from things? He reminds me of you. And I have a feeling that when we learn the full truth of Dustin’s past with Neville? Symon and Samuel might need each other, too.”
“Then I promise to do my best.” Rebel’s face lit up. “I have a baby coming. I’d rather get rid of the negative ways I view certain things and people, and try to focus on the positives. For my baby. And your second nephew.”
“Wouldn’t he kind of be my third? I mean, Caleb is technically my grand-nephew, but still. Nephew.”
“I don’t care how you count him, as long as you love him.”
“That’s going to be easy. I’m so happy for you and Karson.”
“Thank you. And don’t think you’re the only one who’s worried about how genetics might affect their future. I worry about that sometimes with Karson.”
“Why?”
Rebel grunted. “Because of Jax. Four bouts with cancer. I can’t imagine Karson that sick, now or in the future. I just want all of us safe,