Page 5 of Breaking the Surface
“And if it is, we’ll find a way to deal with it.This is why we created the agency, Remi.It was to protect people like Peter.I’m not taking a step back just because it’s going to make my life a little more complicated.”God knew that Peter’s life was more complicated.Next to it, Braden’s was like a stroll in the park.He wanted Peter to have that.He wanted him to be able to go to sleep at night without being afraid his partner was going to find him.He wanted Peter to feel protected, and the only way to make that happen was to be there with him.
“I’m guessing that Peter’s with Vincent right now?”he asked as he started shoving stuff in his bag.
“He is.I think Camden plans on talking to him in the morning just to confirm what happened to him and to tell him that he’s welcome to stay for as long as he wants.We don’t know anything for sure, so we might be wrong.Maybe what happened has nothing to do with his partner.”
“But you think it does.”
“I’ve heard a few things from Vincent.He didn’t go into details, obviously, but it’s enough to worry me.”
“Do we know anything about the partner?”
“Not yet, but we’ll find out what we need to know.”There was a threat in Remi’s voice, and Braden was glad for that.He doubted that Peter was going to pay them for protection, but he didn’t need to.Remi and Braden would protect him, no matter what.
But Remi had Pembroke to think about now.He couldn’t focus on Peter, especially not when Pembroke was around.No, that was why he’d called Braden, and Braden was more than happy to help.
“I’ll be there as soon as possible,” he promised.
“I know,” Remi said, sounding relieved.“I’ll let Camden know so he can warn the guards.They won’t give you any trouble.”
“And Peter’s safe right now?”
“He’s with Vincent and Ronan.I wouldn’t worry too much about him.”
“You wouldn’t have called me if you weren’t worrying about him.”
“I don’t think his partner is going to come after him tonight.That doesn’t mean he’s not going to come after him at all, and that’s when we’re going to need you.”
“I’ll be there.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.Be careful on the road, and stop if you’re too tired.The last thing we need is for you to get into a car accident.”
“I’ll be fine.”Braden couldn’t deny that he was getting older and that some things that had been easy when he was in his twenties now felt impossible, but he wasn’tthatold yet, and his body was used to him mistreating it.He could drive a few hours to pack territory without crashing his car.He was going to need a nap once he got there, but that was okay.He’d be there, ready to protect anyone who needed it.Braden wasn’t sure Peter would be able to sleep tonight, but hopefully, being in pack territory would help him relax.He was safe, at least for now.
Braden and Remi hung up.It didn’t take Braden long to finish packing his bag and change into comfortable clothes.He was feeling wired, so he knew he wouldn’t fall asleep, but he still got a few energy drinks from his fridge before leaving the house.He cracked one open as soon as he was in his car, then turned the engine on and backed out of his parking spot.
The next few hours were going to be long, and the rest of the day even longer, but Braden felt settled.Just like he’d helped his sister when they were younger, he was going to help Peter, and by the end of it, Peter was going to be as happy as Penelope was now.
Chapter Two
––––––––
WHEN PETER BLINKEDhis eyes open, everything hurt.Well, he was only able to blink one of his eyes open.The other was swollen shut, and he groaned, tempted to roll over and hide his face in the pillow but knowing it would be better if he didn’t.If he thought his face hurt now, it would be even worse if he did that.
He just wanted to scream without anyone hearing him and becoming alarmed.Surely, that wasn’t asking too much.
But he didn’t want to freak Vincent out any more than he had last night.He’d been exhausted, and his body had reached the edge of what it could take before it collapsed, but he’d needed to warn Vincent that Lou might come after him.If he used Peter and Vincent’s name, someone might even let him inside pack territory, and that was the worst thing that could happen.
Peter was sure that Lou would find his way into pack territory eventually.He was smart, and he’d lost his favorite toy to terrorize.He also knew that Peter would come straight to Vincent if anything happened.He didn’t have a family, and Vincent was his safe place, something that had always angered Lou.Peter didn’t think that Lou had ever actually believed that something was happening between Peter and Vincent, but he’d been happy to use the excuse.
Not that he’d needed one.His favorite excuse had been that Peter had provoked him, that it was somehow his fault.Peter had always hated that, but he’d known better than to argue.
He still wasn’t sure where he’d found the strength to run.He knew that if he’d stayed, he probably wouldn’t have survived the next beating.Lou was getting worse, hitting him harder and for longer.He was starting to leave scars, and that wasn’t something Peter wanted to live with.In fact, he never wanted to think about Lou ever again.Unfortunately for him, this mess wasn’t over, but if he was lucky, Lou would eventually forget about him.
But he wouldn’t do that before trying to get him back first.
A soft knock on the door startled him.He sat up, wincing at the pain in his ribs.He croaked something and pressed his hand against his chest, and when Vincent opened the door, that was how he found him.
He rushed to Peter’s side.“Are you okay?What’s going on?”
