Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) (23 page)
Read Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) Online
Authors: Pauline Allan
“God, Niko, that’s horrible.”
“It’s all good now. Had a little trouble when I got out. Couldn’t seem to stop painting shit.” The rise and fall of his chest when he laughed made Ethan smile. “I got caught and that’s when I met The Professor. It was something like a parole deal after I got out of juvie and I violated it. I landed in big boy jail and The Professor had seen my handiwork on the side of buildings and bridges. I was stupid enough to leave my mark and he found me, brought me here, and made me his apprentice. Also got me started on the graffiti gigs. Now I’m legit and shit.” He laughed again.
Ethan pressed a kiss to one of the sails on a pirate ship tattoo just below Niko’s nipple. “You’re amazing. You’ve done so much with your life.”
Niko skimmed his lips over the top of Ethan’s head. “You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. I have no doubt you’re going to be great at whatever you decide to do.”
Ethan leaned up, pressing his hands on Niko’s chest. “Thank you for giving me the courage to have a new life.”
“Ah,” Niko teased, running his fingers through Ethan’s hair. “A new life that you’re going to have to put up with my bullshit. The guys are right. I’m grouchy, cocky, and well…really good looking. I think they forgot to add that part.”
Ethan chuckled. “I guess they did. Thank God I already knew that.”
Niko tugged on the sheet until they were both covered. “Go to sleep. You’re safe, baby. I’ll always keep you safe.”
“We’ll keep each other safe.” Ethan nestled into Niko’s side.
“Yes, baby, we will.”
*****
“I talked to my father last week. Your boyfriend’s suitor has been laying low, I figured so people wouldn’t see the evidence of your brawl. Seth gave me the rundown of what you did.” Mitch peered up at Niko. “It’s evident you grew up in the neighborhoods. Now, as for you.” He looked over at Ethan. “Do you have pictures, texts? Any letters?” Mitch leaned back in his father’s chair. He sparked a lighter and lit the expensive cigar hanging out of his mouth. “If not, I can come up with something.”
Niko crossed his arms over his chest and watched Ethan fidget in the chair opposite the desk. “You’re not using anything that’ll embarrass Ethan.” Niko was firm on that one. “That’s my hard limit.”
Mitch rested the cigar between is fingers. “It’s not your hard limit to make.” He tipped his gaze in Ethan’s direction. “It’s his.”
Niko put his hands on Ethan’s shoulders, hoping to bring comfort to his nervous boyfriend. “I’ve been a pain, but I just want this all to go away. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
Mitch lifted the corner of his mouth in a cocky grin. Niko had seen that expression before. Mac the Stack smirked like that before he kicked a guy around for not bringing bank after moving his drugs. No stack of bills and guys came up missing.
“No problem.” Mitch casually shook his head. “I know people at the club. I’ve been waiting for this asshole to give me an excuse to get close. I can use this.”
Ethan looked up at Niko then turned to Mitch. “You’ve been to the club?”
As Mitch spoke, a bellow of smoke floated from his mouth. “I’m everywhere. Charles Covington isn’t a self-made man. We can take what he has here and he can run back to the old money. The son of a bitch will be hard pressed to make new deals in this city. Now.” He pointed his finger in Niko’s direction. “As for that police report. I got that taken care of. Apparently, at one time I did a favor for the right guy and your paperwork disappeared. So, he’s got no ground to stand on there. I’ve already contacted his wife. I said I was a physician at the hospital and her husband had been mugged outside a club. He’ll have that shit to deal with and know we’re not fucking around.”
Niko should hate this guy, but damn if he didn’t like the asshole. “I like the way you think. So, you get a footing in this business and we get out of this mess?”
Mitch stood and rounded the desk. “Yes. I was looking for an in and this will be it.” So, maybe the guy wasn’t so great after all. “Don’t look at me like that. This is business and the winner’s the one who gets paid. I get paid…a lot. So, if you want this problem to go away, I can do that. The last thing I want is for my father to lose this place. It’s part of his heart and soul. As for you two, if what I do helps you, it’s because I’m helping my father and getting this bastard out of my way.”
Ethan stood. “Scarlet was right. You’re an asshole, but do what you have to and we’ll stay out of your way.” Niko rested his hand on the back of Ethan’s neck. “But, don’t think for one second I’ll let you do something that’ll hurt this guy.” He pointed his thumb at Niko. “I’ll go crazy on you if you tell anyone about us before he’s ready. His friends and family knowing is one thing, but he has the right to tell everyone else on his own terms. So don’t fuck with him.”
Mitch stood and slapped Ethan on the shoulder. Niko’s fists twitched. “No worries young man. I don’t need anyone to get what I want. Covington won’t be able to show his face again and my bank account is going to grow. Tell my father I stopped by.”
Niko waited until Mitch walked out of the room, a trail of cigar smoke in his wake.
Ethan turned into Niko’s arms. “I’m glad he got the charges dropped. I would’ve gone insane if you got put in jail.”
Niko pressed his finger under Ethan’s chin, bringing his lips against his own. The heat between their lips made him lightheaded. “You never have to worry about me going away.”
“Good.” Ethan draped his arms around Niko’s shoulders. He’d never really known what it would feel like to have a home, a safe haven where he could let down his guard. “Do you know how amazing you make me feel?” Ethan’s beautiful lips tipped up in a smile. A smile he always wanted to be the cause of.
“Almost as amazing as you make me feel?”
Niko nestled his lips against the edge of Ethan’s ear, that sweet spot that always brought Ethan to his knees. “You’re my home, skinny jeans.”
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pauline lives in the Midwest with her hero husband, two handsome boys, one ornery cat, and a lovely Pitbull. By day Pauline is a special care baby registered nurse and by night a hopeless romantic. She loves to travel to New Orleans twice a year to recharge her creative battery and enjoy a bag full of powdered sugar covered beignets. Sit down, relax and Laissez les bons temps rouler!
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