Page 32 of Broken Promises (Soho Knights #5)

PATRICK

Patrick jerked awake to the sound of his front door closing.

He glanced at the clock on his bedside table; it was two o’clock in the morning.

The only other people who had a key were Jason and Sebastian, and as much as he loved his best friend, he wasn’t the person Patrick was hoping had let themselves in during the middle of the night.

He knew Jason would think he was being quiet and fumble around for a while before snuggling up next to Patrick.

He was happy to keep the bed warm, waiting to have his boy back in his arms. They needed to talk, because Patrick still hadn’t shared what Grant had blackmailed him with.

Patrick had spoken with his boss and they were going to run the story.

He had to break the news to Milo tomorrow, and was going to offer Edward the opportunity to come out on his own terms, but if not, the story would run regardless.

It was the ugly side of journalism, but Grant had been right; it was the biggest story of the year.

Patrick also needed to tell Jason he knew about the alleged infidelity, but that he didn’t see it that way.

He knew his boy, and he could understand why he’d done what he had.

Patrick loved him too much to let it come between them.

There was nothing Grant could do to break them up. He was certain of that now.

Patrick felt like he was drifting off again when the sound of breaking glass had him fully awake and getting out of bed.

He pulled a T-shirt on and padded out to the living area.

The sight that greeted him broke his heart.

Jason was slumped on the floor, trying to muffle his tears.

What had happened? Patrick rushed over, narrowly avoiding the broken glass, and hoisted Jason up off the floor.

Jason startled for a second, before naturally leaning into Patrick.

He carried Jason to the sofa and sat down with his boy on his lap.

He was sobbing, so Patrick did what came naturally to him– he held him tightly and let him cry it out.

When he was ready to talk, Patrick would listen and then do everything he could to take away all his pain.

Jason cried for close to half an hour before his breathing slowed. Had he fallen asleep?

“Jason,” he whispered.

“I’m still awake,” he mumbled.

“Do you want to go to bed and talk in the morning?”

“No. I can’t be here in the morning.”

Patrick’s body tensed, causing Jason to flinch. He pulled him close, kissing his forehead and stroking his back.

“Do you want to talk to me like this?” asked Patrick.

He knew Jason struggled with eye contact when he was putting his feelings out there, so it would be easier for him to talk this way. Jason nodded, but said nothing for a while. They stayed as they were, clinging to each other.

“I have to break up with you,” said Jason.

Patrick didn’t allow his body to react, but he felt his heart ache. He’d guessed this might be coming. Grant must have gotten to him. Patrick wanted to shout “fuck Grant,” but he knew how scared Jason was of him. He’d just listen to him.

“Tell me what he said,” Patrick prompted .

There was a slight gasp from Jason, and his body tensed, but he soon relaxed again into Patrick’s arms.

“He said he’d hurt you,” said Jason. “And I couldn’t live with myself if anything happened to you.”

Patrick would happily take a beating if it meant not giving Jason up, but he knew it wouldn’t be that simple with a man like Grant.

“He wants me to quit my job and move back up north.”

“To Liverpool?”

“Yeah. He thinks we’d be better there. That’s when we were happy.”

“What do you want, Jason?”

“I don’t think that matters.”

Patrick pulled back so he could look Jason in the eyes. He looked so broken and defeated. Where was that feisty little spitfire who’d wriggled in his lap less than a year ago and called him Daddy? Is this what Grant wanted? A man completely broken, who clearly didn’t want to be with him.

“We can fix this, you know. You don’t have to go with him. Have you talked to your brothers?”

“No. I don’t want him to hurt them either.”

“Have you thought of going to the police?”

The minute the words were out of his mouth, he knew it was a mistake. Jason jumped off his lap, a look of horror on his face.

“Are you insane? He’d kill me.”

“Why would he kill you when he wants you to move to Liverpool with him?”

“It would be the ultimate betrayal to him. He told me . . . I shouldn’t be telling you this.”

“It won’t go any further, Jason. I promise.”

Jason sucked in a breath. Patrick was unsure why.

“He was responsible for my stepfather’s death.”

Patrick wasn’t surprised, to be honest. Based on what Jason had told him, he would have done the same if he’d had the means and the inclination. It was time for Patrick to be honest as well.

“Grant came to see me the other day.”

“He mentioned something, but didn’t get into details.”

Jason had started his usual pacing, which Patrick knew helped him to regulate his emotions.

“He had a story regarding a politician and one of my employees. Said if I didn’t break up with you, he’d send it to all my competitors.”

“What would that do to you?”

“I’d be out of a job.”

Jason’s eyes widened.

“It’s a job, Jason. Yes, I love it, but not as much as I love you.”

“You . . . you love me?”

“Of course I do. How could I not?”

Jason jumped into his arms and buried his face into Patrick’s neck. He could hear him mumbling, but he couldn’t make out what he was saying. After a while, Jason pulled back so they were looking at each other. His beautiful blue eyes were glistening with tears, but he was smiling.

“I love you too.” He hiccupped and then giggled.

Patrick’s heart swelled, and he pulled him in for a gentle kiss.

He’d wanted Jason to say those words for almost a year now, yet here they were, in this moment, and he knew deep down, no matter how much he fought and begged, Jason believed he had to walk away.

He wanted Jason to stay more than anything, but it had to be his choice.

“I cheated on Grant,” said Jason.

“It wasn’t cheating.”

Jason jerked away and looked at him. “You opened the envelope?”

“Grant got in my head. You see, my dad cheated on my mum a lot, and she... she killed herself because of it. Grant knew my weak spot, and well . . . I’m sorry I looked when I promised I wouldn’t.”

Jason jumped off his lap. His face was red with anger. He hoped Jason would understand why he’d looked.

“I hate that man,” he snapped.

Patrick felt relief that it wasn’t aimed at him, but concern that Jason might do something stupid and confront Grant about it.

“You can’t say anything to him, Jason.”

“I know, but I can’t believe he’d do . . . Actually, what am I saying? Of course, he would do something like that. Wait . . . what did you mean when you said it wasn’t cheating?”

“I read all the messages, Jason. A few times.”

Jason went red and looked down at the floor.

“You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about. Take the sexy talk away and read the other messages, and I see someone who was lonely and vulnerable and conflicted. I see someone in pain who needed to feel wanted and loved.”

Jason looked at him again. The tears were back, but he was smiling.

“Nobody’s ever understood me like you. Not even my brothers.”

“You’re my boy. I’m supposed to understand you, so I can look after you.”

“What am I going to do?”

“Do you trust me, boy?”

“Yes, Daddy,” he smiled.

“Then let me fix it.”

“But Grant said –”

“Forget what Grant said. We’re going to make him feel like he’s won, for now. When are you expected to go back to Liverpool with him?”

“The day after Charlie’s wedding.”

“Then that gives us a month. But Jason . . . this has to stay between us. You can’t even tell your brothers. Do you understand?”

“What about Sebastian?”

“Even Sebastian. This will be our secret. As far as everyone else is concerned, we’ve broken up. And we can’t see each other. You know he’ll be watching.”

Jason nodded. “He’s probably watching now.”

“What time do you need to leave by?”

“Before sunrise.”

“Then I better take you to bed and give you something to remember me by.”

Jason smiled. It was something Patrick would miss, but he would not give him up. First, he needed to find a way to bring down a mob boss.