A Piece of the Action - S2-E17
Question: After Oxymx gets Spock and McCoy for the second time, Kirk rushes in and turns the tables. Where were Oxymx's guards when Kirk came in? Krako had guards and he was a smaller time gangster than Oxymx. (00:26:00)
Answer: Probably similar to today's 'business' circles, only small-timers drag their troops around in plain sight; when you're Made, you'll still have them within a few seconds' reach if needed, but having them visible makes you look weak and insecure. Even though everyone knows they're out of sight but not far away, the accepted illusion is that they're not there - that you're so strong, you don't need protection.