Lost Souls

by AJ Lange

  Matt grinned, bending over to kiss him again.

  “Mmmm.” Gavin smacked his lips. “That’s nice.” He might be higher than a kite, a very real possibility considering the tingly feeling in his limbs, but Gavin thought at least part of the effervescent floating sensation was due to Matt’s mouth. God bless his wicked tongue, he mused.

  “He was very sympathetic, actually.” Matt rubbed the pad of his thumb across Gavin’s lower lip, buoyant with the realization that he never had to stop touching this man. There was no reason to run, no more reasons to hide. Gavin was his. Forever.

  “Sympathetic as in, sorry we accused you of murder? Or sorry but here’s a year’s probation?”

  Matt smirked. “More like sorry, but how would you like a job for the next few months.”

  “What?” Gavin tilted his head on the pillow, so fucking adorable that Matt sighed in contentment. He nudged an inch closer, pressing tight against Gavin’s hip.

  “You’re gorgeous.”

  Gavin snorted. “Focus, babe.”

  “Burke asked Drew and I to work with Cold Case on missing persons research, try to match the women and girls we remember to unsolved cases.”

  Gavin frowned. “I don’t want you wrapped up in any of that. You deserve to put the past behind you now.”

  “No,” Matt shook his head. “It’s good actually. It will help, I think, both of us. All of those girls can be laid to rest, and their families will no longer suffer.” He looked across the room to the window; it was dark now and he wondered what time it was. “Melanie’s body was in the grave he dug for Gina,” he said softly.

  Gavin smoothed his arm around Matt’s waist, urging him down, the angle awkward and his shoulder on fire, but it was worth it when Matt’s mouth tipped into a smile again. Gavin hated that wistful, sad expression and was going to make it his life’s mission to permanently eradicate it from Matt’s face. He scooted over, hissing in pain when he bumped the second metal railing.

  “You’re going to have to be the little spoon,” he pronounced, carefully turning over and continuing to maneuver Matt one-handed until he gave in and lay down beside Gavin on the bed.

  Matt chuckled, relishing the warmth of Gavin against his back, his own shoulder aching. Gavin’s fingers ran along the strap of the new sling he wore.

  “Where’d you get the fancy threads,” Gavin whispered.

  Matt blinked sleepily, tucking a hand under his cheek. The only thing that would make this better, besides a larger bed, would be if he could wrap around Gavin, tangle their arms and legs until it was impossible to tell where one of them ended and the other began.

  “While you were in surgery, a doctor cleaned and checked my stitches.” He leaned his head back in Gavin’s direction. “He was highly impressed with Levon’s work.”

  Gavin hid his sigh of relief, but his voice was smug when he spoke. “That’s my boy.”

  Matt wiggled his butt strategically, eliciting a soft groan. “No, Gavin. I’m your boy.”

  Gavin’s lips found the back of Matt’s neck, lingering. “This might not be the best idea after all,” he murmured against the smooth skin, tucking his nose into the dark curls, nibbling on the sensitive spot behind Matt’s left ear. “You want to get naked?”

  “Gavin.” Matt’s laughter shook the bed.

  “What?” Gavin teased. “I mean, we might have to get a little creative.” He sucked in a breath when Matt’s hips did that little push and slide again. “Or you could just keep doing that. Fuck.”

  “Mr. Laurel.” The nurse’s stern voice boomed across the room when she opened the door.

  Gavin hid his laugh in Matt’s back.

  “Get out of that bed this instant.” She crossed the floor with long strides, her nurse’s shoes thwumping on the smooth tile. Her hands were gentle when she helped him sit up. “You could tear open his stitches and then where would we be?”

  “Yes ma’am,” Matt said meekly.

  Gavin looked up at her innocently, striving for his most charming grin. “Matt was just keeping me warm.” He squinted at her name tag. “Delores.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t sass me, Mr. DeLuca.”

  Gavin grinned, leaning forward when she indicated so she could fluff his pillow.

  She checked his IV bag and placed her hand on his forehead, an old-fashioned throwback that reminded Gavin instantly of his mom. “You should get some rest, young man. You’ve had quite a day, so I hear.”

  “You have no idea,” Gavin replied with feeling and she laughed.

  “And you,” she frowned at Matt and he shrank back into his chair. “I better not catch you in Mr. DeLuca’s bed again, understand?”

  Gavin snorted, drawing her stern gaze and he held up his hand in surrender.

  “Scout’s honor, beautiful.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Sassing me right and left,” she grumbled under her breath as she headed for the door. She swung it open forcefully, turning back to sniff in Matt’s direction. “Lab will be here in five minutes to draw blood. You should probably be washing your hands in the restroom.” She looked pointedly at the private bath’s door in the corner of the room. “Since visiting hours were over an hour ago.”

  Matt grinned. “Thank you, Delores.”

  Delores sniffed again and shut the door quietly behind her.

  Gavin was still chuckling when Matt walked back to the bed. “I think she was immune to your charms, Matt.”

  “I think you should be glad she didn’t kick me out.” He used his new favorite method to curtail Gavin’s laughter, turning his head to get the best angle until he heard the scraping wheels of the lab cart outside the door.

  Gavin gasped when Matt lifted his head. “Damn,” he whispered, grabbing his neck to prevent his retreat and licking back into his mouth.

  “Gavin,” Matt mumbled around his mouth, disentangling the hand from his hair. “Bathroom.”

  “Right,” Gavin breathed. “Fucking vampires.”

  Matt grinned, stealing one last quick kiss before ducking behind the bathroom door just as the lab technician entered the room.

  Thirty minutes later, Delores wheeled a cot through the door, scooting it up against the wall next to Gavin’s bed, tossing a thin blanket and pillow in Matt’s surprised lap without a word.

  “I think I love you, Delores,” Gavin declared sleepily. He was relieved Matt wouldn’t need to sit up all night in the hard-backed chair, but he knew better than to tell him to go home and come back in the morning. He wouldn’t have acted any differently were their roles reversed.

  “Mmm hmmm,” Delores hummed, tucking the blanket in tight around Gavin’s chest. “That would be the morphine.”

  Gavin caught her fingers, kissing them sloppily, much to her consternation.

  “Stop that,” she reprimanded, but her eyes were twinkling when she winked at Matt. “You have your hands full, Mr. Laurel.”

  Matt smiled. “I do. And thank you, Delores.”

  She waved him off, padding from the room again, hitting the light on her way out.

  “Matt?”

  Matt had just started to drift off, the day, hell, the past week, finally too much, his eyes refusing to stay open one more second.

  “Yeah?”

  “Love you,” Gavin mumbled, sleep already claiming him.

  Matt smiled in the dark. Me too.

  Gavin was standing in the middle of the living room, unbuttoning his shirt when Matt and Drew pushed through the front door.

  “And then, I told her—” Drew stopped. “Hey handsome.”

  “Gavin,” Matt exclaimed in surprise. “What are you doing home?” His eyes narrowed on Gavin’s missing shoulder sling. “What did you do?”

  Gavin laughed, shrugging the shirt from his arm, tilting his shoulder in Matt’s direction.

  “Got my stitches out,” he said proudly. The skin around the bullet wound was still bright pink, puckered from the knots that had held the edges in place until they could knit toge
ther.

  Matt frowned. “I wanted to go with you.” He dropped his car keys on the bookcase by the door and walked straight into Gavin’s arms.

  No personal space issues here, Gavin grinned to himself. “I think I can manage one measly doctor’s appointment by myself.” He dipped his head for a kiss, ignoring Drew’s snort.

  “Don’t mind me, over here by the door.” Drew waited a beat but there was no response from the pair in the center of the living room. “Guys. Still here.”

  Matt lifted his head, sighing. “Do you want to stay for dinner?”

  “No,” Gavin said before Drew could answer.

  “Wow, Gav, I’m feeling the love.”

  “You’re going to be hearing the love if you don’t hit the street, pronto,” Gavin wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “I can take a shower now.”

  Matt snorted. “The shower’s not going anywhere, Gavin.”

  “And I’m hungry,” Drew whined behind them. “Matt wouldn’t stop for lunch.”

  “That’s a lie,” Matt said calmly, trying to step out of Gavin’s embrace and failing when Gavin pulled him tight against him again, hands worming under his t-shirt.

  “Well, I’m still hungry,” Drew groused.

  Gavin was kissing Matt’s neck now, hands dragging the t-shirt high and exposing more warm skin for his hands to explore. Matt’s eyes had fluttered shut.

  “For the love of Christ, I’m still here,” Drew complained.

  Gavin began to back Matt toward the hallway. “Yeah, bye,” he said around a mouthful of Matt’s neck. He grinned and lifted his head when he heard the front door slam.

  “Naked. Now.” He grabbed the hem of the t-shirt and ripped it over Matt’s head.

  …

  They made it as far as the hardwood floor of the hallway.

  “Fuck.” Gavin breathed, once he could see again. He gathered Matt close, rearranging them so that he was tucked into his side. They were both shivering now, crashing in the glow of the aftermath.

  Matt snuggled closer, wrapping an arm around Gavin’s waist. “We should go to bed,” he mumbled against his neck.

  “Nuh uh,” Gavin shook his head, eyes closed. “Too much work to move.” His hand was massaging lazy circles on Matt’s hip.

  They lay together in the hall until their breathing had evened and calmed, the quiet of the darkening house peaceful. Matt nosed his earlobe, kissing his cheek softly.

  “Love you.”

  Gavin smiled. “Truth or dare, Matt.” He could feel Matt’s lips turn up against his neck.

  “Dare.”

  Gavin snorted. “Christ, seriously? You are going to kill me.”

  Matt leaned up on one elbow, gazing down at him in amusement. “Well, no, technically I won’t.”

  Gavin groaned. “Too soon.” He laughed when Matt climbed on top of him. “And too soon for that, too, you addict.” He slapped Matt’s bare butt. “Get up, Laurel. I’m too old to sleep on the floor.”

  Matt stood, helping Gavin to his feet. He leaned forward to kiss the scar on his shoulder.

  “Hey,” Gavin whispered, pulling him close. “You okay?”

  “Yup,” Matt winked, dodging Gavin’s grasp and sauntering down the hall, his ass literally the best Gavin had ever seen. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  Matt disappeared around the corner and Gavin blinked.

  “Damn straight,” he said, kicking their discarded clothes aside enthusiastically. “Of course, you really are going to kill me,” he muttered as he followed Matt down the hall.

  “At least you’ll die happy,” Matt called.

  Gavin grinned. That he would.

  Gavin had been pacing the shining marble floor of the courthouse lobby for the better part of twenty minutes. Matt grabbed his elbow when he passed, halting him. “You’re going to break a sweat, Gavin.”

  “Where are they?” Gavin grumbled, turning Matt’s wrist so he could read the time on his watch.

  Matt smiled, sliding his hand down to twine their fingers together. “They’ll be here. We have plenty of time.”

  Gavin still scowled. “Do you have all of the paperwork?”

  “Gavin,” Matt cajoled, pulling the other man close, using his huskiest voice to capture his attention. “Take a breath,” he whispered against Gavin’s ear.

  Gavin huffed, closing his eyes against a hot spurt of pure lust. “Damn you,” he growled, pressing their mouths together in a hard kiss. “Stop distracting me.”

  Matt chuckled. “Works every time.”

  “Matt! Gavin!” Gina’s sweet voice echoed excitedly across the formal interior of the courthouse.

  “See, right on time,” Matt breathed against Gavin’s temple.

  “Shut up.”

  Gina was on them then, wrapping her long slim arms around Matt’s neck, her beautiful face shining in happiness as she hugged him tight. A tiny jeweled flower winked out of her pixie-short hair, just above her left ear.

  “Hey, now,” Gavin complained. “Since when does Matt rate over me?”

  Gina rolled her eyes and grabbed Gavin’s neck in a fierce hug too. “You’re such a baby, Gavin.”

  “He’s just worried his rank has fallen to third now, behind me and Dom,” Matt deadpanned.

  “Spoken like a true DeLuca,” Dom said in amusement, reaching for Matt’s hand. “I’m pretty sure I still rank as number one with Gina, though.”

  “Dom,” Matt grinned, accepting Dom’s firm grasp.

  “Matt,” Dom nodded. There was a deep, abiding affection in his gaze as he looked between his wife, his partner, and Matt.

  “I am not worried,” Gavin protested.

  “Not yet,” Matt winked and Gavin flushed.

  “Matt, stop teasing poor Gavin, he’s as red as my dress.” Antonia was smiling as she approached the group. She was, indeed, wearing a deep rose-hued dress and Matt thought she looked beautiful.

  “Antonia,” he murmured against her hair when she wrapped her arms around him.

  She released him and placed a warm hand against Gavin’s cheek. “You look very handsome, baby, don’t you pay any attention to these two.”

  “Mom,” Gavin ducked his head, secretly pleased.

  “Angelo,” Matt interrupted, reaching forward to shake the eldest DeLuca’s hand. Angelo surprised them all when he yanked hard on Matt’s hand, wrapping him up tight in a bearhug.

  “Matthew, you’re my favorite DeLuca,” Angelo said gruffly against his temple. When he released him, Matt’s hair was in disarray.

  Gavin was grinning at him like a fool and Matt felt his cheeks warm in embarrassment. “Thank you,” he managed to say.

  Gavin slapped his hands together, the sound ricocheting off the marble walls. “So. Are we ready?”

  “Let’s do this,” Dom nodded, taking Gina’s hand.

  Matt laughed at them, his family, every one of them looking at him expectantly, faces radiant with love and acceptance.

  “Let’s do this,” he repeated.

  The court clerk eyed all of them in confusion when they surrounded her window. “Can I help you?”

  Matt stepped forward, opening the packet of paperwork he held in his hand. “I would like to file a name change order.”

  “All right,” she said hesitantly, holding out her hand. She read over each page, checking it carefully. “Former name, Matthew Laurel.” She frowned as she looked a second paper. “And, James Paris?”

  Matt nodded.

  She continued. “Proposed name, James Matthew Paris.”

  “Yes,” Gavin said before Matt could answer.

  The clerk looked at him sideways, biting the inside of her cheek. “Mr. Laurel?”

  “Yes,” Matt said with a soft smile directed at Gavin. “That’s correct.”

  The clerk checked the other documentation Matt had provided and notarized the appropriate pages. “That will be one hundred and thirty-five dollars.”

  Matt reached for his wallet but Gavin stepped in front of him, mo
ney already in hand.

  “I’m paying.” He couldn’t look at Matt, but the tips of his ears burned.

  Behind him Dom snickered.

  “Shh,” Gina shushed him.

  Matt swallowed a smile. “He’s paying,” he said solemnly, nodding his head toward Gavin.

  “I can see that,” the clerk said drily. She took the money from Gavin and carefully wrote out a receipt. “It will take approximately four weeks before you receive official notice by certified mail of the change. At that point you may apply for a new Social Security card.”

  “Thank you,” Matt murmured. Gavin reached down and squeezed his hand.

  “Anything else?” The clerk was still watching them carefully, this unusual group of family, gathered around the handsome couple in front of her.

  “I think that’s it,” Matt said.

  “That’s it?” Gavin asked worriedly. “Are you sure?”

  “Uhh,” the clerk frowned. “Yes?”

  “Wait!” The voice bounced loudly across the foyer. “Wait, wait!”

  The group turned toward the frantic calls.

  Drew slid to a stop, handsomely turned out in a tuxedo. “Did I miss it? Am I too late?” He bent over, hands on his knees, gasping. “Fuck me, we got behind a damn garbage truck and I had to run two blocks.”

  “Drew,” Matt admonished.

  “Nope,” Gavin interrupted. “Not late at all.” He yanked Drew upright and pulled him aside. Drew handed him something, rolling his eyes at Gavin’s black look and urgent whisperings.

  Matt eyed the two of them suspiciously. “What’s going on?”

  Gina sighed sweetly and dabbed at her eyes, and Dom pulled her close.

  Matt looked at the faces surrounding him, each watching him fondly, and he knew he was missing an important piece of a puzzle. He glanced back at Gavin, who stepped forward and took his hand. “Gavin?”

  “Matt.” Gavin licked his lips nervously. “You’re not just a DeLuca in proximity. You’re a DeLuca by choice. You chose me, and I choose you.” He opened his hand, two plain gold rings in the center of his palm. “Will you marry me?”

  Matt sucked in a breath. He touched the rings with a tentative fingertip; they were warm where they had nestled against Gavin’s skin. He smiled into the face that had loved him for as long as he could remember. “Yes.”