The back of Niko’s head hit the pillow. Ethan climbed over Niko’s leg and crashed onto the mattress. “You know I love you, right?” he asked, feeling brave after purging his insecurities.
“Yeah.” Niko grinned. “I love you, too.”
“I want a party. A big one.”
Niko tipped onto his side, brushing a loose strand of hair from Ethan’s forehead. “For your birthday?”
“Yes, and a cake. And for another gift you have to finish my tattoo. I don’t think it’s fair you missed my appointment and never rescheduled. I am your boyfriend after all.”
Niko rolled onto Ethan, pinning him against the blanket. “That’s right.” He dipped his head to coax Ethan’s mouth open with his tongue. “You’re my boyfriend.”
Ethan tilted his head, swallowing the affection of Niko’s warm mouth. “Thank you for telling your friends about us. That means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“Thank you for giving me the courage to do it. You mean…you mean so much to me, Ethan. I’ve never let anyone in like this.”
When Niko lay back, Ethan nestled into the heat of his hard chest and traced the swirls and lines painted on Niko’s stomach. “What happened with your dad? You talked so fast and said something about a bullet, but you never told me what happened.”
“I was sixteen.” Niko ran his fingertips over Ethan’s arm. “My dad had beaten my mom up again. This time, he’d broken her arm. I ran into their bedroom, got the gun, and told him I was going to shoot him if he ever touched her again. He grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the floor then he started toward me. He’d been drinking. He was a bastard when he got his hands on a whiskey bottle. Hell, he was an asshole when he was sober. He came at me and I shot him in the leg. I got scared and ran. When the cops picked me up, my mom had told them I broke her arm and went after my dad. I had a record from the graffiti shit and stealing a few things, nothing big, but I was already on their radar. I went to juvie and they went to Hell in my book. Haven’t seen or heard from them since.”
“God, Niko, that’s horrible.”
“It’s all good now. Had a little trouble when I got out. Couldn’t seem to stop painting shit.” The rise and fall of his chest when he laughed made Ethan smile. “I got caught and that’s when I met The Professor. It was something like a parole deal after I got out of juvie and I violated it. I landed in big boy jail and The Professor had seen my handiwork on the side of buildings and bridges. I was stupid enough to leave my mark and he found me, brought me here, and made me his apprentice. Also got me started on the graffiti gigs. Now I’m legit and shit.” He laughed again.
Ethan pressed a kiss to one of the sails on a pirate ship tattoo just below Niko’s nipple. “You’re amazing. You’ve done so much with your life.”
Niko skimmed his lips over the top of Ethan’s head. “You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. I have no doubt you’re going to be great at whatever you decide to do.”
Ethan leaned up, pressing his hands on Niko’s chest. “Thank you for giving me the courage to have a new life.”
“Ah,” Niko teased, running his fingers through Ethan’s hair. “A new life that you’re going to have to put up with my bullshit. The guys are right. I’m grouchy, cocky, and well…really good looking. I think they forgot to add that part.”
Ethan chuckled. “I guess they did. Thank God I already knew that.”
Niko tugged on the sheet until they were both covered. “Go to sleep. You’re safe, baby. I’ll always keep you safe.”
“We’ll keep each other safe.” Ethan nestled into Niko’s side.
“Yes, baby, we will.”
*****
“I talked to my father last week. Your boyfriend’s suitor has been laying low, I figured so people wouldn’t see the evidence of your brawl. Seth gave me the rundown of what you did.” Mitch peered up at Niko. “It’s evident you grew up in the neighborhoods. Now, as for you.” He looked over at Ethan. “Do you have pictures, texts? Any letters?” Mitch leaned back in his father’s chair. He sparked a lighter and lit the expensive cigar hanging out of his mouth. “If not, I can come up with something.”
Niko crossed his arms over his chest and watched Ethan fidget in the chair opposite the desk. “You’re not using anything that’ll embarrass Ethan.” Niko was firm on that one. “That’s my hard limit.”
Mitch rested the cigar between is fingers. “It’s not your hard limit to make.” He tipped his gaze in Ethan’s direction. “It’s his.”