Nico dipped his chin, acknowledging her praise. “Thank you. I started training very young.”
“Where are you from originally, Mr...”
“Braun. Nicolaus Braun. You may call me Nico. Everyone does. I was born in Hesse, Germany.”
“That’s one of the most impoverished places in Germany, isn’t it?”
The fact that she knew that was disturbing. “Ja. My family now lives in Wolfsburg.” Thanks to his money and their agreement to stay as far away from him as possible.
Patricia face cleared. “Oh. You must take care of them. That’s good.”
Nico was fairly certain there were insults hidden in there somewhere, but he didn’t care enough to go digging for them. It was also possible Patricia was just painfully straightforward, which was fine by him. He would be the same. “Taking care of people is what I do.”
Jim and Patricia both smiled—like he’d said exactly what they wanted to hear. Flynn slapped him across the back and used the motion to rescue Nico by steering him toward where Easton stood. “I’m going to introduce Nico to my son.” Nico didn’t bother pointing out they’d met. He nodded and moved along, thankful for the reprieve. “They’re trying,” Flynn said as soon as they were out of earshot. Flynn stopped short of Nico’s goal. Nico stopped too, since it was obvious Flynn had something on his mind, but Nico’s gaze stayed with Easton. He looked so happy and animated today. Trace stood leaned against another man’s chest. He had a sucker in his mouth and still looked as wicked as before, but now Nico saw what the other half of his life looked like. His man looked lovesick and satiated—like he was well loved in return. Nico smiled at the sight.
“I know who you are.” Nico’s gaze snapped to Flynn’s at the announcement. Flynn’s expression was the same friendly one as before, but Nico was still certain he’d heard right. Flynn gave him a sharp nod. He made a sweeping motion toward the room in general. “But you did all this, and I haven’t seen Easton this happy. Not ever. I think you care about him and your intentions are good. You just need to know that I know and I’m watching.”
Nico dipped his chin. “Fair enough. Who is this man with your son?” Nico asked, moving to what he hoped was safer ground.
“His husband.”
Nico blinked. “Trace doesn’t look old enough to have a husband.”
A smile exploded across Flynn’s face. “He’s grown. Don’t tell him I said that, but he is. I also got married very young. We’re a loyal bunch—like wolves. We find the one for us and mate for life. You’ve been good for Easton,” Flynn tacked on to the end as if trying to sneak the return to their earlier subject past him. “The past year has been rough. Easton has stayed glued Jake’s side for most of it. Then we went out of town and come back after a few weeks and you’ve completely turned him around. I’m impressed.”
“You’ll probably think this is crazy.”
“Oh, I think all this is crazy,” Flynn said, interrupting him. “But I’m the last person who should be throwing that word around.”
“I love him.”
Not an ounce of surprise marred Flynn’s features. “Good. That makes more sense than anything I imagined this to be. You should come meet my son-in-law. He thinks I hate him. It’s hilarious.”
Recognizing the inquisition was over, Nico accepted the reprieve and headed Easton’s way. His heart didn’t beat correctly until he drew Easton back against his chest. Easton was mid-story about the carnival. He kept talking even as he stroked Nico’s arms around his waist and Nico kissed the top of his head. As long as Easton was happy, Nico didn’t give a damn about anything else.
“Hey, baby,” Easton said, sounding breathless and making Nico realize he’d finished his story.
“Knuddelbärchen.”
“Oh. Wow. You’re Nicolaus Braun.” At Trace’s husband’s remark, Nico met the man’s stare. He looked nice—like a man who would stay loyal. “I saw you fight a few years back in Vegas. It was amazing. A little aggravating because tickets were like a billion dollars, and you knocked Sammy Tracey out like five seconds in, but still. That was amazing. I’m Hunter, by the way.”
Nico let go of Easton long enough to shake Hunter’s hand. “Please call me Nico. Thank you for agreeing to make the trip for this. It means a lot to Easton, and since it means a lot to Easton, it means a lot to me.”
Hunter nodded. “No worries. Trace loves his family and I live to make him happy. Good job, by the way, putting all this together.”
Nico nodded. He liked Hunter. “Flynn doesn’t hate you.”
“Hey,” Flynn said, laughing. “Be careful with the secrets, lad.”
Easton shook with laughter. The sensation against his chest was the best feeling in the world. Nico needed a moment alone with him. Just one. Then he would share Easton again. “Is it okay if I steal Easton? I’d like to give him his gift.”
Trace waved them away. “No. Go. Easton needs gifts. In fact, this will give us time to get everyone gathered around the gifts in here so he can open them when you get back.”
Nico dipped his chin. “Danke.”
Of course, he should’ve known Easton would balk. “You gave me my gift yesterday.”
“No,” Nico said, leading Easton to the door. “That was a trinket because I felt like giving you something pretty. Today is your birthday. It’s a big day. Let me make it special because it matters to me.”
He felt Easton deflate. “Okay.”
Nico smiled and shook his head at Easton’s defeated tone. It was like he wasn’t about to get a kickass gift or something. The moment they stepped outside, Easton faced him, waiting. Nico’s smile grew. Easton might pretend he didn’t want anything, but Nico knew better. He was curious and excited. Nico dug into his pocket and pulled out a key ring. He held it out to Easton. “The Mustang is yours. I signed the title over. It’s in the glove box.”
Easton’s gaze moved between the keys and the car and back again. He didn’t reach for the keys. “No, Nico. You said that car is your baby, and it’s a fucking car. You can’t give me a car.”
“You are my baby. I can do as I please. There are twelve more cars in my garage. This one is yours.”
“Nico.” There was a hint of desperation in Easton’s voice now.
Nico didn’t back down. He took Easton’s hand and put the key in his palm. “If you don’t accept my gift, I’ll be hurt. You do not wish to injure your grumbly bear.”
Easton’s shoulders fell. “Nico.”
“Stop saying my name. My mind won’t be changed. Now thank me and tell Nico he’s amazing.”
A snort of laughter escaped Easton. “You are amazing, but—”
“No. Tell me how much you love it.”
“I do, but—”
“No,” Nico said, ensuring Easton understood it would be the last but he heard. “You will kiss me now and say nice things.”
Easton laughed and shuffled closer.
Nico tapped his lips.
With a shake of his head, Easton went up onto his toes. Nico bent so he could reach him. The moment their lips met, Nico swept him closer, crushing Easton to his chest. Easton buried his face in the crook of Nico’s neck. “You’re the greatest person I know. I’m not upset about the present. It hurts my heart that I can’t do as much for you as you can for me, but I want to.”
Easton was wrong. He did more for Nico than he ever imagined. Easton existed. He breathed the same air as Nico. Nico wasn’t empty anymore—the way he’d been every day until the first time he’d set eyes on Easton. Some things were worth more than all the money in the world. Nico could buy all the materials things for himself. Easton was priceless. “Kiss me again,” Nico begged. “Then I will be the most spoiled of men.” It was the God’s honest truth.
Easton’s entire body hummed with happiness. Nico had thrown him a surprise party. Jesus. He couldn’t get past it. No one, including his parents, had ever done something so amazing. Nico should’ve stopped there. Giving him the car was too much. Easton needed
Nico to understand he didn’t care about his money. Accepting a car made him look like a gold digger. He’d know. It wasn’t his first time getting a car. It hadn’t ended well last time. Easton didn’t want things to end with Nico at all. Unfortunately, Nico seemed pretty dead set about Easton accepting his gift. He’d have to find a different way to stand his ground—like spend a fuck ton of money on Nico. The thing was, Easton didn’t have a fuck ton of money. But his parents had given him a nice-sized check for his birthday. Easton could spend that on Nico. He didn’t need anything else. Easton stared into space, making a list of ways to spoil Nico in his mind.
The door opened and Marcus sailed in, making Easton’s mind go blank. Twice in one day was too much. “Marcus?”
The too-white smile flashed his way. “Hey, darling. The third-floor nurses were kind enough to share their muffins and tell me all about your bakery. I had to come see for myself.”
“Oh. Well, now you’ve seen.” Easton tried not to sound unwelcoming, since—technically—Marcus was currently a customer, but damn. This was too much.
“I also forgot until after you’d walked away that today is your birthday.”
“Okay.” His discomfort grew by the second.
He set a card in front of Easton and claimed a barstool opposite him. Easton didn’t reach for the card. He couldn’t stop staring at Marcus, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“I’ve been thinking about our conversation today.” Fuck. “I think I owe you an apology.” Double fuck.
“No. You don’t owe me anything.” Easton tried keeping his voice steady. This could not be happening.
“I do,” Marcus argued. “When we were together, I assumed it was sort of a business arrangement. I took care of you financially, and you took care of me in a different way.”
“Mhmm,” Easton hummed noncommittally.
“Then you had your accident.” Accident—like Easton had tripped and fell on some ice.
“Mhmm,” Easton hummed again, trying to wrap his head around some bullshit. Nope. He wasn’t going to make it. Sitting quietly and being pretty didn’t quite fit him anymore. “I wouldn’t quite call being kidnapped from a parking lot, tortured, raped, and then left for dead outside a club an accident, but okay. I’m still listening.”
Marcus looked away as if he found Easton’s words distasteful. Easton almost laughed. If Marcus couldn’t hear it, he sure as hell wouldn’t have survived it. Marcus squared his shoulders and met Easton’s stare again. “See, that’s exactly why I owe you an apology.” As Easton had said, he was listening. “When your father called and said you’d been found in the back parking lot of Club Fusion, I thought maybe you’d been out partying, and someone had slipped something in your drink. It never occurred to me you’d been taken from somewhere else and dumped there.”
“Mhmm.” Easton really couldn’t stop. He heard the condescending sound each and every time he made it, but he just couldn’t stop.
“I mean, you used to hang out at that club all time. The news that things had been much worse didn’t make its way to me until it was too late to take back what I’d done. I realized today that—late or not—you deserve an apology.” Marcus kept talking about an apology without actually making one and Easton wasn’t feeling it.
“Was that it?”
Marcus smiled at Easton’s smartass tone. “I’m sorry.”
Well, it was better than nothing. “Water under the bridge.”
Marcus brightened even more. “I’m glad to hear you say that. May I ask, are you dating that guy I saw you with today?”
Easton bit back a laugh. “Yes.”
“Seriously?” Marcus sounded every bit as disbelieving as Easton expected.
“Yep.”
Marcus pulled a face. “I can’t imagine your parents approving of such a match.”
Easton’s smile grew by the second, because he knew lots of things Marcus didn’t. One thing in particular—Nico was standing behind him. “Actually, they love him.”
“Really?” Marcus couldn’t have sounded more skeptical if he tried. “You should really consider taking me back. I can’t imagine why they’d want you with someone like that.”
Nico trapped Marcus against the bar. His massive arms flexed on either side of Marcus. He looked deadly—like he was an inch away from murder. It was fucking hot. Nico spoke close to Marcus’s ear. His deep voice sounded like the devil had come calling. “They love me because I’m a seven-time heavyweight champion, which means I’m swimming in money and can take care of their son, even though he doesn’t need anyone to take care of him. You should hate that I’m a seven-time heavyweight champion, because I’m about to use my skills to snap your fucking neck.”
Easton fanned his face. He was totally sucking Nico’s dick the second they were alone. Hell, he might not make it that long. He bit his lip to stop a moan from escaping.
“I only came to wish Easton a happy birthday.” Marcus sounded ridiculously calm for someone who was about to die.
“Then say it.”
Marcus focused on Easton. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you,” Easton said graciously.
“Now, choose to leave with both your legs still working all on your own with nothing else to say.”
“Yep,” Marcus said, slipping from the stool and disappearing.
Easton didn’t watch him go. He couldn’t stop staring at Nico. Nico’s gaze never wavered from Marcus until he was out the door. He focused on Easton. His expression shifted from murderous to concerned in an instant.
“Are you okay?”
Easton nodded.
Nico didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure? Your face is red.”
“I’m turned on,” Easton admitted without an ounce of shame. “You have no idea how sexy you are. This has been my best birthday ever. Thank you for being amazing. I can’t wait to have you alone.”
“We should go to the car.”
Easton nodded. “We should.” He glanced over his shoulder. Julie worked the opposite end of the counter, filling up the trays in the display. “I’m leaving, Julie.”
“Okay. I hope the rest of your birthday is amazing.”
He flashed her a smile. “Thank you.” When his gaze swung back Nico’s way, Easton was nearly blasted off his feet by the heat in Nico’s stare. Even with all the barely contained fire inside Nico, he still waited patiently for Easton to gather his things. As Easton walked toward Nico and Nico reached for his hand, a calm knowledge settled over Easton. This was real. Easton wasn’t dating Nico to be dating someone—like he’d always done in the past. He didn’t need Nico, but Nico was completely necessary to him. As their palms met and their fingers linked, Easton accepted the truth. Nico was the one.
Seven
Easton: I’m off work.
Nico: Good. You need more down time. I’m finishing up a job.
Easton: Can I come to you?
Nico: I’d love that.
Nico swiped away a speck of dust on the pristine sixty-six Shelby he’d just finished restoring. Its owner would be proud. Of course, with the guy’s eighty-thousand-dollar budget, Nico had been able to go wild on making her perfect. He loved how she’d turned out.
“Nicolaus Braun.” At the sound of his name in such a condescending tone, Nico’s head shot up. The tall, dark-haired figure trailing through his shop was an unwelcome sight, as always. Detective Whiskey Harris loved these unexpected visits as much as Nico loathed them. Still, he’d be damned if he let it show.
“Whiskey.” Nico didn’t give the man the courtesy of using anything other than his first name. Respect went two ways.
Light brown eyes focused on Nico. With his ridiculously long lashes and full lips, Whiskey might’ve been pretty if he wasn’t such an asshole. “Have you seen any of your brother’s friends around lately?”
“Have you heard from me?” Nico countered.
“Nope.” Whiskey made the “p” pop. “That’s why I stopped by. It’s been a while.”
“Has it?” Nico never gave Whiskey the satisfaction of getting under his skin.
“It has.” Whiskey ran his finger along the lines of the car. “This is nice.”
“It is. It’s also worth more than you make in three years, so watch yourself.”
Whiskey shoved his hands in the pockets of his khakis and focused on Nico. “It seems odd that you have so many customers with so much money to burn. It’s almost like you’re friends with the mob.”
Nico’s mouth lifted in one corner. Sometimes, Whiskey was funny. Everyone knew all fights, MMA and boxing, were mafia run. That was life. Everyone belonged to someone whether they saw their strings or not. “As hard as it is to believe, not everyone who has money is a criminal. But I don’t ask questions either,” Nico said with a laugh. “People bring the cars. I fix the cars. End of transaction.”
Whiskey nodded as he circled the Shelby, eyeing the details while trying to scope the place on the sly. “So you say none of your brother’s pals have come calling,” Whiskey repeated.
Nico lost his humor. Easton would be along any minute and Whiskey needed to go. “You’d be the first to know, as you should know by now.”
Brown eyes focused on him and didn’t budge. They were hardened by—no doubt—seeing too much of the bad. “Maybe.” Without another word, Whiskey headed for the door. Nico watched him go. He fucking hated this. Having Whiskey Harris in his life was the definition of no good deed going unpunished. Nico had unknowingly opened his home to evil once and now the taint followed him everywhere.
“Hey, sexy baby.”
Nico blinked, wondering how long he’d been staring at the spot where Whiskey disappeared. Easton stood in his place, looking happy and beautiful. Just as Nico always wanted. He shook off the darkness. “Sweet angel.”
Easton’s smile kicked up a notch as he crossed the garage. Even though Easton wore bright colors, Easton walked straight into Nico’s arms, as if he wasn’t covered in grease and dirt. His arms snaked around Nico’s neck. He drew Nico down for a kiss. Their lips met and all thoughts of Whiskey and the devil disappeared. Easton wiped away all the ugliness, the way he always did. A hum vibrated around Nico’s tongue as Easton shuffled even closer.
Sugar Sentry (Sugar Daddies Book 13) Page 7