Micah fought the urge to snort. “And yet somehow, I get the feeling that your motives aren’t entirely selfless.”

“Think what you want. But the way Damon acted tonight – snubbing a business partner, trailing after you like a lost puppy – it’s obvious you’re a glaring weakness, his weakness. I’m assuming you know what happens to weaknesses in our line of business?”

Micah could imagine.

“Like I said,” Marco continued, “I’m doing you a favor. Now, I don’t know what Damon’s been paying you, but despite his obvious infatuation, his favor is much more easily lost than it is won… so, keeping in mind that your free ride can end at any time, how does $100,000 sound?”

What the fuck?

Micah knew, objectively, that it was probably a drop in the bucket for someone like Marco, but still. “You’re crazy.”

Micah flinched when Marco abruptly scruffed him by the back of his neck, yanking him forward and holding him there, so that there were mere inches between their faces. “And you think you’ve hit the jackpot with Damon – that he’s an all-expenses-paid ticket to a worry-free life in a gorgeous penthouse and vacations to the seaside whenever the urge strikes, but in case it hasn’t sunk in yet… the lifestyle Damon lives is rife with danger.” He stared pointedly into Micah’s eyes. “He’s a dangerous man who keeps dangerous company.”

It was more of a threat than a friendly warning. Micah swallowed. “I’m not afraid of you.”

Marco tilted his head to the side, examining Micah. “You know? I believe you. But all that tells me is that you’re a poor judge of character. Because, darling… you should be.”

Whether he was afraid of Marco or not, Micah couldn’t deny he was relieved when the door to the restroom suddenly opened. A man with a distinguished goatee and bloodshot eyes stumbled in, taking in the sight of them and blinking.

Marco had Micah crowded up against the sink, a hand gripping the back of his neck, and their faces were definitely closer than socially acceptable. From an outsider’s perspective, Micah wasn’t sure whether you’d be able to tell Marco had been threatening him, or if it looked more like they’d been caught in an… intimate position.

“Is there a problem in here?” the man asked after taking a second to gain his bearings.

Marco released Micah and smoothly stepped out of his space. “Of course not,” he said at the same time Micah blurted, “No!”

They eyed each other for a moment.

“I was just leaving,” Micah announced to the room at large, though he couldn’t resist turning around and adding a parting shot in Damon’s uncle’s direction. “Damon will worry if I’m gone too long.”

A lesser man may have frowned or gritted his teeth, but Marco merely smiled benignly. “Of course.”