King of Hearts

Chapter 75 – Beyond Any Care.

Twig's POV, Verno Compound, Los Angeles.

My idea of a break was to spend it with Claire. The little runt keeps me smiling and right now that's what I need beyond any care. Plus she gave me a good feeling for the future. God knows what Verno would be like if he lost her in this lifetime.

"Twiggy!" Shouted Claire as I watched her swim in the pool be herself.

"Yes?" I wondered as she did her best to swim towards me. She looked like a little puppy learning to walk for the first time, but more or less she soon reached my feet to reply.

"Come in! It's not that cold!"

"I'm not a big swimmer shrimp." I stated as she quickly replied.

"I'm not a shrimp!"

"Oh yeah? Then what are you Claire?" I wondered as she soon stated back.

"I'm a princess!"

Giving her a smile I replied.

"And that you are."

"And I order you to come in and swim with me!" She shouted as I gave her a crooked look.

"You order me?" I questioned as she nodded really fast to state.

"I'm the princess and you must do as I command! Or I'll...? Ahhhh?"

"You'll what!?" I asked with a smile as I reached down into the water to grab her from under her arms.

"I'll banish you Twiggy! Let me go! I'm the princess!"

Pulling her up out of the water I replied.

"Well I'm the king. And as king I order you to...?"

Pulling her small body down into my chest I shouted while sending her forward out of my grip.

"Fly!"

With a small yelp of excitement coming out from her tiny lungs, Claire landed dead center in the pool to shout.

"Do it again! That was awesome!"

With a smile along my cheeks, I was caught off guard as I heard from behind me.

"You two are so cute together."

The voice threw me for a loop as I looked back to lay my eyes on that hedgehog from earlier who was with the other guards personally signed to protect Don Verno. She was dressed in a family suit. Orange from head to toe more or less, but most of it was covered up by plates of armor. Along with a thick vest she was also protected with full upper arm guard and leg guards. With her gun nowhere in sight I stood straight to say.

"I remember you. You were with Read."

Stopping a few feet from me she replied.

"Yeah sorry about that mate. Read doesn't know when he's over his head. I wouldn't worry about it. Not after what you did to him."

Her voice was so elegant and it came through with a soft British accent.

"Is he okay?"

Looking over to Claire who was watching us she replied.

"To be honest I don't know nor really care to say the least. Read wasn't a friend of mine. He's laying down like you told him too so I guess he's working it off. Which reminds me, where did you learn to do that from? That's a tactic not many know these days unless you spent some time in the military."

Looking back to Claire as her eyes looked on to me, I replied back by saying.

"Family."

The answer came out cold as she slowly nodded.

"Well ether way it was a good show mate. My name is Jess."

"Twig." I replied as she offered me her hand. After taking it she said.

"Well I just wanted to say hi. Make sure you were okay. I have to get back to work now Twig. We should hang out sometime."

My mind was lost by her interest in me, but none the less I replied.

"Yeah. I'd like that."

Giving me a smile as she turned to leave, Claire asked.

"Is that your girlfriend?"

Looking back at her quickly I shouted.

"Claire!"

Giving me a smile she questioned.

"What!? You looked like you were about to kiss her!"

Blushing a little from the statement I refocused on my little problem.

"You better stay right there."

"Why Twiggy!?" She asked with a smile as I ggot off my shirt.

"Cause I'm going to sink you!"

Laughing as her only reaction, Claire began to panic as I jumped in after her small body.

mT Shadow.