Savior:A Tattered Club Story(34)

Niko clenched his fists. “He’s not skinny. He’s...he’s fit. Shit, thanks for the TV. I’ll pick it up tonight.”

Ben smiled, the tip of the scars on his face tilting with the corner of his mouth. “No problem. It’s in my room. I can run it up there.”

Niko needed all the help he could get, but damn if he wanted the guys to speculate anything other than helping the kid out was going on. That’s all that was going on. That’s all. Jesus, that’s all.

Seth met them in the back. “I got a bed and the new mattress is being delivered by five. The guy’ll be here with the bed in ten minutes.”

Niko looked at his friends. He never thought he’d see the day people would be this loyal. Family couldn’t be trusted and his friends from the old neighborhood would just as soon kick someone’s ass as give them a dollar.

Embarrassed by all the shit piled in his car, he waited for the guys to help move in the bed and TV. Scarlet met him as he was locking up the apartment. “Your two o’clock is here.”

“Thanks.” His phone dinged as they walked down the staircase that led to the door opening onto the sidewalk next to the shop. “Tell him I’ll be there in a second.”

Niko followed Scarlet into the lobby and headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up before meeting the client. He dried his hands then grabbed the phone out of his pocket.

How’s your day going?

Niko started to text then realized Ethan’s question was what a girlfriend would ask her boyfriend. He paused with his finger over the G.

Busy

Me, too. Chem test was brutal. Think I did ok though. I can’t wait to see the apartment. Did you give the money to The Professor?

What was Niko supposed to say? The Professor wouldn’t take the money. He said he and Ethan would have a sit down tomorrow. Niko knew Ethan would never take a handout, but the kid didn’t have a pot to piss in. The envelope had six hundred dollars inside. When Niko had walked out of juvie, he’d have given his left nut for that kind of money. Back then, it could’ve been a million dollars. Now, it wouldn’t cover the supplies for a commission job in the city.

Ethan needed to stash the money for emergencies. He had no idea what The Professor was up to, but if the deal was anything like the one he’d had with Niko, Ethan would be able to afford a roof over his head and food.

The hands on the clock rose and fell as he filled brown onto the shaded areas of the eagle wing. “This place is really cool,” the man said as Niko rested his elbow on the arm of the renovated barber chair. “It took six weeks for me to snag this appointment. My buddy had one of the other guys put a skull. I think he’s got scars on his face?” Niko lifted the needle but kept the hum of the gun running. The client was chatting, but not annoying, but if he said anything shitty about Ben having scars, this tat was going to be voided. “The piece looked really great. The guy’s work is amazing.”

Good answer. “Maybe you can get into him for your next one. He’s pretty booked, but I can talk to him.” Niko had no problem sharing the love when it came to his friends.

“Nah. I saw your stuff in Tattoo Digest and knew your style was more of what I was into. I’ll stick with you…that is if I can ever get in again.” The man rounded his thick chest and laughed.

Niko wasn’t the only one with a tight schedule. All the guys were in high demand. Niko just preferred to give the repeat customers priority slots. “No problem,” he said, spraying the new ink with green soap. “We’ll get you in by Christmas. It’s going to take several sessions to drape the flag over your shoulder and tie it into the rifle on your back. I’ll have Scarlet put you in for December. You’re being deployed next year, right?” The man’s chin rose and fell in a curt nod. Niko skimmed the needle over the rest of a feather. “Next one’s on the house.”

When his client looked away, Niko got the gesture. Avoidance was the best MO for people like them. Seen too much and didn’t give a fuck to discuss the details. Niko had mad respect for the soldier.

The phone in Niko’s pocket vibrated against his leg. He wiped the last of the ink and rolled back, admiring the artistic work in the eagle’s feathers. “Take a look.”

The man stood, stretching his arms. The session had gone over the scheduled time, but he’d been able to complete the design and the guy wouldn’t have to make the four-hour drive again until December.

“Jesus, man, this is fucking awesome. I see why the wait is so long to get in here. You’ve got serious skills, Niko. Thank you so much. Look,” He turned his elbow toward the mirror on the wall. “The numbers are perfect. The guys are excited to come. They’re lined up for next week. One with you and one with…”