Page 17 of King

“Why don’t you grow a pair and tell them yourself.” The door banged shut, informing me that she’d left the room, letting me know just how unhappy she was. God, that woman could throw a strop. I didn’t know whether she’d gone to the front door or not, so I lay here. The front door slammed and my eyes popped open.

“Jacob. You have a visitor. It’s your friend, Rico.” Oh fuck.

With a heavy sigh, I opened my eyes. “What do you want?”

“Well fuck me, don’t you look a mess.”

“Thanks for the observation, dickhead.” The moody attitude should’ve let him know I wasn’t up for his shit.

“Oh, come on dude, it was one loss.”

“Don’t fucking ‘dude’ me.” I snapped.

“Look, I’ve got another fight lined up. It seems you losing has got others lining up at the fucking door. It’s game on now." He grinned, and I flicked my gaze up to Phoenix, who was stood in the middle of the room looking savagely at Rico.

“Are you taking the fucking piss.” I pulled myself up on the couch. Rico raised his hands in defence.

“It’s done you a fucking favour.” Rico added like I needed the reminder that I’d fucking lost. Did he not get it?

“Do you think that’s funny?” Phoenix jumped in. “Fucking look at him.” She growled.

“Have you met my girlfriend?” I grinned. I thought I’d better introduce her before she ripped his head off. I may be the muscle, but I wouldn’t mess with her.

“I had the pleasure on the doorstep, is she your bodyguard?” his head cocked her way as he smirked.

“It’s your fault he’s in this mess.” Phoenix added.

“Ahh,” his head wavered from side-to-side. “Not technically. I’m only his agent, I just get him the fights.” He had the audacity to give her a slimy smile.

“You run an illegal fight club, you’re not a fucking agent. You’re a slimy little scumbag who’s reaching way above his pay grade.” Rico’s face changed from the smirk he was wearing, to anger.His face distorted in temper and his eyes darkened as he turned to face her.

“Now listen here,” I watched as he straightened, pushed back his shoulders and looked down on her. “Little girls like you should be playing house in the kitchen, not getting involved in adult male talk…”

“Rico!” I growled but the tightness in my jaw hurt my face. I tried to warn him as I attempted to shoot up off the settee. I leant one hand on the arm of the settee and protected my ribs with the other. It’s a good job I didn’t need to protect her from him, because I’d be no fucking use. Once up on my feet, I hobbled over to him anyway. There was no fucking way he was going to speak to her like that.“Watch your fucking mouth.”

“You what?” Phoenix looked incredulous as she cut Rico off.

“In other words, fucking run along.”Rico added viciously.

I stepped between them. “Listen here,” I shoved his shoulder. “Not you or fucking anyone will speak to her like that. Now do yourself a favour and get fucking out. I’ll be in touch.”

Rico laughed. “Well, I never took you for being pussy whipped, King.” The smug look on his face set something off inside of me, and more rage bubbled up from my gut. My fist landed square in his face without even thinking. He wobbled on his feet as he lost his balance and was soon on his arse. His hand held his nose as blood ran down his fingers. Feeling a little satisfied, I glanced at Phoenix, her eyes were wide as she took a step back.

“Take that as a fucking warning, Rico. Now fucking leave.”

He got back up to his feet and glared back, “don’t ever call me a pussy, Rico.”

He eyed me before he shifted his gaze to Phoenix and looked her up and down. He made his way to the door, and I hobbled after him. “Maybe I’ll give Campbell a call, he can sort you out.” Rico mumbled through his hand.

He stepped through the door but hesitated and glanced back. “Give me a call. We have so much more money we can make together.”He winked. Smarmy bastard.

“Get out.” I yelled. I waited for the door to shut behind him and I made my way back inside.

“Well, isn’t he delightful.” Phoenix stated with a snarky tone. “I can’t believe you hit him.”

“He’s a prick, I know, he deserved it, but he knows people too, Nix. And believe me, they’re not good people.” I rubbed my forehead; I knew this could backfire on me, but I couldn’t let him get away with speaking to her like that.

“Who are the Campbells?” She asked as I limped my way back to her.

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