Page 20 of Breaking the Surface
Peter was pretty sure he felt Braden kiss his hair again, but he was distracted by the conversation they were having and by the way Braden’s body felt against his.It shouldn’t be so comfortable, but the fact that it was wasn’t a surprise.Braden, of all people, should feel comfortable to Peter.It was why Peter had never been afraid of him.Even though he didn’t know him well, part of him was sure that his mate would never hurt him.
“You forget one thing,” Braden said.“I’ve been trained to fight.I know how to defend myself and you.I’m sure that Lou would try to hurt me, but I don’t think he’d be able to actually do it.”
Something rustling in the bushes caught Peter’s attention.They were surrounded by the forest, so it was probably an animal, or maybe a shifter getting in a run in their animal form, but he kept an eye on it as he answered.“That’s not going to stop him from trying,” he pointed out.
“And if he does, I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine.”
That was the last word that left Braden’s lips before Lou appeared from between the bushes.Peter’s body went on high alert instantly, rigid and ready to run.He tried moving, but Braden’s arms around him were strong.It wasn’t that Braden was stopping him from leaving.It felt more like he was trying to show Peter that no matter what happened, he was safe.
And Peter did feel safe.Lou was standing there, looking pissed and like he was going to kill someone, and the only thing Peter wanted to do was tell him to give it a try.If he’d been alone, he’d have been cowering inside the house, but hewasn’talone.
His mate was with him.
Braden’s arms loosened, and he gently moved Peter until he was behind him.Once that was done, he stood to his full height, which was pretty impressive.Lou had always been on the short side and stocky, and while Braden was muscled, he was also tall.He certainly looked tall enough to throw Lou back into the woods where he’d come from.
Peter held his breath, expecting Braden to have to fight Lou.Lou moved closer to the house, but he never even reached the porch steps.Someone came running, confusing Peter until he realized it was Remi.He wasn’t alone.Two identical-looking men were with him, and the three of them made a beeline for Lou.Unfortunately for Lou, it took him a moment to realize what was happening, and by the time he did, it was too late for him to run.
One of the twins slammed against him with a loud whoop.Lou went down like a sack of potatoes, which, for some reason, made the guy pout.He reached for Lou, but his twin brother was there, stopping him.
“You can’t set him on fire.”
“But it’s no fun if I can’t set anything on fire,” the first twin complained.
“We’re not here to have fun.”
As far as Peter was concerned, hewashaving fun.He was still afraid of Lou, but seeing him like this, flattened like a pancake on the ground, made him realize that he was just an asshole to whom Peter had given more power than he should’ve had.Lou wasn’t dangerous anymore, and maybe he never truly had been.He certainly wasn’t going to hurt Peter now, especially when the first twin sat on his back while the other one rolled his eyes.
“Let’s go inside,” Braden murmured, gently guiding Peter towards the front door.
Peter kind of wanted to stay out there and watch Lou, but he was also eager to finally leave his ex behind.
He didn’t know what Remi and the twins would do with Lou, and he didn’t care as long as he never had to deal with him again.What he did care about was his mate, so when Braden gently pushed him again, he went.
* * * *
BRADEN WASN’T SURPRISEDthat it didn’t take Camden long to visit.He’d taken Peter to the kitchen, thinking he might need to sit down, but while Peter seemed spooked, he was also steady.He kept glancing outside the window, even though he couldn’t see anything from there.The kitchen faced the back of the house, while Lou and the others were at the front.
Braden went to open the door when he heard the knock.He peeked outside to find Camden standing there, but he couldn’t see Lou anywhere.Hopefully, it meant that Remi and the twins had dragged him away, but Braden wanted to know what was going to be done.Lou had entered pack territory.He hadn’t hurt anyone, though, so it would be hard to actually stop him from trying again.Unfortunately for Peter, this mess wasn’t over yet.
“How is he?”Camden asked as he walked in.
“Better than I expected.He’s shaken, but Lou didn’t get near him, so I think he’ll be okay.”
Camden’s expression was serious.“That’s good.”
“But there’s abut, isn’t there?”
Camden grimaced.“Unfortunately, there is.”
“Peter’s in the kitchen.”
They made their way there.Peter was making coffee when they walked in, and he smiled at the alpha.Braden could see that Peter was nervous, but he didn’t say anything about it.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” Camden said.“Lou trespassed on private property, but that’s not going to keep him in for long.He didn’t hurt anyone and didn’t attack you.Unfortunately, that means that even if the police arrest him, he won’t stay in for long.”
Peter sighed.“So he’ll continue coming for me.”
“Unfortunately, I think that’s probable.”
