The first face Daron noticed when they entered was Marquise with his crew sitting in the back. He selected a table that was near the wall where he had a clear view of Marquise’s booth and the entrance. Cameron frowned, glancing in the direction of the men as the waitress took their order and quickly returned since they were so close to the bar.
“It’s not a good thing that Levi threw down the gauntlet like that. Especially since he hasn’t really done anything but popped up at the center to see me once and invite me to his restaurant.” Cameron sipped the Heineken, cutting her eyes at the booth where the four men surrounding Marquise smoked their cigars. “Maybe his dislike of you is about you being back in business?”
“Babe, I guarantee you that is not the reason.” Daron wanted to remind Cameron she had said focus on taking Levi down above all else. He glanced at Marquise and knew the last thing he needed was for him to see the two of them not getting along.
“I’m just making sure you didn’t skip over the obvious choice.” Cameron pursed her lips and narrowed those brown eyes as she tapped the display of her phone. Suddenly, she looked toward the door and smiled. “Maybe we should change locations.”
Kathleen knocked on the table. “Am I interrupting?” Her black hat pulled low on her face.
Daron stood, pulling out a chair for their guest. “Not at all.”
“Daron, Kathleen.” Cameron introduced the two, then waved the waitress over.
“Nice to meet you.”
Daron’s phone chimed. He glanced at the display and decided maybe Cameron needed some time alone with her friend. “This is Steve. I probably should take this.”
“Okay.”
Daron placed a kiss on Cameron’s forehead before slowly stepping away.
“That’s his way of giving us a few minutes to catch up,” Cameron said, as Daron moved toward the door, positioning himself so his gaze fell to Marquise.
“Hey, I’m out with Cam and one of her girlfriends, I’ll have to call you back.” Daron slipped out the door, not wanting Cameron to see the exchange between him and Marquise.
“What?” Steve’s voice raised an octave.
Marquise rose from his seat, headed Daron’s way but changed direction.
“I have to go,” Daron said as Marquise stood near the section of the bar closest to Kathleen and Cameron. He reentered, crossing the tile with long strides.
“Miss Thing here tells me you have lots of single friends,” Kathleen said as Daron lowered himself into a chair.
“I have a decent amount.” Daron smiled, taking this opportunity to move to a different location. “How about we go to another bar and the guys meet us there?”
“I’m good with that.” Kathleen smiled, sipping her beer.
Cameron laughed but her focus went to Daron, then Kathleen. “You would be. Miss Troublemaker.”
“Let me see who’s available, then we’ll select a new spot.” Daron sent out a few texts.
“I hope you don’t mind waiting until my wings arrive.” Kathleen looked around for the waitress.
“Not at all,” Daron replied, even though he was eager to be somewhere he could relax and enjoy getting to know Kathleen and learn about the dynamics of the two women’s friendship.
They laughed and talked as Kathleen ate the wings that had been slathered in hot sauce. Daron’s phone vibrated. He’d finally received a confirmation reserving a VIP section of an establishment owned by his friend, Zack Shaw.
His gaze was glued to the door, following the group of men that entered.
Cameron rested her hand on his thigh. “Do we have a problem?”
“I hope not,” Daron replied as Marquise and his men approached the table.
“Two beautiful ladies with a man who has the intellect of a wad of gum on the bottom of a shoe.” Marquise claimed the empty seat next to Daron.
“Now that you’ve insulted me, you can leave and allow me to finish enjoying my evening.” Daron definitely didn’t want to get into an argument with Marquise and have him mention The Castle.
“Ladies enjoy his company while you can. If he doesn’t make the right choices over the next few weeks, I’ll do what most people do with scum, dispose of it.” Marquise rose from the wooden table. “Stay away from my boy, he has the potential to do big things in my organization.”
Daron didn’t know whether he was referring to Amarion or Reese. “I’ve had enough of these intimidation tactics from a man who’s always hiding behind his bodyguards.”
“Maybe you want to take this conversation outside.” Marquise nodded to the door. “Maybe I’ll stop wasting time and take you out of the game altogether and permanently end any future conversations.”
Cameron angled her cell, snapping a few pictures. One of Marquise’s goons advanced toward Daron. Both women shifted their chair and Daron placed his hand on Cameron’s shoulder.
Marquise snapped his fingers, drawing the attention of the muscled man leaning on the wall near the entrance. He pushed the door open enough so Daron could see Amarion looking confused as he stood outside next to one of Marquise’s goons. Probably unaware that a gun was being aimed at his back as Marquise held up an index finger. “Oh, I haven’t even gotten started yet. When I do, you’ll be willing to handle business any way I see fit.”
Daron activated the device to prevent cameras from recording, then snaked his arm around Marquise’s neck in a chokehold. He stuck the Beretta into Marquise’s side. “I’m not scared of anyone who threatens children,” Daron whispered in his ear, as the two goons surged forward.
Kathleen and Cameron got to their feet with their weapons in their hands, daring his goons to keep advancing. Patrons’ heads whipped around, watching the altercation.
“Be warned, if anything happens to him and I mean even a scratch.” He squeezed Marquise’s neck tightly, staring at the man holding the gun on Amarion. “I’ll have no problem being the sledgehammer that crushes you.”
Marquise’s face was flaming red as he waved off the shooter. Daron released his neck but kept the Beretta stuck in his side because one thing he was not, was a fool.