The guys nodded, all seeming in support of this plan.
“So, in the meantime, you’re going to continue to service… I mean,protectthis guy,” Blade noted with a mischievous smirk on his face.
“There’s nothing going on between Gavin and me,” Marcus argued, a little louder than he originally intended. “I’m not even gay.”
“Hey, don't knock it until you try it,” Niko chimed in.
Nikolai had been straight until his old best friend, whom he thought was dead, suddenly reappeared in his life. Ever since then, Nikolai has been overindulging in the wonderful world of dude-sex.
Seriously, he was like an addict who had been released from his leash.
Marcus shook his head. “I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with fucking a guy… I’m just saying that I’ve only ever buried my dick in pussy.”
“Well, that dude sure wants your dick,” Blade added, hopping up on the table and sitting his ass next to Marcus’s books. “And I’ve got to say, when it comes to tight little peaches, that boy’s got one set of cheeks you might want to clap.”
“You’re married to my brother,” Marcus growled.
Blade’s eyes went wide, and his arms shot out in front of him. “Hey! I didn’t mean for me. I’m just saying that if you were to explore the magical world of man-on-man sex, that dude is ready and willing and probably has the experience to make your toes curl.”
Listening to the way Blade was talking about Gavin really began to irk him. The man had no respect. Just because Gavin was cute and flirty, and smelled like sin and debauchery every time he was near him, did not mean the boy had slept with every single man who pulled out his dick.
How many men had Gavin been with? How many loads had he swallowed before he hopped into bed with him?
What did it matter? It wasn’t like he was a saint himself. He’d eaten and fucked more pussy than half the men in this town. Being the leader of the Shadow Vipers was like having a revolving door of sexual partners available at his beck and call.
“When was the last time you got laid?” Nikolai asked.
“When was the last time you went out on a date?” Caden added.
Marcus looked around the room at the guys he now considered family. He was the father, and these mouthy little bitches were his kids. Even the beefy Russian, who was almost the same age as him, he still considered under his supervision. Someone had to make sure these idiots didn’t die or get arrested.
Shaking his head, Marcus opened one of the books in front of him. “I don’t have time for dating and relationships. When I’m horny, I go out and get my dick sucked. End of story.”
“That’s the stupidest load of shit I’ve ever heard,” Blade responded. “What do you mean you don’t have time?”
Marcus’s gaze narrowed as he locked eyes with his brother-in-law. The man could be so infuriating at times.
“I’m the boss. The head of this crew. My job is to make all the decisions, keep you all safe and out of harm’s way, and make sure you all stay out of jail. I can’t afford to be distracted by lovers and whiny partners who complain that I don’t text them all the time, or that I promised to be home in time for dinner. Or who gets mad at me because Iforgot it was our anniversary. No, my focus is and always will be on the safety and success of this family.”
Marcus slammed the book in front of him closed, then stood up and walked into the bar. He needed a fucking drink.
Inside the bar, he waited for Alexis to bring him a shot of whiskey and a beer.
“Look, boss,” Nikolai said, sliding in next to Marcus. “I hear what you are saying, and we all love you for that. But what kind of life are you living without any love or someone special to share it with?”
Marcus picked up the shot of whiskey and threw it back before reaching for the bottle of beer.
“I know what you’re saying, Niko. But a man in my position can’t just focus on what he wants. I need to always consider the effect my actions will have on the rest of the crew and this entire family. What if the person I fall in love with doesn’t agree with this lifestyle? What if that person says something they shouldn’t and then puts this family at risk? What if I’m so distracted by the cheesy love I feel that I miss something important and end up getting myself or someone else I love killed?” Marcus looked over at Niko, who was looking back at him with sympathetic eyes. “Unlike you guys, I can’t afford to be selfish. I’m not free to love who I want. I’m not free to give myself to someone else. There will always be a part of me that I cannot share with that person. It’s just the way things are.”
Nikolai placed his hand on Marcus’s shoulder and gavehim a squeeze. He understood what the guys were saying and where they were coming from, but it was just easier and safer for them all if he just kept things casual and just hooked up whenever he got horny.
Relationships weren’t meant for everyone.
15
GAVIN
Staring at the image, Gavin clicked the edit button, then adjusted the color and zoomed in on the costume gloves and hat that sat on the table.
