Jaded

Hi All...Here is the next installment. Happy reading... :)

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Jaded – Part 15

Chloe looked t het her apprehensively as she quickly followed Delilah along the darkened streets of the Westside. The neighborhoods became progressively worse and Chloe wished for the tenth time that Delilah had not parked so far away. But Delilah wisely pointed out that driving a brand new, state of the art, black Porsche was calling needless attention to themselves.

Damn! I have gone crazy! That is the only explanation I have come up with for coming into this sleazy territory to meet with a pimp at his headquarters regarding a drug dealer and her prostitute friends. Insane! This story was simply to fantastical to believe. It would even make a decent book.

“We’re almost there. Try and look like you belong.” Delilah paused while giving Chloe the once over. “Also try and keep a low profile. If Snake asks, I’m going to tell him you’re a working girl.” She took in Chloe’s appearance and shook her head. Delilah mussed up Chloe’s hair and opened several top buttons on Chloe’s blouse.

She even went on to pinch some color into Chloe’s pale cheeks while Chloe took a series of deep breaths. Keep it together, Chloe…she thought. This was just another research investigation.

“Don’t worry. While Snake may be a bit intimidating at first, he’s okay.” Delilah reassured smoothly although she herself was having a few doubts. She knew Snake would not hurt her but this war with Apollo was definitely not something he anticipated and it was pretty much shoved in his face. How he would react to this was anyone’s guess…

Both ladies began to walk casually as they approached a large, brown building. There were several working girls standing in front of the building while others came and went.

As Chloe got closer, her mouth dropped open. The building was definitely not what she had expected it to be for a man who calls himself the ‘Snakeman’. And this is a surprise how…Chloe asked herself silently.

“Umm…Delilah… You do know this is a funeral home.” Chloe voiced a bit uncomfortably.

“Uh…huh…I know.” Delilah muttered as she studied the comings and goings of the headquarters intently.

“Well isn’t that just peachy! Not only is Lex going to kill me but I am going straight to hell!” Chloe growled softly so only Delilah could hear.

“Will you stop being so melodramatic!” Delilah hissed quickly.

“Melodramatic! Delilah, they’ve named this place ‘The Last Hurrah’. What kind of a name is that for a funeral home? Have they no respect for the dead?” Chloe hissed back causing Delilah to chuckle at her outrage.

“Chloe, to operate from a funeral parlor is the perfect cover. The police would never think to investigate a funeral home let alone raid one.” Delilah explained quietly.

“But it is still a funeral home.” Chloe growled yet again.

“Shhh…” They had arrived at the front door. Two of the ladies looked their way suspiciously. Delilah’s face remained impassive and she was proud to note that Chloe’s face showed no emotion at all.

“Whatcha want?” One of the ladies asked as they stepped closer to Delilah giving her a strange look.

“We’re friends of Roxy and Sin. They asked us to meet them here.” Delilah said smoothly. One of the women looked Delilah over for a few minutes before turning her attention to Chloe for a few minutes. She made clucking noises with her tongue while studying Chloe.

“Don’t look like much.” The lady commented matter-of-factly. Chloe gasped, not certain whether she should be offended or relieved.

“Snakeman’s inside.” The lady informed them though still clucking in Chloe’s direction. Delilah had to pull Chloe along as Chloe was busy glaring at the lady. Delilah shook her head at Chloe and they entered the building as if they had not a care in the world.

The inside of the funeral parlor looked like what Chloe might expect a funeral parlor to look like. A large opened room was before them with dark walls and matching furniture. Chloe noticed the few coffins lying around for shnd wnd wondered if they were truly just for show.

“Delilah, please tell me there are no dead bodies in those coffins…” Chloe moaned as her very active imagination conjured coffin lids opening and zombies rising from them. I’m going to hell…

Sturdy oak chairs lined several walls while pictures of landscapes graced the walls. Several ladies of the night as well as some dangerous looking men looked up at the newcomers. The men took the time to leer in Delilah’s direction. Chloe even received a few leers herself.

Hmm… Don’t look like much, huh! I still got it…Chloe thought.

In the far right of the room a man stood suddenly as his attention focused on them. The confidence he projected and the air leadership about him totally pegged him as the Snakeman. He was definitely not was Chloe thought a pimp would look like.

He was tall, broad shoulder with long dark hair that he wore tied back. He wore white shirt with dark jeans that clung snugly to him and a long black leather duster fell just below his black combat boots.

“Well…well…well…Now this is a surprise.” The Snakeman smiled as he strode forward to greet the women. Or more exactly to greet Delilah.

“Etta May…I should have known you would have shown uSnakSnakeman sighed in a low voice. Chloe eyebrows shot upwards. She turned towards Delilah and struggle to hold her grin. No wonder she changed her name…

“Etta May…” Chloe began but the severe glare from Delilah cut off her remark. Chloe once again returned her attentions to the Snakeman. He seemed a lot safer at the moment.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that, EUGENE?” Delilah growled. The Snakeman paled for a few minutes before he grabbed Delilah’s arm and led her away from the curious crowd. Chloe followed after them quickly clamping her lips shut while struggling to contain her laughter.

“Et- I mean Delilah…Don’t call me that! I am the Snakeman and I have a reputation.” Snakeman growled back. Delilah simply snorted.

Chloe took the time to study the Snakeman as he was quietly arguing with Delilah. Obviously they knew each other well and for a pimp, he seemed kind of normal. Normal. What the hell is normal?

He was very handsome in a ‘fallen angel’ kind of way. But his eyes were his best feature as they were a deep violet-blue. She had never seen eyes quite like his. His face was strong, with high cheekbones and a strong jaw. There was something about the face that seemed familiar. Chloe tu her her attention towards Delilah. She looked again at the Snakeman then at Delilah as dawning realization hit her full force.

Oh my God! He’s her brother! Brother! Chloe forced herself to remain calm. This was certainly not what she expected. Damn! A little warning could have helped.

“Etta May…As soon as you’re done, I’d like a few words with you…” Chloe interrupted the conversation.

The Snakeman turned his attention upon Chloe. To have that violet-blue gaze concentrate fully on her was a bit disconcerting. Chloe forced herself to stare back.

“And who, beautiful, are you?” Snakeman asked as a smile appeared on his face. Chloe felt as if the breath were knocked from her. Wow! That was one hell of a smile.

“I-I…ah…” Chloe found that she could not concentrate. Well, that was certainly articulate…she berated herself as heat flooded her face.

“She’s a friend. Therefore off limits.” Delilah voiced quickly not liking the seductive smile Snakeman was bestowing on Chloe. That was the last thing she needed...

Snakeman’s smile turned into a slow grin as he fully concentrated upon Chloe. Chloe forced herself to remain unaffected by his actions though it was very, very hard. Mercifully for her, Snakeman turned his attentions back to his sister.

“Delilah, what have I told you about coming into this territory?” His deep voice asked hoarsely.

“I know…I know…But I’m here because of Roxy and Sin.” Delilah sighed. Chloe studied the two siblings and wondered what was going on between them. Hmm…There is definitely a story here…

“Yes…Those two…And I can’t wait to hear what they have to say.” Snakeman responded with curiosity and slight disgust.

“What do you mean by ‘you can’t wait’? Aren’t they here?” Chloe asked quickly realizing just then that Roxy and Sin were no where in sight.

“Rox and Sin aren’t here yet?” Delilah asked as realization hit her.

“No. I haven’t seen them at all.” Snakeman replied directing his gaze towards his sister. He noticed the sudden paleness on his sister’s face.

“B-But they left before we did… Delilah…” Chloe tried to get her emotions under control. Terror began to slowly spread throughout her body. Please…no…

“Dammit…Come on.” lah lah grabbed Chloe’s hand and started for the door.

“Where in the hell do you think you are going?” Snakeman’s sudden grip of Delilah’s arm stopped both of them in their tracks.

“Snake…They are my friends…” Delilah began but he cut her off with a wave of his hand.

“I know that! Why do you think I put up with them? Delilah, what is going on?” Snakeman asked gruffly. Delilah was split in half as to what to do. Should she involve Snake? Would elp?elp? Roxy and Sin… They needed any help they could get. Coming to a quick decision, Delilah slowly relayed all the events that had taken place though she had decided to leave Lex’s and Chloe’s names out of explanation.

Snakeman sensed that Delilah had not been quite upfront in her story. He frowned at her and was about to demand the full version when a slow buzzing erupted around the room as there was a commotion from outside.

From the Eastside… Shondra… Eastside girls here…

Chloe could hear the whispers amongst the men and women in the parlor. Shondra. That’s Sin’s friend. What would she be doing here?

Delilah and Chloe turned towards the doorway as a heavily bruised woman was carried in by two ladies. A chair was brought forward quickly for the beaten woman to sit on as some of the ladies started to assist her.

“Never mind me!” Shondra growled. “Roxy and Sin need help!” She continued as she slapped hands away from her.

“What!” Delilah shrieked as she and Chloe rushed through the crowd and came to stand in front of Shondra.

“What happened?” Chloe was amazed her voice was steady when she asked this question.

“I-I met up w-with Rox and Sin on their way here.” Shondra’s voice wheezed heavily as she took in several deep breaths. “T-They wanted to g-give me and my girls a heads up on w-what was happening here. We started talking when all of sudden we were jumped by those bastards!” Shondra murmured in disgust as she held her torso.

“Are you saying Apollo’s men jumped you?” Snakeman asked this question as he came up behind Delilah and Chloe.

“Was I speaking in another fucking language?” Shondra snipped back. Snakeman’s violet-blue gaze narrowed as he managed to barely hold back his anger.

“What happeto tto them?” Delilah intervened quickly. This was not the time for petty arguments.

“They were snatched by those assholes and left me on the street to rot. But before they left, I heard those pricks talking about taking the girls back to Eden’s.” Shondra said hoarsely as she grabbed her heard. It felt as if it were about to burst.

Chloe’s face turned even paler than before. If Apollo has them, God knows what he’s doing to her friends.

“Well… Are you going to sit on your asses all fucking day or are you going to help them?” Shondra looked up wearily in Snakeman’s direction. Snakeman frowned at the challenge in Shondra’s voice but he nodded his agreement.

“Give me ten minutes while I gather some men.” He said to Delilah and Chloe quickly before he suddenly started to shout orders. Everyone in the room scampered back and forth. Soon five, six, seven men were gathered in the hall with more still arriving.

Chloe nerves were a bit frayed as things were progressing beyond what she imagined. God, how she wished Lex was with her. Why did she ever leave him behind? Stupid…Stupid…Shit…Okay…Calm down…Mental breakdown can wait until later…

“Dee…Maybe you should…” Snakeman began but Delilah and Chloe both viciously shook their heads and glared at him.

“We are both going and there’s not a damned thing you can say about it.” Delilah’s voice was laced with steely determination that the Snakeman could not refute.

“Fucking Hell! All right…Just stay low!” Snakeman growled back as he and his small army headed out the door. Delilah and Chloe hurried to keep up. Eden’s Gate was about to receive a lot of unwelcome visitors.

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Eden’s Gate…

“Apollo? Apollo…Man wake the fuck up!” Someone shouted at him. Apollo heard the voice from far away. He was still flying high on his Gold he was loathe to let the rush go.

“Apollo…We got them whores downstairs. Man wake the fuck up!” the voice shouted again.

“Forget it, Rone. Man’s to fucked up to care.” Another voice called out. Rone looked at his boss in disgust. Fucking piece of shit!

“What are we going to do with them bitches?” the other voice questioned quickly.

“Just keep them until Apollo wakes his sorry ass up. Fuck! Asshole can’t wait until everything’s over to fry himself. Shit! Come on, Koug, let’s tell the boys to lay off them. We need them alive for Apollo to question.” Rone ordered uncomfortably. The last guy who tried giving orders that Apollo didn’t agree with got himself shot.

“Lay off! Are you fucking shitting me? The boys hadn’t even had a taste of them whores. You want them to lay the fuck off?” Koug asked in shock.

“That’s what I said. And if they die before Apollo can talk to them, then the fucking boys can tell Apollo why the whores are fucking dead.” Rone remarked snidely.

“But Apollo said we could do whatever we want to them sluts.” Kougar voiced again.

“I know that shitbag! But Apollo still hasn’t found the rich fuck or his two cunts! And he said the whores know where they are…So since they are here, Apollo can get to personally question them. Now quit fucking questioning me and let’s go.”

“Shit! All right! But after Apollo’s done questioning…I get the first taste…” Koug growled. And with some further grumbling Koug followed Rone out of the office.

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The Car

“Sir…We have another situation.” Alfred voice came over the small screen in the dashboard of his car.

“What is I’m I’m almost there.” Bruce asked increasing his speed.

“Well sir, you may want to change direction. It seems a large group left the coordinates and are now traveling in a direction due south. From my calculations, I’d say they were heading to Eden’s Gate.” Alfred informed.

Bruce Wayne cursed quickly as he banged a u-turn and headed south. He was twenty-five minutes away from the club.

“A large group?” Bruce questioned as raced through a series of red lights.

“Yes, sir. We still can’t confirm what happened but this large group seemed heavily armed and two of the ladies were in this group.” Alfred said gathering as much information as possible.

“So, my guess would be that this is a war about to break. And the first two ladies who left? Do we know where they might be?” Bruce asked but Alfred shook his head.

“No sir. I’m afraid we lost touch with them.”

“Keep trying all of our resources. They must be somewhere. And Lex? Where is he at the moment?” Bruce swerved the car quickly to avoid hitting a transit bus.

“He left Smallville a half hour ago. He should be arriving in Metropolis in about twenty minutes. Add another ten minutes to reach his destination which is surprisingly the same as yours.” Alfred informed while keying information into his computer.

“Alfred, have you been tapping into Lex’s GPS computer again?” Bruce asked in amusement.

“Guilty as charged, Sir.” Alfred allowed a small smile to grace his face.

“Well…Keep an eye out for him…I have a feeling he’ll head my way soon after he arrives. Alfred, can you also try and find out what happened to spur on this large group.”

“Yes sir. I am gathering the information. As soon as I receive the news I shall inform you immediately. Until then…Good Luck.” Alfred signed off.

Thanks… I’m definitely going to need it…Bruce whispered at the blank screen.

TBC...

So what do you think? Will Lex arrive in time?