Jaded

Hi All...Here is the next installment...I hope you all enjoy it very much...

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Jaded – Part 14

“What! What do you mean they’re gone and you don’t know if they’re coming back? What the hell happened?” Chloe screeched in disbelief. They wouldn’t be that stupid. They couldn’t…

“Yes. They left about a half hour ago.” Delilah began to pace as ideas began to form in her mind.

“Delilah! How could you just let them go? Why didn’t you tell me soon Chl Chloe stop Delilah’s pacing as she gripped her shoulders.

“You’re kidding, right? You actually believe I can stop Rox and Sin once they have their damned mind made up!” Delilah shouted back angrily as the firm control on her patience loosened a bit. Chloe face turned bright red as she backed off immediately. She understood what Delilah meant. Once those two had their minds set, not even Chloe could talk sense into them. And to be perfectly honest, she was exactly the same way. But what the hell were they going to do?

“What happened?” Chloe asked in a calmer tone. Okay! Got to think of a plan! Can’t go off the deep end…she thought.

“Roxy received a call from one of Dix’s girls. The Snakeman has demanded that they get their asses down there quickly. Dix and some of the other girls were severely beaten by Apollo’s men. Snakeman’s pissed off and he wants an accounting of what in the hell is going on. It’s a huge mess.” Delilah violet eyes closed as the horrors her friends were going through flashed before her.

“Snakeman? Sounds charming. And why is he called Snakeman?” Chloe asked sarcastically as she tried to soak up as much information as possible.

“He’s called that because of his large boa constrictor tattoo that run’s from one arm, across his back and down his other arm. He also has matching rattle snake tattoos on both his front and back torso.” Delilah informed.

“Lovely picture. But I thought Rox and Sin were independent. Why in the hell are they cow-towing to this Snakeman?” Chloe questioned.

“Chloe…Staying here is fine for now but Roxy and Sin are eventually going to have to go back to Metropolis and resume their lives once everything is over. How are they expected to go back to the streets with the Snakeman hunting them down?”

“Damn! Why couldn’t they just wait for me? I would have gone with them.” Chloe growled her own mind began churning. Rox and Sin had a forty minute head start…

“I wanted to go, but Roxy nixed that idea. Rox was very adamant about not wanting you to chase after her. She wants you to stay here where Lex can protect you and she made me promise to keep an eye on you.” Delilah rolled her eyes at this ridiculous thought and her voice held hint of exasperation.

“Right! Whatever! Did they honestly think I was going to sit around twiddling my thumbs and do nothing?” Chloe snorted causing Delilah to smile for the first time since Roxy and Sin left. Chloe was a fighter just like them and Roxy must have been crazy to think that Chloe would actually stay put.

“I’m glad you said that because if we leave now, we can catch up to them and the Snakeman.” Delilah began eagerly.

“Good. I’ll tell Lex…” Chloe’s voice drifted off and she frowned when Delilah shook her head. Crap! She had to tell Lex… She promised.

“No! We’ll leave him a note and he can follow. We need to move around quickly and inconspicuously. With Lex in tow, he’ll give us away. I mean let’s face it…there are not that many sophisticated, bald billionaires in Metropolis. Lex would stand out like a sore thumb.” Delilah had grabbed Chloe’s hand and was rushing her out the door.

“But…but…we have to tell him. He will be furious if we take off without him. Have you ever seen him furious? It is not a pleasant sight.” Chloe responded uneasily as Delilah dragged her to the front hall.

“I’m telling you, Chlo, it is better this way. Trust me.” Delilah paused to grab a set of keys on the table by the door.

“Delilah…What in the hell do you think we are going to do? What if Apollo catches us?” Chloe tried for reason but found that Delilah proved as stubborn as her friends.

“He won’t. Snakeman will protect us.” Delilah said firmly.

“And how do you know that? I’m not so sure I should trust someone who goes by the name of Snakeman with my safety!” Chloe dug in her heels.

“He will. Trust me. Snakeman will protect us…plus I’m leaving Lerectrections on how to get there. Now, are you coming or what?” Delilah’s voice lowered as she wrote a quick note to Lex and left it in place of the keys. Chloe wanted to kick herself. She really did not have a choice. Roxy and Sin were her very best friends. How in the hell do I get myself into shit like this?

“Damn! Yes! Yes! I’m coming. Lex is so going to kill me once he gets his hands on me!” Chloe moaned as she followed Delilah out the front door.

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The master of the house sat brooding in his darkened study. The only light in the room was coming from the fireplace he was currently focusing his dark intense eyes upon. An image of the two slain bodies was forever etched in his mind. The two people who had meant the world to him. His parents. Killed by an unknown assailant.

Damn! He had been so close…He thought. After years of spending a considerable amount of money to find a name for the murdering thief, word had reached him of a club owner who was telling quite a story. A story of how in his much younger days he ran with a certain crowd and in this crowd a certain thief gained his ‘stripes’ by ‘popping’ two very important and very wealthy vics.

At first he didn’t know whether he should trust the information. Was this just bullshit? But when this particular club owner mentioned these vics were killed outside a theatre…

Apollo Jones knew the bastard and had been so c to to giving up a name…If only he had had more time…

There got to be someone else who had to have known…Apollo couldn’t have been the only one…

“Sir…We have a problem…” The distinguished gentleman said in a grave voice as he entered the study. The master looked up thankful that his dark thoughts were interrupted though his dark eyes turned wary when his gaze settled on the distinguished gentleman.

“What’s wrong? What has happened?” The master asked hating the hoarseness of his voice.

“Our reports have indicated that the ladies who were assisting Mr. Luthor have left his mansion.” The distinguished gentleman informed.

“What!” The master slammed his fist onto his desk. “What in the hell were they thinking? When was this?”

“Two of the ladies left an hour ago…The other two left a half hour ago… The last two were spotted heading out of Smallville and in the direction of Metropolis.” The distinguished gentleman responded.

“What happened to make them leave?” The master asked as he gathered some papers on his desk.

“Our reports indicate that Apollo Jones’ men have been attacking friends of the three prostitutes. I believe a call may have been placed to the ladies staying with Mr. Luthor.” The distinguished gentleman went on.

“Damn! Do we have a track on any of them?” The master of the house asked as he stood quickly walking around his desk.

“Not the earlier two. The last two are being followed as we speak.” The distinguished gentleman replied.

“Does Lex know about this? You don’t mention him leaving.” The master replied as strode briskly from his study and followed a series of halls.

“I don’t believe so. Reports say that he is still in the mansion.” The distinguished gentleman replied as he followed the master of the house.

“Can you find out where the call was made from? That will give me an idea of where to start.” The master asked as he stopped before a large wooden paneled wall.

“I have already begun a trace. Once I receive the coordinates, I will give them to you in the car.” The distinguished gentleman answered.

The master of the house pressed his hand on one the wooden panels. It depressed into the wall and the large wall slid open befoim. im.

“Sir, the prototypes are not ready…” The distinguished gentleman voiced worriedly as he followed the master.

“I understand and I won’t be using them. I will however take one or two gadgets with me. Call me as soon as you receive any information. Also, give me two hours head start. If Lex still remains at the mansion, place a call to him…Make certain he can not trace it back to us.” The master said as he grabbed the gadgets in question.
you you wish. Sir...Master Bruce…Please be careful.” The distinguished gentleman said fretfully.

“I always am. Remember, Alfred…two hours.” With that last statement, Bruce Wayne jumped into his custom made black corvette and sped off.

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Lex’s patience with Lana Lang was at an end. He had been enclosed with her for two hours and he nothing had been accomplished. He noticed that she kept casting him coy and suggestive glances and tried his best to ignore them. As she sat in the chair across his desk, Lana positioned her body to show off her assets and he became frustrated with the brunette. But Lex was also frustrated with the fact that Chloe had not returned which surprised him considering her animosity towards Lana. He co’t s’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong… A tingling sensation formed in the back of his neck and he kept rubbing at it.

“Lana, why don’t we call it a day? We’ve done a quite a bit.” Lex lied as he realized he’d say anything to get her out of there.

“Good. I don’t think my brain could handle any more complicated numbers.” she laughed softly as she batted her eyelashes at him. Lex was very tempted to roll his eyes. Lana was definitely not Chloe when it came to witty replies.

“Interesting… Well I have to get back to Chloe.” Lex said as his uneasiness increased.

“Chloe, huh? I didn’t know Chloe was staying with you. Does Gabe know his daughter is staying here? I mean, you do know how this looks…” Lana remarked snidely while gathering her papers. Lex’s blue-gray eyes narrowed at her not so hidden meaning and a fierce anger rose quickly within him.

“Not that it’s any of your business but due to special circumstances, Chloe and her friends are temporarily staying here and I’ve spoken with Gabe and he is fine with it. If I hear anyone allude to Chloe in any, shall we say, ‘negative way’, I will know exactly where it came from and deal with it accordingly.” Lex responded calmly though his eyes told a different story. Lana shrank away from the icy blast and quickly spoke to reae hie him.

“I didn’t mean it like that. But you know how people will talk. I wouldn’t want Chloe’s reputation to suffer like that. It doesn’t look well that Chloe’s shacking up with you and…” Lex’s fist hitting the desk stopped Lana’s prattling and she jumped.

“Lana…I understand that you mean well, but frankly, it’s none of your damned business. And if I hear you or anyone else malign my girlfriend…you will have me to deal with. Is that understood?” Lex remarked coldly. Chills ad tad throughout her body at the frosty tone of Lex’s voice. She nodded her head simply.

“Good. Now I really have things to do. Danvers will show you the way out.” Lex growled as he dismissed her quickly. Lana had sorely tried his patience. He will not allow anyone to speak of Chloe in that way. Speaking of Chloe…What is she up to? Lex stood up with the intention of seeking out his lady when the phone rang. He was about to let it govoicvoice mail when the tingling sensatiehinehind his neck increased. Making a quick decision, he picked up the phone… “Luthor.”

There was silence for a few seconds when a voice responded, “Mr. Luthor…Your lady friends are in danger and they need your help.” Before Lex could utter a word, the caller hung up. He stared at the phone for a moment or two as the words sank in…Chloe…She wouldn’t…

Lex quickly rushed out. “Danvers! Danvers!” Lex shouted as he started searching the rooms. Nothing!

“Chloe! Where in the hell are you? Chloe!” Nothing. No one responded to his calls. The house was eerily silent. He rushed to the front, ndinnding to check on the cars when the note caught his eye. Quickly scanning the contents, his blood pressure rose.

Lex, by the time you read this Chloe and I will be in Metropolis chasing after Roxy and Sin. Here is the address where we can be found. We’ll talk when you get here.

Delilah

P.S. – Chloe wanted to bring you but I canned the idea…Please don’t be angry with her…

Don’t be angry! Has Delilah gone insane? Have they all gone insane? Damn, stubborn, crazy women…I am going to strangle each and every one of them.

Chloe…How the hell could she leave? Without him! When I ge han hands on her…

Lex didn’t give himself time to give into the wonderful fantasy of wringing his girlfriend’s neck. He was busy trying to find a set of available car keys. When he finallyatedatede, he, he was out the door in a flash all the while praying that God would keep the woman that he loved safe and sound.

Please…

TBC...

So what do you think? Has everyone gone crazy?