Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) (12 page)

God damn, just when he thought Knox was totally checked out of basically everything, he gave this nugget of insight. “Yeah.”

“I know a guy. He owes me a favor. I can see what he can get his hands on.”

Niko wasn’t going to stick around to answer any more of Knox’s insightful questions. He said, “Thanks man,” and turned to head to The Professor’s office. This morning he’d told Niko he’d leave the key to the apartment on his desk. The moment Niko had seen The Professor pause and raise one brow, he’d pussied out and run back to his studio.

He shoved the key in his pocket, checked his wallet to make sure he had cash, and headed out the back door. The faint aroma of cedar and a heady cherry aroma filtered from behind the cigar lounge door. The air filters were in working condition, but nothing could get rid of that savory smell. After walking these halls and rooms for the last three years, he realized the spicy scent was what gave the place half its charm.

The ride across town went quick with his racing thoughts. He’d made a mental list and was thankful he’d gotten paid last month for the Reynolds job. Who knew how many businesses wanted graffiti artwork on their buildings? The opportunities were lining up one after the other, but he did know, all too well, the future could drop out at any moment.

He pulled into the parking lot and walked into the store. Grabbing a cart, he made a trekked to the appliances section. The apartment had the bare essentials, a stove, a fridge, but nothing else. Ethan had nothing, and nothing felt pretty shitty.

He started piling items in the cart. A set of silverware, a few glasses, a couple of coffee mugs. The pang in his stomach was quick. Ethan might want to have someone over for coffee. Killing the thought, he tossed in more kitchen necessities and moved to the housewares department. Once the cart was piled, he stopped by the microwaves and set one on top.

The trunk and back seat were full as he pulled out and headed to the shop. When he walked through the back door, Ben was walking out of the staff bathroom. “Hey, I was able to get my hands on a TV.” Niko didn’t know what to say. “What? Knox said you were looking for stuff for the apartment. He said that skinny kid was moving in up there.”

Niko clenched his fists. “He’s not skinny. He’s...he’s fit. Shit, thanks for the TV. I’ll pick it up tonight.”

Ben smiled, the tip of the scars on his face tilting with the corner of his mouth. “No problem. It’s in my room. I can run it up there.”

Niko needed all the help he could get, but damn if he wanted the guys to speculate anything other than helping the kid out was going on. That’s all that was going on. That’s all. Jesus,
that’s all.

Seth met them in the back. “I got a bed and the new mattress is being delivered by five. The guy’ll be here with the bed in ten minutes.”

Niko looked at his friends. He never thought he’d see the day people would be this loyal. Family couldn’t be trusted and his friends from the old neighborhood would just as soon kick someone’s ass as give them a dollar.

Embarrassed by all the shit piled in his car, he waited for the guys to help move in the bed and TV. Scarlet met him as he was locking up the apartment. “Your two o’clock is here.”

“Thanks.” His phone dinged as they walked down the staircase that led to the door opening onto the sidewalk next to the shop. “Tell him I’ll be there in a second.”

Niko followed Scarlet into the lobby and headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up before meeting the client. He dried his hands then grabbed the phone out of his pocket.

How’s your day going?

Niko started to text then realized Ethan’s question was what a girlfriend would ask her boyfriend. He paused with his finger over the G.

Busy

Me, too. Chem test was brutal. Think I did ok though. I can’t wait to see the apartment. Did you give the money to The Professor?

What was Niko supposed to say? The Professor wouldn’t take the money. He said he and Ethan would have a sit down tomorrow. Niko knew Ethan would never take a handout, but the kid didn’t have a pot to piss in. The envelope had six hundred dollars inside. When Niko had walked out of juvie, he’d have given his left nut for that kind of money. Back then, it could’ve been a million dollars. Now, it wouldn’t cover the supplies for a commission job in the city.

Ethan needed to stash the money for emergencies. He had no idea what The Professor was up to, but if the deal was anything like the one he’d had with Niko, Ethan would be able to afford a roof over his head and food.

The hands on the clock rose and fell as he filled brown onto the shaded areas of the eagle wing. “This place is really cool,” the man said as Niko rested his elbow on the arm of the renovated barber chair. “It took six weeks for me to snag this appointment. My buddy had one of the other guys put a skull. I think he’s got scars on his face?” Niko lifted the needle but kept the hum of the gun running. The client was chatting, but not annoying, but if he said anything shitty about Ben having scars, this tat was going to be voided. “The piece looked really great. The guy’s work is amazing.”

Good answer.
“Maybe you can get into him for your next one. He’s pretty booked, but I can talk to him.” Niko had no problem sharing the love when it came to his friends.

“Nah. I saw your stuff in
Tattoo Digest
and knew your style was more of what I was into. I’ll stick with you…that is if I can ever get in again.” The man rounded his thick chest and laughed.

Niko wasn’t the only one with a tight schedule. All the guys were in high demand. Niko just preferred to give the repeat customers priority slots. “No problem,” he said, spraying the new ink with green soap. “We’ll get you in by Christmas. It’s going to take several sessions to drape the flag over your shoulder and tie it into the rifle on your back. I’ll have Scarlet put you in for December. You’re being deployed next year, right?” The man’s chin rose and fell in a curt nod. Niko skimmed the needle over the rest of a feather. “Next one’s on the house.”

When his client looked away, Niko got the gesture. Avoidance was the best MO for people like them. Seen too much and didn’t give a fuck to discuss the details. Niko had mad respect for the soldier.

The phone in Niko’s pocket vibrated against his leg. He wiped the last of the ink and rolled back, admiring the artistic work in the eagle’s feathers. “Take a look.”

The man stood, stretching his arms. The session had gone over the scheduled time, but he’d been able to complete the design and the guy wouldn’t have to make the four-hour drive again until December.

“Jesus, man, this is fucking awesome. I see why the wait is so long to get in here. You’ve got serious skills, Niko. Thank you so much. Look,” He turned his elbow toward the mirror on the wall. “The numbers are perfect. The guys are excited to come. They’re lined up for next week. One with you and one with…”

Niko grabbed a tube of ointment from the basket. “Ben.”

“Right, Ben.”

Niko gave the standard care instructions. “Stop by the front desk on your way out. Scarlet’ll give you the paperwork and make that next appointment. I’ll email you the workups.”

When the man reached out a hand, Niko shook with a firmness letting the soldier know he respected him. Before cleaning up the space, he grabbed the phone.

Got out of English lit early. I’ll be in the library. Can you be here around five?
Niko thought about the full trunk and backseat of his car. He checked the clock. The tat had taken longer than he’d expected. Now he had no time to take the stuff upstairs.

On my way. Did you eat?

For a split second, he ridiculed himself for asking, then didn’t give a shit. No one else was reading the texts so he could chill the hell out. His father’s voice whispered in his ear. Giving his brain a mental thump, he finished straightening up and flipped the light off.

Ben crossed the hall with a sandwich in his hand. “Everything ready?”

Now Niko wished he hadn’t thumped his stupid brain. He needed a kick in his weak ass. “What’s ready?” he asked, knowing exactly what Ben was talking about.

He shook his head and chuckled. “Right, Seth said you left the door unlocked. Apparently, Knox was up there putting groceries in the fridge. That asshole surprises the shit out of me. One moment, he doesn’t want us in the same room and the next he’s buying groceries for your…” Niko fisted the phone in his hand. “Friend.” He took another bite of the sandwich. “I got a six o’clock, but I thought about playing some pool tonight over at The Ranger. Want to meet up later?”

Niko knew the guy wasn’t much for social engagements but loved to play pool and seeing as The Ranger was all shadowed, battered lamps and peanut shell covered floors, it was a perfect place for his friend to hide.

“I’ve got something going on, but I’ll see if I can stop by after.” Ben seemed to spend most of his time alone if he wasn’t hanging with the other guys. Interested in learning something about Ben’s airtight private life, Niko had pushed several months ago, suggesting they go to a bar and find a couple of girls to take home, but Ben had turned him down, saying he had other plans. Niko knew better.

Ben tipped the brim of his worn baseball cap and the light skimmed across the pink streaks trailing against his temple. Clients—hat down. Friends—hat back. Niko got it. No judgments here. Niko had wondered more than once what had happened but knew not to ask, just like Seth and Knox hadn’t asked Niko why his probation officer kept stopping by the shop for over a year.

Niko sat behind the wheel and started the car. Was Samantha right? Had there been clues, side glances, stupid fucking slips showing he was a total fraud? Being the underhanded one who got the guys out of some pretty fucked-up situations, hence screwing Seth’s “inconvenience,” was his MO. One of the four got in trouble, Niko was the bailout. Taking shit to the edge was his specialty. If someone made the dumbass mistake of fucking with one of his boys, he made good on raining down a major payback.

If the guys knew he’d let Ethan finger his ass, they’d laugh him out of the shop and maybe their lives. Niko’s “take care of business” guy reputation would blast into pieces and be replaced with Niko the “sissy fag” guy. He looked over the back of the seat. The bulging plastic sacks were proof his father had been right about one thing—he may not want to live in a cardboard box on the avenues, but damn if he didn’t want Ethan to fuck him in the ass.

*****

Ethan checked his phone. It was ten minutes past five. Quickly closing the laptop, he snatched his backpack and headed for the front doors. The last thing he needed was Niko thinking he was an ungrateful asshole making him wait.

Running to the end of the sidewalk, he scanned the curb. The gray Nova set running behind a parked VW Bug. He formulated an apology in his head as he clutched the laptop and headed toward the car.

Before sliding inside the passenger seat, he started, “I’m sorry I’m late. I lost track of time.” He stuffed the backpack on the floorboard and latched the seat belt.

“You never answered my question.”

Ethan sensed Niko’s tension as he unzipped the bag and slid the laptop inside. “Huh?”

“Did you eat today?”

“I, well, kind of. I got really busy. We had a group thing I’d forgotten about. I have your money.” He fished the twenty out of his pocket and held out his hand.

“Jesus, Ethan, you have to eat. Open the glove box.” Ethan popped the button and the door opened. “Grab one of the protein bars.”

Ethan hesitated. He’d lived on the things his first year in college. Well, those and ramen noodles. “It’s okay I—”

“Open one and eat. We’ve got a lot to do. I’ll order a pizza for later, but you’re going to hit the floor before then. You already look like hell.”

“Thanks.” Hearing that made him feel even worse than taking the money in the first place. He snagged the peanut butter bar and pressed the rectangular door shut. “I don’t think I look bad. A little pale, maybe, but it’s hard to get out in the sun when I’m studying or working all the time. You look like you’ve been outside. I figured with your tight schedule at the shop you never got to see the light of day.”

Niko looked over. “I work outside when I do commissions, but that’s gonna change here soon. I’ve got a few projects lined up for indoor murals. I’ll have work through the winter. Paint won’t stick to the brick and concrete when it gets really cold.”

Ethan tore a piece of the dry bar and chewed. “You have another job?”

“I do murals for businesses. When I was younger I painted all over the neighborhoods and even in the city. The Professor found me that way. I guess I’m pretty badass with a spray can.”

Niko didn’t seem like the kind of guy to put himself on a pedestal so when he cocked a grin, Ethan chuckled. “I bet you’re a badass at a lot of things.” Niko shifted his gaze to the road, but the confident tilt of his lips remained. Ethan laid the twenty on the console. The protein bar tasted like cardboard, but the more he chewed, the better he felt. Looking like hell might have been an accurate description after all.

The car thumped when the tire hit a divot in the street. Hearing the rustle of plastic, he turned around. “What’s all that?”

“You need things.” Niko took the off-ramp.

Ethan swallowed the dry lump he’d been chewing. “This stuff is for me?” Niko hesitated then nodded. “Niko, I have to hear from one of the other jobs before I can pay you back.”

“We’ll work something out.”

Ethan’s head throbbed. Was he grateful for the help?
Yes.
Was he going to be a sex toy for another guy who pretended to be straight?
Hello no.
“I’m not doing this, Niko. I got out of that shit with Charles and I’m not about to pay you back for your help by being your secret fuck buddy. You’re playing straight, hell you might be bi, but that’s not my problem to fix. I’m not here to service you in secret then take the help you dish out when—”

“Are you done whining?”

Ethan felt his face heat. “Fuck you, Niko.”