Page 36 of Broken Promises (Soho Knights #5)

JASON

Jason beamed as he watched his best friend walk down the aisle.

It wasn’t just because of how handsome he looked, or how happy Jason was for him, it was seeing Pam on his arm.

Charlie’s mother was Mum to all the brothers.

She was the only one who’d been what a mum should be– someone who loved their child unconditionally.

Pam had multiple sclerosis and struggled to walk.

She mostly got around in a wheelchair, but she’d been determined to walk her boy down the aisle.

It had been touching to see Sebastian walk down the aisle with his twin sister, Bex, but there wasn’t a dry eye in the house for this moment with Charlie and his mum.

Pam needed a stick to stablise herself, but the pride radiating from her was propelling her forward.

Jason could even hear Gregory sniffling behind him, which was unheard of.

Paolo was as big a cry baby as Jason, and Langdon liked to act all tough, but he was a big softie, especially with Pam.

He did so much for her that Charlie regarded himself as relegated to son number two.

Pam dropped Charlie off with his husband to be, and kissed him on the cheek before taking her seat next to Jason.

She gripped his hand and gave him a reassuring smile.

He was the only brother who was here without a partner.

A few months ago, that wouldn’t have bothered him, but when he’d caught sight of Patrick for the first time in a month, he’d felt the pain in his heart.

They’d made eye contact briefly and Patrick had smiled at him.

Jason missed him so much. He’d never felt this way about anybody.

Once the ceremony was over, they’d have a chance to talk, but was he even allowed to do that? Was Grant having him watched now?

There was no top table, but Charlie was with Sebastian, Bex and her family, and Charlie’s mum at one table.

The remaining brothers and their partners were at another.

Patrick was with Sebastian’s New York friends at another table.

They had been together originally, but when they’d done their fake breakup, Charlie had separated them, thinking he was being helpful.

It wasn’t his fault he didn’t know the full story.

“Welcome, everyone,” said the registrar, a fabulous-looking gent with a bowtie Gregory would be envious of. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Sebastian and Charlie in marriage.”

They were getting married at The Savoy, because of course they were– no expense spared.

The room was decorated to perfection with purples and yellows.

They both had their own signature colour for their cravats and buttonholes, and they both looked amazing, although Sebastian Steele in a suit was the definition of hot office porn.

Jason had to stifle a snort, and not let his mind wander to such inappropriate places.

He didn’t think anyone had noticed, until he looked across the aisle at Patrick, who was watching him with a smile on his face.

Jason couldn’t help but return it. He still loved the man so much, and it was going to hurt not to be with him, but he’d rather that than for him to be dead.

“Sebastian and Charlie have written their own vows. Who would like to go first?”

“I will,” said Charlie, quickly causing everyone to laugh.

They both took hold of each other’s hands, looking into each other’s eyes. It was like there was nobody else in the room but them. It wasn’t a big wedding, with around seventy guests, but you couldn’t hear a sound from anyone.

“Sebastian, crashing into you was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Jason chuckled, remembering their “meet cute,” as Charlie described it.

“I’m lucky, in that I have some amazing cheerleaders in my life– my mum and brothers– but nobody gets me like you.

You helped me see just what I’m capable of, and whenever I stumble, it’s not about catching me or trying to fix things.

You give me the safety of your love to learn and grow.

And if I ask, you’ll get your wallet out. ”

This made everyone laugh. Sebastian was worth billions, and it was an ongoing battle for him to get Charlie to allow him to spoil him.

“There’s something that’s much bigger than your wallet . . .”

Sebastian’s eyes widened.

“I’m referring to your heart.”

More laughter. Charlie was killing it up there. None of them had any idea what he was going to say, as he’d kept his vows to himself when he was writing them.

“It’s your heart that makes me feel safe and loved every day, and I promise to spend the rest of my life making you feel just as safe and loved.”

Jason could see Sebastian’s eyes watering. Everyone was wiping their eyes after that. The registrar turned to Sebastian for him to give his vows.

“Charlie Davidson. I’d never been a big believer in fate until I met you. Neither of us were supposed to be out that night, a year ago today. I had a meddling sister who insisted I needed to let off some steam. You had a feisty brother with a penchant for bears.”

Jason felt his cheeks heat as everyone laughed. His brothers all looked at him in fits. Wasn’t it supposed to be the speeches when everyone made digs?

“Then we were parted, and you walked into my office and knocked a chair over.”

Charlie glared at him, his face going red, but there was no heat in it.

“If we were a romance novel, our trope would be insta love. I knew from that first night you were someone special. I might have the wallet you joked about earlier, but as a person, I was completely lost. You saved me when we met that night. You reminded me that love was something I could have, and that I deserved it. You’re my hero, Charlie.

I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, feeling pride at the man you continue to become, and falling in love with you a little more each day.

I promise to hold you when you’re sad, protect you when you’re scared, spoil you when you let me, and some other things we won’t say in front of your mum. ”

Charlie flamed red again, but everyone laughed. The loudest was Pam, but it was mixed with tears. These two were the dream of a perfect couple. A true partnership. You might look at them and think of Sebastian as the alpha, but Charlie was equally as strong, just in different ways.

The registrar continued with the ceremony.

Jason could feel someone watching him, and he knew it was Patrick.

After Grant, he didn’t think he’d ever want to get married again, but seeing Charlie and Sebastian declare their love for each other, he knew he wanted that.

He wanted to be up there, telling the person he loved they were his hero. He wanted it to be Patrick.

The next few hours were a mix of eating, drinking, and speeches. Jason had drunk one glass of champagne with the toasts, and was now leaning against the bar with a glass of Diet Coke .

“Hello again, cutie,” said a deep voice he hadn’t heard for a few months.

He turned round to be greeted by Ryder Quinn, a fitness model and social media influencer. The guy was sex on a stick, and they’d had a wild night together, but he wasn’t Patrick. Still, he was one of Sebastian’s closest friends, so he would not be rude.

“Hello again, Ryder. How’s all with you?”

“Better, now I’m talking to you.”

Jason snorted.

“Hold on, I can do better,” he said, doing a three-sixty turn and smiling. “I don’t do repeats, but I’ll make an exception for you, cutie.”

Jason couldn’t help but laugh. He wasn’t sure if Ryder was being serious or not, but he appreciated the laugh. Ryder leaned forward, so he was talking in Jason’s ear.

“Now, what I said about the repeat was true. I would make an exception for you, cutie, but I value my balls. And anytime I looked over at you when we were eating dinner, I could feel the glare of your protective daddy warning me off.”

“Who?” said Jason, without thinking.

“That would be the one storming over here now because he thinks I’m whispering sweet nothings in your ear. Now I’m going to find someone’s loose cousin to have some fun with.”

Jason laughed as Ryder moved away. Patrick arrived with a glare on his face. Jason stopped laughing.

“What did he want?” asked Patrick.

“I think you know the answer to that.”

Patrick growled, and it was so loud it startled a couple of people nearby.

“Can we talk, Jason, somewhere private?”

“Are we allowed to?”

“Yes. ”

“How?”

“I promised you I’d fix it.”

“What?” asked Jason, unable to keep the hope and emotion out of his voice. “But Grant said . . .”

“He won’t be a problem anymore.”

“What? How?”

“Like I said, I promised–”

Patrick didn’t get a chance to finish what he was saying as Jason crashed their mouths together.

Patrick quickly took control of the kiss, hoisting Jason up in his arms. Jason wrapped his legs round Patrick’s waist as the kiss deepened.

He could feel how hard Patrick was, and Jason was so aroused by it, he could already feel that familiar tingle in his spine.

He couldn’t come from a kiss, that would be embarrassing, but he knew his daddy would find it hot.

The sounds of whooping and cheering broke them out of their frantic kiss. Pulling apart, he looked over and could see Charlie, his brothers, their partners, Sebastian, and all his friends watching them. Jason felt his face burning and buried it into Patrick’s shoulder.

“Can you take us to that private place you mentioned?”

Patrick chuckled, and then he was being carried out of the ballroom to the sound of more cheers. The last thing he wanted to do was upstage Charlie on his big day, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself from kissing Patrick the moment he’d said Grant was no longer a problem.

“Where are we going?” asked Jason.

“To my room.”

“Ooh.”

“To talk.”

“Boo.”