Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) (19 page)

You ok?

Breathe. The pressure in his lungs hurt the bruised muscles of his stomach.
Yes. Please come when you can.

Waiting in the bathroom for a text for several minutes, he decided Niko wasn’t going to show up. He understood. The hottest tattoo artist in the city always had a booked schedule. Turning on the cold faucet, he set his bag on the floor and waited for the water to get cold. Splashing a few handfuls on his face took out part of the fire building in his jaw and eyelid. He needed to get to his apartment and soak his face in a bowl of ice. The dull throb in his head wouldn’t let up.

He pulled the sweatshirt hood over his head and dipped his chin before heading out the door. If he hurried, he could walk to the train and get back to the shop in time to get to his apartment and clean up for work.

His phone rang. Niko’s name popped up on the screen. “Hey.” He tried to sound as calm as possible.

“Meet me in ten minutes. You safe?”

The deep timbre of Niko’s voice soothed the ache in his temples. “Yeah,” he lied. “I’m okay. Just want to get home.” Ethan walked past the nursing building, looking over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure he wasn’t being followed.

“What happened? What about your classes? I’m here.”

“I’m almost there. See you in a minute.”

The moment he spotted Niko’s Nova, he wanted to sprint to the curb but didn’t want to draw attention. He stuffed the phone in his pocket and switched the backpack over his other shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he stepped off the sidewalk and reached for the handle on the door. Keeping his face straight, he sat down on the passenger seat.

“Do you need something to—what the fuck, Ethan? Jesus Christ.” When he tugged on the hood, Ethan snagged it out of his grip and put it back on his head. “Don’t you fucking do that. Don’t hide from me. Who did this? Was it one of Charles’s guys? Ethan, look at me.”

Hot tears scorched his cheeks as he fought not to huff in an all-out crying fit. “It’s not as bad as it looks. Some guy jumped me on campus. He wanted my laptop.”

Niko tugged the hood down again. “Your laptop’s in your bag. Try again. Was it Charles?”

Ethan peered over, his right eye tight as he blinked. “I told you it was a guy on campus. Can we please not talk about this? I just want to get home and go to work.”

Niko pulled the car into gear and drove out of the parking lot. “Like hell you’re going to work. Your ass is staying at my place tonight.”

Slapping his hand on his thigh, the rage grew tangible in his gut. “You can’t tell me what to do. Charles can’t either! You’re not even my boyfriend. Just take me home! I can take care of myself.”

When Niko reached over and palmed the back of his neck, he wanted to melt into the warmth but refused to let Niko see his fear. He wasn’t as weak as everyone thought. He’d endured sexual humiliation, routine slaps, some with a belt and some with a hand. He’d survived rejection, and he was going to survive this and he’d be damned if he’d let his mistakes take down Niko and the shop.

“Don’t do that. Don’t pull away from me. I know. I look like a fucking dick, but taking care of you is a priority and I’m doing it whether your pride takes a hit or not.” Niko lifted his hand and dialed his cell. “Ethan can’t be there to finish his shift…Yeah, he’s good… No, he texted me to let you guys know. He’ll be there tomorrow… Got it.” When he set the phone on the console, he looked over. “Taken care of.”

Panic gripped Ethan, making each breath feel like a million tons of bricks had been tossed onto his chest. “I can’t…breathe. I can’t. Shit… I can’t breathe.”

Niko pulled the car against the curb. They were almost to the theater. Embarrassment shoved Ethan’s pride to the side as he pushed his head against the seat. His lungs locked and wouldn’t let him pull in any air.

Ethan heard the click of a seat belt and realized it was his own. “Put your head down.” Niko’s voice sounded like a distant murmur in a tunnel. “Ethan, put your head down.” Gentle pressure on the back of his skull helped him to bend at the waist. “That’s good. Inhale and hold your breath then exhale. Good job. Breathe.” Niko’s soft, rumbly voice sifted through his ear as the air came in a little easier. “You’re in control, Ethan. I just want to keep you safe.”

When he straightened up, Niko sat back in the driver’s seat and pulled onto the street.

“Sorry about that. Sometimes I get nervous.”

“You need to eat.” Niko parked in a small gravel lot behind the theater. “Listen, I know you don’t want to talk about this and, hell, I’m probably the last guy you want hovering over you, but I’ve had my share of fights and it never felt good to be alone after.”

“I know.”

“Has this bastard done this before?”

“No,” Ethan reached down to pick up the backpack, hoping by avoiding Niko’s intense gaze he could get away with the lie. The truth was, he’d been weak, should have run when he’d had the chance. Instead, he’d thought about that day his father walked in on him fucking on the couch. His father’s words had cut, making him feel like less than shit and Charles hadn’t been any better.

“Come on.” Niko took the bag from his hand.

Ethan was grateful to hear the sound of the thick metal door opening. Casper was waiting impatiently on the other side with his white tail wagging. “He’s really loyal. He acts like he hasn’t seen you in days. My dad never let me have a dog.”

Niko had his hands in the freezer. When he shut the door, Ethan watched him fill a clear plastic bag with ice. “Sit down. I’m going to take Casper out then I’ll make you something to eat.” Ethan dragged his feet to the couch and collapsed. The adrenaline rush had faded and exhaustion was pulling him under. When Niko gently placed the baggie to his eye, Ethan flinched. The freeze was sharp as his eyelids went numb. “Lie down.” He put a pillow on the end of the couch and Ethan was grateful to rest his head. “Keep this on there. I mean it, don’t take it off. I’ll clean up your lip and see what you’ve got. I don’t think it’s going to need stitches. Did the guy crack you on the head? You’ve got blood in your hair.” Niko’s assessment was matter of fact, almost cold.

“I hit my head.”

He braced his hands on the arm of the couch, keeping Ethan’s head from moving. “You
are
going to tell me who did this. Charles had something to do with it and I’ll take care of that bastard later. Right now, tonight, I want you to rest. No school tomorrow. I have appointments all morning, but you’re staying in your apartment. No one will touch you there.”

Ethan appreciated his support, but he already felt guilty for continually interrupting the guy’s life. First, he got a pretty much free tattoo then seduced him and made him feel bad for not coming out of the closet. One fuck up after another. “I’m going to lose my job if I don’t go in and I need the apartment and money.”

“If the swelling has gone down by tomorrow, we’ll negotiate your working. No school. That rule is non-negotiable.”

The thought of being pulled into that car again made his eyes water. “Got it.”

Ethan woke to a half-melted bag of ice sliding off his face. “Don’t get up,” he heard Niko say in the distance.

He rolled over on the couch so he could see into the kitchen.

“You need to eat something.”

Not until his stomach growled, had he given a thought to not eating all day. The lamps were on and a car crash scene played across the TV. “This is pretty great. I get a nurse and a chef all wrapped up in the same sexy friend. What more could a guy ask for?” When he tried to laugh, he was reminded of the cut on his lip.

Niko set a plate on the coffee table. “Here.” He leaned over and rubbed a clear gel on Ethan’s lip. “This numbs it. I’ve had to use it a time or two.”

A funny tingling sensation vibrated through his lip. When he moved his jaw, the stinging pain in his lip was gone. “Thanks. I mean for everything.”

“No big deal.” Niko sat on the other end of the couch, giving Ethan enough room to keep his feet up while they ate. “I didn’t know if you’d like steak, but I figured every guy will eat steak. Even the ones who wear skinny jeans.”

This time when Ethan laughed. “Yeah, even the fairies in the skinny jeans like steak.”

Niko set the fork on his plate. “Don’t say that. You’re not a fairy. You’re…something else.”

“Oh yeah.” Ethan shoved a bite of potato in his mouth. “Then what am I?”

“My boyfriend. Now shut up and eat. I can’t hear the movie.”

Ethan coughed and almost choked. Knowing not to unravel the delicate admission, he burrowed deeper into the couch and ate. This time the ache in his chest wasn’t because of the bruise painted there. This was what others got to feel. Maybe he wasn’t worthy, but, tonight, he was going to pretend he was. He was in love. Holy crap. He
loved
Niko.

Ethan stood on wobbly legs and carried their plates to the kitchen sink. “You can cook more than eggs. Niko Malikov, you surprise me all the time.”

Niko pressed the remote to turn off the TV and, with Casper on his heels, started down the hallway. Ethan’s stomach twitched. Was he supposed to sleep on the couch? Niko’s confession made him want to jump in his new boyfriend’s arms, but Niko still wasn’t willing to tell the world they were a couple and that didn’t sit well with his heart. He stood by the refrigerator, frozen in indecision. Should he stay and keep up a lie to everyone or walk away from the first real love of his life?

God, he hated the possession one man could have over another. This was love, at least on his part, and he only hoped Niko would come to the realization that love in any form was still love and he should be proud he’d found someone.

Niko looked over his shoulder, his dark brows furrowed. “Stop thinking, Ethan. Sometimes you think too much. Forget what your brain is telling you and get in the shower with me. We can figure everything out tomorrow. You’re safe with me.” He patted his thigh, signaling Casper to follow. “If you don’t hustle, little man is going to steal your spot in the bed.”

Ethan leaned over and rested his head on the counter. Normally, in these situations, when his soul warred, he wanted to cut. He
needed
to cut. Not this time. He was nervous about his future and ashamed. Even if Niko never told anyone he was gay, Ethan was afraid he’d still give his heart to the man. “Niko?” he asked, standing and fighting the urge not to pace. “I want to be your boyfriend, but I don’t know how to.”

Niko took two more steps and was out of view. “Get your ass in the shower, Ethan.”

The deep timbre wasn’t playful and wasn’t angry. It was neutral. It was full of hidden…something. Ethan started toward the darkness of the hallway. One thing was for sure. Niko knew how to keep secrets, even if it meant he had to live a double life. Ethan opened the bathroom door. The water was already running and Niko was standing with his naked thighs parted in front of the toilet.

“These are the kind of things boyfriends do. At least I think it is. Right? We piss in front of each other and flush the toilet. We brush our teeth together and argue over stupid shit like who’s doing the laundry.”

The flushing sound made Ethan laugh.

“See?” He turned around, his already half-full cock hanging between his legs. “Boyfriends also kiss and suck each other’s cocks. I figure we’ve got that one down. But friends protect each other and man up for each other. That has nothing to do with being boyfriends. I don’t have a family anymore, Ethan. Really, I never did. I have my brothers at the shop. And I have you.”

Ethan unzipped his pants and tugged at the cuffs to toss them on the tile floor. Steam rolled out of the shower, fogging the mirror. “I don’t have a family anymore, either. But I have…you.”

Niko took two steps and wrapped Ethan relaxed in the circle of Niko’s thick arms. “Then have me. Don’t let your brain tell you no.”

Ethan’s head swam between the disappointment of knowing their relationship might always be hidden and the relief when he’d finally be able to reveal his feelings for the man he loved. “Someday I want to walk down the sidewalk holding your hand. That’s the kind of boyfriend I need, Niko.”

“You need
me.
That’s the kind of boyfriend you need. Get in the shower and let me take care of you. I know you’re a big boy and can do it all on your own, but let me do this. I need to do this for you.”

With the plea in Niko’s voice, he couldn’t deny he needed taking care of at the moment. “All right. Tonight we can pretend.”

Niko gave a hard nod and opened the shower door. Ethan removed the rest of his clothes and stepped inside. Ethan’s neck relaxed when Niko slipped his fingertips through his hair. Skilled massaging little circles soothed his scalp until his head tingled.  His knees started to give when Niko’s strong hands caught his waist. He was right, they had become a little family together.

Niko rubbed the towel over his wet hair and, when he declared himself satisfied Ethan had been dried properly, he swiftly put him in bed, tugging on the blanket Casper was settled on. The pup walked in several circles before finally making camp in the crook of Ethan’s waist. “I have to grab my phone. Scarlet was moving around a few of tomorrow’s appointments.”

Ethan was instantly flushed with guilt.

“Don’t look so panicked. It’s all good.”

Ethan watched Niko’s naked butt disappear out the door. Sliding his hand under the sheet, he stroked his cock. God, he needed inside—

“I know who you are, cocksucker, and if you ever touch him again, I’ll rip every nail off your fingers and break your knees. I’ve done it before and jail wasn’t so bad so fuck with Ethan again and I promise I’ll be heading back there. Your choice, dick. Either stay the hell away and you get to walk on those fat fucking legs, or roll the dice and never walk again.”

Ethan shot out of the bed and ran down the hall. “Niko!”

Niko’s chest rose and fell in hard pants. He tossed Ethan’s phone on the counter and skimmed his fingers through his dark hair. “I mean it, Ethan. I’ll kill the son of a bitch before he touches you again. It was him. I heard the asshole breathing through the phone.”

Ethan started to shake, his shoulders curling in as the chill in the room gripped his naked skin. “How did you know?”