Chapter 6 Nikolai
NIKOLAI
Flames burst from the firepit as a log exploded, shattering into several pieces.
To say that the fire was insane was an understatement. It appeared that the Shadow Vipers had their very own “fire demon” living right under their noses.
Damian, one of the barbacks working at Ride ’em Hard, was a fire connoisseur when it came to building and maintaining somewhat out-of-control fires.
Watching the evil genius at work was impressive, but it also made Nikolai a little nervous for Marcus’s bar and the safety of all those who lived in his boring little town.
“If my bar catches on fire, your face will be eating pavement,” Marcus threatened, holding his beer and standing a good five feet from the fire. The fire licked at his face, casting shadows and making their boss look even scarier than he was known to be.
Every so often, Marcus liked to fire up the pit in the back of the bar and enjoy drinks with his customers under the stars. It was a nice change of pace instead of drinking your face off, couped up inside a stuffy bar.
“No way, boss. I’ve been camping since I was seven. I can build a fire in my sleep,” Damian explained.
“It’s not the building part that worries me; it’s the safety of those standing around it that concerns me,” Marcus clarified, taking a sip of his beer. With one hand in his jeans, he surveyed those standing around the burning inferno.
“Yeah, and I like having eyebrows,” Ace noted, taking a sip of his beer as he leaned back against Blade. He was sitting happily in Blade’s lap, playing with his man’s arm hair.
The two were becoming bolder about displaying PDA in front of Ace’s brother, Marcus. It seemed that as their wedding approached, they appeared more willing to push their luck.
Niko sometimes wondered if Ace and Blade realized just how close to death they had really come on more than one occasion. To Niko’s surprise, he’d seen Marcus reach for his bat more than once, while Ace and Blade were locked in what could only be described as a pornstar kiss.
Thankfully, Caden and Damian were able to jump in and distract Marcus before they all ended up being called as witnesses in the sudden beheading of their once cocky and cheery friend.
Word to the wise, don’t date one of your brother’s friends. It’s not safe for anyone’s health.
The sound of laughter coming from the far side of the party caught Nikolai’s attention.
Lucas was flailing his arms, appearing to tell Caden and a few others some wildly animated story. The guy was a hoot, now that he had finally learned to relax and be himself once again. Long gone was the timid little twink who feared muscled bad boys and deep growly voices.
It's incredible what standing up for oneself and murder can do for one’s self-esteem.
“So, are you going to tell us who that guy was back in LA?” Blade asked, suddenly pulling everyone’s attention.
Marcus and the guys standing around the fire all looked over at Nikolai.
He shrugged his shoulders. “No one. He was an old friend who I thought was dead.”
“He didn’t seem too dead to me,” Blade chirped, always the instigator. “Although with the way those guys were chasing after him, I’m pretty sure he would have been dead once they caught up with him.”
Nikolai shook his head.
“I really don’t know what that was all about. We were best friends when I first came to New York, then one day, he just suddenly disappeared.”
He glanced over at Marcus. Marcus knew the truth about Nikolai’s past, working as a high-end escort. He didn’t know all the details, just that he’d suddenly left New York, then moved to New Mexico. Shortly after that, he joined the Shadow Vipers.
“That’s crazy, that out of all the places to run into the guy, you bumped into him when we are chillin’ in LA,” Blade added.
“Yeah, big coincidence,” Nikolai said sarcastically, taking another swig of his beer.
He’d spent that night wondering what had happened to his friend, then the next two days discreetly searching for him. But what were the chances of finding one man in a city with over 3.5 million people?
“You know what, I’m getting tired. I think I’m gonna head home and crash early,” Nikolai said, shocking the group. He was usually one of the last to leave, and always with one or two women nestled under his arm.
“Want to walk me home, stud?” Starla, the town party girl, asked as she strutted her stuff over toward Nikolai.
Watching as she walked herself over, Niko could almost feel his cock retreating inside himself.
For the first time in his life, he had no desire to suck on her tits or paint her face with his hot, sticky cum. He wasn’t sure what was going on, but he just wanted to go home and crash on his bed.
“Actually, no. I’m just going to head home, then go to bed.”
Starla stopped in her tracks as if she’d just been slapped in the face. Her mouth fell open, and she stared at him, confused.
“I’m sure one of the other guys will be happy to walk you home,” Nikolai added, nodding toward Damian, who was striking up a joint.
“Oh, okay,” Starla chirped once more in that flirty, bubbly voice that so many men had fallen victim to. She appeared satisfied with that answer, then turned and headed toward the twenty-something buck, who would, no doubt, be keeping her toes curling for multiple hours.
Nikolai said his goodbyes, then headed back into the bar to say good night to the others.
Inside the bar, rock music blasted through the speakers loud enough to remind people that they were in a biker bar, but not so loud that conversations were impossible.
Not that many tried. Most were solely focused on drinking, flirting, and fucking in the restrooms. Yes, Marcus and the crew turned a blind eye whenever customers were caught fucking in the stalls.
It was a biker bar, after all. A bit of mayhem was always encouraged.
“Hey, Alexis, I’m heading home for the night,” Nikolai announced, walking behind the bar and giving her a gentle hug.
Alexis was an ex-stripper who married Jake—one of her best customers and a current member of the Shadow Vipers. Now she worked as Marcus’s head bartender. The size of her tits had nothing to do with why she was given the job. They were definitely an asset, but Marcus wasn’t like that.
Occasionally, some new-to-town idiot would take a look at her tiny, slim frame and large fake tits and assume that she was easy to get with.
Those poor suckers were quick to learn that the woman had a vicious tongue and a big-ass husband who was more than happy to pound their faces into the pavement. Nobody disrespected Alexis.
“You heading home already? That’s not like you. And alone for that matter,” Alexis joked, chuckling and giving Nikolai’s bicep a squeeze.
“Guess I’m getting old.” Nikolai gave her a wink as he turned and rounded the bar once more.
“Hey there, buddy,” a familiar voice said as he passed one of the booths on his way to the door.
Nikolai’s heart stopped in his chest as he slowly turned in the direction of the voice.
Sitting in one of the booths, casually enjoying a beer, was Reid.
The man smiled up at him. “Looking good, old friend.”
“Reid,” Nikolai breathed out, not believing his eyes. “Wh-what are you doing here? How?” He was shocked and confused and had no idea what was going on.
He never thought he’d see his old friend again, let alone see him twice in three days.
The six-foot-one hunk of a man stood up, then wrapped his arms around Nikolai.
Still in disbelief, Niko wrapped his arms around his old friend and gave him a squeeze as well.
Holding his old buddy felt incredible. He hadn’t realized until this very moment just how much he missed the guy. A flood of emotions swept over the hardened Russian, threatening to spill out at any moment.
God, the man smelled amazing, like expensive cologne and solid man.
That was Reid; he always dressed to impress while maintaining that masculine sex appeal that drove women wild.
He felt his cock begin to thicken.
Niko’s eyes popped open.
That had never happened before while hugging his friend. It was probably due to the overwhelming excitement of seeing him alive and well.
“It’s good to see you, buddy,” Reid whispered against his chest. He was a few inches shorter than Nikolai.
“Yeah, it’s good to see you too,” Nikolai responded, squeezing his buddy in a tight bear hug before slapping him on the back a few times. God, he missed this man.
They pulled away, and that’s when Nikolai noticed the gray duffel bag sitting on the far side of the booth.
“So, what are you doing here? How did you find me?” Nikolai asked, hoping his friend would stay for a while. It had been almost ten years since he’d last seen him, and there was no way he was letting him go so soon. He still couldn’t believe that Reid was alive and well.
“Finding you was easy. I just looked up the biker logo you had on your jacket when I ran into you the other day.”
Reid gave him one of his famous smiles—the one that made women come in their panties. Sometimes, Niko wondered if Reid realized just how good-looking he really was.
“As for what I am doing here? I’ve been traveling across America and thought I’d stop by and say hi. Maybe stay a few days to catch up?” Reid continued, giving Nikolai one of his classic “I’m too cute to say no to me” looks.
Nikolai knew those looks all too well. He was just used to watching them be used on their clients.
“Of course you can stay, buddy,” Nikolai said, wrapping his arm around his friend once again.
A sudden burst of laughter across the room reminded Niko of where he was. He wanted to talk to Reid, but not in front of all his friends and coworkers.
“How ’bout we take this party back to my place. I assume that you need somewhere to crash while you’re here?” Reid nodded. “Perfect! Let’s go.”