Page 99 of Break The Ice

“I’m sorry.” The whisper comes from deep against my chest, and I’m not okay with it.

“What do you have to be sorry for? It’s not your fault the laws are stupid or that those two lazy ass cops are the ones who answered the call.”

She sniffles. “It’s always like that.”

I wish we hadn’t subjected her to it, but Raider is right. We need a paper trail. Because if I catch him, I’m liable to go to prison for murder.

“They always make it sound like it’s my fault, like I’m getting upset over something tiny. They think I’m exaggerating, that it’s not that bad.”

“Ryann,” I murmur. “We believe you.”

“They always do this. I don’t blame them. It sounds crazy.”

“It’s not crazy. It’s real and happening, and people should believe you. I’m sorry they don’t.”

She starts to cry then, soft, broken sobs that tear my heart to pieces.

How many people brushed her off, ignored her? Friends? Family? Acquaintances? The people who were supposed to protect her and love her?

Kit stares at me, and I stare back. No matter what happens, Ryann comes first.

We’re in agreement.

Kit is at homewith Wren, but I’m driving back to the stadium. Something is up with Raider, and he won’t talk to Wren, the concerned alpha sent us a frantic text message, so I reluctantly got up and made my way here. Wren should be home in a few minutes anyway.

I’m not sure what to expect when I get in there, but finding him lying in the middle of the ice is certainly not on my bingo list.

“Raider, get up.”

He ignores me.

I hiss and then push open the tiny door and step out gingerly onto the ice. I’m going to fall on my ass. It’s not a matter of if but when. Still, it takes everything in me to let go of the boards and take the next step.

My shoes slip on the ice, and I curse and hiss, suddenly going down hard. Luckily, it was on my knees, so my head is okay. I look back. I’ve barely gone a couple of feet, but Raider is in the center.

Damn it.

I crawl on my hands and knees, but it’s cold, and soon, my hands are burning under the bitter chill.

Raider flops his head towards me and watches my progress.

“Get up! Get up! Get up! Get Up!” I shout at him.

He doesn’t move.

I finally reach him and drag myself up his body. I’m shivering now, my hands all red, and I’m cursing the idiotic game my alpha loves and his damn brain cells.

“Get up before you freeze!”

Raider simply smiles. It doesn’t reach his eyes.

“What is wrong with you? Get up!”

Raider turns his face away. I have never been so close to hitting him before, but I ball my hands and grab his top, dragging him up, but it’s like trying to move a boulder.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Does it occur to you that we’re not going to be able to protect her?” Raider asks quietly. “I mean, no one else could. Her parents couldn’t. Her uncle couldn’t. The police couldn’t. What makes you think we’re going to be able to keep her?”

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