I hope you guys like it! So please read and then if you care to (or even if you don't) review!
Shade's waited anxiously near the baggage claim. He hadn't seen Joe's niece in over a year and was afraid he might not recognize her. After checking his watch for the umpteenth time he saw a young girl exit the restrooms.
"Brynner! Brynner!" He called as he pushed through the throng of tourists. The girl had head phones in and didn't hear him approaching him. He placed his hand on her shoulder...And realized he had made a terrible mistake.
"What the hell?" She practically yelled at him.
"Uh...Sorry, thought you were someone else." He muttered while backing away. He turned and nearly tripped over another girl standing with her hands on her hips.
"Really Shades? You thought she was me? Did you see the size of her ass?" Shades breathed a sigh of relief as he found the correct girl.
"Well I'm sorry! I haven't seen you in a year! Your hair used to be that long!" He said attempting to come up with a logical reason. She laughed at him as they started to walk towards the chairs near the luggage claim.
"Dude, chill. I was just messing with you, how are you?" She asked as she dropped her duffle bag at her feet.
"Good, actually. How are you? Your uncle's pretty worried about you," he responded with a knowing expression.
"I'm fine." She said quickly before adding something to make it sound more believable. "You know how Uncle Joe can overreact, right?" Shades didn't buy her excuse for one minute but nodded nonetheless. They sat there uncomfortably for a moment before she spoke.
"So what are we waiting for?" She asked hoping her voice didn't betray her as she hopped out of her chair.
"Princess Mia," Shades said as he too stood up. "She lands in a few minutes," Shades took her her duffle bag before she could protest. She pulled on her backpack and followed him out to the car. Now, Shades was a relatively tall man but standing next to Brynner he looked like a giant. The girl could barely be over five feet. She had changed since he had last seen her. She was older- and looked it. Her glossy light brown hair hung just above her shoulders. She looked thinner as well, though she also looked more muscular. She looked very much like her uncle, or what he looked like as a younger man. He guessed she had been outside a lot judging by the tan she had. She stood out quite a bit from the Genovians. Her emerald eyes didn't give away what was troubling her. She was quiet after Shades attempted to talk to her about what was bothering her. He loaded her bags into the trunk before ushering her into the back seat and bringing the limo around to where Mia's flight was landing. She sat uncomfortably in the backseat. She didn't like that Shades knew she was hiding something, though she should've assumed her uncle would confide in him. It seemed like she had known Shades forever, he was her uncle's best friend, she found it funny how much of a talker Shades was once you got to know him.
"Brynner!" She was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of the Princess' voice.
"Princess Mia! It's so good to see you!"
"Mia please, I like to be called Mia," She said as she sat across from her.
"Okay Mia, how are you?" Shades smiled as he was forgotten by the two girls. Joe would be pleased he thought as he started the engine and headed towards the palace.
Joe stood threateningly behind the Queen's chair, marking his territory. Poor Nicholas seemed uncomfortable by the entire situation, not that anyone could blame him. Mabrey took every chance possible to insult, well, anyone. The Queen found herself praying that Shades would be back soon! Joe clenched the back of her chair and glowered at the viscount, his body language was clear and unmistakable. Suddenly, Nicholas spoke up for the first time.
"I think a car just pulled in, your Majesty." Joe checked his headset and confirmed that Shades had arrived home. The group of four headed back to the entry hall.
"Well I had a splendid time your Majesty," The viscount said sarcastically before promptly bowing and leaving the palace. Nicholas breathed a sigh of relief and Joe bit back a laugh.
"Announcing Princess Mia and Brynner Elizondo." Joe held his breath, he was undoubtably excited but was still nervous. Fat Louie ran through the door and scurried down one of the many corridors. Mia strolled in next clad in sneakers, jeans and a sweatshirt while her hair was pulled back in a sloppy pony tail. At the sight of Nicholas she nearly shrieked.
"Well I feel overdressed," Nicholas stated as he gestured at his suit and tie. A blush crept up Mia's cheeks as the young man took the bag from her shoulder. The two were immediately immersed in their own world as they headed into the palace. A teenager stepped in next. She stood in the shadows of the doorway awkwardly. Shades walked in behind her and gently nudged her forward, she didn't need anymore encouragement. Without a word she dropped her bags and launched herself into her uncle's arms. He had to take a step back as she crashed into him to keep from falling over. His arms wrapped around her shoulders as she hugged him. The Queen and her aid exited the room figuring the relatives could use a moment. Tears filled the man's eyes when the girl pulled back. Relief surged through him when he found she was physically healthy.
"Brynner..." He made her meet his eyes. "We need to talk." She nodded and took a step back.
"I know but could we eat first?" Joe didn't see any harm so he shouldered her back pack as he led her towards the kitchen.
"Oh, madam, I'm sorry I didn't realize you were here." Joseph said as he spotted the Queen at the table.
"Joseph, no it's fine! Why don't you two join me? I mean if you want to?" She asked as Joseph went to turn to leave. Joe looked at his niece, unsure of what to answer.
"That sounds lovely, your Majesty," Brynner replied with a small bow. Joe looked down at her and she winked back at him. Clarisse gestured to the two other chairs as Joe placed the bag in the corner before sitting down awkwardly. Brynner's eyes kept flickering through the room; knowing her she was planning escape routs. For whatever reason this impromptu meal made him very nervous.
"Well Brynner, it's great to have you here, I hope you had a good flight." The girl smiled politely at the Queen's words though Joe could see she was slightly nervous as well.
"Thank you for allowing me to come, your Majesty, and my flight was fine, thanks for asking." Joe pondered that for a moment before asking a question.
"Then why were you so late to land?" The girl grinned wickedly at him.
"Oh we landed on time, I just wanted to talk to this boy I met on the flight for a few more minutes," Joe looked at her with a horrified expression. "Gosh I'm just kidding Uncle J!" She said with a laugh. "They had problems opened the door to let us off!" Joe frowned still, Clarisse could barely refrain from laughing.
"Brynner!" Joe exclaimed. They girl smirked at him while the Queen discreetly winked at her body guard. A gesture that didn't go unnoticed by the fifteen year old at the table. The rest of the late lunch passed smoothly, seeing as Joe would nudge his niece under the table every time she had the option of making inappropriate comments. When they had finished Brynner and Joseph departed the kitchen after bidding the Queen farewell. Brynner playfully shoved her uncle, he chuckled and shoved back. He quickly grabbed her arm though when the weight of her bag nearly toppled her over. Laughter filled the corridor as the two continued to walk.
"Jeez!" Joe looked at her funny.
"Yes?"
"You're pathetic." She stated casually. A look of shock dominated her uncle's face.
"What? Why?"
"You practically drooled over her!" She exclaimed joyfully as he looked bewilderedly about.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said simply as he continued to walk. Brynner continued to mumble under her breath as she followed a step behind him. "This is your room," he gestured to a door before reaching forward for the door knob. As he opened it, another man dressed in black leapt from the room shouting. Joe jumped nearly two feet in the air and reached for his gun. He was stopped when he saw his niece and his friend doubled over in laughter.
"Damn it Shades!" Joe yelled as the younger man high-fived Brynner.
"You should have seen your face!" Shades choked out in between fits of laughter. Joe pushed past the two idiots- in his opinion- and into the room. Brynner followed him and noticed her duffle bag had already been brought in, so she dropped her back pack next to it and began to walk through the room. Joe watched as she explored her room. He hadn't realized Shades had left, tension hung thick in the air. Anxiety started to take hold of Brynner as she began to realize that now she had no way out.
Read and review please!
