Page 17 of Breaking the Surface
“You don’t look like that’s what you actually think.I’m telling you, I won’t be offended if you don’t like it.I realize I’m not a great cook.There are only a few meals I can make well, so it would make sense for you to get bored of those.”
Peter smiled.It felt good to have someone who wasn’t Vincent worry over him like this.Lou never had.In fact, he’d made Peter cook all of their meals, and he’d always complained about the food.Peter remembered how it felt, and he hated the thought of Braden feeling the same way.
He speared a potato with his fork and stuffed it into his mouth, smiling at Braden before chewing.Braden looked fond and amused, and the sight of his expression made something squirm in Peter’s stomach.He wanted nothing more than to lean closer and press his lips against Braden’s.
He didn’t.
Instead, he chewed, thinking again.He and Braden were going to be stuck together in this house for a while, maybe forever if Peter ever told Braden they were mates and Braden wanted him.Braden had been giving Peter space, and Peter liked him for that, but he felt that maybe, it was time for him to get over it.The silence was a little too much for him right now.He wasn’t quite lonely, not with Braden hanging around the house and Vincent visiting every day, but he wanted to get to know his mate.He didn’t know if they had a future, but even if they didn’t, he wasn’t willing to waste the time they had together.
“So, you said that you started this job because you wanted to protect people,” he said, hoping Braden would want to answer his questions.
Braden blinked but nodded.“I did.I still do, of course.”
“It sounds like the agency is going well.I mean, I certainly can’t afford it.”Peter had no idea how much people paid to be protected by Braden and Remi, but he didn’t think they were cheap, far from it.He’d heard Braden mention a few names while he was on the phone, and if movie stars could afford to pay Braden and Remi to protect them, it meant that Peter wouldn’t be able to in a million years.
Braden reached over the table to quickly squeeze Peter’s hand.The gesture didn’t last long enough, and it left Peter staring down at his hand as if it belonged to a stranger.Braden either didn’t notice or didn’t care because he was talking again.
“I told you, we don’t do this to pay the bills, or at least, not entirely.We earn enough money from prestigious clients to be able to afford to take other clients pro bono.I didn’t start this agency to protect movie stars or singers.They need protection, too, especially in some cases, but I’d always wanted to help people who truly needed it.”
“People like me?”Peter asked in a trembling voice.
“Exactly.Lou is an asshole.You shouldn’t have to fear for your life or be too afraid to leave the house because one man decided to be a dick.I know that having me around doesn’t mean that you’re not scared, but I hope that it makes you feel a little better.”
“It does,” Peter murmured.“I feel safe when you’re around.”
Braden’s smile was warm.“Good.That’s how I want you to feel.I know that telling you how to feel isn’t going to help, just like telling you that you’re safe isn’t going to convince you that you are, but if my presence here helps you to sleep a little better at night, I’m happy about it.”
“It does,” Peter confirmed, feeling vulnerable.
He was glad when his phone vibrated on the table.It was a needed distraction, even though he was sure that Braden knew what was happening.He wouldn’t blame Peter for feeling vulnerable, though.It wasn’t the kind of person he was.
Peter picked up the phone and looked at the screen.He sucked in a breath and dropped his fork, suddenly not hungry anymore.
“Peter?”Braden asked.
Peter didn’t answer.The only thing he could do was stare at the words on the screen.
I know where you are.
* * * *
BRADEN COULD TELL THATsomething had happened, even though he couldn’t be sure what was going on exactly.Since Peter still had his phone in his hand, though, he suspected that Lou was involved.
Who else could it be?Who else would cause Peter to freeze like that when they’d been joking around and talking?
Braden really fucking hated Lou.
He reached out slowly, and when Peter didn’t react, gently touched his wrist.He was relieved when Peter didn’t jerk away.Instead, he blinked at him, almost as if he was waking up.
“Can I see?”Braden asked gently.
Peter dropped the phone as if it had burned him.Braden picked it up, glancing at the screen, not one bit surprised to see Lou’s name on it.“I’m surprised you didn’t block his number,” he told Peter.
“I wanted to, but I thought that at least I could see what he was up to.”
“Terrorizing you, clearly.”
Peter swallowed and looked away.“He’s always been good at that.”
