6 Partners

KK stood at his desk, staring down at the photo of Leo leaning over him.  His request for help was never expected. He was seriously trying to decide what he should do. This was a big deal if he took it and he would come out of it with benefits. He picked up his phone to make a call.

Carter lifted the phone to his ear, answering. He was surprised to hear the voice on the other side of the line. "Mr. Kirby, to what do we owe the honor?"

KK took a deep breath. "I would like to talk to Mr. Shin about his proposal. Can I come to his office?" 

Carter was silent for a minute. The poor kid was thinking about accepting Leo's offer to help. "Mr. Kirby, are you 100% sure about this? I mean if Mr. Shin has made you uncomfort..."

KK chuckled. "No, I am not uncomfortable. I think this might be a good collaboration. We both have our strengths and will be good as partners."

Carter was now confused but he flipped through the appointment book  in front of him. "He has time this afternoon about 4 pm. Come in then. I will alert the front desk."

The two disconnect and Carter wrote in the appointment. He was now extremely curious about what this deal was. He grabbed the book, walking to Leo's office.

Leo sat at his desk, flipping through the projects Pinnacle Electronics had up and coming. He huffed as he flipped, reading the project information on a current laptop design. The design and product revenue would bring in money in the billions. Leo had worked hard to seal this deal and the manufacturers of the laptops had helped him create a design prototype.

Come to think of it, he hadn't seen the prototype yet. It was due to be delivered the day before. Carter walked into the office as Leo scans the reports for incoming products on the computer. Leo cursed seeing the prototype has not been received. He looked up at Carter ,who stopped in his tracks, hearing his boss cursing.

"Carter, we didn't get the Rapture project prototype yet? Call and find out why?"

Carter pulled his phone out, making the call. He frowned as they tell him it was delivered and signed for by a W. Shoten. He looked up at his boss, pursing his lips together. Leo can see the bad news and formed his hands into fists. Carter's eyes notice the dangerous change. (Oh god)

Carter thanked the people on the phone and hung up, He moved away from the desk, wincing as he tells Leo what the information. "Shoten signed for it."

A glass vase flies across the room, slamming against the opposite wall.  Carter closed his eyes and waited for the assault to begin.

Leo turned, flipping his desk chair over, his hand slamming into the wall. He regretted that action immediately, as he pulled the now injured hand to his chest.  Carter noticed his distress and hurried over, setting the open appointment book down.

Leo cussed in four different languages; his knuckles bleeding and already beginning to bruise.

"Sir, we need to go to the hospital. I think you have broken it. We can figure out what to do about the prototype this evening."

Leo glared at him. He wasn't really angry at Carter, but the pain made his emotions very unstable.

The door to the office opened with an awkward creak. KK stood, his eyes darting from Carter, who looked worried, to Leo who looked like he is going to kill someone.

"Bad time? The phone is off the hook, I was told to come in." Carter spun around, looking at KK.  Oh no, this poor kid was going to take the brunt of Leo's anger now.

Leo looked at KK as he stepped inside the door. His hand throbbed but the sight of Kaden standing there created a different pain. Leo turned away, holding his hand to his chest. 

"Carter, leave us."

"Sir, you need to..."

"I will go when I am ready to go."

Carter nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him. KK watched as Carter left then slowly strode across the office. He looked around at the smashed glass vase and the desk chair on the floor. Leo closed his eyes, listening to KK get closer. His hand really hurt.

Leo turned, lowering his hand to his side. An action he instantly regreted as the throbbing and pain intensified. 

Grimacing, he tried to smile. "Mr. Kirby. this is unexpected."

KK watched Leo. He saw the injury to Leo's hand and can tell immediately what's wrong with it, the obvious bruising and swelling a dead give-away.

Signing, he walked around the desk, drawing closer to the injured lion. Leo watched him, wishing he could sit down, but he instead trips over his chair as he stepped back from the advancing KK.

KK caught his waist, spinning them to keep from falling on the floor. KK wound up sitting on the desk with Leo pressed against him. KK stared at him wide-eyed, a slight tilt to his head, his hand still holding Leo's waist.

"Shall we take a look at that hand?"

Leo stepped backwards as KK's hand slid around, brushing against Leo's ribs. He gently grasped Leo's forearm, studing the hand with extreme care.

"I am assuming you have had a very bad day, but I hope it was an inanimate object you punched."

KK's dark eyes look up into Leo's dark caramel colored ones. He smiled softly and stood, still holding Leo's arm. He lifts his eyebrows at Leo's resistance, the lion trying to pull his arm away from KK's grasp.

"You said you wanted my help, so I'm here to help, but I get a say so in this relationship too. And right now...you are going to the hospital."

Leo was in too much pain to argue and allowed KK lead him to the door by the arm. As KK opened it, Carter stood there, ready to go. KK smirked and the two lead Leo to the car.