“Cut it out.”
“Okay, you two. Stop talking. I need to concentrate.”
How the doctor could know they communicated telepathically was a mystery, but Aidan had a bigger problem to worry about. He didn’t like her getting so intense on him. “Really, Doc. I’m good.”
“Shut up, Aidan. Let her heal you.”
And then it was too late. Doctor Cannon put her hands over his chest and pushed. Not with her hands, but with her mind. Energy splintered through his rib cage, where most of the damage had been done.
Aidan sucked in a breath as pure fire washed over his wounds. “Fuck.”
“Hold on. Just a little more,” she said, breathless, her eyes closed.
Gavin hovered protectively, but he was no more than a blur as more heat traveled down Aidan’s side to his leg, where that asshole Tyler had belted him.
Aidan groaned as the pain slowly leached away. “M-much better.”
“Wow. That was incredible,” Gavin said excitedly. “His bruises and cuts healed while I watched. That’s amazing.”
“And draining.” Doctor Cannon straightened and cracked her back. “But worth it. You’ll be just about healed all the way in a few days, Aidan. You’ll have some tenderness in your ribs, but the breaks and infection that started are gone. No rough stuff for at least a week. I mean it.”
Aidan was impressed with her mean voice. “No problem. I owe you, Doc.”
“No. Your boss paid us in full. I like that man. He’s sweet.”
Aidan and Gavin just looked at each other; then Aidan turned back to her. “Uh, are you talking about Jack? Jack Keiser?”
“Of course.” She beamed and patted him on the cheek. “Now you and Gavin can recuperate. And Gavin, remember what I said when we talked earlier. Don’t let him overdo.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She looked back at Aidan. “And if my boys are a problem, you let me know.” She left the room, humming under her breath.
“Her boys?”
Aidan eased his way out of bed and stood without pain. “Amazing.”
“Ahem. Her boys?” Gavin asked again.
“Oh. Jack is using Justin and Kyle Cannon as added security at my place.”
“Why?” Gavin looked so cute in his jeans and flannel shirt. Like a young academic ready to go back to school. Hell, he even had reading glasses tucked into his front shirt pocket.
“Get me my clothes, would you?” Aidan stepped out of his pajama pants and took the sweats from Gavin. He slowly put them on while explaining what Jack had just told him.
Gavin frowned. “So we’re basically bait for Samson.”
“Seems like.”
“Great.” Gavin looked unhappy. “He had a weird way of looking at you, Aidan. It wasn’t me he wanted. It was you.”
“Good to know.” Aidan still felt sore, but the majority of his pain no longer existed. “That woman is a miracle.” He glanced at Gavin. “You look fine. No other bruises?” He looked pointedly at Gavin’s cheek.
“None. I had an issue with my midsection, but she lifted it. I’m not sore anywhere.”
“Nowhere at all?” Aidan pointedly looked at his ass.
Gavin flushed, and Aidan wanted badly to kiss him.
So he didn’t. Jack could think all he wanted, but the mission was basically over. The client had the book. The bad guys had—mostly—been taken care of. There was no reason for Aidan and Gavin to play more sexual games. So they’d hang out, and Aidan would watch Gavin’s back. A good way to ease back into normalcy. For both of them.
“Aidan?”
“So we’re good.” He cleared his throat and looked for his shoes.
“I’ll do it. You need to baby that abdomen.” Gavin knelt by his feet and put his socks and shoes on. Kneeling before him, subservient yet not.
Aidan couldn’t look away. “So, ah, we’ll be staying at my place. Better security system there, and it’s away from civilians. When Samson makes his move, we’ll be ready. You and me are holing up together. Jack wants this to be our priority.”
Gavin finished tying his shoe and stood. “Okay.”
“No problems with that? I know you want to get right back into the field.”
“The field, right.” Gavin paused. “But even that’s a waiting game. We only have so many cases right now. I think Ian was working on something, and James has been gone for a few days. But that’s it. The gym is still pretty much the majority of our time.”
“True.” But to guys like Aidan, it was all about training. Sure he helped men and women get fit. But he focused more on making sure his body was honed into a weapon, so that his mind could function as it was meant to. The harder his muscles strained, the easier it was for him to control his telepathy. And that other part of him, the darkness that had seeped out at the mansion…that he could also contain with enough discipline.
“Let’s go,” Gavin said, waiting.
Aidan wanted to lean on him and didn’t. He shook his head when Gavin offered an arm. “I’m good. Have to get used to being on my feet again.” He’d been in bed for two days, and he didn’t like lazing about, even if he hadn’t been fully functional.
“I’ll just get your things, then,” Gavin said quietly. “I brought my car.”
They left the clinic, and Gavin drove his Outback to his place, where he hurriedly packed a bag. Then they resumed course for Aidan’s home. Once there, Aidan did a thorough check of the house and property. Finding it secure, he reset the house alarms once they were inside. Then he allowed himself to drop.
“I’m hitting the bed. You can put your stuff in the guest room. I’ll talk to you when my brain’s not so fuzzy.” To his relief, Gavin didn’t seem surprised or upset about them not sharing a room. And on that relief came a hint of annoyance. Shouldn’t his boy have felt something about being denied his Master?
“Sounds good.” Gavin smiled. “I made sure you were all stocked up on groceries while you were laid up. I’m just going to watch a movie and have some popcorn. It’s late, and you need rest.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Aidan muttered to himself about undeserving subs as he stomped into the hallway and into his bedroom. Then he slowly stripped off his clothes and slid between the sheets. The last thought he had was of Gavin and how much he missed the little geek lying next to him.
GAVIN LET OUT the breath he’d been holding when Aidan finally drifted off. He’d been waiting outside his room, ready to help in case Aidan needed it. But just seconds after Aidan’s head hit the pillow, he slept. Dr. Cannon had warned him Aidan would need some recovery time, not just for his body, but his mind as well. She had sons who were telepaths, and her healing often left them mentally drained.
Good to know. He peeked in and saw Aidan looking all alone in that big bed.
Well, I called it. The second we’re back in town, he’s relegating me to a platonic partner. All about the job, my ass. Gavin would have been more upset if he hadn’t known what to expect. While Aidan had been in recovery, he’d had a few enlightening conversations with Kitty. Apparently, when Aidan had been in and out of it in the clinic, he’d been frantic to make sure Gavin was okay. And he’d wasted no time in telling Jack just how helpful and terrific Gavin had been.
While Gavin loved being the hero, he knew he’d been only half of a successful team, and he’d explained the situation to Kitty, who’d passed it on to Jack. Stallbridge was ecstatic to have the book back. A big plus for the PowerUp! team. And that happiness had enabled Gavin’s story of what had really happened in Kerr’s home to remain a secret. Kitty knew he hadn’t told the whole truth, but she respected his wishes to keep it under wraps. For now.