Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) (22 page)

“You getting settled in, my love?” Charles asked from the other side.

said he fisted his hands. “I guess. Where is all my stuff? I left several boxes in here.”

“In the closet. I had Cindy put them in there when she cleaned. I would like to see you downstairs in twenty minutes. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a session. I can’t wait to get my mouth on that beautiful cock. I expect you to be naked. I have several things to bargain with, so maybe this session we can take our play to another level.”

Ethan ran to the closet. The five boxes he’d packed were neatly stacked in the corner. “I’m not sure about tonight. I’m really tired. Maybe tomorrow night?” Ethan fought back the bile burning his throat.

“Tonight, Ethan. I won’t be kept waiting any longer. Roseanna decided to keep her townhouse so we’ll once again have the house to ourselves. We can go to the club tomorrow night. Everyone will be excited to see you. They love watching you pleasure yourself. So do I, my love.”

“I have class in the morning,” Ethan searched through the bag he’d packed when he left the apartment. He pulled out a black T-shirt he’d taken from the hamper in Niko’s bathroom. Hugged it tightly against his chest. “Will you keep your promise since I came back?”

“I told you in the car I would stop the injunction of the zoning and smooth over the Board of Health issue. If you give me tomorrow night, nothing will come of the threats.”

“And Niko?” Saying his name made tears streak down both cheeks.

“Your friend will not be harassed in any manner, but if you leave, there will be consequences. My driver will take you to school and pick you up. You will not have a job. I’ll give you everything you need. Are we clear on these rules?”

Not have a job? Ethan panicked. He’d be more trapped than he was before and the previous agreement was no sex. The thought of fucking Charles made his skin crawl and itch. What was he going to do? He loved Niko and part of loving someone meant to sacrifice.

“I’m really tired.” Mental exhaustion was winding him down and all he wanted to do was close his eyes and pretend he was somewhere else. “I understand the rules, but I just want to go to bed now. It’s getting late.”

“All right. We can talk more in the morning. Sleep well, my love. I’m so happy you’re back home safe and sound. Sweet dreams.”

With clothes and shoes still on, Ethan flipped the covers and slid under the sheets. Holding the T-shirt close to his nose, he inhaled. The faint scent of earthy cologne and Niko’s skin comforted him. He closed his eyes. The glow of the bedside lamp was supposed to keep the monsters away, but he had a feeling it wasn’t going to work anymore.

He buried his nose in the soft fabric. The heady scent of cologne and the wintergreen soap Niko used still lingered. He remembered him wearing the shirt when they’d gone out to dinner for his twentieth birthday. Niko had said they’d have a party later, but Ethan hadn’t cared. They’d made love and had breakfast in bed. Ethan dug in his pocket for the leather bracelet Niko had given him. It was perfect.

As he fought to stay awake, the drift was stronger than his effort. The glow from the lamp faded as the room disappeared and he was forced to sleep.

He was running down a long dark corridor.
Bang!
His weak legs gave, forcing him to stumble against one wall, his head bouncing off the black-and-red wallpaper. Running again, he tripped.
Bang!
His head hit the prickly carpeted floor.
Bang! Ethan!
Sparks of light slipped into the shadows lining the corridor. He tried to lift his head. Heavy weights pinned his neck.

Crack!
Ethan felt his body twitch then shake. His thoughts, musty and weak, gained strength as he sat up in bed. He’d been dreaming.

“Ethan!” The doorknob hit the wall with enough force to dent the plaster.

“Ben! What…what are you doing here? Is Niko okay?” His heart wouldn’t hold together if Charles had broken his promise. “Where is he? Please, Ben, is he okay?”

Ben started opening the dresser drawers only to close them again when his investigation came up empty handed. “Where’s your stuff? We got to get you the hell out of here before Niko does some stupid shit.”

Ethan tossed the covers back and jumped out of bed. “He’s here? Where?”

“Less chatting, more packing. Let’s go. Where’s the boxes Niko was talking about?”

“I have several. There’s a few in the closet and the two I had taken before. That’s everything.” Ethan opened the closet door then remembered why he’d run away in the first place. “I can’t go, Ben.”

“Like hell, you can’t. We’ll have to live with that grouchy bastard if you don’t come home.” He stacked the boxes on the bed and tossed a pair of tennis shoes at Ethan’s chest. Ethan caught the shoes and sat on the chair next to the desk. “Listen, I don’t know exactly how you ended up here, and, to be honest, I don’t give a damn. You need out, it’s not safe, and one of my best friends loves you. That’s enough. End of story. Get your shoes on before Niko kills that asshole.”

Ethan’s chest vibrated. His shallow breaths created sparkling lights in his vision. “Jesus,” he mumbled and stuffed his feet into the shoes. “If I do this The Professor will lose the shop and Niko could go to jail. Charles will find some way to get him arrested. What do I do?”

Ben hoisted two boxes in his arms. “Don’t fuck this up. Let’s go.”

Ethan grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and slid his arm through his backpack. “Niko will blame me. Wait…you know about us?”

Ben peered out the doorway. “Yeah, Niko told the whole damn shop.”

Ethan picked up the box. His head swam; excitement made his fingertips tingle. His boyfriend had risked everything to make what they shared real. “I’ll do whatever you guys want to help save the shop. I love him, Ben. I never meant to hurt him.”

“I know, kid. Love can be really fucked up. Come on. The hall’s clear.”

As they walked past Charles’s bedroom, the sound of shouting voices echoed from down the wide staircase. “Get off! Niko! Don’t do this!” Ethan wanted to drop the box and run, but Ben blocked his way. “Jesus!”

“Let him go,” Knox’s voice casually added.

“Got him!” Ben shouted as he set the boxes by the front door.

Ethan walked out of the marble-floored foyer into the study. Niko was straddling Charles, punching random shots. “Niko!”

With hooded eyes, Niko looked up, wiping the back of his hand over his bloodied lip.

“Please stop. He’s not worth going to jail. Let’s go home.”

When Knox stood Ethan could see where he’d been sitting. The man who’d assaulted him on campus was passed out on the floor. Seth leaned over and pulled on Niko’s shoulders. “That’s enough, brother. You got this. Ethan’s safe. We need to get out of here.”

Niko shot his gaze over. Ethan’s hands trembled as he walked to where Niko was hunched. “Take me home, Niko.”

When Niko stood, Ethan wrapped his arms around his wide shoulders and pulled him tight. The thickness of his arms engulfed Ethan’s waist, leaving no room between their bodies.

“I thought you left because I was a coward.” Niko nestled his lips behind Ethan’s ear. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Ethan hugged tighter. “I had to go. There was no other way to keep you from getting hurt and keep The Professor from losing the shop.”

Niko leaned back, taking the sides of Ethan’s face into his hands. “The only way you’re going to hurt me is by leaving again. I need you.” He skimmed his lips over Ethan’s mouth. “God, I fucking need you.”

Ethan opened, letting him slip his tongue inside.

“This is great, you guys wanna play kissy face and all.” Knox appeared on the other side of the room. “But I’m sure when we broke the little box by the gate something was triggered and we’ve already been here fifteen minutes. We’ve got the truck loaded up.”

“We gotta go.” Ethan regretted they’d had to end the kiss. “Knox’s right.”

Within seconds, they were piled in Ben’s double cab utility truck and back on the road. When they passed an unmarked police car Ben turned down another road and killed the lights.

Seth held onto the dashboard. “Man, you can turn the lights back on anytime. Seriously, anytime.”

Ben chuckled. “I got this.” When they got to a highway, Ben turned the truck toward home.

Everyone emptied the breaths they’d been holding. “Who in the fuck can do that?” Seth asked, hands still flat on the dashboard. “You’re nuts, man.”

Ben lowered his hat a bit and turned on the radio.

“If I have to sit back here with you guys then no making out.” Knox propped his elbow on the door and cradling the side of his head. “I need a drink.”

Seth turned in his seat. “No, you don’t.”

Ethan had always seen Seth as the big, happy-go-lucky, albeit tattooed with small gauge earrings, kind of guy, but the look on his face was anything but friendly. Note to self—don’t piss off the bulky cigar-smoking bear.

“I…um…I’m sorry for all of this.”

Niko tightened his grip on Ethan’s hand. “We got this, baby. He’s not going to mess with you again.”

Knox snorted. “I never thought I’d hear Niko the grouchy ass tough guy call someone
baby.
”

Niko reached over Ethan’s chest and smacked the side of Knox’s head. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Ah.” Knox rubbed the spot where Niko’s hand had landed. “That’s my boy.”

Ben pulled the truck in the lot behind the shop. Everyone filed out. Seth leaned against the door of his black Mustang Cobra. Ethan had no clue what the guy did outside the tattoo shop, but whatever it was, he was making a ton of money to be able to drive different cars to the shop.

“Mitch will figure out the legal side of all this. Let the system work, Niko. Don’t do anything stupid. You’ve got your man back. If Mitch is the bastard Scarlet says he is, he shouldn’t have a problem helping us out.”

Ethan finally felt safe when Niko pulled him close. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.” He leaned into Niko’s chest, grateful for the ultimate security in his arms.

After the guys pulled out of the lot, Niko kissed Ethan on the top of his head. “Let’s stay here tonight, baby. You need to rest. I’ll check on Casper first thing in the morning.”

Exhaustion claimed his muscles and he almost tripped going up the stairs to the apartment. By the time they’d slid into bed, they were naked and wrapped in each other’s arms.

“I want you,” Ethan whispered, peppering kisses along the brass knuckles tattoo on Niko’s neck. “Let me inside, please.”

“You need to rest.” Niko rolled so Ethan was lying across his chest.

“No.” Ethan leaning up, moving his hips between Niko’s spread thighs. “I need in here.” He dipped his fingers on the slick skin beneath Niko’s sac. “I need you.” When his finger breached Niko’s ring, he moaned. “See, you want me in here too.”

“Jesus, you know how to play me. Do you have lube?”

Ethan crawled over Niko and reached on the floor by the bed. When he came up, he squeezed the tube and rubbed his fingers together. “I want to be on top of you.”

“Then do it.”

As he knelt between Niko’s knees, he couldn’t wait for the romance and slow time they’d taken before. He needed to fuck, to release all the fear and anger he’d harbored since the day he’d left home. “I have to go fast.”

Niko grunted and tugged on Ethan’s cock. “I like it when you go fast. Make me come, baby.”

When Niko rose on his forearms to watch, Ethan fisted the base of his cock and drove home. Niko held his breath, his eyes screwed shut. That first penetration would hurt and burn, but pleasure would follow and Niko would be okay.

Ethan felt his cock thicken and vibrate as Niko slid his hand down to grip his own cock. In sync, they danced. Ethan pushed, his balls tucking in tight when Niko pulled, rounding his wide hand over the purple head. “I can’t last long.” Ethan clenched his teeth. “I have to come. I want to come on you.”

Niko nodded and pumped his fist harder. Ethan pulled free and stroked until warm heat rose and his body locked. He leaned forward, splashing thick white streams over Niko’s hand. “Fuck, Ethan. Holy fuck.” Niko panted, pulling faster until his hand and dick were coated. Spent, muscles relaxed, Ethan leaned in leaned forward and slipped his tongue where he’d washed Niko’s cock with his seed.

“Come in my mouth, Niko.” Ethan opened his mouth wide letting Niko shove the head of his cock into the back of his throat. Hot jets filled skimmed over his tongue and slid in thick streams down his throat.

The back of Niko’s head hit the pillow. Ethan climbed over Niko’s leg and crashed onto the mattress. “You know I love you, right?” he asked, feeling brave after purging his insecurities.

“Yeah.” Niko grinned. “I love you, too.”

“I want a party. A big one.”

Niko tipped onto his side, brushing a loose strand of hair from Ethan’s forehead. “For your birthday?”

“Yes, and a cake. And for another gift you have to finish my tattoo. I don’t think it’s fair you missed my appointment and never rescheduled. I
am
your boyfriend after all.”

Niko rolled onto Ethan, pinning him against the blanket. “That’s right.” He dipped his head to coax Ethan’s mouth open with his tongue. “You’re my boyfriend.”

Ethan tilted his head, swallowing the affection of Niko’s warm mouth. “Thank you for telling your friends about us. That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”

“Thank you for giving me the courage to do it. You mean…you mean so much to me, Ethan. I’ve never let anyone in like this.”

When Niko lay back, Ethan nestled into the heat of his hard chest and traced the swirls and lines painted on Niko’s stomach. “What happened with your dad? You talked so fast and said something about a bullet, but you never told me what happened.”

“I was sixteen.” Niko ran his fingertips over Ethan’s arm. “My dad had beaten my mom up again. This time, he’d broken her arm. I ran into their bedroom, got the gun, and told him I was going to shoot him if he ever touched her again. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the floor then he started toward me. He’d been drinking. He was a bastard when he got his hands on a whiskey bottle. Hell, he was an asshole when he was sober. He came at me and I shot him in the leg. I got scared and ran. When the cops picked me up, my mom had told them I broke her arm and went after my dad. I had a record from the graffiti shit and stealing a few things, nothing big, but I was already on their radar. I went to juvie and they went to Hell in my book. Haven’t seen or heard from them since.”