King of Hearts

Chapter 73 – Take a Break.

Twig's POV, Verno compound, Los Angeles.

"The dumb bitch fell for that?" Questioned Don Verno as I smiled and nodded from across the other end of his desk.

"Don Cora won't be happy I'll tell you that. Losing his girl and his only Underboss is a thing of beauty for us but a hit to him. With her out of the way at least for a few days before he can spring her, we have time to make moves and prepare our war for taking him out of power on the south side of the city." Stated Verno as I then asked.

"Any ideas yet?"

Keeping his eyes on my beat up face he replied.

"To have you take a god damn break. You've been taking too many hits as of the past few days. Go clean up. Get some rest. Maybe something to eat. I can't have you down too many notches if we are going to pull this off."

Giving it some thought I replied.

"I guess I can look into a hotel and rest for a bit. My leg isn't going to let me stand if I keep this up."

Reaching into his desk after I said the word hotel, Don Verno tossed me a key to say.

"I'm not Don Morgue. My Underboss stays here with me so I can be sure he's looked after. That key is for the room down the hall leading out of my office and it should be the last door on the left. It's yours now. And I want you to get some rest Twig. Your body needs it at this rate."

"Yes sir." I replied as he smiled and urged.

"And hey...if you get the chance go check in on Claire will ya? She's been asking for you."

Letting out a small chuckle I replied.

"I'll go see her sir. And thank you for this. For everything."

Nodding as I limped back he added.

"And once your all settled, I have a doctor on sight who will be more then glad to check on you. Accept his help Twig. Your face probably isn't meant to see the likes of air for another few months."

"Yes sir." I replied as he kept his eyes on me in full.

Slowly making my way out of his office I shut the door to be stared at by my fellow family men in fear. Parts of my face were exposed so I'm guessing that's why they look so disgusted alongside their emotions. I had to get this cleaned and wrapped up soon or I would be looking at an infection sooner or later.

Proceeding to my new room first to get cleaned up, I walked right by a group of Don Verno's personal guards who were huddled together with a mix of smiles and rifles and layers of armored vests wrapped around there bodies. From what I know these are the best fighters we have. They look younger then me by at least eight years and as I approached with a torn up suit and bloody face they stopped their conversation to stare.

In the group was a girl. She was a strong looking gray hedgehog. Maybe six foot. Real good looking to be honest, but something about her read avoid at all costs. It had to be my appearance talking but with my new face good looking girls are out of my ballpark.

Running my eyes to hers, I got her attention and quickly looking back towards my destination I proceeded to unlocking my door at the end of the hall. The guards still watched in silence as I entered to shut the door behind me.

After a quick breath of depression to my condition, I got out of the remnants of my suit and headed towards the bathroom to get a shower going. My body was getting close to it's end. I could feel it in my legs as I stood under the water.

Running my hands through my fur I felt the remains of my face to stop dead in my tracks. The broken skin and empty eyelid brought only two people to mind.

Ross. A lone back stabbing bitch who is probably laughing at his luck. And Remp who was enjoying the spoils me and my brothers fought to make for our retirement from crime in Columbia.

Both men had my guarantee at death to come. After Cora. That's all I kept telling myself. After he's dead I will be back on track to avenging my family. Ross and Remp will both die in come time.

After some silent filled minutes in the shower, I got out to get dry and head for the sink. Staring at myself in the mirror, I chuckled and looked in the medicine to find some bandage tape. And after some careful time I was wrapped up fresh and ready to get dressed in something a bit more clean looking. Unfortunately I only owned my one suit so I was forced to get back in my beaten down clothes.

As soon as I was dressed, I got myself to the door to exit back out into the hall.

The group of guards still held together but this time I got stopped by a built green hedgehog. He looked like a young punk as he put his hand to my chest getting my full attention before him.

"Hey man. Your Twig right?" He asked in a cocky tone as I strongly replied.

"Yeah that's right. Who are you?"

"Name is Read. I hear your not here even a month and Don Verno made you his Underboss."

"What about it?" I asked in defense as he and the group of guards stared at me and my new bandages.

"I wana know what makes a candy ass looking wolf like you so special."

With a thick smile across his lips I replied in a truthful tone.

"Let me let you in on something kid. I came to Don Verno to get something I need done. And in order for that to happen I have to do whatever is necessary for this family to beat out Don Cora. I never asked for the Underboss position and to be frank with you I don't really care for your respect. That's why I won't send your dumbo looking ass through the floor for talking to me like this."

With a growl slowly arising from his lips I finished my statement.

"Now I have somewhere to be. Nice meeting you."

After disconnecting my eyes from him, I looked towards the rest of the guards to nod and turn my body back towards the way I needed to go. But before I could march off the kid grabbed my shoulder to swing.

Immediately ducking under his hook I sent my right fist into his gut to watch as his head came down in pain. After gasping for air from the hard hit, I took a hold of his back and sent my knee up into his nose. Stumbling back as I released him, I readied my palm and watched as he grew furious to chage at me.

Aiming for his chest, I applied all my power into my palm and sent him back first into the wall to watch as he fell to his ass.

"I can't move!" He stated in anger as I retook my stance to state.

"That's because I think a kid like you needs to think about what he's going to do before acting upon it."

"Fuck you!" He shouted as I looked to the other guards who had backed up to watch in shock.

"After I'm gone, lay him down on his back and rub his chest. Feeling will come back to him after some time."

After hearing my order, I nodded once more to head off where I once tried to go. This time being stared at by the gray hedgehog from behind, I proceeded to Claire's room where I found her on the floor playing with her dolls.

"Twigy!" She shouted as I shut the door to smile and reply.

"Hey Claire. How are you kiddo?"

"I'm good! Wana play with me!?" She asked in joy as I nodded and replied.

"That's why I came here."

Another chapter down. Please be sure to leave a review and let me know what you think. I'll have another one up soon.

mT Shadow.