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Aidan shook his head. “You missed all the fun. Samson Ruelle was here, in the bedroom.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Wish I was. Fucker knocked you out and tried to down me. Then, ah, we kind of got into it. I nailed him just as Jack and the others came barreling in. Samson had a dozen buddies with him surrounding the house, who are now in custody. Samson, unfortunately, didn’t make it.” The flat meanness in Aidan’s eyes spoke volumes.

“Don’t ask me to be sorry about that. Because I’m not.” Gavin clearly remembered how that freakish giant had been all over Aidan. And the abuse Aidan had suffered at his hands still made Gavin want to pound him.

A softening on Aidan’s face warned him to hold his mental shields tight. “You’re not reading me again, are you?”

Aidan coughed. “Ah, no. Not really. I mean, I’m not trying to, but you’re kind of broadcasting. Loudly.”

“Shit.”

Aidan chuckled. “Hearing you curse is too funny. You look so sweet, and then that mouth opens up.”

“Fuck you.”

Aidan laughed harder.

Gavin didn’t know what to make of this man. Aidan seemed so open, so, well, friendly. He watched with longing, wishing he could keep his lover like this all the time.

Aidan tapered off and sighed. “You’re going to make me say it. I know you. You like making me verbalize.”

“Big word, Blondie.”

Aidan shot him the finger. Finally. Some normalcy.

“I remember everything you said to me, and what I said to you.” Aidan’s voice grew deeper. “It’s hard for me to open up. I’ve never shared as much with anyone as I have with you. The others, they don’t know the circumstances around my father. And the other stuff.” The abuse.

“I’m not going to say anything. I’d never tell.”

“I know.” Aidan looked at him with the deepest, brownest eyes, and in them, Gavin thought he saw love. “You didn’t mention my mind-warping abilities, for which I’m thankful. But Jack knows. And Ian hinted a time or two.”

“How does Jack know?” Gavin narrowed his gaze. “You used it to kill Samson, didn’t you?”

“In a way. Actually, I manipulated his mind. I don’t normally do that, as it takes a lot of energy. And frankly, I don’t want anyone looking at me like I’m a total freak.”

Gavin grinned. “Too late.”

“Dick.” But Aidan’s smile removed the bite, because he knew Gavin considered him no such thing. “Look, you can’t tell anyone what I just told you, or what I’m about to tell you. I was sworn to secrecy on this.”

Yet he would share with Gavin? Pleased and making no effort to hide it, Gavin nodded and took a seat next to Aidan on the bed. He leaned forward. “What?”

“Well, when Jack rushed into the room, he looked like Tyler, Kerr’s other right-hand man. I mean, the guy wasn’t in disguise. He was Tyler. I thought he was going to kill you, so I did what I had to do. Except it wasn’t Tyler, as I found out when Jack literally shifted shape right there in front of me.”

“Holy crap. Jack can change his appearance?”

“Apparently.” Aidan let out a breath. “But you can’t mention it.”

“I won’t.” His mind buzzed. “Damn. That’s incredible.” Then something Aidan said penetrated. “Wait. You were afraid Tyler would kill me? What about you?”

Aidan shrugged and glanced away. “I pretty much figured it didn’t matter. I was flaming out, so why not go out with a bang?” He glanced back at Gavin, and to Gavin’s shock, his eyes had filled with tears. “Knowing you loved me made it all worthwhile.”

“Jesus, Aidan.” Gavin moved closer and cupped Aidan’s face in his hands. He wiped away a tear that trickled over that smooth, stubborn cheek. “Don’t cry. I love you. It’s unconditional.” He smiled, knowing how to get to his lover. “I mean, if I can love you when you’re an arrogant dickhead who’s always telling me what to do, then I can pretty much love you all the time, you know?”

Aidan’s snort of laughter was a balm to that part of him that hated seeing Aidan hurt. Gavin knew it would take time before Aidan could come to feel the same for him, but he was a patient man. He could wait.

“When we touch, I read you, especially when you want me to,” Aidan said quietly as he stared into Gavin’s eyes. “I don’t need time, not to tell you how I feel.”

Gavin’s heart raced, and he slowly removed his hands from Aidan’s face. But Aidan caught them and placed them against his heart. “I’m not an easy man. I like things done a certain way, and yeah, I get off on being in charge in bed.”

Gavin could feel Aidan’s nervousness and just stared, amazed Aidan might be going where Gavin desperately wanted him to go.

“I felt so much more for you than I should have, right from the beginning. You deserve more than me. You’re smart, intelligent, handsome, and let’s face it, you’re hung like a horse.”

“I prefer stallion.” Gavin smiled.

Aidan let out a breath, as if annoyed, but Gavin read his amusement. “Thing is, I never meant to let myself fall for you. I kept telling myself it was the case, that we had to trust each other because of the nature of our undercover work. But I feel for you, Gavin. You worked your way inside me, and you won’t go away.” Aidan frowned. “I tried, believe me. And I know it hasn’t been that long since we’ve been together. But I—” He paused, and Gavin waited. No way in hell he’d rush this. “I want you to move in here. I want us to be together. I mean, sleeping, eating, everything. I’m not an easy person to get along with, but I think you and I fit.”

“And?” Gavin tried to tamper his amusement. Aidan looked alarmed, but he wouldn’t release Gavin’s hands against his chest.

“Fuck.”

“I want you to say it.”

“Can’t you hear it?” “I love you, damn it.”

“Out loud, please.” Gavin wanted to jump up and down, exuberant that what he’d always been hoping for was almost his for the taking. “They’re just words, Aidan.”

“Not to me they’re not. Only one person has ever said this to me in my life. And she died a very long time ago.” Aidan’s breath hitched. “I love you.”

“You are absolutely beautiful when you’re scared. Never thought I’d say that.”

Aidan burst out laughing. “You’re such a little shit. No wonder I love you.”

“It gets easier every time you say it. Watch. I love you back, Aidan Marshall.”

Aidan leaned in for a kiss, and Gavin never wanted this moment to end.

When they parted for breath, Aidan added, “There’s just one more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“I want you to do something for me. You don’t have to, but I think it would help.”

“Anything.” And he meant that with his whole heart. “Aidan, I’d do anything for you.”

But holy hell, he’d never imagined what his lover would want him to do. Not in a million years.

Chapter Thirteen

Gavin stared down at the most bitable ass he’d ever seen. Aidan lay naked on his stomach, his legs and arms splayed, his body Gavin’s for the taking. Every one of those glorious muscles was taut, Aidan’s unease obvious.

“We don’t have to do this. I love you no matter what. And I like when you boss me around in bed.”

“Don’t worry. This is kind of a one-shot deal. I think.” Aidan’s voice sounded gravelly. “I just need to know I can handle this. Samson messed me up, Gavin. I haven’t been able to get him out of my head. I mean, I’ve handled plenty of cases dealing with scum, but none of them centered on me the way he did.”

Gavin stroked his back, not liking the way Aidan shivered. This was too soon, especially after Aidan’s confession. He would do his best to get Aidan into therapy, but he knew that would be an uphill battle. But there were things he could do that would ease his partner into relaxing and being at peace.