"It's them, isn’t it?"
Vidar nodded and leaned down until his forehead rested against Niko's.
They'd slowed until they were barely swaying, completely out of sync with the music and the chaotic jumping and gyrating happening around them. Niko's fingers were still pressed into his beard, almost kneading gently. Niko whispered, lips so close they brushed Vidar's, "Someday you have to promise to tell me what happened."
"It's not a good story," Vidar whispered back, mesmerized by the fleeting touches of his lips and beard against Niko's face.
"I know. But how am I supposed to help you heal from it if you won't tell me what happened? How am I supposed to help either of you?"
Vidar's eyes snapped open, meeting Niko's dark ones. He saw entirely too much. As the crowd continued to dance around them, Vidar wondered when he was going to give up this pretense of fighting to keep Niko out when he’d so cleary already wormed his way in.
Blonde hair sticking out from beneath that pink toboggan passed in his peripheral. He turned his head and watched Tabitha and her girlfriend heading toward the door.
"Let’s call Roc."
Chapter Eight
Rocco's phone lit up from its place on the console. He glanced at it quickly, still keeping one eye on the door of the warehouse. Niko and Vidar had been in there for a while, and while it was fairly quiet outside of the building, Rocco was sure that there was more going on inside.
The text was from Niko and all it said was, she's coming out, pink toboggan. Rocco's eyes shot back to the door, and a moment later, a blonde girl wearing a pink toboggan and a slightly taller, dark-haired girl walked through the door hand in hand. In the darkness, Rocco couldn't make out her face, but he was sure that Niko was right and the blonde was Tabitha.
Stuffing his phone into his pocket and pulling the keys from the ignition, Rocco got out of the car and started to make his way across the lot toward where the girls were walking in the opposite direction. As he watched, three men separated from the darkness of the building’s shadow and approached the girls. Rocco was instantly on alert—a bad feeling brewing up in his gut. He started to move faster, breaking into a jog. As he did, the door to the warehouse opened again, spilling out Niko and Vidar into the night. For a brief second, he met Vidar's eyes and without saying a word, Vidar was moving toward him at a run. He could hear the men ahead laughing, and the girls trying to politely tell them good night.
“Hey! You need to back off," Rocco shouted as he and Vidar got closer to where the girls were dealing with the three men. Rocco could hear Niko's footfalls on the pavement behind them, and while he knew Niko could hold his own, he wished that he would stay back. That was probably some ridiculous protective instinct that Niko wouldn’t appreciate, but fear for his safety filled Rocco's head for a brief moment before he stuffed it down and focused on getting rid of the assholes that were harassing Tabitha and her girlfriend.
One of the men—a thick, bruiser looking dude—stepped around the girls and sneered at them. "This is none of your fucking business. Maybe it's you that should move along."
In some unspoken communication, he and Vidar separated from where they'd been running side by side, putting a few feet between them so they could come at the men from both sides. Without preamble, Vidar got right up in Bruiser’s face, bumping into his chest and making the man stumble back a step. Rocco looked at the girls, beckoning them to get behind them.
"Tabitha," Rocco said, keeping an eye on the men whose eyes were darting between the women, himself, and Vidar. "Your father sent me to check on you. Please step back and we’ll handle this."
Tabitha and her girlfriend moved quickly, stepping back toward where Niko had stopped. Niko stepped around them, putting himself between the girls and danger.
"You aren't taking care of anything, you son of a bitch," one of the other two, previously silent, men snarled just before he lunged at Rocco. Within moments, the scene turned into a full on brawl. Vidar's fist connected with Bruiser’s jaw and he hit the pavement with a thud. One of the girls screamed, but Rocco couldn't afford to look back as he tried to fight off the second man's attack. The man was in a flannel shirt, and in their scramble, Rocco tore one of the sleeves, revealing a forearm covered in tattoos. The most prominent of which was a yellow sun with a black X in the center. Flannel shifted, breaking out of Roc’s grip and lunged low, trying to take his legs out from under him.
Forgetting the tattoo for now, Roc was grateful that he'd watched so many of Harbor's fights and was able to sprawl well enough to keep the man from knocking him to the ground. He fought him back, and out of the corner of his eye, saw the third man go after Vidar. The stench of alcohol was rolling off the man still trying to take him down, so Rocco brought up one swift well-placed knee directly to the man's gut. The man immediately released him—doubling over, breathing hard, heaving, and making gagging noises in his throat. Just as Rocco staggered back, Niko let out a shout and his blood turned to ice in his veins. Vidar was still locked with the third man, but Bruiser had climbed back to his feet and was lumbering toward Niko.
Niko swung and his blow landed, but the man was so much larger that he just plowed into Niko, taking them both to the ground. Niko grunted when his head hit the pavement, and Rocco was moving before he had a chance to think.
Vidar beat him there. With brutal, efficient movements, Vidar ripped the man off Niko and pinned him to the ground with a knee on his chest. He punched him once, then twice more in the face. A horrid crunch sounded through the air when the man's nose broke and blood gushed out covering his shirt and splattering onto the ground. For a moment, Rocco was afraid that Vidar wasn't going to stop. He moved forward until a small sound from Niko had him turning. Dropping to one knee, he gently took Niko's head in his hands, running his fingers through Niko’s hair to assess the damage. Vidar was beside him in an instant, big hands reaching for Niko as well. As awful as the scene was—in that singular moment—something so right clicked into place. Niko looked at them both, raising a hand to his own head as the dazed expression left his eyes.
"I'm okay, I think," Niko said, obviously trying to reassure them. Vidar pulled him closer and Rocco didn't protest. He placed a hand on Vidar’s shoulder and used it to help him climb to his feet. Behind them, two of the would be attackers were writhing on the ground, and the one in flannel was nowhere to be found. He looked at the girls who were standing a few feet away huddled together.
"Tabitha," Rocco said. "My name is Rocco Zanetti. I’m a private investigator. Your dad hired me to find you because he’s really worried about you and wants you to know that you always have a home with him.”
The two girls looked at each other, and after a second of silent deliberation, walked toward him.
“I had him on the ropes,” Niko said, slurring a little. They’d made him go to the hospital despite his protests that he was fine. Turned out, other than a nasty bump on the head, he was fine, but also enjoying the pain medicine he’d received at the hospital.
Rocco sat on the side of Niko’s bed, while Niko squirmed around and got comfortable. It was late, already early morning, and they’d finally gotten Niko home, showered—with a little help from Luca—and in bed. Luca had been borderline distraught when Rocco had called him on their way to the hospital. Niko had grabbed the phone and calmed his brother quickly, assuring him that he was fine and no, Luca didn’t need to come to the hospital. Well, that didn’t sell, because waiting at the entrance to the emergency room doors when they got there were a concerned looking Luca and Rory.
Luca had still been at work behind the bar at Viridian, Magnus’s nightclub, when they’d called. Rocco was beginning to understand that not much had changed with the way this family looked out for each other—blood or not. As they sat in the waiting room, while Luca went back with Niko to see a doctor, Rory had practically growled at him and Vidar for not calling him for help, then spent the remainder of time calling every member of the Rourke family to let them know
Niko was okay.
Mr. Spurgeon had been beside himself with gratitude at having his daughter back, safe and sound. Rocco noticed the missing band on Mr. Spurgeon’s wedding finger. The thought that the man was willing to put his daughter before everything else was a warm one, but Roc hoped that Tabitha’s mother would come to her senses and find some way to keep their family whole.
“He asleep?” Vidar asked quietly, bracing one bare shoulder against the door frame. Rocco looked up and his mouth went dry at the sight. When they’d gotten back to Niko’s apartment, Vi had run down into the gym to take his own shower and get the neon green paint streaks out of his beard. Niko had protested in his medicated state, but Vidar had promised that he’d let him paint his beard again someday.
Now, Vidar was bare-chested, tan skin glowing gold in the small light from Niko’s bedside lamp. His hair was damp and slicked back, leaving the perfect lines of his face looking sharper. Fuck, he was a masterpiece—hard lines, muscled curves, and golden hair floating across his chest and trailing down. Roc had had the privilege of knowing every inch of him, but he didn’t know that any amount of worship would ever really be sufficient. Vidar was beautiful.
Rocco smiled at the bit of green he could still see in his beard.
“What?” Vidar asked, taking a step into the room.
Before Roc could answer, a sleep-drunk, “Holy moly,” sounded from the bed as Niko turned his face to Vi. “Is it Christmas?”
A chuckle escaped Roc before he could stop it, and when Vidar’s forehead wrinkled like he was confused, Roc outright laughed. “Well, he does still have a bit of green in his beard,” Roc said to Niko. “That’s festive.”
Niko hummed and held out his hand toward Vidar. Without hesitation, Vi walked to the bed and sat down on Niko’s other side, mirroring Rocco, and took the outstretched hand. There was a small smile on his face.
“You should be sleeping,” Vidar gently admonished, using both hands to hold Niko’s one. The olive tone of Niko’s skin, so similar to Roc’s own, looked good against the lighter tan of Vidar’s. Rocco wondered if that’s what it looked like when his and Vidar’s skin was pressed together.
“Want you to stay,” Niko responded, adjusting himself until he was comfortable again. “Want you both to stay.”
The laughter of a moment ago dried up in Roc’s throat as a hum of awareness spread over his body. He looked at Vi, afraid he’d reject Niko outright—reject the idea, the dream, of the three of them together even in a setting such as this. Ice blue eyes lifted from Niko’s face and looked steadily back at him. Releasing Niko’s hand, Vidar stood from the bed and Roc’s heart spasmed.
“Vi,” Niko’s voice was so small. Roc gripped the hand he was holding tighter. He’d hold Niko through this. Hold him through both of their hearts cracking open all over again.
Vidar’s gaze moved from him to Niko as he slipped his hands under the waistband of his sweats and pushed them down. Roc only had a moment to admire the way the black boxer briefs clung to Vidar’s muscular thighs before he was sliding under the blanket and resting his head on the pillow beside Niko’s. Niko instantly gravitated to him, tucking his face against Vidar’s throat, but he didn’t let go of Rocco’s hand.
“You gonna sleep in that?” Vidar asked, eyes sweeping over Rocco’s still clothed body.
Chest squeezing, Roc climbed to his feet, gently laying Niko’s hand down, and stripped down to his briefs. Vidar watched his every move.
“Better?” Roc lifted the covers to take his place on the other side of Niko.
Vidar reached back to turn off the lamp, then snaked an arm out and gripped Rocco’s hip, pulling him flush to Niko’s back. They were face to face with Niko snuggled in between them. Roc took a moment to run his hand up and down the smooth skin of Niko’s back.
“Better,” Niko answered for him a moment before his soft snores filled the room.
Chapter Nine
The room was dripping in sunlight. Niko squeezed his eyes closed against it. A dull throb pulsed through his head. Wiggling around, he tried to dislodge some of the heavy limbs holding him hostage. He couldn’t be upset about it, because when would he ever get to wake again wrapped so snuggly between two gorgeous men.
Between two gorgeous men that you love? His mind helpfully supplied, making him stifle a groan in his pillow. Settling back down, he decided to just enjoy it for a moment, the delicious warmth surrounding him from all sides, the feeling of their bare legs tangled together. The dark hair on Roc’s legs was coarse and crinkly against his skin. Vidar's was softer, but there was more of it tickling him if he shifted his legs too much. For every way they were different, in so many they were the same—gorgeous, stubborn, all he wanted. He felt torn in half thinking this might be the only time he'd ever get to have this.
Shoving his dark thoughts away, he wiggled enough to rollover, pressing his back to Vidar's front and letting his eyes feast on the sleep soft face of Rocco in front of him. Rocco was a beautiful man—toned body, olive skin, black hair and eyes, with a smattering of dark stubble covering his jaw. With gentle movements, Niko reached out to run his fingertips down from Roc’s Adam's apple to the dark hairs on his chest. Rocco made a noise low in his throat and onyx eyes struggled open, taking only a moment to focus on Niko's face.
"Good morning," Niko whispered, enraptured.
"How are you feeling?" Rocco asked, reaching out and brushing the hair back off Niko’s forehead before letting his palm rest on the side of his throat.
"My head hurts a little, but it's not bad." Niko pressed into Rocco's touch and reached out, seeking skin. He gripped Rocco’s side and tried to pull him closer. Roc slid forward, bringing more of their bodies in contact and giving a little chuckle. Niko would've laughed too, but he was too busy drowning in the feeling of Roc’s erection rubbing against his own through their underwear. He rolled his hips forward, seeking more friction and the chuckle died on Rocco's lips, turning into a groan. Rocco took his mouth, and Niko only had a moment to be self-conscious about his morning breath before Roc’s tongue was demanding entrance past his lips, pressing in and licking him soundly.
Niko felt dizzy, the kind that had nothing to do with a head injury and everything to do with the sensations that Roc evoked in him. All the better for having Vidar at his back—the hot, hard lines of him only increasing the stimulation Niko was feeling all over his body. Then Vidar tensed, and for half a second, Niko was afraid he'd jump out of bed. Instead a warm, calloused hand slid across his stomach, and the desire pooling low in his belly tripled. Vidar skimmed over his flat belly, bringing deft fingers up to circle and pinch his nipples. He squirmed, and felt Roc's lips curve up into a smile against his. Another set of warm lips landed on his neck, placing gentle kisses up to his ear, and then Vidar whispered, “Is this okay?"
Niko pulled back from Roc enough to turn his head and meet Vidar's eyes. Vidar looked as open as Niko had ever seen him. With a little nod, he pressed his lips to Vidar's. Like the one kiss they’d shared ages ago, Vidar's hesitance lasted only a fraction of a moment before he was surging forward, claiming Niko's mouth, and pushing him over onto his back. Niko was lost to any form of coherent thought—captured completely in the kiss taking over his body and in the touches drugging his brain.
With Vidar anchored at his lips, Roc began a smooth journey south, nipping and kissing at his collarbone, then sucking Niko’s nipples one at a time. Niko moaned into the hot cavern of Vidar's mouth, hands grasping wherever he could reach—Vidar’s shoulder, Rocco's hair. He writhed beneath them, completely overwhelmed.
Instead of continuing south, Rocco's lips moved back up until he felt kisses along his jaw. His lips were suddenly freed. He opened his eyes, only to watch in awe as the two men with him stared at each other for a moment before leaning in to bring their mouths together. He could feel Vidar shudder against him, the thick pulse of Vidar's erection against his thigh. Niko pressed against it, relishing in the way the tremble in Vidar’s limbs got
harder. It amazed him that he had any sway over this man. Vidar and Roc’s mouths fused and moved in sync, blond beard and dark stubble a stunning contrast in the morning light. Niko was sure he'd never seen anything as beautiful.
In unspoken tandem, his men went from kissing each other to delving back to him. Hot lips pressed to his mouth and Roc met his eyes. "You want this? It doesn't have to go any further."
"Of course, I want this. Want both of you." Niko surged up, pressing a fast and hard kiss to Rocco's lips and reaching for Vidar, pulling him up enough to kiss him as well. The ferocious frenzy in his chest deepened as his assent sent them rocketing forward, faster than before.
Vidar reared up onto his knees, throwing the covers off them. He reached for Niko’s briefs, pulling them down and off before he dropped back to the bed, sprawling on his belly between Niko’s thighs.
“Oh god.” Niko’s head thrashed to the side when hot, wet suction closed over the tip of his dick and a big hand palmed his balls. “Fuck,” he panted, looking down his body and almost embarassing himself at the sight of his cock disappearing into Vidar’s mouth.
Roc bit the side of his throat, then chuckled against his skin. “He’s pretty good at that, isn’t he?”
Niko nodded just as Vidar’s mouth left his dick and Roc’s eyes rolled back, a look of bliss making his jaw go slack. Looking down, he saw Vidar had pulled the band of Roc’s briefs down far enough to anchor under his balls and had his mouth stretched wide around Roc’s cock. Vidar’s arm was snaked between Roc’s legs, holding him captive as he bobbed up and down, revealing tantalizing glimpses of Roc’s slick shaft with every pass.
Open Wounds: The Boxed Set Page 41
