Evolution: A Warlock’s Rise To Power

While siting in his car, Brax removed his two purchases from the bag before taking them out of their boxes.  He placed the pen into his pocket.  He already had a real pen in the breast pocket of his jacket so he placed the puncture tool into his pants pocket.

Taking out the dagger he took a closer look at it, the sheath was made out of some sort of composite plastic and seemed sturdy.  He liked that it was very thin.  He then proceeded to attach the leg straps to the sheath.  He then rolled up his pants leg and attached the blade to his left leg. The handle was pointed down towards the inside of his ankle.  After adjusting it a few times he rolled down his pant leg and got out of the car.  He walked around his vehicle a few times and then lightly jumped.  Everything felt comfortable and stayed secure, so he got back in the car.

His state had weird rules about concealed blades.  Nothing he did had been illegal.  It was only illegal to carry a concealed blade that was over a foot long.  But how the hell do you conceal a knife with a blade that is over a foot long.  Including the handle, the thing had to be at least a foot and a half or two feet long.  It didn't make sense to him.  What he found even weirded was that you were allowed to walk down the street with a huge broadsword strapped to your back simply because it wasn't concealed.

He just assumed that the law makers were more concerned with gun restrictions.  But that two was weird since you were allowed to conceal and hide a gun as long as you passed a background check and took a class over the weekend.

But regardless, Brax felt safer with a piece of steel strapped to his leg.  But he wasn't dumb, he fully knew that if someone had a gun it was pointless, but the fact that he felt more comfortable meant the money was well spent.

Checking the time, Brax began his drive to Swan Club after throwing away the bag and packaging for his purchase at a nearby trash can.

After pulling up to the club, he got out of his car and took the ticket from the valet.  Walking inside he approached the hostess where a young woman was standing.

"Sir, do you have a reservation?  We don't have any more tables available tonight."

"Perhaps."  Brax said.  "I am here to meet a Mr. Garzone."

"Right this way sir."  The hostess said without even checking to see if the name was on the list.  She led the way to a set of solid and elegant wooden double doors before pulling open one and motioning for him to enter.

Brax was a little surprised.  Seeing as this was a very expensive restaurant, he expected it to be lively and busy since it was the weekend.  But what he saw was two people were sitting at a table on the far side of the room by a window while every other table was empty.  He didn't even see any waitstaff.

Brax frowned for a moment after the door shut behind him.  Since he had already come this far, he decided to step forward and he began to walk towards the only occupied table.

After a step he noticed that two men in suits had flanked him on either side.  One stepped forward in front of him, while the other moved behind him.  The one behind him raised his arms and began to pat him down.  He checked his sides and waist band before moving to his arms.  Brax was growing very displeased.  He was invited here and now these two were putting their hands on him and his nice suit.  The man behind even put his grubby paws on the gift that Jenna had given him.

After Brax lowered his arms the man began to check his legs.

"Weapon."  The man behind said after his hands slid down Brax's left leg.

Brax could see the man in front of him reach for something in his jacket.  Having had enough guns pointed at him today, Brax reacted.

He kicked his right leg backwards and connected with something while he then jumped forward.

The man who had been behind him toppled backwards.  When he got to his feet, he saw his partner's head pressed against a table while something was pressed up against his neck at the bottom of his skull.

Brax jerked the man on the table up while holding the piercing tool tightly against his neck and turned to put his hostage between him and the other man.  He firmly grasped his hostage's necktie while circling the other man who had drawn a gun.  Brax put his back against the door that he had entered.  If he remembered correctly, the hostess had pulled the door open, meaning he could push it open with his back.

"Raise that gun anymore and your friend here will be bleeding out before you can even aim it at me." Brax said while keep most of his body behind the hostage.  He didn't believe for a second that he would be capable of hurting the man in front of him, but he had plenty of experience boasting and posturing.

"Mic, calm down. I didn't ask you to check anyone for weapons.  Mr. Tomlin here is my guest tonight."

Mic, the bodyguard with his weapon drawn re-holstered and showed Brax that his hands were empty.  The white-haired man that had just spoken was Mr. Garzone.

"I mean no harm.  I truly invited you with the intention of only sharing a meal and having a conversation."

"And now?"  Brax asked, after noticing that the man only mentioned his original intentions.

A smile spread across the old man's face.  "I still have the same intentions as long as blood is not drawn."

Brax removed the puncture tool and released the man's tie.

"Mic, Jason, you can wait outside.  I will be fine."  The two bodyguards left the room after Brax stepped aside.  "Please, come join my son and I for a meal."

After fixing his jacker and storing the puncture tool, Brax followed the man to the table.  Mr. Garzone took a seat next to his son while Brax sat across from them.

"Ha, ha, I didn't think you would come packing iron."  The son said.  "What do you got?  Mind if I see it?"

*Whap*

The old man slapped the back of his kid's head.  "Where are your manners?"

Seeing how the son didn't even react to the slap, Brax assumed it was a common occurrence.

"Jeez dad, I was just wondering.  No need to be all stuffy.  It is more relaxing when manners are set to the side."

The old man shook his head.

"It's steel not iron."  Brax said.

Packing iron generally refers to carry a gun.  Back in the time of cowboys, revolvers were generally made from iron.  It is still a common say even though guns are now from all sorts of materials, but almost all knives are made from steel.

"That makes sense considering where you met this young man."  Mr. Garzone said to his son.  "If you had run into any of those old farts and done something stupid while you were there, I would have been picking you up from the morgue.  How many times have I told you that that club isn't a place to make trouble?"

"I didn't make any trouble at all.  I just went in and then out the back after getting directions.  Honestly, I really didn't do anything dad."

"Hmpf, then did his face look like that when you went through?  Or do you think he would have need to spend an afternoon at the police station if you hadn't gone through?  I have already called Mr. Vindel and informed him of what happened.  He said he won't pursue the matter as long as Mr. Tomlin agrees.  Don't take this so light heartedly."  Mr. Garzone said as he chastised his son.

Brax realized that this white-haired old man seemed to know Tony Vindel (The owner of the martial arts club) and even seemed to fear/respect him.  That made Brax feel more comfortable.

"You don't need to worry about this."  Brax said while motioning to his face that was starting to show early signs of bruising.  "I did this to myself."

Mr. Garzone put on a serious expression and turned to Brax.  "You don't need to be afraid and cover for my son.  I have men in the precinct and heard about what those two officers did to you today.  I fully intend to make it up to you."

After hearing what his father said, the son also donned a serious expression.

Since these two seemed to have a healthy fear of Tony and appeared to be on the other side of the law, Brax saw no harm in being honest with them.  Even if he was being recorded his could always say he was being coerced under threat.

"No, really.  I did this to myself.  In fact, I escalated and caused the whole scene with the police. Previously those two assaulted me and planted drugs in my car in an attempt to frame me.  Since they came after me once, I saw no issue with framing them.  Honestly, the two of them were shocked to find that it was me inside after they broke down the door.  They were clearly expecting your soon and that other man."

"Ha, ha, ha.  That's great.  I feel much better that your wounds weren't caused by my sons' foolishness.  Those two damn officers have been in my pocket for awhile now but recently they have stopped listening to my instructions.  They even tried to extort my son this morning."

"I told you dad.  Those two pigs have got to have a new backer.  We need to find out who they are working for and strike back."

"That is enough talk about business in front of our guest.  Besides, I really have too many enemies.  It won't be easy to figure out who is supporting them."

*Clap* *Clap*

Mr. Garzone clapped his hand and three waiters came out of the kitchen carrying three plates and a bottle of wine.

"I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of ordering ahead."

Brax didn't care after seeing the expensive piece of seafood placed before him.

"Looks good."

"Then I hope you will eat your fill."  Mr. Garzone said while raising his wine glass and toasting Brax. "Since those two have now been taken off the force, at least temporarily, I owe you a small favor. If you need something that is within my capabilities, then feel free to call the number on the card I gave your earlier."

"Ah, looks good.  Let's eat."  Said the son.

"While I am not really sure what you do besides running BioIntrest, QuicClean, and PharmaTech, I won't lose your number."  Brax could see that Mr. Garzone was surprised that Brax knew he owned those companies.  "By the way, you may have a lot of enemies, but I can only think of one person who go so far as to try and set me up."

"Oh.  And who might that be?"  This time, Mr. Garzone didn't try to conceal his surprise.

"My grandfather-in-law.  Are you familiar with a Senior Beneil?"