"Hey, Niko. Ready for our meeting?" Ollie asked, coming up from the back of the shop and into the reception area of Open Wounds where Niko was stationed behind the front desk. They usually had these little end of the week meetings—him, Ollie, Vidar, and Kayla, every Friday before lunch. Typically, mid-morning was a slow time of day, and it made it nice for them all to sit down together and go over schedules and address any issues that might've come up in the shop that week.
"Yeah, I'm good to go whenever you guys are," Niko answered, closing his sketch pad. The upcoming summer marked a year that he’d been an apprentice to Kayla at the shop, and while he still doubted himself sometimes, he felt like he'd made vast improvement since he'd started working there. Kayla had even mentioned him doing his first tattoo on a person other than himself. His right thigh was full of little tattoos he’d inked into his own skin. The thought of tattooing someone else brought all his insecurities to the fore, but it was something he loved and wanted to keep pursuing. He thought about who he would ask to sit for his first tattoo, and was torn. It was a very intimate experience, Niko imagined, the first one even more so, and he wanted it to be special. He thought about asking Luca. That maybe the two of them could come up with some matching design, and he wanted to do that regardless, but he wasn't sure that that should be his first.
"Let's sit in the lounge area," Kayla said as she walked out of the hallway from the back rooms, Vidar right behind her. They all moved over to the couches positioned in the corner where the TV was mounted on the wall. Ollie had his sketchpad in his hands and Kayla had the schedule book. He sat on the same couch as Vidar, each of them at opposite ends.
"It looks like we have a fairly busy week ahead." Kayla was turning pages in the planner in her hands, before she looked to each of them. "Does anyone have anything they need to add to the schedule or any occurrences from the past week that need to be noted?"
As Ollie began to talk about a customer he'd had earlier in the week, Niko let his eyes drift to Vidar. Things had been strange between them since Sunday dinner at Stella's, and Niko wasn't sure why. He wondered if Vidar knew that Niko and Roc had shared their first kiss in Stella's kitchen, if maybe he thought that was inappropriate somehow, or if there was something else feeding the strange vibe he was getting from the other man. Just as Kayla started to list the appointments that each of them had for the week, or in Niko's case, the administrative duties he was responsible for, the door to the shop opened with a little jingle, and Rocco walked in with a large sack from Mabel's held under his arm.
"Hey, guys, I brought lunch." Rocco walked toward them and sat the bag on the low table between the couches. Niko's lips stretched into a grin, and he stood up and leaned into Roc for a hug. Roc’s clothes were cold against the skin of his face, but Niko didn't care. He buried his nose against Roc’s collarbone and breathed him in. Between their schedules, they hadn’t spent much time together that week. Niko was surprised at how good it felt to have Roc there, at the swell of joy in his chest at such a simple visit.
Rocco hugged him back tightly, holding him close for a moment before letting him go. He sat down in the spot Niko had vacated, then tugged Niko down beside him, putting Niko sandwiched between Vidar and Roc.
"This is a nice surprise," Kayla said, pulling the Mabel's bag toward her and lifting out various wrapped sandwiches.
Rocco shrugged, but there was a small smile on his face. "It's been a crazy week, and I've been meaning to stop by, so I thought I'd bring lunch when I did. I don't know what everyone likes, so I got one of each of the specials." Rocco settled back into the couch cushions and rested his arm along the back behind Niko's head. He looked tired, Niko noticed, with dark spots under his eyes and his hair in an unusual state of disarray. Niko smiled at him and let himself relax back as well, pressing close into Roc’s side.
Vidar cleared his throat and scooted forward on the couch, pressing his warm thigh up against Niko’s and reaching out to grab a couple sandwiches. He turned back, looking at the labels on the wraps before, decidedly, handing one to Rocco and one to Niko. Niko met blue eyes as he took the offered sandwich from Vi’s hand. One corner of Vidar’s mouth twitched into a little smile, then he turned his face away and grabbed a sandwich for himself.
Looking down, Niko wasn’t sure why he was surprised to see ham and swiss written on the label. Vidar always knew what to order him wherever they got lunch because he always paid attention to Niko—even when it didn’t seem like it. Glancing to the side, Rocco’s mouth was pulled into a knowing smile as he unwrapped his sandwich—turkey and cheddar. Niko tore into the wrapper and pressed his thigh a little harder against Vidar’s.
Rocco leaned back into the corner of the couch eating his sandwich and listening to the others go through their meeting. It was nice to see Niko so relaxed, sitting between him and Vidar. He was glad his impromptu lunch delivery had been well received. After he finished eating, he let his head rest against the back of the couch and relaxed the tense muscles of his shoulders as the warmth of Niko's body all along his side seeped into him.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself alone on the couch with Niko. The other three had apparently gone back to their work, and all the lunch trash was picked up from the table. Niko sat beside him, head bowed, with the sketchpad open on his legs and doodling something that looked like a tree with overly large flower blossoms causing it’s branches to droop. At his movement, Niko looked over at him and smiled.
"There you are," he said in a soft voice. "You looked like you needed a nap, so I didn't want to disturb you."
Rocco pulled himself up from his slouch and cleared his throat. "How long was I out?"
"Only about 20 minutes," Niko said, tucking his pencil into the sketchpad and setting it on the table, then turning on the couch before pulling his legs up underneath him so he could look at Rocco. "You've been working too much this week."
Rocco rested his head back again, but rolled it to the side so he could see Niko’s face. "One of the hazards of the job, I'm afraid. I'm honestly still in shock that Tabitha has managed to evade me this long. But I got a lead on where she’ll be tonight."
"Really? Is there anything I can do?"
"Actually, this might be a job for —"
"Operation Eye-candy?" Niko squealed with a clap of his hands.
Rocco chuckled. "I was afraid you'd like that a little too much. But yes, may definitely be a job for Operation Eye-candy."
"Awesome." Niko fist pumped the air. "Just say when and where."
"Later tonight. Maybe around eight? I want to be in place before the party actually gets started. Do you have to work at the club?"
"I'm on schedule to dance," Niko said. "But one of the other guys owes me a favor, and I bet I can get them to cover for me. Tips are always better on Friday."
Rocco sat up a little straighter. "I don't want you to miss out on money for this."
Niko cut him off. "Don't even think about trying to offer to pay me." Niko waved his hand. "I'm totally down for Operation Eye-candy and missing one night of dancing."
Rocco shook his head was a little smirk. "I can't say I'm surprised." Before he could launch into telling Niko about exactly the kind of surveillance that needed to be done that night, Vidar walked back into the reception area.
"Oh good, I thought I was going to have to haul you back to the couch in my office to keep the snoring from scaring off my customers." Vidar stopped in front of the couch, crossing his arms over his chest. "Did I hear someone say Operation Eye-candy?"
Niko burst out laughing, and Rocco huffed. "I do not snore." In unison, Vidar and Niko both gave him a pointed look before Niko broke into another round of giggles and Vidar lips pulled into a small smile. Rocco chose to ignore them, and instead answered Vidar's other question. "I've got a lead on where Tabitha will be tonight. It's a black light party at an abandoned warehouse near Milford. And I'll need eyes on the inside. This one"—he pointed his thumb towards Niko—"couldn't wait to vo
lunteer."
Vidar looked between them for a moment and then settled his eyes back on Rocco's. "Make that two sets of eyes on the inside."
Niko's head whipped around to look at Vidar. "I'm perfectly capable —"
"I wasn't implying that you aren't," Vidar said, fixing his intense stare back on Niko. "But I'm not letting you go into one of those things alone."
Rocco did his best to keep a straight face, but he could admit to himself that's exactly what he'd been hoping for. He'd expected to have to ask Vidar for the assist that he'd offered previously, but he'd known that if Vi knew Niko was walking into a situation like that alone. There was no way he was going to let him.
“I think that's a great idea. No telling how big this thing will be. The more eyes the better.” Roc smiled.
Chapter Seven
The abandoned industrial complex they were sitting in felt especially creepy in the darkness. The moon was clouded over, offering very little light to the February sky. Niko leaned up from his place in the back seat, placing an elbow on the back of the driver and passenger chairs. They could see groups of people moving toward one specific building. He wasn't sure where they were all leaving their cars, but it looked like the draw of this party was strong despite the chill in the air.
"I don't know exactly what you'll find in there," Rocco said, looking out through the windshield and keeping a close eye on the people they could see heading into the party. "Every one of these roving parties are different. Be prepared to be adaptable once you get inside."
Vidar nodded from his place in the passenger seat. He looked absolutely delicious in dark jeans and a deep blue Henley shirt. Niko was jittery with excitement and nerves. He'd been to a couple of these kinds of parties when he was still in Nevada, but usually they made him nervous for different reasons. Now, it was the prospect of going in and acting like a normal party goer with Vidar that was sending all kinds of fluttery jitters through his stomach. He wondered if Vi would dance with him, even though he couldn't really imagine it.
"Let me know as soon as you spot her," Roc said, once again showing them the picture of Tabitha he had on his phone. He’d sent one to each of theirs as well. "And I'll either come in to you or catch her as she comes outside."
Vidar nodded once, then reached for the handle of his door, pulling it open and stepping outside. Before Niko reached for his, he leaned all the way up between the two seats and turned his head to Rocco. "See you in a bit," he said, pressing his lips to Rocco's for a quick kiss. Well, he meant it to be quick, but Roc had other ideas and threaded the fingers of one hand through his hair, tilting Niko's head to the side and delving his tongue between Niko's lips. He pressed deep making Niko groan against him, falling into the kiss and loving the way that Rocco seemed hell-bent on devouring his mouth. Roc pulled back as quickly as he’d started, pressing a series of soft, subtler kisses against Niko's lips before pressing their foreheads together.
"Stay close to Vidar," he whispered in the space between them. “And watch your ass.”
Niko smirked. "I always do." Then he climbed out of the car and stepped up beside Vidar who had turned away from the car to give them a moment of privacy.
"You ready for this?” Niko asked, instinctually pressing closer to Vidar’s side and the warmth he emanated.
"Yeah, I'm ready." Vidar looked down at him, blue eyes startlingly clear in the dim light.
"Then let's do it," Niko said. He reached out and laced their fingers together. Vidar’s skin was warm and calloused against his own, making those nerves in his belly heat up until they melted, warming him from the inside out. He knew he was dating Rocco, but he couldn't deny that he loved the feeling of Vidar’s skin against his own just as much. Couldn’t deny how right Vidar’s hand felt in his.
He knew these thoughts that he kept having were a slippery slope, as were the desires that kept battling for his attention whenever he was around either man. Even though it seemed like the choice had already been made, the line had already been drawn, Niko couldn't help but wish for something more. He supposed that was selfish, wanting two wonderful men all to himself, but deep in his heart he knew that was exactly what he wanted. He'd always been terrified at the thought of completely giving his heart to any one man, regardless of how much he longed to have someone to love him and for him to love in return. Which meant he should be terrified now of the way he was hurtling toward giving his heart to two men—one of which was still reluctant to even date him. He knew that Vidar cared about him, and he knew that Vidar and Rocco cared about each other. Somehow, he was going to figure out a way to bridge the gap between the three of them. Otherwise, he didn't know how any of them were going to come out of this unscathed.
The inside of the warehouse was as dark and grimy as Vidar had expected it to be. The lingering scent of oil and dirt in the air was only amplified by several large heat lamps that had been placed around the room. The DJ was set up on one side with smoke machines wafting tendrils of white fog across the floor, but they couldn't cover up places were sawdust had been thrown down over the worst of the oil spots. The charming location hadn’t dampened the party spirit being displayed all around them, though.
He ignored the grime under his boots and let Niko lead him through the already writhing crush of bodies. The music was some hard thumping techno crap that pounded in his ears and vibrated his bones. He was surprised at the age range of the people he could see, having worried that he would stand out as an actual adult among a sea of teenagers. The DJ roared some inarticulate words through the speakers, then the heat lamp bulbs clicked off and dozens of black lights mounted to the walls around them lit up making every piece of white fabric glow along with the neon paint everyone had on their faces.
Niko glanced back at him with glowing, mischievous eyes and pulled him to the right. Vidar thought for a moment that Niko had spotted Tabitha, but then he stopped in front of a table pressed against the wall, holding various sized buckets. Before Vidar could ask what he was doing, Niko dipped his fingers into one of the buckets and turned around, dark eyes holding him captive while Niko reached up and threaded paint covered fingers through his beard. Niko smiled—wide and delighted—making any protest Vidar would've made seize in his chest.
They were there to find a runaway girl, but suddenly Vidar felt like maybe he should take Roc’s advice—have fun, live in the moment. With a chuckle, he leaned down, relishing the little gasp from Niko when the move left mere inches between their faces, and dipped his fingers into a bucket before pulling back and swiping one across Niko's forehead and then down his nose.
Niko gaped at him before bright laughter bubbled up out of his chest. As the next techno beat started up, he grabbed Vidar's hand, smearing the still damp paint on their fingers together and dragged him onto the dance floor.
Without waiting for an invitation, Niko spun himself around and pressed his back against Vidar, making him bend his knees to line up their bodies. He shouldn't be enjoying this as much as he was—letting go, letting himself forget who he was and all the reasons that this was a bad idea. Namely, because he had been craving more of Niko since his very first taste and finally giving into that temptation would spell disaster for his control. Also, because Niko was dating Roc.
Niko ground back against him, pert little ass cradling Vidar's cock like that was exactly what it had been built for. Giving into the sensation of the pulsing music and this man in his arms, Vidar gripped Niko's hips and pulled him closer, letting the beat guide his movements in a way he hadn't done since he was a teenager himself.
Niko moved was sinuous grace against him. It was easy to tell that dancing was something he did often, and Vidar groaned at the memories of seeing Niko in barely there underwear or jockstraps up on the platforms at Viridian, dancing for all he was worth and keeping a crowd of men enraptured. As much as he enjoyed the sight, the jealous parts of his heart always wanted to tear Niko down off that pedestal and hoard him all for himself, but he couldn't do that. Not on
ly because it would give away exactly how much Niko affected him, but because it wasn’t his choice to make. Niko glowed when he was on stage. Vidar wouldn’t dare take that away from him. He’d just positioned himself between the stage and any overzealous patrons who’d thought being allowed to look equated into being allowed to touch.
As the beat changed, morphing into something deeper, steadier, Niko spun in his arms, putting them face-to-face and slotted a leg between Vidar's. He could feel Niko's breath on his lips and sucked in a deep one of his own, trying to get the erection growing in his pants and his thundering libido under control.
Leaning closer, Niko pressed his lips to Vidar's ear. “I think I see her,” he said,
his words snatching Vidar out of his lust drenched reverie.
He pulled back to meet Niko's eyes. "Where?"
"Over by the paint table."
Vidar maneuvered them to give himself a better view of that side of the room, and he caught sight of platinum-blonde hair sticking out of the bottom of a bright pink toboggan. He thought they might need a closer look to be sure it was Tabitha, but she was laughing and painting the face of a girl a little bit taller than she was whose dark hair was up in a ponytail. The dark-haired girl fit the description of who Mr. Spurgeon thought might be Tabitha’s girlfriend perfectly.
For a moment, Vidar just watched them. They looked so young and happy. As they laughed, they leaned forward to give each other a kiss. The simple joy on their faces made his heart ache for the years he'd missed with Rocco. For those innocent moments that had been taken from them by his own homophobic parent. As though he could sense the shift in him, Niko's fingers threaded back into his paint-striped beard and tugged gently until Vidar lowered his eyes back to Niko's face.
Open Wounds: The Boxed Set Page 40
