Page 19 of Broken Promises (Soho Knights #5)

JASON

It was Christmas Day, and Jason was excited!

Ever since he’d met his brothers, he’d enjoyed Christmas.

It had been shit growing up, but it was hard not to miss his sisters on the big day.

He remembered their faces on Christmas morning.

They got very little growing up, but Jason always made it as special as he could.

He wasn’t proud of the things he’d had to do as a kid to make sure his siblings had something to open on the day, but he’d done what he had to.

It had all been worth it. Christmas was about the kids, and Jason was the biggest child he knew.

“Merry Christmas, Daddy,” he said, cuddling Langdon.

“Get off me,” he grumbled, but he was smiling.

“Shall I wake Gregory up?”

“Things won’t be ready for a while yet, so let him sleep. He’s been stressed lately.”

“It’s probably all that action he’s getting with Oscar.”

“Not our business.”

“Do you even know me?”

Langdon laughed, and then tried to warn Jason, but it was too late because he was already bounding up the stairs to Gregory’s bedroom– he had the entire top floor of the flat, which was only right, as he was the one who’d bought it.

When Jason had found out recently that Gregory was getting the flat valued, he’d panicked.

Everything was changing at the moment, and he couldn’t take anything else.

Jane had left just before Christmas, and things were good again between them.

She’d been disappointed that he’d withdrawn from the process, but understood his reasons.

It hadn’t been her intention when they’d had their talk, but she was right; he wasn’t ready to step up to that role.

There was a reason you didn’t get many C-suite executives in their twenties.

His new boss, Simon, was in his forties and would be starting the first week of January. Jason had met him once, and he was hot as fuck. He had the whole silver fox DILF thing going on, but even Jason had some morals. He would not fuck his boss, no matter how hot he was.

Patrick had been occupying Jason’s thoughts since they’d last spoken.

He knew about Grant. What else did he know?

His mum had sent him a Christmas card saying she was up for parole again too, but he’d ripped it up.

She was where she belonged, and he wasn’t doing anything to help her get out before the fourteen years were up.

That wasn’t long enough, as far as he was concerned.

She was just as guilty as he was, but at least he was dead and wouldn’t hurt anyone else ever again.

There had been a lot going on in their flat over the last few months.

Charlie had moved out, Eric had moved in with Langdon, and it was clear Paolo and Max were destined for their happily ever after and wouldn’t be here soon.

The whole Gregory and Oscar thing was still a mystery, but Jason had this sinking feeling that by his next birthday he’d be the only one who wasn’t in a relationship, and he’d have to find somewhere else to live.

Gregory had promised Jason he would always have a home here, but he wasn’t convinced.

He’d learnt at a young age that promises were made to be broken.

As for Jason and Patrick... he knew the man was far too good for him and all the baggage he brought.

Patrick didn’t know all of Jason’s history, and if he did, he’d run for the hills.

It was why he didn’t do relationships. It wasn’t just about not wanting to deal with the same hurt he’d felt from Grant, but he knew that once someone knew all of him, they’d know he was too damaged, and he’d be rejected again.

Jason had heard Patrick wouldn’t be joining them for Christmas dinner today.

Patrick was going to be on his own, and all because of Jason.

Christmas had to be a painful time for Patrick, given the loss of his husband.

Everything Jason touched turned to shit, so it was best if he kept away from Patrick to protect him, and he could protect his own heart at the same time.

All he wanted to do today was forget all the crap going on in his life and in his head.

That started with giving Gregory a wake-up call, so he burst into his bedroom without knocking, which he knew would get him all wound up.

Jason couldn’t help himself. It was fun to get a reaction from people, and Langdon was in a good mood, so he had to go to the next grumpiest person in their group.

“Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!”

He jumped on the bed and tackled Gregory into a hug.

“Why are you attacking me?” asked Gregory.

“Daddy Langdon has made breakfast, and your presence is required.”

“I thought we were going to KC’s for breakfast?”

“We are. This is a pre-breakfast breakfast.”

“Well, if you get off me, I can get dressed and join you.”

“You’re no fun,” he said, pouting.

Gregory laughed and then flipped Jason onto his back so he could get out of bed .

“What the fuck was that?” asked Jason. “The way you just manhandled me? You’ve given me a stiffy.”

“Stiffy? What are you, twelve?”

Gregory stood up and pulled on his jogging bottoms. What was he hiding? His face was more frowny than usual.

“Just when I think I know you, Gregory, you have another surprise for me.”

“Not sure what you’re talking about,” he said, looking away, blushing.

“You’ve got two minutes, or I’m sending Langdon up to retrieve you.”

“Just let me go to the bathroom and I’ll be there.”

Jason smirked, but said nothing else as he left. He saw Paolo’s sister Lori in the kitchen, so rushed over and gave her a hug.

“Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. Woohoo.”

“Someone take his batteries out,” said Langdon.

“Don’t be boring. It’s Christmas.”

“Maybe you’d be quiet if Patrick gave you a spanking!”

He felt his face flame, so he scowled at Langdon. “Bitch!”

Langdon left and went back to cooking, and Jason grabbed Lori’s hand and dragged her over to the sofa. He loved this sofa. It was custom made and enormous. It could fit all five of them on it comfortably.

Lori had been through hell recently, so Jason had made it his mission to make her laugh as much as possible. He took out his phone and scrolled to some meme he knew she would like. They were both laughing when Gregory joined them.

“Where is everyone?” he asked.

“Merry Christmas, Gregory,” said Langdon.

“Oh, sorry. Merry Christmas.”

“To answer your question, they’re all still in bed.”

“Jason. You said everyone was waiting for me.”

“Did I? Must have been mistaken.”

He glared at Jason and then shuffled off to the coffee machine. Jason couldn’t help but laugh. Today was going to be a good day. He could feel it.

They were in KC’s for their proper Christmas breakfast after Langdon had made them breakfast pastries, which he’d done from scratch.

That man had many talents, as Jason was well aware.

His growly big brother was not quiet in the bedroom, and Eric was more on the shy side.

That everyone within a five-mile radius knew Eric was getting pounded every night by Langdon would be embarrassing.

But not to Jason. He’d only ever viewed Langdon as a sibling, but he couldn’t deny how hot he was.

All his friends were hot. Perhaps it was something in the stars that made sexiness gravitate towards each other. He snorted.

“What’s funny?” asked Charlie.

“Just amazed at how much hotness there is at this table.”

Charlie laughed. “And you haven’t slept with anyone. That’s what’s truly amazing.”

“Piss off,” he said, nudging Charlie’s shoulder.

“What are you two plotting?” asked Sebastian, his eyebrow raised.

“Nothing. We were just talking about taking up a pottery class.”

Charlie cracked up laughing. “Where the fuck did that come from?”

“I literally have no idea,” he said, laughing with him.

KC was bustling around. She was working on her own today, but the place wasn’t publicly open.

There were three other groups who Jason recognised as long-term regulars.

She had never opened on Christmas Day before, and the brothers were never usually all together.

Paolo and Gregory were typically with their families.

Charlie’s mum, Pam, was like a second mum to all of them and was always wherever they were.

She was the only one who acted like a mother should, and Jason was looking forward to seeing her later.

There was a loud knock on the door, and when Jason looked at who it was he thought he was going to pass out from shock.

This could not be happening. What was Grant doing here?

It was the first time Jason had seen him since he was lifted into that ambulance.

Why had he chosen today of all days to crash into Jason’s life?

“We’re closed,” shouted KC.

“What the fuck does he want?” said Langdon.

“It’s okay, KC, you can let him in,” said Sebastian.

What was Sebastian thinking? He looked at Charlie, who squeezed his leg under the table and gave him a reassuring smile.

It didn’t work. All he wanted to do was run, but between Jason and freedom was the last person he wanted to see.

KC opened the door, and he walked in. Grant had always been well dressed and today was no exception.

Even the Santa hat looked good on him; it was very unfair.

“Merry Christmas!” he said.

There were some grumbled responses.

“Oh no, that won’t do at all. Merry Christmas!” he said again, with more cheer.

Everyone responded this time, except for Jason, but the enthusiasm wasn’t there. It was clear Jason wasn’t the only one who didn’t want this man here.

“That will have to do. Get us a brew to go, will ya, love,” he said to KC. “Three sugars.”

She glared at him, then looked at Sebastian, who nodded.

“I come bearing gifts,” he said, pulling up a seat. “Langdon, my boy.”

“What?” he barked, causing Grant to chuckle.

“Is he always a grumpy bitch, Eric? Are you giving him enough orgasms?”

Eric went bright red. Grant tossed an envelope towards Langdon .

“You mentioned you wanted to see the northern lights, so that’s a cruise around Iceland and the Norwegian fjords. You’re in a suite.”

“What’s the catch?” asked Langdon.

“So untrusting.” He tutted with a smile. “Call it a Christmas and engagement present rolled into one.”

“Sebastian, you have more money than God, so there’s nothing I could buy you.”

There was polite laughter, but Jason was trying to make himself look invisible.

Charlie hadn’t let go of his leg, and it felt reassuring, but he was still praying that Grant would ignore him and focus on the other people he’d come to see.

He spent some time with Paolo and Max, but Jason had tuned them out and didn’t know what they were talking about.

“Right, presents are over. Just got a bit of business to deal with. Jason!”

Jason’s head snapped up. It was a reflex. That voice that had commanded him so many times, and made his heart race with excitement, now had the same effect, but it was fear. This man was still his husband, and he was terrified of what he could do to him.

“You can quit trying to make yourself look invisible. You can’t keep ignoring me forever, but you can wait.”

Jason wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but would only do that when Grant had left.

“Gregory. Mr Montgomery has made the initial payment. I trust the rest will be taken care of by the deadline?”

“Oscar... I mean, Mr Montgomery will be taking care of things.”

What the fuck! What was Gregory doing getting involved with Grant? Didn’t he know how dangerous he was?

“Excellent, well, that’s it then. Merry Christmas!” Grant stood up and took his tea from KC, thanking her with a kiss on the cheek, before he left without another word.

It took a few seconds for everyone to process everything that had just happened, and then their attention went straight to Gregory.

Why were they ignoring Jason and his connection with Grant?

Why did he care? He was no longer the centre of attention, and although he usually hated that, right now he relished it.

“Are you okay?” asked Charlie.

Of course Charlie wouldn’t leave him alone.

“I just need to get out of here.”

“If you go now, they’ll ask questions. You know Langdon won’t let it go when he’s dealt with whatever Gregory’s up to.”

“Do you know what it is?”

“No idea, but probably something to do with his brother. It’s related to money, and that’s what Grant is all about.”

“Can you cover for me if I take off?”

“Take off where? It’s Christmas Day. Nothing is open.”

Jason thought of one place he could go where he’d be safe, but he shook that thought away. He wouldn’t be welcome, not after what he’d done with Ryder. He’d heard enough to know how well that had gone down. Jason looked up and saw Langdon looking at him.

“What?”

“Something you need to tell me?”

Jason shook his head.

“I’ll leave it . . . for now.”

What was Langdon going to think of him? He would hate Jason for what he’d done.

Grant had caused Langdon so much pain. And what had Jason done?

He’d married the guy and cut off his friends who had been there for him when he’d arrived at university as a needy and pathetic waste of space.

They’d all supported him and helped him become the man he was today, which was still needy and pathetic, but he looked fabulous doing it.

If he tried to leave now, he knew he’d just cause concern with his brothers, so he’d have to push down everything he was feeling.

His food tasted like sawdust, but if he didn’t eat, they would notice.

If he didn’t engage in the conversation and make some sassy comment, they would notice.

He wasn’t sure how he was going to get through this without exploding, but he would, because he didn’t want his brothers to worry about him.

They did that enough, and he would not ruin their Christmas.