Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) (7 page)

Niko wasn’t one of those assholes who needed his ego petted, but damn if it didn’t make him stand a bit straighter coming from Ethan. “I’m glad you like it.” Niko grabbed the towel from the table and sprayed down the plastic mattress with disinfectant. “Where are you headed now?” Niko didn’t want to give a shit, but for some reason he did. Ethan had mentioned he had been kicked out so where was he staying?

Ethan walked back to the table and picked up the backpack off the floor. “I...um, have a lot of studying to do so I’m headed to the library.”

Niko knew that look. The brown and green that had sparked in those hazel eyes looked dull and jaded. “Do you…” Jesus, what in the hell was he doing? “Do you want to get some coffee or something?”

Ethan’s lips split into a half smile. “I better get back to school, but thanks for the offer. Maybe after our next appointment? I didn’t picture you as a coffee drinking kind of guy.”

Niko felt the weight in his chest dump into his gut. Why would he want to buy coffee for some kid he’d just met anyway? What was he expecting? A fucking date? And when in the hell had he become a coffee drinking kind of guy? Niko turned around and smirked. Ethan was nineteen, for Christ’s sake, and a mental fucking check was in order.

Think about cock to help get Seth off the hook. Take one for the team.
And, I’m. Not. Gay.

Only gay guys met for coffee.

Niko busied himself with prepping for the next client. “You’re right. I’m not the coffee type. Forget about it.”

Ethan nodded and barely tipped the corner of his lips into a grin. “Got it. I guess I’ll make an appointment. Thanks, Niko. I really am glad I came. You’re amazing.”

The defeat in his voice made Niko cross his arms over his chest, mentally bracing himself from groveling like a damn idiot. He’d had three real friends in his life and all of them were the only family he had left. So adding a fourth to the short list wasn’t necessary. Matter of fact, it was a freaking liability, given the way Ethan’s warm gaze zoned in on his chest.

Wasn’t his problem. He leaned his ass against the counter. When the doorknob clicked. “Where are you staying, Ethan?”
Not my problem.
“Don’t fucking lie to me.”

Ethan paused, opened his mouth then snapped it shut again. “With friends. I’m staying with friends.”

Niko closed the space in three long strides. “No, you’re not.” Ethan backed up until his shoulder hit the door. “You’re starving, probably lost a couple of pounds since I saw you last time, and damn if you don’t look as scared as a stray dog.”

The fire in Ethan’s pale cheeks glowed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m...I’m fine and taking care of myself. I don’t need anyone to take care of me. Besides, I have an apartment lined up that I’m signing for tomorrow for an apartment tomorrow.”

“And tonight? Where are you staying tonight?”

“A friend’s,” he said, turning his other shoulder until he was flat against the door panels. Niko didn’t mean to crowd the kid, but rage drowned his senses. He planted his palms on either side of Ethan’s head. “Niko, please, I just want to go. You’re making me... I don’t know. I don’t know how I feel about anything anymore.”

Niko breathed out, hard.
Back up.
Just back the hell up and let him go.
Jesus Christ.
“Fuck.” Niko crashed his lips against Ethan’s mouth, expecting...hell, he didn’t know what to expect, but when Ethan opened, letting Niko slide his tongue into the heat, they both sighed.

Tilt, turn, devour. Niko tasted, sucked, licked Ethan’s lips until he leaned back, panting, watching Ethan’s chest rise and fall. “Shit,” he grumbled, leaning in again, this time cradling Ethan’s cheeks between his palms. “You...fuck, Ethan.” Each stroke of his tongue was met with Ethan’s affection.

Ethan wrapped his arms around Niko’s waist and tugged. “I need more, Niko. I need—”

“I know...I know what you need.” Niko pressed his cock, the long rod pushing against the front of Ethan’s shorts. “I can’t. I can’t.” Niko sucked in air as he broke the kiss to close the distance between their foreheads. He waited for his heart to explode, but it never did. Every beat raged faster than the last, a throbbing pulse in his brain. Everything was okay. It was good, right?

The way Ethan’s slender body fit snugly against his chest felt better than
okay.
Mediocre wasn’t even a word in the dictionary. The heat wrapped him in a cocoon he’d never experienced before—never thought he could.

Ethan peppered tender kisses over the ink on his neck. “I’ve never wanted someone like you. You’re so different. I didn’t know you were gay.”

Whoa. Wait. Back that fucking train up.

Niko stepped back, forcing an icy cavern between them. “I’m not gay.”

Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. “But, you kissed me. I thought—”

Niko turned around and walked to the desk. “You thought wrong. Get your appointment and I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

Niko waited for the click of the door before turning around. The tip of his cock filled. Every beat of his heart matched time to the metronome pulsing in the thick vein lining the heavy column. What the hell? Maybe he should pass the next appointment off to Seth or Ben. He ran his fingers through the soft faux hawk on his head. He needed to work through one more appointment then go the hell home and forget today ever happened.

“Hey, you doing okay? Your client seemed shaken up.” The Professor leaned against the doorframe. “Did the pain get to him?”

Niko turned around unable to meet his mentor’s gaze. Hell, how was he going to look in a mirror again? This wasn’t getting a blow job in the bathroom. He’d kissed Ethan. Like really
kissed
him. “Yeah, is the apartment upstairs still for rent?”

The Professor dipped his brows. “Yes, you have someone in mind?”

“Kind of.” Niko started prepping colors for the next appointment. “The kid that just left needs a place to stay. I don’t know how much he can afford, but I can...I can help out.”

The Professor walked in and patted Niko on the shoulder. “I remember when a young man spray painted a mural on my brick wall and was crazy enough to leave his logo—even after he was put on probation. I’ve come to learn that same young man would give anyone the shirt off his back. If he needs a place to stay then it’s his. We can work something out for the rent. I recall you paid me in repairs around this place. I’m sure we can find something for—what’s his name?”

The name slipping off his tongue sounded like sin. “Ethan...Ethan Cohen.” Emotions were a weakness and liability on these streets.

“Ah,” The Professor said with silver brows raised. Niko felt the tension in his gut coil with The Professor’s tone. “Well, tell Ethan Cohen he has a place to live and a job if he wants it. Don’t forget about the meeting tonight. The conference is in a month and we still have to organize rotations.
Tattoo Monthly
magazine wants to come by and do interviews.”

Niko nodded as he pulled the cell out of his pocket. “I’ll be here.”

“Niko?” He looked up and saw The Professor rub the long, manicured white hairs of his beard. “You can trust me.”

Niko didn’t need to hear it. “I know.”

The Professor tapped the frame and disappeared. Niko scrolled through where he’d entered Ethan’s number. Scarlet hadn’t given a glance when he’d asked for the digits, the way her bright red lips had tipped into a grin hadn’t gone unnoticed.

He pressed Ethan’s name and started typing.

Where are you?

He waited. Nothing. What was he doing? He should’ve let Scarlet make the call.

“Ethan? This is Frank, your four-thirty consultation.”

“Hey man,” Ethan said and tossed the phone on the counter on the way to the cabinet to pull the man’s file. “I started on the dragon you talked about on the phone. Have a seat.”

The phone vibrated, sending an echo over the counter. Niko was a little too quick to pick it up. God, he was turning into a total pussy.

Walking to catch a ride back to school.

Shit, the kid didn’t have a car.

Came back. I need to talk to you.

One second later.

It’s cool. Was it a moment of weakness on both our parts? No worries. Straight guys hit on me all the time. See you in two weeks.

The throb vibrating his veins was back.
I wasn’t hitting on you. Get back here. Now.

Have to get to school.

Niko didn’t have time to dick around. His client was staring across the table with thick, bushy eyebrows raised.

Now.

Fine. Bossy. Be there in fifteen.

Niko slipped his hands over his face, feeling the tight expression underneath. The fact the upstairs apartment wasn’t furnished posed a problem. No bed equaled no place to sleep. Maybe Ben would let Ethan crash on his couch. No. Ben was too private. There’s no way in hell Knox was an option. He’d probably come home bleeding or end up in the ER and not make it home at all. Ethan didn’t need to deal with that. Seth, hell, no. Ethan would end up in handcuffs.

Niko’s jaw ticked.

One night. Ethan could sleep on the couch in his apartment for one night then tomorrow he’d call in some favors to get furniture.

What in the hell was he doing?

CHAPTER FOUR

“Are you serious?” Ethan stood in the lobby of The Tattered Social Club with his mouth open unable believe total strangers would be willing to help. “Why would you guys do this for me? You don’t even know me.”

The Professor leaned against the front of the leather couch, mustache parted with a smile and dress shirt cuffs folded to reveal several colorful tattoos covering his forearms. “Because you remind me of someone. Niko said you were a stand-up young man. I trust you’ll be respectful and not destroy the place. Besides, any funny business and I’ll send Seth up there. Trust me, you don’t want him pounding on your door. So, what do you say? Rent can be negotiated.”

Ethan stared wide eyed then looked over at Niko who had rounded the couch to sit down. He’d gone to bat for a kid he barely knew. Did people this nice still exist? Apparently so, even for a tattooed, strong willed bad boy like Niko.

“I’d be grateful. I have a part-time job at The Coffee Bean. They’ve cut my hours because a new place opened on campus, but I have online applications all over. I should hear something soon.” Ethan wanted The Professor to know he wasn’t looking for a handout. “If you’re willing to work with me, I can take on two jobs. Where’s the apartment? I’ll apply for jobs nearby.”

Sleeping in the library had sucked. Hiding the two rubber tubs of what few belongings he’d taken from Charles’s was getting down right ridiculous. He should’ve went back, brought the police or something and gotten the rest of his things. But then what good would that do? Charles had contacts all over the city and Ethan feared he’d do anything to keep the affair secret.

“It looks like we have a deal. Above the club, I’ve remodeled two small studio apartments. When my grandfather owned the place, they were used for well...no ladies were allowed downstairs. That meant wives, but upstairs was for...well, wives weren’t welcomed up there either.” The Professor laughed. Those days were filled with cards and booze. They’re nothing fancy, but you’ll have everything you need. The apartment isn’t furnished.” Ethan’s heart skipped. How was he going to furnish an apartment when he barely had enough money for food? “But, don’t worry about that. Niko’s going to help out and I have a few things to donate. I’m sure the guys will chip in. Hey, don’t look so shocked. No strings attached.”

Ethan had no idea how he was ever going to pay back such a debt. With Charles, everything was cut and dried. A bed and spending money meant bruises and a mouth on his cock. What cash he’d saved would go towards first and last months’ rent so he had no cash to spare. “I don’t think...I don’t think I have the money to pay you back, at least not yet.”

Niko stood and started toward the counter. “He said no strings attached. That means keep your money.” Scarlet was typing on the computer and stopped to watch Niko grab a piece of candy from the glass dish. “Where’s your stuff?”

The Professor gave a side glance in Scarlet’s direction. What was that about? “It’s at the library.”

Niko spun around, swallowed. “At the school?”

Ethan felt the heat in his cheeks blaze. Either he could cower and expect pity or raise his head and be proud he’d left an abusive situation. He lifted his chin and looked Niko in the eye. “Yes. I’ll go back and get it. Would it be okay if I moved in over the next couple of days? I have two exams on Monday and it’d be helpful if I had a place to study.”

“A couple of days?” Niko smirked, before reaching behind the counter to pull out a black duffle bag. “Come on.”

Niko started down the hall and Ethan barely had time to thank The Professor and throw Scarlet a smile before racing to catch up with the guy who apparently had decided to taken him on as a personal crusade.

They excited the door at the back of the shop. Ethan’s gut twisted with doubt. Experience hadn’t been kind and strings had always been attached when it came to accepting help. “Why are you doing this?”

Without looking over his shoulder, Niko stuffed his hands in the front pocket of his jeans and pulled out a set of keys. “Because I can. Get in the car.”

Three cars and one black truck were parked in the small lot. Niko shoved the key in the lock and turned, releasing the door locks. “This is your car? It’s really nice. What is it?”

Niko slipped onto the grey leather driver’s seat. “Nova, 1972 with modifications. Are you hungry?”

“I could eat,” Ethan mentally counting the cash in the envelope in his backpack and clicked the seat belt. The engine roared to life and they started down a side street to hit the highway that would take them back in the direction of the university.

The car rode smoothly and, to Ethan’s surprise, quietly. The silence kept his mind returning to the way Niko’s wide shoulders had loomed above him as they kissed. Niko kissed every bit as hard as he spoke, with intent, control, and on his own terms. But, was the passion an experiment, a way to tease the edge of what could be? What he was hiding from his girlfriend or wife?