Matt felt his eyes grow impossibly wide as Lawson spoke. His brain lost a certain amount of capacity at the word fucking but he thought he caught the general gist.
“No. I mean. I’d rather be with you, than Curtis.” He shook his head, breathing deep to calm the racing trip-hammer of his heart. “I don’t feel forced. We’re good. It’s all good. Everything.”
“Good. I’ve already threatened to kill Curtis once today. It would be unfortunate if I had to do so again.”
Laughter gusted from Matt, but he quickly sobered when he realized Lawson was serious. Remembering Reed, he winced.
“Hey, don’t be mad at Reed. I really did start the conversation.” Eyeing the door, he tried to figure out how to get to the bartender before Lawson did, just in case, but there was no way he’d make it through, around, or over him. “And he won’t talk to me anymore if he knows I pissed you off by telling you.”
“Reed gets himself in trouble without help from anyone, but I won’t jeopardize your friendship.” Lawson moved away from the door, coming to stand before Matt who had retreated back to the ring. “Why don’t you get to your work later? Come back to the bar with me for something to eat. If you can suffer my presence that long?”
Matt cocked his head, attempting to gauge Lawson’s mood. The self-effacing comment was something that might have come out of his own mouth. To hear it from Lawson was as strange as it was disturbing. Did the man think he didn’t like him or something? Why else would he have thought Matt had been practically—no, strike that—actually throwing himself at him for the past twenty minutes?
“I haven’t had breakfast. Sure.” He shrugged, not wanting to appear too eager in case this was some kind of test. “If you think it won’t mess up the schedule for tonight?”
A large crowd was due in for the dungeon to reopen. It hadn’t been damaged by The Ravagers, but all of the attention and resources that had been going into the downstairs as well as the lofts had taken staff, including Curtis and Lawson, away from the usual activities.
“I can assign most of your tasks to others. I’m more concerned with avoiding a repeat of this morning.” Lawson held up his hand soothingly when Matt’s face heated. “It happened. We have a better grasp on the situation. If you’re not given so many opportunities to avoid me and get used to having me close in front of those you’re comfortable with, it won’t be so difficult in front of strangers.”
Matt jammed his fists in his pockets, picturing an entire day by Lawson’s side. Hearing the deeper notes of his voice as he and Curtis chatted about club business while Matt pretended to have something to do nearby had become a favorite pastime of late. Just hanging out and not having to pretend would be nice.
“That sounds cool. But you’re going to have to do more than put your hand on my knee to make me run away.” Matt knew he tested dangerous waters, and maybe it was hanging around Curtis too much that made him give Lawson a lopsided grin and tease. “Because I’ll know you’re there this time.”
“Is that so?” Lawson shifted, putting his hands on the ropes at either side of Matt, lips curving as he trapped Matt against the edge of the ring. “Tempting. What would it take, Matt? Do you want to run now?”
Breaths coming quicker, Matt licked his lips and pretended to consider his answer. “Nope.”
Lawson leaned down, brushing his lips along the length of Matt’s throat. “What about now?”
Heat from Lawson’s breath forced a shiver up Matt’s spine. Hands bunching the insides of his pockets, he locked his knees and struggled to remain upright. His mouth opened, and his head tilted to allow Lawson greater access. “Still good.”
So fucking good.
Lowering one hand to Matt’s side even as he nipped his throat, Lawson skimmed his fingertips under the hem of his shirt, bringing them to where he’d touched him earlier. “Good boy.”
Those two words, good boy, pulsed over Matt like a caress. His spine lengthened and he arched in an attempt to give Lawson access to every part of his body at once. The only things holding him upright were the ropes at his back and the fear that if he sank to the ground Lawson might not follow.
“This is not to prove anything to anyone, Matt.” Lawson curved his hand under Matt’s jaw. “Neither is this.”
His mouth covered Matt’s, gentle at first, his tongue tracing along the seam of his lips, then delving in as though he had every right to Matt’s mouth as Matt’s lips parted. His fingers slid just under the band of Matt’s boxers and he sucked on Matt’s bottom lip, letting out a soft sound of approval when Matt groaned and pressed against him.
At the sound of the door to the gymnasium opening, he slowly drew away. He schooled his expression, keeping one hand on the small of Matt’s back as he turned to address whoever was coming in.
He immediately jerked his hand away when he saw it was Garet.
Matt ducked away from the ropes, an attempt at a friendly greeting falling from his lips as he registered Garet’s shock.
“Phone call from Upstate.” Garet threw the words at Lawson and fled.
Matt raked a hand through his hair, about to apologize to Lawson, but the man was already across the room, pushing through the doors to the bar.
“Shit.” Getting outed to Garet this way was not what he’d intended when he’d started his day. He went to look for Garet while Lawson talked to Noah on the telephone behind the bar. A rumble outside had Matt’s head turning toward the windows and he frowned. Curtis had gone off for the day and Lawson was here, so who was riding a motorcycle away from the building?
Pushing open the door, he ignored Lawson’s fingersnap and Reed’s, “Wait for me,” in time to see Ezran, with Garet on the back of Reed’s custom bike, fishtail out of the parking lot.
“What the fuck?” Reed shouted the question, now in the middle of the empty pavement. As livid as Matt had ever seen him. “I’m going to wring your necks you little bastards!”
But it was too late. The boys had already rounded the curve on the long route north, leaving The Asylum behind.
Chapter Fourteen
Almost forty-five seconds wasted already. Lawson glanced at the small digital clock set on a shelf beneath the freshly polished bar top, set to track the allotted ten minutes, nodding his thanks as Reed passed him the phone. The young man had the drawn look in his eyes he got whenever Noah called, though to any other observer his upbeat, carefree attitude hadn’t changed. Had he always been this good at pulling on a mask to hide his emotions?
This place had made many men cold and hard, their focus on cash and reputation, rather than the sanctuary The Asylum had been created for. Reed had never been one of them. Lawson would be damned if he’d let that change.
Not that he had the first idea how to stop it.
If Curtis was here, he’d give Reed one of his one-armed hugs. Take the call after Lawson and somehow make living at The Asylum seem like an idealistic white-picket-fence existence, only with more blood and broken bones. Half the time the fucker seemed determined to convince Noah he’d reached soccer mom status.
Noah knew Curtis was full of shit, but he trusted both he and Lawson would tell him anything he needed to know.
Which they did.
Everything was under control. There was nothing Noah could do from behind bars, so the men had a silent agreement to keep the worst from him. He’d been informed about the graffiti—that was unavoidable, too many had seen it from the streets—but much of the damage had been passed off to non-members as part of the renovations.
Without Curtis here to keep the conversation casual, it rested on Lawson’s shoulders. He held the phone to his ear. “Hey, Noah.”
A few feet away, Matt looked over at him with a hesitant smile. His lips were flushed from their kiss. There were marks on his neck where Lawson had lingered, enjoying the reactions he drew with each lick and suck, each brush of his teeth. He could still taste the freshness of Matt’s skin on his tongue.
It hadn’t been nearly enoug
h.
“I’m feeling rather neglected, Lawson.” Noah’s playful tone eased him away from his thoughts and back to the call. “Did you hear a single word I said?”
“Yes, sorry. It’s good to hear from you. I’ve just been…distracted.”
“About damn time.” Noah lowered his voice, likely to prevent the other inmates from listening in. “Do I know him?”
Lawson shook his head though Noah couldn’t see him. Outside a bike engine roared to life. Matt glanced out the window, then started for the door. “He’s—” Lawson snapped his fingers to get Matt’s attention, relaxing a little when Reed called out and quickly followed him. “A pain in my fucking ass. I’m going to put a leash on that man.”
“A leash? Fuck, I’m gone for sixteen months and you go and get kinkier than I am.” Noah chuckled. “If you’ve got to go, I don’t mind, my man. I like hearing this better than how much you’re investing and what renovations are done.”
“Your loft is ready for when you get out.”
“Lawson, I told you that’s not—”
“Stop. It’s ready. And you will be back here soon. Where you belong.”
Reed was yelling for some reason, but Lawson couldn’t make out what he said. He was torn between finding out and setting Noah straight because no way in hell was he spending longer than necessary in a goddamn cell. There had to be a way to get him out. Another trial, a fucking prison break, something.
“Four years, Lawson. I don’t regret what I did and I’m willing to face the consequences. I need to know you and Curtis aren’t putting your lives on hold. The same goes for Reed and Ezran.” Noah quieted. Cleared his throat. “How’s the kid doing? My mom said he’s been there more often than not lately.”
“He’s good. Typical teen. Tracey worried about him not socializing enough, so Reed started bringing him here. He’s working on restoring an old 1971 Guzzi Ambassador he got his hands on. Doing some light work around the bar during the day to cover parts.” He frowned toward the door. Why hadn’t Reed and Matt returned? “Surprised he’s not here trying to yank the phone out of my hand since Curtis is gone. Talk to Doc for a sec, I’ll go get him.”
Noah chuckled. “Sure. I can’t wait to hear about his latest gruesome surgery. Please, take your time.”
Lawson laughed and reached across the bar to slide the phone to Doc. He held his gaze for a moment. “Need-to-know, yes?”
Inclining his head, Doc brought the phone to his ear. “Noah, get this idiot to come visit you so you can smack some sense into him. Fucking loved seeing the marks on his skin, but a goddamn belt in the ring? Have you taught him nothing?”
Shooting Doc a dirty look, Lawson crossed the bar and swung the door open. His brow furrowed at the look of shock on Matt’s face.
A few feet away Reed had his hands tugging at his hair as he stared down the road. With his Superman shirt and bright red shorts at least he’d be easy for drivers to see from miles away, but what the fuck was he doing?
Matt looked over at Lawson, determination in his gaze as he started for the corner of the building. “Where’s your car?”
“Over there.” Lawson gestured toward the far end of the warehouse, where the loading docks had been converted into a garage so the more expensive vehicles could be kept out of harm’s way. “Care to explain what the hell’s going on?”
“Only if you promise not to kill me and give me a ride.” Matt broke into a jog as he issued the demand, heading in the direction Lawson had indicated.
Jaw clenched, Lawson spared a moment to call Reed to him, giving him a light shake when he continued tugging at his hair. “Inside. You tell Noah nothing.”
He didn’t wait to see if Reed obeyed before cutting across the lot, pulling out his keys as he strode up the smoothly paved ramp into the open dock and stopped at the driver’s side of his Ford Maverick. Of all the cars he’d restored, it was in the best condition, and wouldn’t stand out as much as his Aston Martin if there was trouble.
Starting the car while Matt climbed into the passenger side, he arched a brow expectantly. He had a feeling he wouldn’t like what he was about to hear.
Matt buckled himself in with the directive “Head north,” and closed his eyes briefly before meeting Lawson’s stare. “Ezran and Garet took off on Reed’s motorcycle.”
An icy calm settled over Lawson. He wanted to fucking punch something but losing his temper wouldn’t get the boys back safely. “Reed doesn’t ride on his own, never mind…” The clench of his jaw was going to shatter his teeth. “Padlocks. On both their fucking doors once we drag their asses back home.”
He pulled out of the loading dock and turned on the road heading north.
“I’m sorry. This is my fault.” Matt gripped the strap above the door, ashen faced. “If I’d cleared things up with him…he’s been touchy lately. I don’t know how he convinced Ez—”
“Don’t go there. Ezran’s not a goddamn three-year-old.” Lawson’s grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles went white. “Does your brother even know how to ride a motorcycle? I’ll be the one apologizing if he gets hurt because I let the kid I’m responsible for run wild.”
Matt shook his head. “From the way Curtis talks about him, Ezran’s a good kid. I just… Fuck.” He rubbed his hand over his face. “Everything probably freaked Garet out. Ezran’s just being a good friend.”
Lawson doubted that very much, not after Ezran’s recent behavior, but he’d rather know both teen’s motivations so he could avoid a repeat of whatever the hell they thought they were doing. “What is ‘everything’, Matt? Is there something else with the gang that I don’t know about? He wouldn’t bring Ezran to them, would he?”
“Oh, God.” From the look on Matt’s face, the thought hadn’t occurred to the man. “I fucking hope not. They scared him pretty bad. But…” Matt chewed his lip. “I don’t know what gets into Garet’s head to be honest. He’s never talked to me much except—” He seemed reluctant to voice the next words. “Except for when he came out to me about six months ago.”
“I’m assuming the gang doesn’t know?”
“Are you kidding me?” The horrific thought stole the remaining color from Matt’s cheeks, and he gave an emphatic shake of his head. “They’d fucking annihilate him.”
“True.” Lawson shook his head. “But why did he take off like that? Ezran I get. He’s pissed that I won’t let him visit Noah in prison. But Garet… He seemed happy.”
“Yeah.” Matt chuffed, his laugh bitter. “And I fucked it up for him. Again.”
The man wasn’t making any damn sense. He’d given up everything for his brother. Lawson frowned at him as he pulled to a stop at a red light. The intersection wasn’t that busy, but in this area he’d risk fucking cops pulling him over if he ran the light and they couldn’t afford that kind of delay.
“Matt, I’m heading north because that’s the most logical direction for Ezran to go.” He glared at the light, willing it to change. “Whatever set your brother off might mean we should be searching somewhere else. I need to know everything.”
Matt sunk down in the seat, though his gaze never stopped scanning the small shops and gas station convenience stores along the street. Arms wrapped tight over his chest, he appeared to fold in on himself.
“I never told him.” He slanted Lawson a meaningful sideways look.
“Told. Him. What?” Damn it, he was doing his best to be patient, but if there was some kind of life altering revelation that had messed up the boy… Was he adopted? Diagnosed with a fatal illness? Being shipped off to military school in Spain? “Speak plainly, Matt. I don’t care about family drama. I get it. I’m trying to keep these stupid kids alive.”
“That. I’m. Gay.” Staring straight out windshield, Matt said the words through clenched teeth, enunciating each one as if it tasted foreign on his tongue. “I never told him that I’m gay. Alright? So, unless you know of some conversion therapy place, I have no fucking clue where he convinced Ezr
an to take them off to.”
Bloody hell, now Lawson felt like a complete asshole. He sighed and shook his head. “If he was reacting to seeing me kiss you, he probably went along with whatever Ezran suggested. Stop blaming yourself. If your brother’s going to flip out on you for having your own life, he and I are going to be having a heart to heart very soon. After I’m done with Ezran, who I’d bet everything I own is entirely responsible for this reckless plan.”
Face red, nostrils flared, Matt tossed his head back, beating it once on the headrest, then nodded. “I might take you up on that. I just can’t get used to him being like this. It’s like every time I figure things are going to get better he pulls another stunt. I’m damn tired.”
“I bet.” Worried and pissed off as he was, Lawson didn’t envy the man. Even with the little involvement he’d had in Ezran’s upbringing, there’d been a length of time he’d wished he had a single opponent who could knock him out so he could get a full night’s sleep. He’d taken to keeping his phone close at night and checking it once or twice in case Curtis called again to say Ezran had shown up.
Or decided to go back to Noah’s mother’s place without warning.
Which had happened more often right after Noah’s arrest, but now and then the teen would wander off like he didn’t have a single person to answer to and wanted to make sure they knew it.
The stress hadn’t been good for Noah’s mom, but neither she nor any member of The Asylum was about to tell Noah that. At least they were able to give him some positive updates. Ezran was good in school and would finish all his homework even if he was chilling in the park for the day. He never missed his training either.
But the more Lawson thought of how Curtis had tightened up the kid’s schedule and made sure to keep him busy, the more he realized this was typical behavior for Ezran. He must have been upset about something regarding Noah’s call.
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