Page 15 of King

I ignored the dickhead and headed out the back. I saw my ST parked near the doors as I left. There were people hanging around the carpark tonight, there wasn’t usually, but as I looked over at Phoenix, she looked nervous.

“I’m gonna get her out of here.”

“Sure,” Ethan replied. He and Danny headed for Danny’s car and I went to get inside mine but the door was locked. As I looked through the window at her, she hit the central locking button and opened the door for me. I quickly got in and shut the door.

“Fuck me, Jacob. You know I’m not your personal nurse. And please don’t ask me to come here again.” She eyed the carpark through the windscreen and the colourful characters that were loitering.

“Sorry,” I tried to give her a smile even though my nose ached like fuck, and I leant across the centre console and kissed her cheek. “Actually, when you’ve graduated and got your nurse's uniform you can model it for me, if you want.” I winked cheekily. “You know, as you patch me up.”

She sighed but grinned. “Let's get you home and get that nose patched up again.”

I reached over and palmed her knee before I took her fingers in mine. “This won’t be forever, I promise.”

She turned her head as she started the engine. “Can you make that promise? Because it seems to me like you enjoy this more than being with me.”

“Never, Nix.” My voice was firm, there was nothing more important than her. “You will always come first.”

Her head nodded as she put the car in gear. “I used to think that, now I’m not so sure.”

I took my hand back and looked out of the passenger window. Noticing how seedy the club looked from outside. For anyone that didn’t understand this kind of sport, I could see how dangerous it looked - hell it was dangerous, but I had this.

“I promise,” I mumbled as she pulled off the small car park. “I promise you, Nix. Just a bit longer, and then I’ll give up.”

A tight smile formed on her lips and she drove us back to mine in an awkward silence.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JACOB

Unknown number: Meet me at the Marriot at 11am in the bar. Lewis

Idressed in some of my better jeans and grabbed a polo shirt from the wardrobe. I still had a plaster across the bridge of my nose and there were still some darkening bruises beneath my eyes, but it looked better than it did. I sprayed some deodorant over my body before I pulled the shirt over my head and checked my reflection. Satisfied with my appearance, I smoothed the collar down.

Phoenix appeared behind me and leant her shoulder against the doorframe. She looked me up and down, I smiled at her, I loved it when she did that. “Where are you off looking so good?” She stepped up behind me and thread her hands around my middle. “And smelling so good, too.” I heard her inhale, taking me in as she hugged me from behind.

“I gotta meet some guys.” Her hands fell to her sides as she stepped around me and focussed on my eyes. “Don’t worry. Everything is fine.”

“Who are they?” She wrapped her arms around her middle and leant her back to the wall.

“I’m not too sure yet, but they’ve offered me cash before the fight and after, some big money.”

“And you’re going to go, just like that?” Her eyes widened with shock. She should know me by now.

“Yes, Nix. I’m going to go. I’ve met them a couple of times, and these guys well, they seem to be much more put together than just Rico and his fight club.” I turned my sights back on my reflection and make sure I looked respectable and stepped up to Nix, pinning her against the wall with my body, then kissed her. Although she met me with a little resistance, she soon softened and kissed me back. She brought her hands up my body and gently tightened her fists in my t-shirt.

“Please be careful.” She whispered and rested her forehead against my puckered lips.

“You have nothing to worry about.” I said against her head before I tipped her head up and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll call you later.” I turned around and made my way out, then blew her a kiss from the doorway before I left.

It didn’t take me long to get to the Marriott. But for some reason, I felt nervous. I didn’t know these guys, but I knew they were a different kind of people to Rico. The way they spoke, the way they acted, I knew even Rico was intimidated.

The extensive lobby of the Marriott was impressive. I’d never been in here. The flooring was a shiny, polished tile, and as I looked in front of me, the reception desk was just as sparkling. I looked to my left and saw the bar, as I headed that way, I saw three guys standing next to it. I recognised Lewis and Liam, but the other guy, I had no idea who he was. Maybe a business partner? Lewis seemed to be the brains out of the two, and Liam, I was sure was the muscle. I inhaled, ignoring those nervous feelings in my belly and lifted my chin. As I got closer, Lewis looked my way and grinned, lifting his chin to the other guy.

“Jacob…” Lewis thrust his hand forward as he moved to greet me.

“Lewis. Good to see you.” I shook Lewis’s hand and then Liam’s, just as the other one turned around. Power radiated from him. I knew as I nodded in greeting and pushed my shoulders back, that this was the boss. What he was the boss of, I was yet to find out. But if I’d ever met anyone of importance, this was him. “This is my brother, Barrett Campbell.” I shook his hand also and greeted him properly.

“Nice to meet you, Barrett. Jacob King.” I announced like I was someone of importance. Truth was, I’d been in this guy’s presence for mere minutes, and I suddenly felt small, like I was a nobody again.

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