Chapter 6

NATHAN

Ihated going to The Docks. The bar was loud and always so crowded I could hardly move without accosting someone—or being accosted. I didn't like to be touched unless I initiated it, which was rarely, but even more so in a place like this.

Too many people wanted too many things. Especially with the way I dressed in custom, tailored suits and the air of confidence that surrounded me. Apparently, it gave off Daddy vibes. But I had no interest in taking care of the needs of another person, not even for a night.

Unless that person was Aiden.

And the research I'd gathered from watching him indicated The Docks was his club of choice. So I found myself sitting on a stool by the bar, sipping a whiskey, hoping he'd show up. Spoiler, he didn't show the last three times I'd been there.

It was a risky move. But I'd just finished taking care of his replacement, and I felt like celebrating—with Aiden, if possible. But a glance at my watch showed me it was already past eleven. If he hadn't shown up already, the chances were slim he'd show.

With a sigh, I waved down the bartender so I could close out my tab. Resigned to my fate of not being able to run into him again, I wandered across the floor one last time on my way to the door. When I got to the edge of the dance floor, I looked around and tried to see if I could spot him.

After a minute or two, I was surprised to find him on the floor, dancing. He wasn't much of a dancer, but the guy at his back that he was grinding against didn't seem to have any complaints. He seemed so different at the club than he did anywhere else in his life—more free, more himself.

I scowled. It wasn't jealousy. Really, it wasn't. More like I just didn't like other people touching my things, and Aiden was mine.

The guy's hand slid from Aiden's hip, and my eyes narrowed more the closer his hand got to Aiden's crotch. I watched as he tried to wiggle away from the man, but the arm he had banded across Aiden's chest held him in place, not allowing him to get free.

I saw red as Aiden continued to struggle against the man, and I wondered why he didn't take him down. Sure, he might be smaller than the guy, but I knew how tough he was. But it didn't matter, and I would free my little bird.

Pushing through the densely crowded floor of writhing bodies, I made my way to Aiden and the asshole. When I got next to them, Aiden didn't seem to notice me at first, too intent on trying to peacefully extract himself from the situation.

I didn't have such qualms.

Before I even knew what I was doing, I grabbed the guy by the throat and yanked him back against me. He shouted and squirmed for a moment before he must have felt the edge of my blade at his side.

Over the loud noise of the club, I heard Aiden's confused voice say my name.

"Nate? What are you doing here?" He didn't sound mad, but he also didn't sound happy. While he would have rather dealt with the towering hulk on his own, I was a possessive asshole, and Aiden was mine. No one was going to get away with touching what was mine, especially if he was unwilling.

"Move along, asshole. He isn't interested." I didn't press enough to cut through his clothes or skin, but I did give the blade a slight nudge to remind the guy to behave. It also served as a distraction so he didn't notice me taking his wallet out of his back pocket.

"Now, apologize." I shoved him forward, sliding my blade and his wallet into my pocket so Aiden wouldn't notice it.

"Sorry, man," the guy stuttered before he darted away, giving me one last wary look.

"What the fuck was that, Nate?"

I looked over at Aiden and cocked my head to the side as I watched him march toward me, his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face. He was angry, but I didn't know why.

"You're mad?" I ask, wanting to understand what I'd done wrong. I was protecting him.

My little bird let out an exasperated huff and tried to walk away, but I reached out and grabbed ahold of his arm.

"Aiden?" I wasn't used to people reacting to me the way he did. I'd say it was wrong, but everything about him felt right.

"Fuck, Nate," he muttered as he stalked off the dance floor, leaving me with no other choice but to follow him.

He stormed up to the bar and ordered two shots. I thought at first he ordered one for each of us, but I watched him as he downed the first and then the other right after. Before he could even reach into his wallet, I had my card out and handed it to the bartender.

"Should I re-open my tab, or is that all you need?"

He glared at me for a moment and then let out a deep breath as he braced his hands on the bar and leaned back as he contemplated his choices.

"Can we get two waters? Then I'm good."

I nodded to the bartender to let her know we'd take the waters and be on our way. "Of course, anything you need." Aiden let out a sardonic laugh that left me more confused than ever. "Talk to me, little bird." My voice was soft but commanding, dare I say, almost pleading.

He took a sip of his water and watched me as though he were studying me.

"Why do you call me that?" he asked.

I was pretty sure he asked me that night, too, but I don't remember if I gave him an answer or not. But all I could do was shrug in response. There weren't adequate words to make him understand. Especially if I wanted to try to keep him in my life.

Which opened up a whole other can of worms and unanswerable questions.

The frustration was easy to read on his face, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. I couldn't give him the answers he wanted, even if I had been inclined to tell him the truth.

"Fuck it," he said, chugging his water before he grabbed my hand and dragged me away from the bar.