Page 19 of Breaking the Surface
“Only two?”
“Actually, I’m pretty sure that Peter, Vincent, and a bunch of other people also hate him.”Braden definitely did, though.He hated Lou for having hurt Peter and for scaring him even now that Peter had left him.The man was a coward.He hadn’t deserved for Peter to even look at him a second time, let alone date him.
But Peter wasn’t dating him anymore.He wasn’t dating anyone.He was in this house, safe, and Braden would make sure things remained that way.
It wasn’t going to be easy.Lou wasn’t going to give up.Braden would be surprised if he wasn’t still in the area, trying to find a way into pack territory.Now, he knew for sure he wouldn’t be getting in through the front gate.It might take him a little while, considering how wide pack territory was, but Braden was sure he’d find another way in, and he wouldn’t fail a second time.Lou had set his eyes on Peter, and he wasn’t letting him go easily.Part of Braden was glad because it meant he’d have a chance to confront the man, but another part wanted Peter to live in peace, and that wouldn’t happen for as long as Lou was still around.
* * * *
WHEN BRADEN DIDN’Tcome back right away from his phone call, Peter got curious.He’d been staring at his food without eating, and he needed a distraction.He’d told Braden he would wash the dishes, but he was more curious about what Remi had to say about things.
Even though Braden and Remi had built the agency together, it was clear to Peter that a lot of the time, Braden let Remi take the lead.Peter wasn’t sure why.It might be because Remi had more experience, or for an entirely different reason, but he wanted to know what Remi thought of Peter’s text.
He left the kitchen.He knew he would find Braden in his office, so he headed that way.He was surprised to see the door was open, but not surprised to hear Braden’s voice.
“How long do you think he’s going to wait to try again?”Braden asked.
Peter couldn’t hear Remi’s answer, but it was an odd sentence.Why would Lou wait to text Peter again?He had to know how terrified Peter was, so why wouldn’t he want to take advantage of that?
“Has Camden organized more patrols?”Braden asked.“Because I don’t want him to find a way in with no warning.”
Peter frowned and stepped into the office.Braden’s eyes widened when he saw him, and he put down his phone.
“Has something more than the text happened?”Peter asked.
He could hear Remi’s tiny voice on the phone, but he didn’t care about what the man had to say anymore.He only cared about Braden answering him.
“Wait one second,” Braden said before raising his phone again.“Hey, Remi, I have to go talk to Peter.Keep me updated.”
He hung up without giving Remi the time to answer.The phone started ringing almost instantly after, but Braden ignored it.“I’m really sorry,” he said as he got up from his chair.“Lou tried to drive into pack territory.”
Peter sucked in a breath.It wasn’t a surprise, far from it.“He failed, though, right?”
“This time.Do you think he’s going to stop, though?”
“Definitely not.”Peter’s heart raced.“If I know him, he’s just circling around, trying to find another way in.He’s lost his patience.He’s coming for me, whether I’m ready or not.”
And Peter definitely wasn’t ready.His chest felt tight, and he might be about to throw up.Either that or he would faint.He wasn’t quite sure which way his body was going to go.
He tried to breathe, but he couldn’t.Maybe he was having a heart attack?It certainly felt like it considering how quickly his heart was beating.
He turned around and barged out of the office.He wasn’t sure where he was going, but he found himself opening the front door and stepping onto the porch.The air was cool, and the sensation helped.He managed to suck in a breath, then a second one, and by the time Braden joined him, he felt a little bit calmer.
Braden hesitated, keeping his distance, but Peter didn’t want him to.He’d been startled when Braden had kissed the top of his head earlier, but he wanted more of it.He wasn’t sure he could ask for it without explaining that Braden was his mate, though, and that didn’t feel like a good idea right now.Braden needed to be focused, but he wouldn’t be once he found out what they were to each other.
Peter leaned back, his back brushing against Braden’s chest just slightly.He held his breath, wondering what Braden would do.Would he step away and give Peter more space which Peter didn’t need?Peter hoped not.
He was so relieved when Braden’s arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer that he could’ve cried.He didn’t want Braden to think that he was crying because of the hug, though, so he kept the tears in and relaxed.
He was safe.He had to remember that.
“I know you’re scared,” Braden whispered, closer to Peter than he’d ever been before.“And I know that telling you that everything will be okay isn’t helping.I promise you that I’ll protect you from Lou, if it’s the last thing I do.”
Peter shook his head.“Please don’t say that.”
“Do you think that Lou would go so far as to actually hurt me or you?”
“He spent months hurting me.Of course he’d hurt you, too.”
