Chapter 33 Gavin
GAVIN
Scary. And awkward as fuck.
That’s what they must all look like, crammed into the first two rows on the left-hand side of the stage. A bunch of grown-ass, tattooed bikers, all dressed in leather, some with beards that looked like they hadn’t been trimmed in weeks.
Oh, and one ex-stripper turned bartender, squeezed in among them, whose top was doing little more than barely covering her nipples.
Gavin was aware of the looks. Some came from concerned parents, quietly wondering why a bunch of leather-clad bikers were in attendance at a children’s dance performance.
Others recognized them immediately and knew exactly who the Shadow Vipers were.
They were well aware that one of their members—Lucas—was the director of the class and was currently dating one of the bikers sitting in the front row—the one gleaming with pride and never taking his eyes off the cheery brunette smiling back at him.
The theater was packed, every seat filled with parents and children of all ages, their laughter and smiles carrying through the room as the performance unfolded.
Gavin had to admit, the show was fucking awesome. He’d never been to a children’s performance, but seeing the level of enthusiasm and excitement in each of the kids’ eyes was something he knew he would never forget.
To have a job like Lucas’s, one so impactful and important, must be so satisfying at the end of each day.
Given everything he had been through recently, Gavin was beginning to realize that he wanted to do more with his life.
Something that actually meant something to him.
Maybe a job where he was able to help survivors of violent crimes cope with their trauma and find a way forward, like he was learning to do himself.
He didn’t know exactly what that would look like yet, but for the first time, he found himself looking forward to figuring it out. One thing was certain though—being a social media influencer was not what he wanted to do anymore.
Once the performance was over, they all spilled out onto the streets to take the party back to their bar. This was Lucas’s night, and all the Shadow Vipers were there to support him—their brother.
Just like all of them had been there for him to keep him safe and help put an end to the Valentine Killer, Gavin had come to realize that the Shadow Vipers were now his family too.
While his birth parents might be too busy and self-absorbed to give a shit about him and how he is doing, Gavin had come to realize that true family was those who showed up for you.
Like Marcus. And Ace and Lucas, and all the members of the Shadow Vipers.
That was family. That was love.
“What’s on your mind?” Marcus asked, holding Gavin’s hand as they waited with the others for Lucas to wrap things up inside the theater.
Smiling up at the man who had once locked him in a trunk and carried him over his shoulder countless times, he couldn’t help but feel his heart expand in his chest.
“Nothing. I was just thinking about how much this feels like family. You, Ace, Lucas, the guys… everyone here tonight, showing up and supporting each other. It’s more than I ever thought I’d have.”
Marcus wrapped his arm around Gavin’s shoulders and pulled him into his body.
“What can I say? Once you’re in with the crew, you’re stuck with us, babe.” Marcus let out a chuckle.
“It’s not a bad place to be stuck.”
“Nope. No, it’s not,” Marcus replied, squeezing him tight against his side.
“Evening, gents,” Sheriff Burke said as he pushed through the crowd toward them. A few lingering parents turned to watch, curiosity already sparking. Nothing fueled small-town rumors faster than a sheriff showing up unannounced.
“Evenin’, Burke,” Marcus responded, extending his hand and giving the sheriff a firm shake.
“Got some great news for you all. We found the Valentine Killer… or what’s left of him anyway.”
Gavin and Marcus exchanged glances.
“Oh, you did?” Gavin asked, trying his best to remain surprised by the revelation.
“Yup. We found him in a pit some five days ago. It took us that long to ID the body and then try to figure out what happened to him.” The sheriff glared at them both before continuing.
“Looks like he took a stumble in at some point. Not sure why he was out there at all. Anyway, it looks like some pumas or somethin’ done went and ate his ass and shit.
” The sheriff shook his head. “The scene was gruesome. Blood and body parts everywhere,” he explained, switching his gaze between him and Marcus.
Marcus shook his head, his eyes locked on the sheriff. “Damn, that’s terrible. The poor animals. A man like that couldn’t have tasted too good, in my opinion.”
The corner of Burke’s mouth lifted in a half smile as he struggled not to laugh and keep his composure.
“Yeah, well, you boys don’t know anything about it, do ya?”
Marcus and Gavin looked at each other and shook their heads. Behind Burke, the rest of the crew stood, watching with curiosity.
“Now, why would we know anything about a serial killer being devoured by four mountain lions in the middle of the night, Sheriff Burke?” Marcus said, letting that very specific detail regarding the number of mountain lions slip, knowing that the sheriff would catch on to the reality of what he was saying.
He and the sheriff had always been honest with one another. This was how their relationship worked.
“Seriously, man. That sounds like something that only happens in movies.”
The sheriff nodded, clearly understanding the meaning of Marcus’s words. “Sorry, boys. I had to ask.” He adjusted his hat. “If you ask me, it sounds like the asshole got what he deserved.”
Gavin nodded in agreement.
“Well, I just stopped by to tell you that the fucker is dead, so it’s safe for you to go home now, Gavin. Thanks, Marcus, for taking care of this young man and for taking care of… well, for keeping us all safe in this town that we all love.”
Sheriff Burke extended his hand to Marcus once again before turning and making his way back through the crowd.
A quiet sense of victory settled over Gavin as he realized the threat of being caught was no longer hanging over them. They could finally move forward, knowing the world was just a little bit safer.
“By the way, you’re not going anywhere, my little spitfire,” Marcus growled, wrapping his arm around Gavin’s shoulders and pulling him firmly against him.
There was no other place that Gavin would rather be.
It was in that moment that the guys began hollering and cheering. A red-faced Lucas stepped out of the theater and raised his hands to calm the ruckus.
He laughed and covered his face as he stepped forward into the crowd. Lucas’s boyfriend, Caden, followed, holding a bouquet of purple roses before passing them to his blushing man.
Lucas took the flowers, then wrapped his arm around him, hugging Caden and thanking him for being such a wonderful man.
Gavin smiled at the two lovebirds as he clapped. He knew how hard Lucas had worked on this show, teaching the kids how to dance while raising money for next year’s program.
Lucas was such a good man. Loving and caring, just like the rest of the guys—and girls—who were part of Marcus’s crew.
Wanting to do something nice, Gavin had secretly donated two thousand dollars through Lucas’s website.
He hoped his donation might help his friend get closer to achieving his goal.
Over the past few weeks, they had all grown closer as friends.
They had all risked their lives to protect him, and Gavin was never going to forget that.
“You did an amazing job in there tonight,” Gavin said, leaning in and hugging his friend.
“Thanks! I can’t believe how well the kids did. They looked like they were having the time of their lives. And the two who fell and then started fighting with each other? I almost peed myself laughing,” Lucas said, his grin nearly splitting his face in two.
“Did you see how packed the theater was?” Ace asked, stepping up next to Lucas and throwing his arm over his shoulder.
“Yeah! I still can’t believe how many people showed up,” Lucas said.
“Sharon told me they actually had to turn people away at the door but promised that next time we’re adding a second performance.
And the online donations were incredible—we raised enough funds to cover the program for the next two years! ”
“Wow, that’s incredible! I’m so proud of you, little man,” Marcus said, reaching out to pull Lucas into a hug. “Now, let’s head over to the bar and celebrate properly.”
The guys all cheered, turning and heading down the street to get shit-faced and pass out god knows where.
Gavin was about to follow when Marcus grabbed him by the arm and tugged him back toward him.
“Thought we could hang back a bit and have a little alone time before we join the others to celebrate,” Marcus whispered, bending down and kissing Gavin’s neck passionately.
Fuck, the man was an animal.
Gavin’s cock hardened instantly, every nerve on fire, as he tried to control himself long enough to find a private spot for them to have some fun.
But Marcus had other plans.
Reaching down, Marcus scooped Gavin up and tossed him over his shoulder like he had done the first time they met all those weeks ago.
“Hey!” Gavin shouted, laughing and beating his fists against his caveman’s back. “I never consented to this!” Gavin chuckled, pretending that Marcus was carrying him away against his will.
Who was he kidding? Gavin couldn’t get enough of Marcus’s big, fat dick. He needed it in his mouth, on his face, in his hands, and definitely buried deep in his ass.
“Fuck, I love it when you manhandle me.”
A feral snarl erupted below him.
God, he loved it when his man was all untamed and aggressive.
Marcus gave him a hard slap on the ass.
“Fuck, I love it when you do that.” Gavin moaned. His eyes were heated, and he was desperately hard.
Moving quickly, Marcus carried him across the town square and up the city hall clock tower.