Chasing Shadows part 7 ~ Staging A Coup

They sat at the dinning room table having lunch and comfortable conversation. After Chloe and Lex reestablished their relationship with each other, added to a couple hours of love making, Lex had Megan picked up to join them for lunch. She was still shy towards Lex but, at least she didn't jump out of her skin every time he spoke to her.

Megan told them that Lionel had contacted her after she first met Lex, and tried to pay her to give him information. She had said no, and ran from him like her ass was on fire. He had her followed a few times, approached her directly on occasion, and Megan in turn told her step-dad about it. She hadn't seen or heard from Lionel since but, he's made life a living hell for her step-dad for interfering.

"Who's your step-father?" Lex asked.

"He's a partner for one of the companies that you, and your father, are fighting over right now. When my mom remarried, I kept my dad's last name. That's why you didn't know who I was."

"That's why my father went after all seven companies," he mused aloud. "They're all linked by partnerships with each other. He's trying to bring down the entire house for one card." His eyes turned to Megan. "I could have avoided this whole thing if you had told me," he informed her without accusation.

"I didn't know I could trust you. I thought it was better to keep my mouth shut, and let my step-dad handle it."

"We have to stop him," Chloe voiced. "Lex you have to win this takeover!"

"I'm working on it, Chloe, and now that I have an extra incentive I'll start pushing a little harder."

"We need to distract Lionel," Megan suggested in a very low voice. "I'll seduce him," Megan stated, looking at Chloe from across the table. "Hopefully giving you and Lex an opportunity to find a way to stop him."

"Ewwww!" Chloe screeched, her face contorting with a disgusted expression. "I can't let you do that!" Then added in a normal tone. "Besides, he's very shrewd, and would know it was a setup. Second to that... ewwww!"

"Chloe," Lex laughed.

"What?" she exclaimed at him. "That's your 'father' and, well, ...ewwww!"

"Personally, I think he's attractive," Megan stated, then glanced at Lex. "You got your looks from somewhere, you know," she shrugged innocently.

"I'm not the one disagreeing with you," he reminded her.

"You have 'got' to be out of your mind!" Chloe exclaimed, looking at Megan. "There is absolutely 'nothing' attractive about that man! No offense, Lex," she added as an after thought. He shrugged indifferently as a response.

"Oh, you are so wrong, Chloe," Megan purred, as a sultry gleam entered her eyes as she continued. "As a man, Lionel Luthor is very attractive. It's his cold, calculating, scheming, and deviousness that makes him unattractive, but physically...as a man?" She took a slow deep breath, licking her lips. "The way his green eyes look right through you is absolutely... captivating."

"I am 'not' listening to..." Chloe started only to have Lex wave his hand for her to remain silent. He gave her a soft "Shh" when she looked at him in annoyance.

"His cheek bones are so finely chiseled, with a straight nose, and lips that just beg to be kissed," Megan continued as though Chloe hadn't uttered a sound. "His hair 'begs' for your fingers to run through it, to tangle up in its length, and, oh…" she breathed dreamily. "If it's already tousled looking, it's even more alluring. His broad shoulders are perfect for running your hands over them, and his chest... oh, and I bet it's full of hair. His body is so fit, and well toned for a man his age."

"What, are you taking notes?" Chloe whispered crossly at Lex.

"I've never heard this point of view about my father before," he whispered back with pure interest, returning his attention back to Megan.

"And when he speaks to you, softly and directly into your ear..." she continued, inhaling slowly with her eyes closed. "the sound of his voice touches you deep within. It makes you 'want' him to touch you, to feel him..."

"OKAY!" Chloe shouted, jumping up from her chair. "That's enough! I can't listen to this anymore!"

Megan opened her eyes, and took a deep cleansing breath, then chuckled nervously as she glanced at Lex, her cheeks becoming flushed. "Well, you asked," she countered, taking a drink of ice water. "Just because I don't bring men into the dorm anymore, doesn't mean I stopped appreciating the opposite sex!"

"Lex, hold me," Chloe stated in a feigned, pleading tone as she walked around the table. "I think I'm going to be sick!" she grumbled, placing herself on his lap.

"You've gotten very close to my father, then?" Lex half asked Megan, making room for Chloe on his lap.

"Only once," she admitted. "He approached me outside the library the day after you took our belongings from the dorm. He... he got very close at one point."

"Okay, correct me if I'm wrong," Chloe voiced. "But I thought you were scared shitless of him."

"I am," Megan replied. "Which is why I ran like my ass was on fire, and didn't look back."

"Lex? What are you thinking?" Chloe asked with uncertainty, noticing the sly grin forming on his lips.

"Perfect retribution," he replied, his grin growing broader.

XxXxX

For the next week Lex exposed Megan to his most intimidating ways in an attempt to help her become more comfortable with him, ultimately in the hopes that it would help her to deal with his father without passing out in front of the bastard.

After two visits with Megan, Lex noticed that she responded to him with a lot more ease when Chloe was nearby compared to whenever she excused herself, or simply left the room. The woman literally would freeze up and refuse to look at him until Chloe returned.

Lex's reasoning for this problem was to have Megan come to his penthouse alone, and force her to get used to his presence one way or another. Chloe heatedly disagreed with this, and insisted on not leaving her roommate alone with him for longer than five minutes at a time.

Lex accused Chloe of being jealous, which she denied profusely, stating that Megan needed trusted assurance not forcible scare tactics. Lex reminded Chloe that despite his formidable reputation he was but a shadow to his father when it came to scare tactics. Chloe reminded him that that was exactly why they were doing all of this in the first place. Lex finally conceded to Chloe's ideals, and continued to daunt Megan with Chloe present at all times.

By the end of the week Megan stopped by Lex's penthouse on her own, while Chloe was in class. She stayed for an hour, talking to Lex about his father and any information that may help her with their plan. Lex was more than willing to oblige.

"Lex?" she called from the open door as she was leaving. He turned around to look at her. "I was never actually afraid of you personally, you know. But, I know what you're capable of, you're a very powerful man, and that's what scares me the most about you."

"Just keep the slate clean, Megan, and you'll have nothing to fear from me."

"You would be the last person on this planet that I would ever cross, Lex, and Chloe too, you have my solemn promise on that."

XxXxX

"Lex? Do you remember what the definition of mid-terms is?" Chloe joked as he nuzzled at her neck.

He had showed up at the dorm and practically threw Megan out of the room, tossing her the keys to his Jaguar, he told her to go have fun somewhere else. Megan caught the keys in mid air with a brilliant smile and, unlike Chloe, said fuck the mid terms, got changed, and left the dorm.

"Hmm, I sure do," he murmured, taking her earlobe between his teeth to pull on it gently then suck on it slowly.

"I can't concentrate with you doing that, and you know it," she accused lightly, tilting her head to the side for him to lick, and nuzzle some more at her neck.

He wrapped his arm around her from his position behind her on the bed, and pushed all her books to the floor with one sweep. With his arm still at her back he twisted her sideways when she raised herself up indignantly onto her elbows until she was facing him. He pulled her against his chest, and rolled her onto her back, claiming her lips hungrily.

She worked at the buttons on his shirt while he teased her mouth with his tongue, flicking her lips only to pull back when she attempted to seal his lips with hers. She pushed the silk material from his broad shoulders just as a knock sounded at the door. With a deep sigh Lex collapsed his weight onto Chloe in frustration, his head bent to rest at her chest.

"I have to answer it," Chloe stated with regret. "It's probably Megan, who forgot her keys again."

"The keys to my penthouse are on the ring I gave her for the Jag. She can stay there the night."

"She wouldn't do that," she stated, another loud knock sounding at the door. "Lex..."

With a regretful groan he got up from the bed, and went to the door to answer it himself. He opened it wide to find a man standing in the hall, a very large man. Their eyes met, and recognition came to both of them simultaneously. But, before the other man moved, Lex caught him by the front of his shirt to slam him into the wall across the narrow hallway.

"I wasn't going to hurt her this time, I swear it!" Jake announced in a strong voice.

Lex punched him in the mouth. "You expect me to believe that?" he growled, and punched the hired thug once more for good measure.

"I swear it, Lex, I saw the brunette leave in your Jag, I knew you were in there! It's you I need to talk to!"

"My father sent you after 'me'?"

"No, Chloe is supposed to have an accident," Jake explained. Lex raised his fist again, his lips a thin line of fury. "But, I won't do it!" Jake said in a rush. "I'm done! I won't hurt her anymore, I swear it!"

"You realize my father would kill you."

"That's why I needed to talk to you."

"Well, if it isn't my punch buddy, Jake!" Chloe exclaimed sarcastically from just behind Lex. "I have to hand it to your father, Lex, at least he's consistent by sending the same thug to give me his messages."

Lex looked back at Chloe curiously then to Jake. "It that true?" he asked, knowing that it didn't sound like his father at all.

"No, I've been paying off who he hires to deal with Chloe myself. Then, I hand over the report to the other guy to take back to your father as proof that the job was done."

"Why... why would you do that?" Chloe asked with confusion. "What have I ever done to you?"

"Would we be able to take this inside?" Jake asked, glancing down the hall at the crowd that had formed to see what was going on.

Lex released his shirt, and smoothed it out before stepping aside to let Jake enter the dorm room first. He followed the thug inside, watching him closely from a safe distance in case he tried anything.

"It's okay," Chloe assured the people in the hall. "My boyfriend doesn't get along with an old friend of mine, but, it's ok, really. Sorry about the noise!" she announced choppily before ducking into her room, and closed the door.

"...that's why I took charge of looking out for her. I had no choice but to hurt her, and I hated to do it, but, believe me others would have done worse to her."

"What?" Chloe questioned. "What did I miss? What's his reason?"

Lex turned and looked at her. "He said one of your columns prevented his sister from committing suicide."

"Me? I did?"

"Yea," Jake reiterated. "And, I had to repay you by giving you minor bruises, and knocking you out. For that I'm truly sorry. But, this time, there were no restrictions in the order like before, Lionel wants you out of the way."

"What's he saying, Lex?" she asked with round questioning eyes. "That your father wants me dead?"

"Dead, or fairly close to it," Lex replied tight lipped, his anger coming to a boiling point.

"I made arrangements on Chloe's behalf," Jake informed them. "But, I had to use the last of my resources to do it." He looked candidly at Lex as he continued. "I need a payoff to see it through with enough for me to disappear."

"I seriously hope you're not trying to blackmail me," Lex stated in a deadly tone.

"No, I'm asking for financial help to make sure that not only does she stay alive, but that I do too."

"Lex, you're not going to trust him are you?" Chloe implored with confused and worried eyes.

Lex turned to look at Chloe, his eyes set with a firm decision.

XxXxX

"Mr. Luthor?" Megan called tentatively from the doorway of his Metropolis office. "Please excuse my tardiness, I was..."

"Pacing the hall trying to decide if you should still meet with me, yes, I know." Lionel filled in for her informatively. She gave him a weak smile, and wrung her fingers together nervously. He moved from behind his desk to stand by her side. "Please, come in, sit down," he offered in a gentlemanly fashion, placing his hand at the small of her back. "I am most curious as to the reason of your request to see me, Miss Hammond." He chuckled, then added, "Especially considering how you ran like a jack rabbit the last time I tried speaking with you."

"That's part of the reason why I'm here," she stated, seating herself. She expected Lionel to return to his own side of the desk, then shifted in her chair uncomfortably when he merely leaned against it, remaining close to her.

Lex, like his father, could fill a room with his presence. But, unlike Lex, Lionel wasn't keeping his distance. Something Lex had been more than generous toward Megan with.

"I recently found out that my step father had threatened you, Mr. Luthor, which I'm certain is the reason you tried to take over his company in retaliation."

"Oh? I wasn't aware that your major was in corporate business, Miss Hammond. But, if your step-father was involved with any of those companies, I assure you that it had nothing to do with you or your roommate. How is Miss Sullivan doing? I haven't seen her nosing around lately."

"She...she was in an accident the other night. Her car was forced off the road at an overpass. She's lucky to be alive at all."

"Oh, my!" Lionel exclaimed, sounding horrified. "What a tragedy. Please send her my best regards," he voiced, sounding truly sincere."

Megan raised fearful eyes up at Lionel. "Mr. Luthor, please don't let him hurt me," she pleaded, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't have anyone to turn to for help, and I'm so scared!"

"It's my understanding that you have become quite close to my son, what possible help could I afford you that he wouldn't give himself?"

"It's him I fear the most!" she exclaimed, her eyes growing wide with pure terror. "He... he's so cold, and calculating. And, he's accused me of having dealings with you! He blames me for Chloe's accident!"

"There, there," he comforted smoothly, handing her a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. He seemed genuinely taken aback at her show of distress as he eased himself into the chair beside hers. "We both know that's not the truth, Miss Hammond."

"But, he doesn't believe me!" she cried into the cloth, wiping her nose. She met his eyes with hers. "He's taking Chloe to Smallville for her to recover while he investigates who hurt her, and he's insisting that I go with them. Mr. Luthor, please," she implored, placing her hand delicately on his knee. "Please, help me! I couldn't possibly go with them, but I'm so afraid of what he'd do if I refuse!"

Lionel weighted the young woman's story thoughtfully. It would be just like his son to whisk Chloe back to the safety of Smallville while she recuperated. His insistence that Megan accompany them was merely another predictable action from his son, especially if Lex suspected Megan having any association with him personally. Yes, Lex would insist that the woman go to Smallville with them, to keep her under his watchful eye.

Lionel looked into the imploring brown eyes of one Miss Megan Hammond, her hand resting lightly at his knee not going unnoticed. He knew the attractive brunette had a reputation among the men of her social group. Nothing too tarnishing, but she was known to be appeasing frequently enough. He studied her wide expressive eyes for any sign of deviousness, and found only uncertain fear.

He knew without a doubt how much she feared him, the fact that she paced outside his office for twenty minutes amplified that fact. He never thought he would live to see the day when someone feared his son over him, and yet she sat before him beseeching for his help against his son.

He leaned toward her, taking both her hands in his, holding her gaze with his own. "Why don't you join me for lunch. I'll have something private set up here in the office, and then, we can discuss how we may be of assistance to each other."

He counted the emotions that flickered through her eyes in response to his proposition and smiled when deceit wasn't one of them. Megan nodded in consent as she licked at her dry lips, and lowered her eyes to her lap, feeling as though she had just sold her soul to the devil himself.