Chapter 11

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.

"Why don't we sit?" Barrett announced. Liam led us to a table in the corner, the furthest one away from the bar. As I sat down, I noticed Lewis had stayed at the bar.

Liam remained standing while Barrett and I sat.

"So, Jacob, my brother has been singing your praises." Barrett said quickly typing on his phone. He slid the device into his pocket and gave me his full attention.

"That's good to hear."

"Do you know who we are?" I shook my head. "We own a few places. Pubs, that kind of thing, a gym, and we've just delved into the fighting game. I respect my brother a lot, Jacob. If he says you're good, I take his word for it. Of course, we don't let anyone in to work for us without looking into them first. I'm sure you'll understand that."

"Of course," I agreed. I looked away from Barrett just as Lewis came across with three bottles of beer.

He placed them down and sat with us. "I take it you two have swapped pleasantries." Lewis smirked.

"I guess we have," I replied, chancing a glance at Barrett and he rolled his eyes at his brother.

"Why don't we get down to business." Barrett shook his head at Lewis and turned back to me.

Barrett explained about his businesses and the new gym he'd set up; it sounded really good and I was ready to get started with them. I wasn't sure where Rico fitted in to all this but maybe that was a good thing. By the time I'd got in my car to leave my head was full of the Campbells vision. I wasn't too sure whether I'd let Phoenix in on the whole business though, she wasn't happy with the fights, more so, I don't think she was happy with me. But I'd fight for her. I'm sure she was just tired with all the studying and having to be there to patch me up.

Maybe when I got home, I'd treat her like the princess she always has been.