King of Hearts
Chapter 15 – World Goes Round.
Shadow Robotnik's POV, Robotnik compound, New York, The next day.
I sat in my office with my TV on and my wits slowly baking from the news that was playing around the world. Nothing different other then a few disputes between the Cora's and Verno's out in LA. I swear the news networks were running dry around this time of year.
As I yawned under my breath, I heard from the TV.
"In other news, bank robbers stole over half a million dollars yesterday at the Los Angles first national bank. Police were unable to identify the robbers due to their black masks and the security data being destroyed during the robbery."
I grew slightly interested and gently leaned in for a better view of the TV.
Police inform me that they were a team of four who made off in a gray utility van after they blew open the vault and made way with the money. Police would like to believe that the men are still within the city limits and are on a full lookout for the thieves as we speak."
As the news went on to another story, Lace made her way in to my office to say.
"Shadow, I wana talk to you about the kid."
I nodded and urged her to take a seat before me as I quickly refocused on the TV for the next story.
"A two story apartment was burned to the ground later in the day, with who police believe to be the owner who was found shoot over eight times outside in the alleyway behind the apartment."
Lace looked to the screen as I continued to listen to the report.
"The man was found in severe condition and is still being treated in the local hospital. Doctors are afraid that due to the massive amount of trauma the man endured he may not pull through. More on this story, tonight at eleven."
Gently shutting off the TV, I looked back to Lace to say.
"I bet those bank robbers were looking for a place to hide and they shoot up that poor guy."
Lace nodded and replied.
"I heard about that job. Those guys are a fucking nightmare for our business."
I nodded and quickly stated.
"Cops are enlisting heavier support because of these crooks. Soon we may have to pay more to them to keep us safe."
Lace looked understanding, and as I got myself together in my seat she said.
"Well I came to see you about Pitch."
"What about him?" I wondered as she scratched her nose.
After some well placed thoughts she replied to me.
"I think he is going to need a little more help then me if he's going to learn everything so fast."
I sighed as she said the same thing everyone else had already told me.
Sensing that I was clearly annoyed by the statement she restated herself.
"I can offer him what I know and turn him into a fighter but with you leaving and Don Skier on the verge of making a move not soon after, I'm afraid he won't be ready and he'll be rushed so fast with everything he won't be able to focus on the lessons."
Nodding I calmly replied.
"I understand the concern Lace, but I'm not stupid."
Looking confused and off guard she tried to restate herself again.
"I didn't mean for it to come off that way sir. I just...?" I cut her off by placing my hand in view for her to see and react to my order to fall silent.
Lace remained quiet as I calmly breathed in and out.
Gently getting comfortable I said to her.
"I didn't wake up one morning and just decide to claim Pitch as the new Don. This was decided years ago. I have had time to plan. I promise you Lace he will be fine. Just focus on teaching him how to fight and aid him with anything Rover has to do with the firearms he's instructing him on."
Lace nodded and replied.
"I'm sorry."
Nodding I urged.
"Just focus on my boy. He means everything to me and this family."
Lace stared into my eyes as I gently took hold of her hand from across the desk.
"Your the best. If anyone can teach him this it's you and Rover. Make me proud to call you a Robotnik Lace. Make me and him proud to call you a part of this family."
Lace gently wrapped her fingers around my palm as I stared directly into her eyes.
"Yes Mr. Robotnik. It's my honor."
Giving her a smile, I kissed her hand and asked.
"Is there anything else you wish to ask me while your here? Or do you mind leaving me to what peace I have left before I have to start getting packed?"
Letting my hand go she replied.
"No Mr. Robotnik. I'll leave you to your business. Thank you."
Waving her off as she shut the door, I looked back to my TV to think.
Even with all these trustworthy people around my boy, I can't help him when it happens. He won't ever be ready for this business. Only if he survives will he be able to walk away tall. It's just a matter of how long and how hard till he gets hit. Then his life will change full swing. I wonder how he will react.
"Knock! Knock!"
Looking back to my door, I found Zarra looking in on me.
"You ready?" She asked as I nodded and got myself up from my desk.
"Yes. You gonna help me pack?" I asked with a chuckle as she smiled and let me exit by her.
"You pack one bag Shadow. I have three maybe four to work on. I think you'll be done before me."
Taking hold of her hand I replied.
"You never know with me."
Giving me a quick kiss she replied with a wide smile.
"Very true."
Keeping me on track back to the room, I began to get ready for our trip.
Don Pitch Robotnik's POV.
My quills pinned my body down as I swam in the compound's pool alone.
As I swam across from one side to another, I heard from behind me.
"Having fun kid?"
Upon looking back I found Lace nearing the edge.
"I was. Is there some type of technique to fighting in water you wanted to teach me?"
Sensing my sarcasm she smiled and replied.
"No. When it comes to that you tend to just flail your arms and legs till someone drowns."
Shaking my head to the response I then asked.
"What do you want then?"
Letting her feet go bare, I watched as she sat down to sink her feet in the water.
After some seconds of feeling the water, she looked back to me to reply.
"I was hoping you would want to go out with me for a bit."
My eyes locked with hers as she chuckled.
"Yes or no kid?"
Nodding I replied.
"Sure. Just give me a few minutes to get dry and we'll go."
Giving me a smile she replied.
"Hurry up. I'll be waiting for you. Don't leave me hanging."
Quickly getting out of the pool I replied while taking my towel.
"I'll only be five minutes. Where do you want to go anyway?"
Gently moving her feet through the water she looked to me to reply.
"I was thinking we would go find a place to eat for a bit. I wanted to talk a little with you."
Nodding in confusion I questioned.
"About?"
Looking down at the pool water she stated.
"Your just going to have to wait."
Slowly she looked back to me to smile.
"Better get moving kid. I won't wait for you."
Nodding, I made my way for the compound to get changed. As soon as I was done I found her outside already at a car she had pulled up to the front of the entrance.
"Coming?" She asked as I got in the passenger side.
"Whenever your ready."
Lace's POV.
Pitch rode with me all the way to the heart of the city as I drove through street after street in search for a place to eat. As I scoped through business to business I found a place that looked perfect. It was pub, but just right for what I was looking for.
Pulling the car in the lot, Pitch asked.
"A bar?"
"Pub." I corrected as he got out with me.
"Why here?" He questioned as I got in front of him.
"Just trust me kid."
"It's Pitch." He stated in anger as I chuckled and got the door for him.
Gently passing me by I urged.
"Try and find a booth."
Nodding from in front, Pitch kindly led me to the near corner of the pub where we found ourselves a booth.
Upon taking his seat I asked.
"You ever drink before?"
Giving me a nod he replied.
"Once, but it was just a beer. Nothing heavy."
"You wana drink?" I questioned as he stared at me.
"I'm underage."
Chuckling some more I replied.
"Forget about that. I'm buying. What do you want?"
Softly he took a menu from my hand as I awaited his answer.
"I don't know anything about alcohol."
Quickly getting up I replied.
"I'll just grab you a beer then. Wait here will you?" I urged as he smiled slightly and began to watch me walk off.
As I neared the bar I asked the bartender.
"Can I get a beer?"
"Any certain kind ma'am?" He wondered as I shook my head.
"I'm not picky. Just give me something dark."
Nodding, the man got to grabbing me a glass, and as I waited for my drink, I looked around the counter to find one for Pitch.
A small group of men who looked to be in their forties watched me as I locked eyes with the one who seemed to be the group thug. He smiled at me as I waved to him in disgust. Of course he didn't catch my hint and slowly made his way over to greet me.
"Names' Ronny. Who might you be darling?"
The second I went to respond the bartender said.
"Here's your drink ma'am."
"Thank you." I replied as I looked back to the brute of a man next to me.
He seemed drunk by his breathe, and as I attempted to walk away I felt his hand gently pull me back as it grasped onto my wrist.
"Hey don't be like that baby. I just wanted to know your name." He stated as I came back to his side by force.
With his hand still gripped to me I replied.
"My name is Lace."
"Well Lace. You come here alone?" He asked in concern as I pointed across the room.
"I'm here with a friend."
Pulling my arm away from him he stated.
"You got a nice body Lace. You work out or something?"
Smiling I replied.
"I was in the Army."
The man looked shocked for some reason as I tried to walk away again.
This time he grabbed onto my arm as I asked.
"Do you have a problem Ronny? Cause I don't know if you know this, but it's not right to keep putting your hands on a lady."
Giving me a look of anger he replied.
"I'll put my hands where I want to girl. I don't care if it's your arm or your...!"
"Smack!"
My hand swept along his face in force as Pitch quickly got up to approach me in confusion.
"What are you doing to her asshole!?" He asked the man in force as he got up to get in his face.
"Your bitch just hit me kid!"
"You probably deserved it then!" Stated Pitch as my plan went another way now thanks to this Ronny guy.
"Keep talking punk! I'll drag a bottle through your head!"
Putting me behind him Pitch stared at the man as the bartender shouted.
"Take it outside Ronny! I can't afford any more damage to the bar with your fights!"
The man immediately sent a bottle back at the bartender and in speed he ducked and watched as he got in Pitch's face.
"You think your tough with your fancy clothes and your slut of girlfriend!?"
I grew mad as Pitch replied.
"I'm nothing special, but you lay another hand on her and you'll be dealing with me! Got that asshole!?" He asked in force as I saw the fight coming.
The guy's friends all waited at the bar as he clutched his fist to me and Pitch.
In rage, the man sent a hook at Pitch and I backed up and began to watch as Pitch ducked and sent a hook of his own into his face.
In a slight stumble the man took a step back to charge Pitch into a round table.
Slowly as they fumbled with one another, I got a seat at the bar away from them and began to drink my beer.
Don Pitch Robotnik's POV.
This man managed to jab me in the mouth and as I sent one back in all the power I had, I looked to my left to see Lace watching from the bar with not a single care for me and this fight.
As the guy sent another round at my cheek, I took my strength and rolled him to the floor under me.
Both of us grunted and groaned as the bartender yelled.
"Stop fighting!"
In speed I sent a quick hook at the drunk bastard and watched as he reached for a beer bottle that had rolled off the table we knocked over.
Upon taking it in his grip he sent it up into my face.
"BASH!"
The glass broke as it hit my right cheek and in severe pain I heard Lace order.
"Look out kid!"
Letting my eyes reopen I found the man charging and tensed up as he tackled me into the bar to send yet another hook into my face.
In a lack of energy from the cuts know placed on my skin, I fell to the floor as he began to send kicks into my chest.
Taking each blow was like getting hit with rocks as Lace just continued to watch.
Next to me was a thick piece of glass and as the man sent another boot at me, I took it and slammed it into his leg.
"Aghhhhh!"
In a thump the man bent down to react to the injury, and now with the upper hand, I sent an uppercut at his chin to watch as he stumbled back into another table.
Taking my chance, I sent hook after hook till he fell on his ass.
Lace continued to drink as I got above the man to start sending jabs.
"Bash! Bash! Bash! Bash!"
After my forth hit I heard Lace order.
"He's done kid!"
My anger made me throw one more at the unconscious drunk and I watched with lack of air in my lungs as he slept gently among the beer that managed to spill.
Blood left his mouth slowly as I felt Lace get back on her feet from behind me.
Gently getting off the man, I turned to see her reach into her wallet and place some cash on the table.
"Should cover the damages. Thanks for the drink."
The bartender nodded as he took the cash, and as her wallet got back in her pocket I looked to see her take my shoulder.
"Let's go kid."
Not fighting her, I let her walk me back to the car before asking.
"What was that about?!"
Getting in next to me she replied.
"What was what about?"
"You not helping! You could have dropped that guy! Why didn't you help me!?" I asked in anger and confusion as she leaned in to see my face.
Glass stuck in my cheek as she replied calmly.
"Wanted to see if you could handle yourself."
I was in no mood to yell and in a calmer tone I asked.
"And?"
Smiling as she pulled out the small shards from my face, she replied in a happy tone.
"You did okay. Got to work on your block a little but beside that your okay."
Letting myself relax to her touch, I let out a thin breathe to wonder.
"Does that mean I can stop hanging out with you? Cause it seems like when I do I always get hurt."
Giggling Lace replied.
"Not a chance. We got to get you ready for bigger guys. And faster prey."
"Like you?" I questioned as she nodded with a smile.
"Exactly."
Letting my body relax as she got the last shard out from my face, she said.
"Thank you for coming to my aid by the way."
Looking into her eyes I replied.
"I wasn't going to let him manhandle you like that."
Smiling as some blood moved down my face she replied with a deep smile.
"It was real sweet of you kid."
"It's...!" I was cut off as she gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek.
My eyes were now shut as she retracted and got the car started for home.
I remained silent as we pulled back into the compound a few minutes later to find Damien already asking as he saw me.
"What the hell happened Lace!?"
With a calm smile Lace replied.
"Just a little dispute Damien. Relax, will ya?"
Damien examined my cheek and asked.
"You okay Pitch?"
As I went to respond, my father walked out with Rover who immediately approached to ask.
"What happened Pitch?!"
Looking to Lace, she replied.
"We had a little trouble with some drunk guy who thought he could take advantage of me. Your boy defended me like a gentlemen and took a few hits in the process. I promise he wasn't going to get killed sir."
Rover guided me inside as my dad and Damien went to Lace.
Lace's POV.
I got surrounded as Shadow questioned.
"I can't have him getting trashed Lace. You promised me you would...?" I cut him off.
"I'm training him how to fight and defend himself in real situations sir. You gave me permission to do it any way that would get him to learn, so I'm doing it the way I see fit. By the time I'm done he'll be able to protect himself. A few scars along the way or not. That's what you wanted right?" I asked him as he fell silent with Damien who just nodded.
Slowly agreeing with me, I stated.
"I'll get him to where he needs to be. But you need to trust me."
Shadow nodded some more then looked back into my eyes to reply.
"I do trust you. I'm sorry. I guess I'm not use to seeing my son hurt till the point where he's bleeding yet."
Showing my understanding I replied with a smile.
"Next time he bleeds I'll make sure it was me to cause it. And hey, it's not like it was gun fight. I would look to Rover if your expecting that."
Smiling Shadow replied.
"I will. Again, I'm sorry Lace."
"It's okay sir. Just make sure he's okay will ya? Can't help but be worried for him a little."
Nodding Shadow replied.
"I'll go find him. What are you going to do now?" He wondered in concern as I looked to Damien.
"I was going to go with Damien here, to collect from a few of our rackets. We'll be back later tonight with payment."
Looking to Damien as he got in the car, I glanced back to Shadow as he urged.
"Be careful."
Smiling I replied.
"Always."
Getting back in the car with Damien at the passenger seat I asked.
"We good?"
Nodding he replied.
"We're good. Let's get going. We got a long night ahead of us."
Patting his chest I replied.
"Cheer up Damien! This should be a fun night!"
Giving me a smile, I started up the car and began our journey to the city businesses.
