“We could do that…”
“I hear a but coming,” Rocco said, scuffing his booted foot along the metal grating of the landing.
“Um.” Niko swallowed. “If you mean like a date, I feel like I need to tell you that I have feelings...” He stopped talking, feeling stupid and frustrated. “You know, nevermind, that doesn’t matter. I’d really like to go out with you again.”
Rocco studied him for a moment before quietly asking, “Were you together?”
Niko’s eyes went wide before he shook his head. “No.” It’s just me, he wanted to say. He takes care of me, but that’s where it ends.
Roc blew out a big breath and met Niko’s gaze with a small smile that didn’t quite dim the sadness in his eyes. “The way I see it...that’s just something else we have in common.” Rocco shrugged one shoulder, looking a bit embarrassed. “I thought maybe we could try to move on together.”
Niko looked down. He could feel the cold infusing the end of his nose and seeping through the material of his skinny jeans as surely as a pang of longing pierced his heart. The thing was—he wanted someone to love. He wanted someone to love him. If that someone couldn’t be Vidar, then it was time he did what he always did and carry on. He’d learned a long time ago to guard his heart closely, but not to close it off entirely. That was a miserable way to live. He had wanted to be the reason Vidar let the walls around his heart down, and maybe he still could be...as a friend.
“I would really like that.”
Rocco smiled at him, then the door pulled open and Luca’s face appeared in the small opening.
“Oh, sorry,” Luca stammered out, eyes darting between the two of them. “I thought Niko had forgotten his keys again.”
Niko let out a little huff as he looked at his brother and jangled the keys still cupped in his palm. “Nope, got them right here. I was just saying goodnight to Rocco.”
“Hey, Luca,” Roc said, an amused little smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Hey. Well, I’m going to start the movie.” The door opened the smallest bit wider as Luca pulled back, letting out a bit of heat and the scent of buttered popcorn. After the door closed with a firm click, Niko sighed and looked back up at Roc. Warm, dark eyes met his and Niko couldn’t seem to help but smile back at him.
“Um, Luca and I were going to watch the newest superhero movie. He, uh, doesn’t really like going to the cinema so we usually wait until they release. Did you want to join us?”
Roc’s smile grew wider. “Sure. I love superhero movies.”
Chapter Two
Pre-dawn light filled the sky beyond his truck windows. Vidar hadn’t intended to be up so early—he hadn’t left Rourke MMA until after midnight—and yet his mind had refused to rest after he’d gone home. The quiet that normally soothed him, grated on his nerves and the mattress he’d paid a fortune for offered no comfortable position, no respite from his rampaging thoughts.
Pulling his truck into the gym’s back parking lot, he clenched his jaw at the sight of Rocco’s car parked next to the stairs leading up to Niko and Luca’s apartment. Just like it had been last night.
With a slow exhale, he put the truck in park and opened his door. Cold morning air pressed against him as he stood there looking at the sedan, wondering what it meant as his brain created scenario after scenario of what could have happened after Roc and Niko left the club the night before. With a shake of his head, he strode toward the backdoor of the gym and cut off the grip of the icy wind and the thoughts plaguing him with the firm click of the door behind him.
He made his way through to the Open Wounds side of the warehouse, and rifled through yesterday’s mail before settling in his office with a fresh cup of coffee. He turned his focus to organizing the stacks of paperwork on his desk. He didn’t like the clench of jealousy in his belly and he didn’t understand it. He was the one who told Rocco that Niko wasn’t attached, so why was he upset to see them together? And he had seen them together, last night at Viridian, when they’d walked in after Nolan had been arrested. Rocco’s arm had been slung around Niko’s shoulders. Them standing that way with their dark eyes and small smiles was an image burned into his brain, and at the time, he’d had to turn away to keep his face from revealing just how goddamn perfect he thought they looked together.
Pushing thoughts of Niko and Rocco from his mind, Vidar settled down to work. Kayla managed most of Open Wounds day-to-day, and he was grateful for her, but as the owner, there were reports he still needed to go over. He’d let them get away from him with everything that had been going on with Magnus. Now that it was behind them, and Magnus’s assaulter was behind bars where he belonged, Vidar felt like he could breathe for a moment. Just like he always did, he closed his mind to everything else and settled on his work. He was convinced it was the only way he’d remained sane for the last twenty years.
After Stella, his mother, left their father, Vidar had taken it upon himself to make sure that his brothers had everything that they needed, and appointed himself the family defender. It was a role he took seriously, and one that he lived and breathed everyday. The next time he reached for his coffee it was cold. Hauling himself to his feet, he walked back into the lounge of Open Wounds for a fresh cup.
After filling his cup, Vidar resisted the urge to peek out the back door to see if Roc’s car was still there. As he headed back to his office, the door at the top of the stairs creaked open and he stopped, raising his eyes to see who was coming down. Rocco stood on the landing with a wary look on his face. Without breaking eye contact, Roc reached behind him to gently close the door, and then started down the steps to where Vidar was standing.
“I was surprised to see your truck here,” Rocco said, eyes tracing over Vidar’s face and down his body before landing on the coffee cup in his hand.
Vidar watched him back just as intently as a pit of anger ripped open his chest. If Rocco spent the night with Niko, then why the hell was he sneaking out with the sun barely up in the sky? Had it been a one night stand? Was he leading Niko on? He narrowed his eyes and met Rocco’s dark ones attempting to discern the truth without asking questions. Rocco gave a little huff and lowered his chin with a small shake of his head.
“If you want to ask, just ask.”
Vidar squared his shoulders and motioned with his head for Rocco to follow him into his office. Once they were closed inside, he took a seat at his desk, and nodded at one of the chairs across from him. “I was just surprised to see you here, that’s all.”
“Why is that?” Rocco asked, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees.
“I wasn’t aware you and Niko were that close,” Vidar said, matching Rocco’s posture and settling his elbows on his desk.
Rocco scoffed, “I still don’t hear you asking me what you want to know. You seemed happy enough to tell me that Niko was single, but that doesn’t automatically make what happens between us your business.”
“You’re right. It’s not my business what happens between the two of you,” Vidar grated out. “But I don’t want to see him get hurt, and I didn’t tell you that he was single so you could jump into his pants the first chance you got.”
Rocco laughed. “Do you really think that’s what happened? Niko and I actually had a really good time last night after that bastard Nolan was arrested. Then I drove him home and he invited me to watch a movie with him and Luca. They went to bed after, and I slept on the couch. I gotta tell you, Vi, it was a lot of fun. Do you remember what that’s like? To have fun? To just hang out and be in the moment with people?” Roc shook his head and looked down at his hands. His dark hair looked fluffy, like all the product had worn out of it. It reminded Vidar of locker room showers and running home through back alleys on hot summer afternoons.
Maybe he hadn’t spent a lot of time letting people inside since then, but at least he had the memories. Memories of this man when he was still growing into his legs and feet. They’d both been a couple of klutzes until gro
wth spurts had finally pushed them above six feet tall. His mom threw a special little un-birthday party just to celebrate it. That was the last summer he ever got to spend with Rocco. Roc’s voice broke him out of this thoughts.
“When we ran into each other in Chicago a couple years ago, I really thought it was just me that was getting iced out. I could understand you not wanting to let me beneath your exterior after everything that happened. But these last few weeks, it’s become obvious that you’ve shut everyone out.”
The pit in Vidar’s stomach was spreading. He didn’t understand the way his heart clenched in relief when Rocco had said that nothing happened between him and Niko the night before and yet, the jealousy that he felt after his initial assumption remained. Unable to sit still, he climbed to his feet and walked to the window, pulling the blinds to let in the morning sunlight and releasing a deep breath.
Rocco came to stand beside him and placed a tentative hand on his arm.
“I’m sorry, Vi. I wasn’t trying to piss you off…Well, maybe I was trying to antagonize you a little.” Rocco smirked. “But I really am worried about you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but your family is doing great. I don’t know that I’ve ever met such a group of happy men and your mom is healthy and thriving. And…” Rocco blew out a big breath. “You’ve got this gorgeous man that cares about you. Why are you pushing him away?”
Vidar turned. He looked at this man, this man he’d loved for the majority of his life, and decided to let go. “Are the two of you going out again?”
Rocco sighed. “Yes. I asked him even before we went inside to watch the movie.”
Vidar nodded. “That’s good. You both deserve someone who will treat you right, and I trust you with him.” He took a tiny step forward and held Rocco’s gaze and lowered his voice. “And him with you.”
Rocco’s eyes opened wide, but just as he opened his mouth to say something, his phone buzzed loudly. Vidar cleared his throat and stepped back while Rocco cursed under his breath and pulled the phone out of his pocket.
“I need to take this,” Rocco said holding up the phone. “But this conversation isn’t over.”
Vidar met his eyes and let the ice that always flooded his veins solidify again. “Yes, it is.”
Chapter Three
Pushing through the doors of Mabel’s Coffee Shop, Rocco looked around for the man his friend, Detective Clark, had described. He’d been surprised to see Clark’s name on his caller ID, and even more surprised when Clark told him he had a new case for him. Typically, Roc took on private investigation cases from one of the lawyers offices he consulted with—digging up dirt on people and doing surveillance. Pretty boring stuff, but it paid the bills. This though, was going to be something else altogether. The little information that Clark had given him, spoke of a runaway teenage girl.
Clark had gone to high school with him and Vidar. They’d reconnected over the last few weeks while Rocco had been working to bust Nolan Clemonte, the man who had assaulted Magnus. The CPD—Cincinnati Police Department—wasn’t always his favorite place, but it was good to have a friend on the inside. Rocco was surprised when he spotted Clark standing at the counter, accepting a drink holder containing three cups. Clark caught his eye and nodded, then thanked the barista before approaching Rocco.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice,” Clark said, walking forward with his hand extended. He was a good looking guy, tall and broad with chestnut hair and vivid blue eyes. Rock still saw him in some ways as the chunky, nerdy kid from high school, but Clark had really grown into himself.
“It’s no problem. Care to tell me why we’re meeting at a coffee shop and not downtown?”
Clark sighed and stepped closer, lowering his voice. “The girl is eighteen. She’s still a senior in high school, but she’s old enough to make the choice to leave home of her own volition. I’ll let the father give you the details. Prepare yourself, he’s kind of a mess.”
Rocco nodded, and let himself be led to a booth along the back wall where a man with red-rimmed eyes sat gnawing on his thumbnail.
“Mr. Spurgeon,” Clark said, standing beside the table. “This is Rocco Zanetti, the private investigator I was telling you about.”
The fluorescent lights overhead seemed to leach the color out of Mr. Spurgeon’s face. He looked haggard and worn down in his worry. Still, he offered his hand to Rocco and they all took a seat at the table.
“Thank you so much for coming,” Mr. Spurgeon said, running a shaking hand over his graying brown hair. ”I have no idea what to do. I can’t believe my wife would do something like this.”
“Let’s start at the beginning, Mr. Spurgeon. Clark has only given me minor details as it’s usually better for me to speak to the client directly. So please, take your time and tell me what happened. Then we can start to gather the information that will help us locate your daughter.”
Spurgeon nodded and with a shaky breath, started to speak, “I’m still in shock about it, I think. My daughter, Tabitha, came out to my wife and me.” Mr. Spurgeon stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath, seemingly trying to gather himself. “I didn’t even blink. She’s my kid, you know? Who cares who she loves? But my wife just completely freaked out and said some really horrible things.” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I told Tabitha to go upstairs. That I needed to talk to her mother. My wife and I got into it, and when I finally threw my hands up and walked away from her, I couldn’t find Tabitha in the house.”
Rocco pulled out his phone and opened the notes app. “And when was this?”
“Last night around eight pm.” Mr. Spurgeon drew in a shuddering breath. “I don’t know the exact time, I’m sorry. I called all her friends. No one seems to know where she’s gone, and the only thing she took with her is her laptop, her school backpack, and some clothes.”
Rocco nodded. “She left her phone?”
“Yes,” Mr. Spurgeon said. “I think she knew we’d be able to find her that way, so she left it behind.” He wiped at his eyes and let out a shuddering breath. “Please, Mr. Zanetti. I just want to find my little girl. I need her to know she doesn’t have to do this. That she’ll always have a home with me.”
“Luckily, her phone’s not the only way to find her.” Rocco met the man’s eyes. “And we will find her.”
After an hour of carefully collecting details about Tabitha’s life, Roc left the coffee shop and an exhausted, but hopeful, Mr. Spurgeon behind. Technically, despite Mr. Spurgeon’s insistence that Tabitha could come home, that wasn’t his choice to make. Since Tabitha was eighteen, all Roc could do was find her and attempt to speak to her—if she would allow it—then report back to her father. He’d start with the list of her friends, but if they’d all already told Mr. Spurgeon that they hadn’t seen her, then he was certain they wouldn’t talk to him either. Surveillance it was.
His phone buzzed in his pocket as he settled into his car and got the heat going to combat the February chill. Niko’s name lit up the screen, and he smiled.
Niko: you didn’t have to sneak out this morning
Rocco: didn’t mean to sneak. I got a call for a case. I didn’t think it would take this long.
Niko: Nothing dangerous, right? Is this a job for Operation Eye-Candy?
A goofy grin pulled at the corners of Rocco’s mouth. It had been a long time since he’d enjoyed just talking and flirting with someone so much. He loved Vidar. Was sure he probably always would, but their relationship was so mired in the past and Vidar’s guilt, that Rocco didn’t know that they’d ever be able to shake it off. Even if they could...Niko’s hooks had sunk into him deep, and the thought of pursuing a relationship with the sexy little imp had Rocco’s stomach lighting up with anticipation.
Rocco: I’m guessing this one won’t need that particular skill set, but I’ll keep you posted ;)
Niko: Consider me on stand-by <3 Will you still make it to dinner?
Rocco: I’ve got to do some recon, but I wouldn’t miss it
Rocco shook his head. He needed to live in the here and now. Maybe what he’d had with Vidar all those years ago belonged in the past, after all. It wasn’t what he wanted, but he couldn’t deny that he wanted Niko, too. He wasn’t sure where that left them… Well, since Vidar continued to shut him and Niko out, it left him and Niko trying to build something together, and regardless of the secret longing in his heart, he thought that was definitely a step in a good direction.
Chapter Four
Niko sat gingerly on the edge of his seat at Stella Rourke’s kitchen table. Stella was a lovely woman with dark, silver streaked hair and kind hazel eyes. Niko had been wary of her at their first meeting, when Dagen and Ollie brought him for one of these Sunday dinners, but Stella had made him feel right at home. The truth was, she had been more of a mother to him in the time he’d known her than anyone had been in his whole life.
At the moment, Stella was pulling a delicious smelling roast out of the oven while Dagen chopped vegetables for salad and Ollie filled glasses with ice. His brother Luca sat beside him where Stella had placed them both, each with a vegetable peeler and a giant bag of potatoes between them, when they’d first arrived. Most of the guys ran the other direction at the mere mention of helping in the kitchen, but Niko loved it. Not that he was going to be the next Gordan Ramsey or something—honestly, he had a better shot at landing a spot on Worst Cooks in America—but these little tasks Stella always found for him, and Luca, made him feel more included, more normal than any amount of dinner invitations.
Open Wounds: The Boxed Set Page 38
