Prince and the Pauper

Chapter Twenty Two

I had been more than reluctant to leave Geordie in that room. I'd lost track of time and I had no idea how long I had been there, but the sun had shifted from the corner of the room to burning into my back.  When I opened the door and stepped out into the waiting room my feet stopped in their tracks. Harry was sat in one of the chairs looking busy on his phone, but he must have sensed my staring because he glanced up, and was beside me in a flash.
"How's Geordie?" Harry asked before I could even open my mouth to ask what he was doing here. I blinked a few times, processing what he was doing here, and finally found some words.
"He's...the same. What are you doing here?" I enquired, and Harry faintly smiled.
"I got a fright when I woke up and you weren't there. I didn't see the note you left at first, and I panicked. When I did find the note I rushed over here." I processed what he said, and nearly nodded in acceptance when my eyes caught his busted knuckles.
"What happened?" I gasped, gingerly taking his hand in mine, inspecting the damage. Harry winced at the touch, and my eyes met his, hesitation lurking behind the deep pools of green. Black and purple bruises dotted around his knuckles, and one was cracked, dried blood seeping along the creases.
"Harry." I drawled his name out slowly, and he released a loud sigh.
"Like I said, it took a while for me to find the note." I was still confused and Harry swiped his other hand down his mouth.
"And you punched a wall or  something?" I asked in bewilderment.
"Or something."  Harry revealed as little as possible. I pursed my lips and he inhaled deeply as he knew  I wasn't going to let this drop.
"Or someone..."
"What?!" I raised my voice, and Harry grimaced at my reaction. "Who? Who could you possibly be willing to punch because of me-" I stopped mid-sentence as realisation dawned on me, and Harry nodded in hesitation.
"You punched Sebastian?" I accused and Harry half-nodded and half shook his head, causing his head to tilt to the right more than anything.
"Kind of. I forgot that he now lives in the Styles Hotel and when I saw him in the lobby I thought he'd talked to you and you'd run of in anger or something." I sighed and Harry nodded in understanding my frustration. "At first I just shoved him and warned him to stay the hell away from you. Then he shoved me back." The sudden bite in his down sounded beyond childish, and I had the sudden urge to laugh.
"So you punched him?"
"Actually he threw the first blow, and I blocked it. Fact of the day I am a trained boxer." Harry boasted. My eyes widened in surprise, but the confession was surprisingly alluring, and I grinned at the thought of seeing Harry shirtless in a ring, throwing right-hooks and upper-cuts. Harry smirked at my reaction.
"The twat tried again, so I caught his arm, bent it, kneed him in the gut and sent him onto the floor. He made the mistake of standing back up for round two. Then I punched him." By the end of the story I was biting my cheek to control my laughter, and Harry looked triumphant.
"I can't believe you're a trained boxer." I gushed, and Harry grinned as he took my hand in his, locking our fingers together and walked us out the building. By the time Harry and I had taken a series of spiralling staircases and exited the hospital Harry had told me all about his boxing experiences, and how he was undefeated.
"Can I see you fight?"
"You want to watch?" Harry was surprised, and I nodded enthusiastically.
"Well I was going to go to the gym later, but if you're keen we can go now and you can watch your boyfriend kick some poor guys ass." Harry suggested and I agreed.
"Any other secrets I should know about?" I teased, and Harry's smile turned all fox. "You're a boxer, you're wearing a black leather jacket." I let my eyes wander up and down his figure, his attire made my smile hitch in mischief.
"There's a dangerous little sparkle in your eyes, Angel." Harry's voice sounded husky, and I hummed as I gripped the material of the white t-shirt adorning his torso underneath his leather jacket. I pulled him into me and he happily obliged, wrapping his arms around my waist and locking me to him.
"Black skinny jeans, black boots, white-shirt and a leather jacket." I summed up his outfit and I laughed into the crook of his neck.
"You like it, huh?" Harry hummed, his hand slid up the back of my spine, pressing us together.
"I love it." I purred and Harry let out a dangerous low sound.
"I you love me now, you're going to have a hard time keeping your hands off me tonight." Harry whispered into my ear, and I looked up at Harry to see  him smirking down at me.
"Why's that?" 
"Take a look for yourself." I followed his line of vision and my mouth dropped open at the sight of the black motorcycle. I heard Harry laugh, and I hurried over my hands trailing over the sleek machine. I let out a long whistle.
"She's a beauty." I gushed honestly, and Harry nodded in agreement. "I mean, I usually hate expensive stuff like this, but...damn." I approved, and Harry laughed as he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my stomach. His lips trailed up the back of my neck, and his breath tickled the shell of my ear.
"I knew you'd love it." Harry stitched the words into my skin with kisses and cheeky nibbles to tease.
"Let me guess, RSX?"
"Harley Davidson." Harry corrected, and I rolled my eyes. "I practically heard that eye roll." Harry whispered into my ear, and I laughed as I rolled my head back, my head resting into the crook of his neck as he smiled down at me.
"Can we take her for a ride?" I asked hopefully.
"Hmm, I had planned on taking my other girl for a ride today but..." Harry trailed off with a dangerous smirk, and I laughed at the innuendo
"My, my you are persistent." I teasingly tutted and Harry winked, making my knees go weak. His smile always stole my breath. I smiled as Harry took a red helmet from the seat of the motorcycle and clipped it onto me.
"How do I look?" I did a playful twirl, and Harry let out a wolf whistle.
"Sexy. Dangerously so." Harry confessed. I laughed as Harry climbed onto the bike and beckoned me with his index finger. I quickly climbed on behind him, and I wrapped my arms around his torso tightly.
"Hold on tight, baby." Harry instructed before kick-starting the bike and the engine roared to life. I shrieked with excitement and I felt the vibrations of Harry's laughter float through me, and then we were off, the wind blowing in my face. He raced through the bustling streets of uptown and I loved every minute of it. The streets were a blur but the adrenaline and laughter never stopped flowing through me. By the time we pulled up outside a gym I had a permanent smile plastered to my face.
"That was amazing!" I swung off the bike and handed Harry the helmet. Harry smirked as he pulled me into him again and his lips found mine, and I kissed him back as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Our lips slid against each others, and his minty breath invaded my senses. Our kissing grew heated as he walked us backwards with our mouths never parting until I felt something solid behind me, and I knew we were pressed against the brick wall. My fingers trailed up his taught arms and broad shoulders, skimming up his neck and then my fingers tangled themselves into his curls. Harry moaned as I teasingly tugged at  his hair, and his body buried itself into me, our bodies touching from head to toe. My mouth opened to gain more oxygen and Harry used it as a chance to snake his tongue in my mouth. I responded and his teeth gently nibbled on my lower lip, and I sighed into the kiss from pure bliss. We were both panting for oxygen when we pulled back, and Harry licked his lips slowly.
"I could get used to that." I confessed.
"Well I'm addicted." Harry said. We were still smiling as we walked hand in hand into the gym. I followed Harry's lead as we weaved through the isles of equipment to the back of the work-out room, and then through a black door. The next room was very different from the last one.  The room was dimmer for a start, and instead of carpeting there was cement, and even the concrete walls weren't painted. In the centre of the large room was a boxing ring, and two people stood in the centre of it. A guy with a large build wearing a black singlet that showed off his muscles  held up a boxing pad as a smaller yet still bulky man hammered his gloves into it, following the shouted instructions. Harry sat us down on the bench beside the ring, and I recognized the instructor from the  Styles Ball.
"Angle your body to the left!" Zaiden ordered above the pounding of fists into the boxing pad. "When you face me dead on the twinge in your right shoulder is visible. You're going to give away your weak spot to the opponent in seconds!" The second guy obeyed, angling his body to the left, and his fists hammered home.
"Good!" Zaiden praised.
"Did Zaiden train you?" I asked Harry, who nodded.
"I learnt from the best." Harry replied, his eyes gleaming with excitement as we watched on.
"Have you ever fought against him?"
"No. He's above my weight class, it wouldn't be a fair game." Harry explained, and my mouth opened in shock. Zaiden finally dropped the pad and the second man with dirty blonde hair sighed in relief.
"Good work lad." Zaiden's deep voice boomed around the cement walls. "Same time next week, Will."
"If I'm still breathing." Will panted, wiping away the sweat dotting his forehead, before collecting his duffel bag and heading off. Zaiden laughed, and then his eyes landed on Harry and I.
"Well if it isn't my favourite little couple!" Zaiden beamed as he ducked under the ropes of the ring and walked up to us.
"Dev here wanted to see me box." Harry smiled, and Zaiden raised his eyebrows in approval.
"Where did you find this woman?" Zaiden joked, winking at me playfully.
"You interested in a match?" Zaiden asked, and Harry looked intrigued.
"You've found a competitor in my weight class?" Harry sounded surprised and yet enthused.
"That has never been the issue. The problem was finding somebody willing to take you on, Tiger." Harry smirked, and Zaiden clapped him on the  back.
"He's out in the rec room, I'll go get him." Zaiden said before strolling off, and Harry watched my expression carefully.
"You're okay with this?" Harry asked, and I swallowed.
"I guess so." I shrugged. "I was until Zaiden made you sound like a lean, mean, killing machine."
"I'm only dangerous to their pride, Devonne." Harry assured me, kissing the top of my head. "Zaiden will call it off before any serious damage is done." I smiled in understanding, and Harry returned the gesture.
"I've got my gear stored in the changing room. I'll be right back." Harry said before pecking me on the lips and strolling off. I had only been on my own for seconds before Zaiden walked back in, and he sat himself down on the seat next to me.
"It shouldn't surprise me that a tough girl like you is into boxing, but it does." He confessed, and I laughed lightly.
"I'm surprised a uptown kid like Harry is into boxing." I retaliated, and Zaiden chuckled.
"I was too. Didn't think his daddy would be too impressed."
"And he is?" I asked.
"Yeah. Well, not if he found out." I laughed along with Zaiden at the thought of Drake finding out about Harry's chosen extra curricular activities.
"He's not like any other rich man is he?" I concluded, and Zaiden shook his head.
"Nothing like 'em." Zaiden agreed. "Truth be told I think he hates the family reputation and lifestyle. I think he's always been dying to marry up and settle down in the suburbs with white picket fences. Where he can dress is flannel shirts every day rather than suits and ties."
"Harry in flannel?" I scoffed, and Zaiden shrugged, like the idea wasn't so comedic.
"You saw what he is wearing today." He levelled. "Leather jacket isn't exactly Styles Enterprises' material, is it?"
"No it's not." I agreed, finding myself smiling as a memory sprung forward. The first day Harry and I had met and he had taken me to his work I had been wearing a flannel shirt, and Harry had made a remark about it.
"So you think he'd happily leave Adlington?"
"I predict he plans on it." Zaiden replied coolly, yet he still looked amused at my surprise. "I also have a theory you will be the girl he leaves Adlington with." His words stole my breathe, and Zaiden flashed a friendly smile. It was strange how comfortable I felt sitting next to a man as large as Zaiden, but I found it easy to talk to him. 
"When Geordie wakes up of course." Zaiden added, and the sincere comment made my heart swell. Yes, I had to remain hopeful. Despite the fact that nearly three months had passed without him waking up, I had to hold onto my faith. I had to remain optimistic, for both of us.
"You ready Styles?" I looked up  see Harry strolling forward again, and my smile tilted higher on one side. Harry wore black shorts, and nothing on top. His muscles flexed and he sent a cheeky wink my way, and Zaiden made a gagging sound, causing Harry to playfully jab Zaiden in the shoulder.
"Who's the unfortunate sucker?" Harry asked, and Zaiden scolded him for being to cocky.
"False arrogance will be the reason you lose your winning streak some day, lad." I laughed at their playful interaction as Zaiden smacked Harry around the back of the head, making Harry rumble with laughter.
"Ready to lose Styles?" We all spun to see who Harry would be competing against, and my mouth dropped open. Harry's jaw also clenched in recognition, and Zaiden flickered his eyes between the three of us, trying to figure out how we all knew each other.
"Trace." Harry gritted out.
"You know each other?" Zaiden asked incredulously, and my eyes raked over his form. He wore navy shorts to the knees, and a grey singlet, his build a lot larger than what I had originally seen the first time. Although Harry was taller, Trace was well-built, and I understood how they'd be in the same weight class.
"Wait a minute," Zaiden caught on just as Trace turned his gaze to me and he flashed me a pirate smile.
"You're Trace as in Trace Ritzon? The Trace that fucked Monica?" My lips parted at how blunt Zaiden had been regarding Harry's mother, but Trace simply smiled.
"Just Trace with suffice."
"Vermin more like it."  Harry spat, and Trace boomed with sarcastic laughter.
"You really need to get over the fact that I got in between your mommy's legs, boy. We all know you don't hate me out of fierce loyalty to Drake. That remains obvious since you took Devonne to your bed." I clenched my teeth together, and Harry stepped forward with a look to kill, and Zaiden stepped in between, and I shot him a grateful glance, as I remained seated on the bench.
"Maybe this fight isn't a good idea." I spoke up for the first time, making three sets of eyes land  on me.
"I conquer." Zaiden said. "Fights in the ring should remain a sport, not personal."
"It'd be a sport to have this filth on his arse." Harry bit, and Trace goaded him on with a menacing smirk.
"Not a good idea." Zaiden argued, and I stood up, placing my hands firmly on Harry's chest. The touch instantly sent a hot thrill through me as I came into contact with his bare skin, but was forced to ignore it.
"Brilliant idea." Trace sneered, making Harry's large fists clench.
"We can make it interesting." Harry tempted even further, and I groaned as I knew how Harry wasn't going to back down.
"When I kick your ass you will leave my mother, Devonne, and myself alone, and you'll tell your son where to shove it."
"My son?" Trace sounded confused and Harry narrowed his eyes.
"Your in-law."
"Deal." Trace nodded.
"What do you get if you win?" Zaiden asked, and Harry shot his best friend a glare.
"Harry has nothing to offer me." Trace responded. "Devonne on the other hand..."
"Fuck you." Harry hissed. "She has nothing to do with this." My body was pulled behind Harry's and I was grateful. The look Trace was giving me made my skin crawl.
"What do you want from me?" I asked, my voice sounded cold, but I was shaking on the inside. His deep blue eyes made me shiver like I had been tossed into the ocean at night.
"You, sweetheart, are a ticking time bomb. You destroy wherever you land. Harry isn't the only one who wants you away from my son. I don't want my family destroyed my association."
"Firstly," I growled stepping around Harry but he  caught me around my navel and pulled me into his chest, holding me in place, "you are the home-wrecker. First you banged Harry's mother and now you've got a new family? Priceless." I snarled. "Secondly, I don't know who the hell your son is. I don't know what you two are going on about, but I want nothing to do with him if he's in anyway related to somebody as vile and heartless as you."
"At least I can protect my family." Trace struck me with a low blow. My body froze, and Harry stiffened in anger.
"You sick bastard!" Zaiden defended me, shoving Trace back and sent him staggering. I squirmed in Harry's hold, and Harry tried soothing me.
"Angel, angel listen to me. I'll make him pay, just relax." Harry whispered in my ear, but I let out a loud scream and Harry loosened his hold in shock. I took the element of surprise to break free, and I charged towards Trace.
"I'll end you, you hear me?!" I bellowed, ready to pounce when Zaiden caught me, and pulled me back.  Trace laughed darkly, and Harry rushed over to take me from thrashing about in Zaiden's arms.
"Devonne, please." Harry pleaded, his widened eyes catching mine. I went limp in Harry's arms, and Harry buried my head into his shoulder.
"The fights off." Zaiden growled towards Trace. "But if I catch you in my boxing ring again, I will personally send you to your grave." I tried steadying my breathing, and Harry rubbed his hand up and down my back, trying to calm me down.
"I hate him. I hate the monster." I cried.
"I know. I do too, baby. Trust me." Harry soothed, his voice soft and gentle. I couldn't believe how cold Trace had been. His words had been worse than a dagger to the heart, and I found it hard to think straight. I had tried my best to protect my brother, and having it thrown back in my face made me feel like I had failed Geordie. I took in more deep breathes, and only looked up after attempting to compose myself when Harry spoke up.
"C'mon darlin', I'm taking you home."