“It was Jason who dragged Charlie out that night.”
“Yeah, but I think you still would have met somehow. You two were meant to be.”
“I like to think so,” said Sebastian with a smile. “Anyway, we’re talking about you. What was all that with Ryder? That’s not you, Patrick. I’ve known you for close to forty years and I’ve never seen you behave like that.”
“You heard what he said.”
“Look, I’m not defending Ryder, but if he’d known the context, he wouldn’t have slept with Jason.”
“Really?”
“Yes. That’s the sort of guy Ryder is. He can be shallow and think with his cock a lot, but he’s one of the most loyal people I have ever met. You know I wouldn’t be friends with a dick.”
“I know that. I’ll apologise, but I don’t know what to do about Jason. He wants nothing to do with me. And with Grant sniffing around again... That guy’s dangerous.”
“I’m well aware of that. He’s linked to the Moretti’s, and Grant is an even bigger deal than they are. For a one-man band, he’s got his fingers in everything. The last thing youwant to do is piss him off. He has a habit of making people disappear.”
“I’ve been investigating a story on him for ages. What am I supposed to do with that?”
“Drop it.”
“But I think I’ve got something.”
“Hand it over to the police.”
“Like that will do any good. The police are fucking useless at the best of times, let alone when it comes to a mobster with deep pockets.”
“Then walk away, Patrick. No story is worth your life. I’d be more worried about him finding out about you and Jason.”
“There’s nothing to find out.”
“Give it time. You two are like me and Charlie. When the time is right, he’ll come to you.”
Patrick wanted to believe his best friend was right, but he wasn’t sure. Jason was his boy. In his heart, he knew that, but Jason was a very determined and independent young man. He’d walked away from Grant Kincaid, which took balls. All Patrick could do was be patient and hope.
CHAPTER 8
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 toGregory’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.
