The Professor followed the man into the lobby and shook his hand. “Come by anytime. We’ll look forward to seeing the report.”
Scarlet pressed her hands on her hips. “Who would do this?”
The Professor shook his head. “I have no idea, but this is serious, sweet pea. We know everything is on the up and up, but if it gets out into the community that the State Board of Health wants to investigate us it’ll look bad. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of this. Hell, I just got off the phone with the zoning commission. Apparently, the city wants to zone this area residential and close down the shop on some kind of technicality. I need to speak with Mitch and find out what’s going on.”
Ethan kept looking back and forth as they talked about The Professor’s son. Ethan’s phone vibrated in his pocket.
“I’m going to straighten up the lounge. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do.” He waited until he shut the bathroom door and grabbed his phone. With anticipation, he’d been waiting impatiently to hear from Niko.
I assume you’re at that filthy shop since you weren’t at school today. I know your schedule, my love. I assume your boss got a call today?
Ethan’s palms moistened. He set the phone on the sink and started pacing. Sitting on the toilet, he wiped his hands on his thighs wishing more than ever he had a blade. He’d promised Niko he’d never cut again, but he needed to be in control of something.
He reached for the phone. Leave us alone. This place has nothing to do with you.
I’m afraid it does. I’ll make dinner reservations. I expect you tonight or your precious shop will be out of business. Le’Cherie at nine. Remember, my love, I own this city.
Ethan sprang to his feet, turned, and vomited in the toilet. All of this was his fault. If he’d made better choices a year ago, none of this would be happening and Niko’s shop wouldn’t be in jeopardy. Niko would be safe and coming out on his own terms. Ethan hated that he was pushing. In such a short time, he’d come to love a man he feared he could never fully have. The truth was, he loved Niko enough to save his reputation. He loved him enough to give him time to come to terms with who he really was.
He knew what he had to do.
*****
“Where’s Ethan?” Niko walked through the back door. After being away from his new boyfriend all day, he needed to take a shower, eat something, and crawl into bed. In that order. Preferably with Ethan.
“I have no idea. I’m not his personal secretary.” Knox said, as he pulled the Jimi Hendrix T-shirt over his head. “When I got back he was gone. Maybe he went upstairs?”
Niko set his bag next to one of the loungers. “Why are you changing clothes out here?”
Knox drew his eyebrows together. “Why not? It’s not like you guys didn’t see my junk last year after the conference. I think we’ve gotten over the girls’ slumber party shyness.”
Niko had forgotten about the fight Knox had gotten into in the alley behind a bar. All hell had broken loose when Niko had punched the guy in the face and Seth stepped in, pinning the man against the wall. Someone had called the cops, and it didn’t help that Knox, with bloody face and hands, stood over him, a bottle of whiskey in his fist and his pants around his ankles. Pissing on the guy as Ben held the thug to the ground in some kind of Rambo move hadn’t helped Knox’s case.
“Good point.” Niko started toward the apartment door. He felt like a dick for taking advantage of the easy access, but he needed to find Ethan and make sure he was okay.
“Ethan?” When he reached the top of the stairs, he knocked on the door. “It’s me. Open up.” After he knocked the third time with no answer, he tried the knob and it turned.
The apartment was silent. He started up the stairs and didn’t see anyone. Walking by the couch he saw the piece of paper on the kitchen counter. The key to the door was sitting beside the note.
I hope one day you’ll be true to yourself. I can’t pretend I haven’t fallen in love with you. I lived a lied before and I can’t take another heartbreak. I left the key. Everything is going to be okay. Love, Ethan
“Hell no,” Niko growled through clenched teeth as he slammed his fist on the counter.
“Hey, you all right?” Seth was standing in the doorway. “The Professor wants to have a meeting. Do you need a minute?”
Niko crumpled the piece of paper and shoved it in his pocket. “No. I need to get the fuck out of here. I need a drink and to kick someone’s ass.”
“Listen, there’s only two things that could make you this upset. Either someone has threatened us or your man has skipped town. The fact you’re up here tells me it’s the latter.”