Free Savior: A Tattered Club Story (Tattered Social Club Series Book 1) by Pauline Allan

matters. That guy is a bastard. He’s starting all these projects in the neighborhoods with the intent of getting rid of the families and move in the rich assholes to make the businesses into moneymakers. The Professor’s son, Mitch, is in the thick of it. I guess he’s an asshole, too. Your sugar daddy has been trying to close the club. He was quoted in the paper saying the shop is a disgrace to the city. The asshole’s never set foot in the place.”
    Ethan was no stranger to shame. Hell, for the last two years he’d taken the easy way out because his father had been not only a money tree but treated him like a second-class citizen. With an older brother who’d followed in their dad’s footsteps and a sister in medical school, Ethan was the disappointment destined to never amount to anything but a party boy.
    They climbed the few steps to the library doors and walked into the spacious lobby. Ethan remained silent, hoping Niko would get the hint and stop asking questions. “My boxes are downstairs. I moved them to one of the back corners where no one uses the desks.”
    Ethan felt a warm palm spread across his lower back as a guy passed by in a blur saying, “Excuse me” over his shoulder. He didn’t move, waiting for Niko’s hand to pull away, but when the thumb just above the waistband of his shorts began an agonizing back and forth motion, he held his breath. The mumbling voices and rustling of people went silent in his head. The chaos in his brain calmed to a void.
    “Niko, that feels—”
    The feather-like caress detached, instantly making Ethan feel more exposed than ever. The fact he was gay had never been a secret, however he figured once Niko realized students were buzzing by and possibly saw his big hand caressing a man’s back, he’d probably flip him the middle finger and stomp out of the place.
    Ethan grinned when Niko’s jaw tightened. “I’ll follow you.”
    They dodged several cackling girls. “Down here.” Ethan headed downstairs. “It’s okay, you know.”
    Ethan curled his hands when a young woman walked by gave Niko a too-slow once over. “What’s okay?” he asked, not noticing the woman giving him an eye fuck.
    “That you want me.” Ethan flashed a smile when Niko almost tripped down the last two steps.
    “What the hell, Ethan? I don’t want you. I’m not gay.”
    “Hey, Ethan, what’s up?” Michael stopped at the edge of the stairs with the strap of a leather bag flung over his chest.
    “Nothing, just came by to…to get some notes for lit class.”
    His stomach trembled when Niko closed the space and brushed his arm against Ethan’s shoulder. Surprised, but grateful for Niko’s subtle gesture, he leaned in to steal the moment.
    “So,” Michael said, a bit more cautiously than he had earlier in the car. “You want to get something to eat tonight? I can pick you up.” Michael’s gaze drifted to Niko and by the look on his pale face, he decided not to glance in that direction again.
    Ethan knew it was wrong to push Niko, but damn if he wasn’t ready to see what his tattooed protector would do. “Sure, that sounds—”
    “He can’t,” Niko said, pulling away as quickly as he’d leaned in. “He’s got plans, and he needs to rest. Come on.” Niko moved so fast, Michael stood motionless, obviously unsure of how to react.
    “Sorry.” Ethan looked over his shoulder at Michael as he started to catch up to Niko. “You didn’t have to be rude.” Confusion didn’t cover half of what weaved through his head. Hot and cold, Niko road more ups and downs than a rollercoaster. “He’s just a friend.”
    “I get that. You’re gay and having dinner is code for let’s have a fuck. I wasn’t running my mouth for nothing. You don’t need that shit right now. You need to get some real fucking sleep and eat some real food. The last thing you need to worry about is getting with some guy who doesn’t mean shit to you and won’t even take you out to breakfast after.