The Best People have the Rottenest Luck

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4 - MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

TONY POV

A chorus of 'Mr. Stark's and 'Tony's erupted as I stepped out of the Hammer Industries. I ignored them as I was escorted through the sea of press and into my limousine. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I sunk into the expensive leather. I grabbed a glass from and poured myself some whiskey from the mini-fridge. The meeting with Hammer Industries hadn't gone as planned. I was expecting some kind of deal proposition for mutual benefit, but, instead, I got and underhanded forced takeover deal presented to me through a dozen packets of laminated paper work, enough to fill my office. Justin Hammer, being the pompous jerk he is, tried to slip it passed me but I had not grown Stark Industries this much to let that happen. The meeting ended up with me basically telling Justin to screw himself and throwing the papers across the table.

Very mature, Tony, I could practically hear Pepper berate me. That was a conversation I was not looking forward to. Pepper, being CEO, should have been the one to go, but she was swamped in paperwork. Consequently, I was basically surrogate CEO at the moment, a decision that she'd probably regret once she heard of what had transpired at the meeting.

I let my head fall back against the window in the back of the car. Happy glanced back through the rearview mirror, investigating the thump my face made when it collided with the glass. I ignored his sigh as I felt the car vibrate slightly as it traveled down the New York road. My eyes were half open in a relaxed state of simply watching the people walk by. I hadn't had a peaceful moment like this in a long time.

Of course some kid had to come along and ruin it.

I heard the screech of the tires braking before I actually saw him. Then I felt the impact as the car bounced back. My head was immediately up and I was ready for action.

Happy jumped out of the car, stopping traffic. I had to say that New York is not the place to do that.

"Stay in the car," Happy all but ordered.

I got out of the car.

I was hit by a myriad of sensations at once. The honking of horns, rough yells of city drivers not aware of the cause of the accident, stifled cries of those who were. The most prominent sensation, though, was the smell of blood. I rushed to the front of the limo, grimacing at the not so kid-friendly sight.

Happy was kneeling down next to a boy, who was lying next to a dog that probably dead. The boy's eyes were closed, his lips were parted, and I could see his chest rise and fall. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding. There was an enormous and deep cut down his side, going clean through his orange, faded t-shirt and even going down through the side of his dark grey jeans to the knee. Happy held his head in his lap, probably to keep it stabilized. With the sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and sun-kissed complexion, I would've guessed he was considered good-looking, you know, without all the gory blood and patchy wounds. His black hair was matted with blood. It was then that I realized he had a massive head wound. Great. I can see the headlines, 'STARK SLAUGHTERS TEEN'. After the Hammer incident this afternoon, which was highly publicized, I'm sure the press would have a field day. I rushed to Happy, glancing quickly over to the dog. It was big. Actually it was probably the biggest dog I've ever seen. But I guess that didn't help it considering its neck was obviously snapped. Scratch that headline. It'll probably be more like; 'STARK SLAUGHTERS INNOCENT BOY AND DOG'. Oh yeah, add in some pictures of some pretty boy teen and a happy dog, and that'd definitely get them some income.

"Tony, call the ambulance," Happy barked while examining to the boy's head wound. I ignored him and went to grab the boy's legs, signaling for him to grab his head and shoulders.

"What are you doing?" Happy asked, obviously annoyed with my efforts. I sighed. This was getting us nowhere. People already had there phones out, documenting my headache.

"We're taking him back to the tower. I've got Bruce there plus the best medical equipment in the world. We want to avoid the press as much as possible." Before he could disagree, I started the moving the boy, giving him no choice but to help. Soon, we got him in the back seat and the dog's body in the trunk.

It was a long ride home with Happy glaring at me. Technically he hit the kid, not me.