King of Hearts

Chapter 17 – Tension Builds.

Don Pitch Robotnik's POV, Robotnik compound, New York.

Rover got me cleaned up as best as he could and beside a few cuts I was going to be okay. My mother didn't take it kindly and I think she wanted to kill Lace for getting me hurt, but in reality my father told her it was part of the learning process. I think she's okay now, but I can see her having a few words with Lace whenever she gets back.

"Knock! Knock!"

Looking to my door, I smiled as Lace came in to ask.

"How you doing killer?"

Slowly she shut the door as I replied.

"I'm fine. Rover got me patched up."

Beginning to laugh at my statement I asked.

"What's so funny?"

Getting to my side she replied.

"Rover wasn't no medic in the Marines unlike me. How about you let me see for myself?"

I wasn't going to argue, and in a soft nod I replied.

"Be my guest."

Placing her fingers under my bandage, I shut my eyes in slight pain as she pulled them off to get a better look.

"Looks like he cleaned them off but not in as much as he should have."

"What do you mean?" I wondered in confusion as she calmly looked into my eyes.

"He didn't disinfect them."

I remained silent as she slowly got up to head for the door.

"I'll be back. Don't touch them."

Smiling I replied.

"Okay."

Smiling back, I watched as she walked out, and after a few seconds I looked back up to find my mother walking in to ask.

"How are you baby?"

I knew this wasn't good as she noticed the bandage off my face.

"Why did you take off your bandage hun?" She asked as I calmly replied.

"Lace is going to disinfect them."

My mother went stiff as she then asked.

"Where is she?"

As I remained on my bed I replied.

"She went to go get whatever it is she needed to disinfect them I guess."

Slowly she nodded and asked.

"Did she apologize for getting you hurt?"

Nodding I replied.

"Yeah."

My mom was a strict woman when it came to me and as she now seemed to be waiting, we both looked back to the door as Lace came in with a rag and a bottle of some disinfectant.

My mother locked eyes with her as she came in fully to stop in place.

"Lace." Said my mom as they both stared at one another.

I know Lace knew she was mad still, and in a gentle tone she replied.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Robotnik, I know your mad but...?" My mom cut her off with a louder voice.

"Stop it. My husband already told me why you got my boy into trouble and I don't approve."

Lace went silent and looked to me as my mom turned to approach her.

"You may know what your doing with him, but I don't care one bit Lace. When my son gets harmed it only gives me reason to want you dead."

Lace nodded as my mom finished her statement.

"You do what you have too, but I hope to god you know who's son your playing with. This isn't a game to me, and if my son gets killed cause of you, you can be certain I will find you. And you will wish you were never placed on this earth."

Both Lace and I saw that my mother was more then serious as she looked back to me.

"Get to bed."

Gently I nodded as she looked back to Lace.

"Do what your going to do and get out of my house."

Lace nodded very carefully as my mother left with a strong shut of the door behind her.

As soon as she was gone I looked to Lace who looked upset with herself a little.

After some seconds passed of my gentle stare she said.

"Let's get you cleaned up."

Gently nodding, I remained seated as she came over to bend down in front of me.

I watched as she applied the disinfectant to the rag and in a few gentle pats she began to apply it to my cuts.

It stung slightly and as she continued to rub my cheek softly, I calmly urged her..

"Don't listen to my mother."

Lace looked back into my eyes as I continued.

"She's just worried is all. I'm her baby and always will be, and because of that she doesn't see me growing up."

Gently stopping the rag on my cheek she replied.

"It's okay. I get why she's upset. I can't say I blame her. It's not like I'm putting you through the easiest classes here."

Smiling I replied.

"Don't worry about me getting hurt then. I'm willing to do what I have too, to learn. It's not like a scratch or two won't come with it, right?"

Continuing to rub my face she replied.

"Right."

We both smiled as she soon finished, and with a gentle touch she put back on my bandages.

As she retracted from them she said.

"You should get some sleep though. Let those heal up before I take you out again."

Nodding I replied.

"I will."

I had my eyes wide as he kissed me once again on the cheek.

Slowly as she pulled away, I stared into her eyes and watched as she made her way for the door.

It took everything I had to let her leave but as the door shut I got back under my covers and managed to fall asleep.

Lace's POV.

As I slowly proceeded out of the compound I thought about Pitch. The kid is sweet and I kind of like him, but I just don't wana get any closer then I already have. He's my boss technically and in this business it's bad to show a connection to another. I don't want him getting hurt so I'm just going to have to keep him at bay from making a move.

"Lace!"

Stopping in my tracks as I exited the compound, I looked to see Damien making his way over to me.

"What's wrong?" I wondered as he came to reply.

"How's Pitch?"

Giving him a nod I replied.

"The kid's doing fine. He's sleeping it off, why?"

Looking into my eyes he replied.

"I'm just worried about him is all."

"Then why don't you check on him?"

Giving me a frown he replied.

"Zarra isn't exactly okay with me being near him."

Nodding I replied.

"Well nether am I now, so join the club."

Damien smiled slightly then asked.

"Did you give Shadow the money?"

Nodding I replied.

"He's chalking it all up to make sure payment is all straight."

Both of us went silent as I saw something Damien wanted to say, but couldn't muster up.

"What's really wrong Damien?" I asked him in a concerned tone as he looked back into my eyes.

"I just think Zarra is wrong about her boy. He knows what he's doing I can see it in him, and it just makes me upset how much she babies him."

Nodding I replied.

"She just watching out for her kid. Even you can understand that."

"But it's my brother's kid. And I'm responsible for him. I want Pitch to learn this business for what it is, not get held back by his overprotective mother."

I remained quiet now as Damien made his point clear.

"He'll die if she keeps holding him from us."

Taking my turn to speak, I replied.

"Her and Shadow are leaving in two days. Just deal with them for a little longer and we can get working on him properly.

Damien agreed and replied.

"I don't want another dead relative is all. Pitch is all I have left in terms of family."

Taking him into a hug I replied.

"I know it's hard. Just work with me on this and wait till we can teach him in peace. There's no need to kill yourself over it."

Nodding Damien retracted and replied.

"I plan not too. I just want my brother to be proud of me and his boy. Nether of us can do that with Zarra in the way."

This time Damien walked off as I watched him enter the compound.

As he left my sight, I grew weary of him, but I could only base this off his disliking for Zarra.

As nightfall became of the world around me, I got back in my car and made my way home.