Page 51 of One Lucky Hero (Men in Uniform 1)

VIOLET’S MIND RACED as she thought back over all the times that she’d been at work and it had been just Casey and Daisy at home. Had Daisy ever left Casey at home with Quinton?

Quinton was an abusive bastard, but the thought that he might take advantage of a kid half his size turned her stomach.

Still, she wasn’t going to question her sister with Dean in the house. For a brief moment, she’d wanted to sink into the comfort he offered, to lay her head on his chest and let him wrap his arms around her. To let his strength hold her up for a little while. But he was still a stranger, and she already had enough people up in her business.

“Violet, I’d like to help you,” he said earnestly.

“I don’t need any help. We’re doing fine.”

“From the looks of this house, it seems like you could use some,” he said.

Violet stood up angrily and placed her hands on her hips. “We have a roof over our heads, food in the cupboards, and the lights are still on. We’re fine.”

“I’m not saying you aren’t fine, Violet. What are you, twenty-five?”

“I’m twenty-four,” she said.

“And you’ve been taking care of your siblings for how long?”

“Long enough to know this works. Look, Daisy is heading off to college in a few weeks, and I have a semester left before I have my degree. After that, I’ll be able to get a better-paying job and get Casey out of here.” Violet held her tears at bay, refusing to break down again. “We don’t need you getting involved. I’ll talk to Daisy and Casey, and we will handle this together.”

Dean stood still as a statue, saying nothing. The only part of his body that showed any life were his eyes. Emotions swirled through the dark depths—possibly frustration and definitely pity.

Twisting her hands in front of her, she fought the urge to scream at him. God, she didn’t want his pity. She just wanted him out of her house so she could sort through her shit without an audience.

“I’ll set Casey up with counseling appointments this week,” he said finally.

He’s just trying to help Casey. You don’t have to be such a bitch to him.

It wasn’t about him—or her, for that matter. She needed to get to the bottom of this on her own, and he would only complicate things for them.

For you, you mean.

“Thank you for coming by, really. I appreciate you looking out for my brother.”

Dean nodded before walking out of the house and closing the door behind him.

Unable to stop it, she raced into the kitchen and hurled the contents of her stomach into the sink. As she clenched the counter and heaved, a comforting hand rubbed her back.

“You heard?” Violet asked.

“I’ve never left Quinton alone with Casey. I’d never leave Casey alone period, I swear,” Daisy said.

Violet began to sob, believing her. Part of her was relieved that Daisy wouldn’t have to bear any guilt for this, but the rest of her just wanted to know everything.

“It’s okay,” Daisy whispered.

“No it’s . . . not.” Violet tried to calm her breathing, but she was sucking in air like she was drowning.

“

We’ll talk to Casey, and once he tells us who did it, we’ll call the cops.”

“If Casey hasn’t talked about what happened before, what makes you think he’ll tell us about it now?” Violet asked.

“I don’t know. My overwhelming optimism?”

Violet couldn’t stand that Casey had kept something like this inside. He must have been so scared. Why hadn’t he come to her?