The Protectors: New Generation Book 1

50 - New Plan - Dominic POV

"I think I've come up with a plan to get your siblings out. Since your adoptive father hit Evan, have Grace get together any evidence against him. Take pictures of the injuries. Tape his conversation with the family, especially when he is having an outburst."

I cringe.

"I know this will be hard but you have to have patience. We need solid evidence to get him to sign custody papers."

"Custody papers?

"Yeah. You are old enough to get custody of Evan. The best plan I can come up with is for you to get permanent custody of Evan. I can draw up the papers where your adoptive father relinquished his adoption of Evan and gives custody to you."

"What am I going to do with Evan? And what about Grace?"

"Bring them to the islands. I'm sure we can set up some sort of housing arrangement where Evan and Grace can stay in the same house as you."

"I can bring them to the islands?"

"I don't see why not. They are your family and Evan will become your permanent responsibility. That in essence makes you his guardian. Therefore, he would qualify as a child."

"Wow!" I jump up and hug EJ.

"Okay, bärchen ."

"This is the best news you could have given me."

"Great. Now, go call Grace and let her in on the plan. Convince her, however you're able, to follow this plan on her end. Then go make up with Ande, you idiot. That girl is a breath of fresh air for your life. I've seen such a change in you the last few weeks. Don't ruin a potential chance at happiness because of guilt. You have nothing to feel guilt about."

"If you say so."

I feel a hand against my head.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"For being Dummkopf."

"Am I going to have to learn German to be around you?" I half joke.

"It would take a lot of time you don't have right now, but it wouldn't be impossible. I mostly speak English. There's just a few phrases I say in German on a regular basis. You already know some, and probably can guess the rest."

"I suppose you are right, but I'll keep the thought in mind. Thanks for always being here.

"You're most welcome. You and Jonah are very special to me." he says with a smile before he leaves the room.

I jump up, grab my phone from the dresser, and head out to the nearby clearing.

I call Grace, but she doesn't pick up. I send "411" to her to let her know I have something critical to tell her.

It takes about 15 minutes, but she calls back.

"What's so urgent that you had to interrupt my bath."

"Oh - I'm so sorry princess. EJ has come up with a plan."

"Isn't that the guy you left with?"

"Yes, but that detail isn't important right now. What is important is what I need you to do so I can get you and Evan away from that asshole."

"Okay," she says with excitement laced with sadness.

"You are going to start gathering evidence against our adoptive father."

"Evidence?"

"Yep. Evidence about anything he is doing that isn't right. Get pictures of Evan's injuries. Tape conversations he is having that shows his abusive side. Anything at all that you think will help me get custody of Evan."