Page 9 of King

After the fight, Danny suggested we celebrate my win. I was up for a pint. There was a place just down from Brawlers. I quickly sent Phoenix a text asking if she wanted to join us. I wasn’t sure she would.

Hey gorgeous, going for a pint with the boys, fancy coming?

I slipped my phone into the pocket of my jeans and pulled my bag onto my shoulder and made my way to the exit to find Danny and Ethan. As I reached the bouncers, they opened the door and greeted me with a nod as I walked through between them. My phone buzzed with Phoenix’s reply.

Nix: No I don’t think so, I’ve got work to do for Uni tomorrow. You go out with the guys.

I love you, gorgeous. Xxx

I pocketed my phone again and carried on out of the exit and met the guys at my car.

The pub down the road looked as seedy from the outside as the club was, but I was only here for a quick pint and I’d be gone, hopefully to celebrate privately with Phoenix.

“What can I get you boys?” The barmaid asked us. While Danny was calling up the drinks for us and I looked around me. Call it sizing the place up if you want to, but I was wary of new places, especially in this part of town.

Two guys, one smartly dressed and the other in jeans and t-shirt stood at the end of the bar having a conversation, but I’d clocked them watch us as we walked in. There was a table of thuggish looking guys sitting on a table down the other end, they turned their heads too as we spoke to the barmaid. I was beginning to think we were a little out of place in this pub.

“That looks like it’s going to be a nice shiner.” The blonde behind the bar observed.

“Yeah. You should see the other guy,” Danny piped up and smiled triumphantly. I turned my hard stare on Danny.

“Oh yeah…”

“Yeah. I belong to Brawlers down the road.”

“I’ve heard about that place.” She glanced at the two guys at the end of the bar.

“And who are you then?” The smarter dressed one of the two asked.

I stood up a little straighter and pushed my shoulders back. I wasn’t the sort to look for trouble, but I wasn’t the kind to back down either. “Jacob King.” I pushed my hand out in front of me and waited for the guys to take it.

“I’ve heard about you. I thought Rico might have brought you round to introduce us. I’m always after extra muscle.” He looked me over, scrutinising my size as he smirked slightly. When I realised he wasn’t going to accept my offer of a handshake, I took my hand back.

“So you know Rico?” I asked, confused.

He nodded once. “He told me he had a new fighter, and you were something special. If you’re up for it, I can put lots of fights your way.”

Pints of beer were placed in front of us, I picked up my glass and sipped at my lager. “Legit?” I asked as I observed him from over the rim of my glass. I glanced at Danny and Ethan before turning back to the big guy. “And can I ask who you are?” My chin lifted as I questioned him.

“Liam Adams.” He offered me his hand and not being the ignorant type, I shook it. “There’s nothing legit in this business, Mr King. I’m sure even you know that.”

I sipped on my drink and eyed Danny and Ethan over my pint before turning my back on them.

“You know Mr King, you could be just what we need.” I turned my head and saw him step closer and reach into his pocket. I watched closely, my guard was up, I didn’t know this guy and a smart suit doesn’t mean anything. Not to me anyway. With a card slotted between his fingers he held it out for me. “Take my card.” I took it from his fingers and flicked my gaze to the other guy that was stood with him, he hadn’t said a fucking word yet.

“Does your friend not speak?” I lifted my chin at him and studied his face.

“I’m nobody, mate. Just here observing and having a pint.” The other guy replied. I didn’t know whether to believe that. The quiet ones were the ones you really needed to watch.

Quickly, I sunk my pint and decided it was time to leave. I had to get to Phoenix anyway.

“Right boys, I’m off.” I set my glass on the bar and thanked the barmaid before I clapped hands with Danny and Ethan. The other two guys nodded my way also.

“Give us a call.” The guy that hadn’t introduced himself said.

I’ll think on it.” I told him as I moved towards the door and left. I turned to go back to my car and heard my name shouted from behind.

“Hey, King.” I turned back and saw the guy from the bar, not the suited one but the quiet one. “If it’s the money, we can top whatever Rico is paying you.”

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