Looking around the room, he saw that everyone was nodding.
“We got you” and “It’s our turn to look out for you” could be heard throughout the living room.
All these men and women, his family, his crew—they were all here for him. Standing up alongside him, ready to go to their death if needed, all so they could protect him and all those he loved.
Marcus had never felt so loved.
“You’re right, Ace. You’re all fully capable of taking care of yourselves. I guess I care about everyone so damn much that sometimes I forget to think about myself and what’s best for the situation.” Marcus stepped forward and hugged his brother. “Your plan is great.”
22
GAVIN
The roar of the engine from the Harley echoed through the trees as Marcus pulled into the driveway of the cottage.
Cottage.
If you could call it that.
In reality, it was a long mansion by the lake. Three whole families could live year-round in the place and never get in each other’s way.
Marcus could have all the members of his crew up at this place for weeks, and nobody would complain.
Gavin wondered how many bedrooms the place had.
“So, is this your cottage?” Gavin asked, stepping off the bike and removing his helmet.
Marcus, of course, did not use a helmet. Neither did any of the other guys in his crew. Safety was not consideredhot or sexy when it came to biker life. Yet, for some reason, Gavin was forced to wear the protective gear.
Marcus looked up at the looming structure and nodded.
“Yeah. I needed a place to conduct certain…transactions. This place offered the privacy and space, plus wait till you see the hot tub,” Marcus said with a cocky smile on his face.
“Transactions” was code forbringing people here to kill them, no doubt.
Gavin knew better than to ask for clarification. He was already surprised at how much crew business Marcus disclosed in front of him. He didn’t exactly hide that he wasn’t always law-abiding, but he also didn’t go around pretending to be something he was not.
It was kind of refreshing. Most guys Gavin knew lied even more than they breathed. Yet, here Marcus was, not hiding anything from him. And for that, Gavin was grateful.
Once inside, Gavin placed the puppy down on the floor and watched as he scurried off, exploring all the dark hallways and corners around them.
They really needed to think of a name for their dog. They couldn’t go around calling him “Puppy” his whole life.
Or could they?
Marcus carried their knapsacks up a wooden staircaseand down a long hallway to the primary bedroom they would be sharing.
“I’m going to take a shower and wash this ride off me,” Marcus grumbled, pulling off his shirt, then undoing the top button of his jeans. “You going to be okay out here, alone?”
Gavin looked around the large bedroom, taking it all in for the first time. The whole place was overwhelming and would take him a while to get used to.
“How about I save you some water and join you in the shower?” Gavin asked, pulling off his shirt and heading toward the en suite bathroom.
He wasn’t going to wait for Marcus to put up a fight or tell him why they shouldn’t get naked together in the shower.
“Are you coming?” Gavin called over his shoulder as he stepped out of his pants and turned on the shower.
Before he knew it, Gavin could feel the towering presence of Marcus standing just inches behind his partially naked, slim frame.
