Page 15 of Breaking the Surface
Peter was sitting on the bed, his knees pulled up to his chest, his face pale and his breathing uneven.His eyes were unfocused, and Braden could see panic written all over his features.Vincent had one hand on Peter’s shoulder, speaking to him in low, soothing tones.
“What happened?”Braden asked, stepping into the room.
Vincent glanced at him, then back at Peter.“He’s okay.Just a panic attack.He’ll be fine in a minute.”
Braden’s chest tightened.He hated seeing Peter like this and that he couldn’t do anything to fix it.He wanted to cross the room and pull Peter into his arms, to tell him that everything would be okay, but he knew that wasn’t his place.Not yet, anyway.Maybe not ever.
“Is there anything I can do?”he asked.
Vincent shook his head.“Just give him some space.He’ll come back around.”
Braden nodded, but he didn’t leave.He stayed in the doorway, watching as Vincent continued to talk to Peter, his voice calm and steady.Slowly, Peter’s breathing began to even out, and the water in the glass stopped moving.It took a few more minutes, but eventually, Peter blinked and seemed to come back to himself.His cheeks flushed when he realized Braden was there.
“I’m okay,” Peter said, his voice rough.“I’m fine.”
Braden didn’t believe him, but he nodded anyway.“Good.I just wanted to check in on you.”
“Why?”Peter asked, frowning.“Did something happen?”
Braden hesitated.He didn’t want to make things worse, but Peter deserved to know.“Remi texted me.Lou was spotted driving past the eastern border of pack territory.He didn’t stop, but he was there.”
Peter’s face went even paler, and for a moment, Braden thought he might panic again.But Vincent squeezed his shoulder, and Peter took a deep breath, nodding slowly.
“Okay,” Peter said.“Okay.That’s not good, but I’m safe here, right?And we knew he’d come, so it’s not unexpected.”
“You’re safe,” Braden said firmly.“I promise you, Peter.He’s not getting anywhere near you.”
Peter nodded again, but Braden could see the fear in his eyes.He hated it.He hated that Lou had done this to him and made him so afraid that even the mention of the man’s name could send him into a panic.
“I’m going to go start dinner,” Braden said after a moment.“You should eat something.Both of you.”
Vincent smiled.“That sounds great.Thank you, Braden.”
Braden nodded and turned to leave, but Vincent followed him out into the hallway, closing the door behind him.Braden looked at him, confused, and Vincent met his gaze with an expression that was hard to read.
“I know you’ll keep him safe,” Vincent said quietly.
Braden frowned.“Of course I will.That’s my job.”
Vincent’s smile was small and knowing.“I know.”
There was something in the way he said it that made Braden pause, like Vincent knew something Braden didn’t.But before he could ask, Vincent clapped him on the shoulder and headed back into Peter’s room.Braden stood there for a moment, confused, before shaking his head and heading downstairs.
He needed to focus.He had to make sure Peter was taken care of, and right now, that meant making dinner.
Braden wasn’t much of a cook, but he knew the basics.He found some chicken in the fridge, along with vegetables and pasta, and decided to make something simple.As he worked, his mind kept drifting back to Peter.He’d looked so small and scared on the bed.The way the water in the glass had moved in response to his emotions was fascinating, but it also made Braden’s chest ache.Peter was hurting, and Braden wanted to fix it.He wanted to make everything better.
He couldn’t.Not really.All he could do was be there, keep Peter safe, and hope that eventually, things would get better.
By the time the food was ready, Vincent had come downstairs.He grabbed his jacket from the back of the couch and gave Braden a small wave.
“I’m heading out,” Vincent said.“Take care of him, okay?”
“I will,” Braden promised.
Vincent paused at the door, looking back at Braden.“Oh, I’m sure,” he said, and then he was gone.
Braden stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, before shaking his head and turning back to the stove.He plated two servings of the chicken and pasta, then grabbed both plates and headed upstairs.He wasn’t sure if Peter would want company, but he figured it was worth offering.
