Page 12 of Breaking the Surface
He gave Peter the space he needed and that he hadn’t had until now, just like any good mate would.
Just like any good person would.
Peter’s breathing was ragged, his hands trembling at his sides.The silence stretched between them.Braden’s gaze held nothing but patience and concern, no trace of the anger or disgust Peter had been bracing himself for.It made something crack inside him, just a little.
“I’m sorry,” Peter whispered, the fight draining out of him as quickly as it had come.“I shouldn’t have—”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Braden interrupted gently.“You’ve been through hell.You’re allowed to be angry.You’re allowed to lash out.I’m not going anywhere, Peter.Not because I have to stay, but because Iwantto stay.”
The words settled over Peter.He didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing at all.Braden wouldn’t force him to speak.He wouldn’t force him to do anything.
* * * *
BRADEN WASN’T OFFENDEDby the way Peter was talking to him.He knew how it felt to feel like your life was out of control, like there was nothing you could do to make it better.Peter couldn’t see it right now, but he was doing the right thing.The mess with his ex wouldn’t last forever, and while it would take time for Peter to heal, once Lou was out of his life, he’d be able to carry on.He’d be in control again, and he would have a chance to be happy.Right now, though, he needed space, so Braden left him in the living room.There was a small office next to it that Braden had already claimed as his.He didn’t know how long he’d be in pack territory, but for now, he needed the space.
Luckily, Camden had come through when Braden had explained what he’d need.The house had been empty, but it wasn’t anymore.Camden had found furniture somewhere, and between that and Peter’s stuff, the house felt a little lived in already.It wasn’t a lot, but it was better than moving into an empty house.At least Braden had a desk and a chair in his office, something he definitely needed.
He sat in his new chair and turned on his computer.He’d already set up everything so he could work remotely, but that wasn’t what he was interested in right now.Instead, he pulled up the app that controlled the cameras he’d had placed around the house.He hadn’t told Peter about them, and he wasn’t sure it was his place.Both Remi and Camden knew about the cameras, and they’d agreed they were a good idea.The only person who could look at the feed, other than Braden, was Remi, and neither of them would do anything with it.This was just for Peter’s safety, and Braden should probably tell him, but at the same time, he didn’t want Peter to feel like he was being watched.He’d already lost enough, and Braden didn’t want to take his sense of privacy, too.
Braden would probably tell him, but now wasn’t the right moment.Peter was all over the place emotionally, and Braden didn’t think that he would take it nicely.They could go over it later today.
There was nothing to see on the cameras, so Braden got to work.His temporary move to pack territory had made his life a little more complicated, and while it would be worth it, it still meant that he had extra work.He had to reorganize his entire workday, and while he’d put his secretary in charge while he wasn’t at the office, there were tasks only he could do.He and Remi were the only ones who talked to new clients.They were the only ones who decided who to take on and who to refuse.To do that, they needed to go through a lot of information, and that was what Braden did for a few hours.
He was reading a new request from a decently known actress who was moving to New York and wanted her apartment secured when he heard a crash from upstairs.He was out of his chair in seconds and running out the office door even faster.There was no way Lou had managed to find the house, let alone get inside of it without Braden knowing, but that didn’t mean something wasn’t happening.He needed to be sure.He’d promised to keep Peter safe, and he would.
He climbed the stairs two by two.He wasn’t sure which bedroom Peter had chosen since there were three, but he assumed it was the one with the door closed, and so that was where he went.He knocked quickly, then opened without waiting for an answer, hoping Peter wouldn’t hold that against him.It was probably nothing, but Braden needed to be sure.
Peter was on the bed, stretched out under a blanket that looked handmade.He was just starting to sit up, and when Braden looked around the room, he realized that the crash had been books that Peter had left on his nightstand.Maybe Peter had knocked into it while sleeping.
He wasn’t sleeping anymore, but hewaspanicking.If Braden had to guess, Peter had had a nightmare, and while his eyes were open, his mind was still in his dream.His eyes were wide and unfocused, and he was fighting with the blanket as if it was trying to hurt him.In his mind, it might be.
Braden stepped toward the bed, then stopped.Somehow, he didn’t think that Peter would appreciate it if he did anything.His job here was done.He knew that Peter was safe, so technically, he could go back downstairs.He wasn’t about to leave Peter like this, though, and thankfully, it only took Peter a few seconds to truly wake up.
When he did, he stopped fighting the blanket and blinked.It took him a few seconds to become more focused, and when he did, his cheeks flushed.
Braden didn’t want Peter to be uncomfortable.There was no shame about what was happening to him, and he wanted Peter to be aware of that.
“I’m sorry for barging into your room,” he said, already stepping toward the door.“I heard a noise and wanted to make sure you were okay.I’ll go back downstairs.Just yell if you need anything.”
“Wait,” Peter called out.
Braden stopped moving and waited, just like Peter had asked.He wasn’t sure what kind of hold Peter had on him, but it fascinated him.He didn’t think he’d felt this way for anyone else.It didn’t make sense, but at the same time, Braden didn’t think that it needed to.He’d seen enough in his life to know that feelings didn’t always have an explanation, and that was okay.
“I wanted to apologize,” Peter said.“For what happened earlier.I shouldn’t have snapped at you.You put your life on pause to help me, and I’m grateful.I need you to know that.My anger and frustration have nothing to do with you.”
Braden smiled.“You don’t have to apologize.I’m here because I want to be.If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have come.Remi and I could’ve chosen anyone from our agency to protect you.”
“Why didn’t you?Why did you come yourself instead of sending someone else?I don’t think there was a real need for you to do that.”
Braden wasn’t sure he should tell Peter about what had happened with his father.Eventually, he suspected he would, but Peter had enough to focus on in his own life right now.“Believe it or not, it wasn’t only for your benefit.I miss Remi, and I’ve seen how happy he’s been since he moved here.I’ve been toying with the thought of possibly moving for a while now, but nothing’s been decided yet.I was planning on spending a few days here already.I guess that spending time with you here will give me a taste of what actually moving would be like, and I’m excited about that.”
Peter looked like he didn’t quite believe Braden.“You’re excited about your job?”
“That, too.Remi and I started this agency for a reason, Peter.We wanted to protect people.We still do, even though most of what we do with the agency is much tamer than this.If you’re worrying about me sacrificing something to be here and helping you, don’t.I’m excited to be here.I do wish I didn’t have to deal with your ex, though.He doesn’t sound like a good person.”
Peter looked away.“He’s not.”
Braden was familiar with what Peter was feeling.He remembered wanting desperately for someone to help, but being afraid to ask for it and even more so, ashamed.Even as a teenager, he’d known what was happening was wrong, that he needed to reach out to someone so they could do something, but he’d been terrified.What if the person he talked to couldn’t help him?What if he and Penelope ended up staying with their father, and he found out what Braden had done?Those had been legitimate worries, and Braden knew that Peter had gone through something similar.In the end, though, he’d reached out, and he was safe.He was stronger than he gave himself credit for, and Braden hoped that eventually, he’d be able to see it.
