Ok, I know I promised there'd be a chapter much sooner, but I'm going through some personal shit right now. I just got a rather obnoxious e-mail about "disrespecting my fans" so I'm a little pissed.
You know who you are, and next time the guy I've mooned over since I was 13 starts coughing up blood, AGAIN, I'll just go ahead and tell him I can't be there for him because I've got people living hundreds of miles away that can't wait for me to post the next chapter in a story online.
To everyone else who isn't a raging fuck-nugget, I'm sorry it was late, but what more can I say?
Also, just so there are no questions when you get to it. The name is pronounced "Dare-E-N"
Ok. The school-girl slut gear had lost its appeal.
I was trying not to move from my corner of the elevator, desperate not to flash anymore ass at the boys. Though, now that I thought about it, we were standing in a giant mirror. They'd probably been sneaking looks to snicker the whole ride. If Mr. J had wanted me as a distraction, my too-short skirt and half-top were definitely doing their job.
I might have gotten more adventurous since my life began with the Joker, but this was a little far.
The elevator dinged, saving us from anymore of its music, and Mr. J suddenly snaked an arm around my lower back and tugged me against him. Of course, the pain from my bruises made me stiffen and bite back a pathetic little sound. He ignored it and I, in turn, pretended not to notice the glances from our boys.
They're love-wounds, I corrected them silently.
The doors slid open and we were staring down the barrels of way too many automatics. Kuklinski obviously knew we were coming. His welcome party seemed equally shocked when the Joker simply shouldered through their ranks, dragging me along. Our boys were pulling guns, but knew better then to aim them just yet. Technically, Kuklinski's men were our droogies now; they just didn't realize it yet.
"Well, look at that. The circus just rolled in." I recognized the voice but couldn't place it. The Joker released me to turn a cocked head toward the speaker. When I followed, my gut clenched. It was the cocky bastard who'd led my kidnapping! The one who'd mocked me for defending myself with a switchblade.
The guy was leaned back against the wall next to Kuklinski's office. He flipped open an intricately etched, butterfly knife, tapping the edge against his thigh. (I suppose this was his version of intimidation.) All I really cared about was the dangerous smile slowly creeping over the Joker's face. Stepping back I caught the douche with a heavy stare.
"You gunna do something with that pig-sticker?" I asked, letting him know I remembered him. From the flash of humor in his eyes, he was remembering that night as well. Mr. J's hand was "resting" in his pocket, ready to pull out a wicked surprise, when Kuklinski burst from his office.
He didn't look as professional as he usually did. The shadow of stubble darkened his cheeks and his hair was slightly out of place. His suit was rumpled and hanging open, the tie flung over his shoulders. I wondered if he'd even tried to look decent today. Not that he didn't. Kuklinski was still an attractive guy, he just looked exhausted. Stretched to his limits, and seconds from total meltdown.
His eyes scanned the hallway quickly. Gauging the damage, I suppose. When he saw the Joker's stance, and the asshole's knife, his face darkened with color. "Darien!"
Even I jumped at the boom of his voice. The asshole in question, tensed, his jaw clenching. Was I seeing things, or did this dumbass really think he was being cheated out of a fight. I would have laughed in pity for him had the thought not come with a follow-up.
Darien struck me as a Jock-like personality. He ridiculed the strange to feed his own struggling ego. His picking a fight with Mr. J had been a stupid attempt at gaining back his bully badge.
See! Look at how cool I am! I got the Joker. Sure, he nearly spilled my tiny guts across the hardwood, but I still tried it!
Ugh. Pathetic. And a potential problem.
"We were just clowin' around, boss." Darien smiled at his own quip then stuck the closed butterfly knife into his back pocket. My eyes zeroed in on the glint of tempting steel peeking from his jeans. Well, Mr. J was quelled; too eager to show Kuklinski our surprise that he walked right passed the idiot and into Kuklinski's office. I was still in the hall with the Italian and his lackey. The same bitch who'd been gung-ho to hurt me during my abduction.
Revenge was in order.
Kuklinski looked me over once, taking in my costume and I blew a bubble with my gum for effect. He eyed me with a certain distaste that made my blood warm. Fine then. New game plan. Distraction Time.
"If you'll excuse me, Ms…Quinn?" he let the end drag as if it were dirty and my eyes narrowed. Someone was in a pissy mood. "I'll just need a minute with Darien here, if you would join your master inside…"
"My what?" I growled, but suddenly Alec was at my back and propelling me forward into the large office. I made a point of bumping into the asshole on my way in and letting my hand brush his ass. If he felt it, he would think I was getting flirty. Not that I'd just swiped the butterfly knife from his back pocket to later slip into my boot.
Mr. J was at the desk, picking through files that lay scattered across the hardwood. He glanced up at me once I entered then over my shoulder and back. He was asking why I wasn't with Kuklinski, making with the mind-fuck. I'd been given a job here and so far I wasn't doing it. Alec let the office door fall shut and went to lean against the back cabinet. From there he would have a view and aim of the whole room. Sometimes it made me smile when we looked this organized.
The Joker gave a random heavy sigh and tossed a file back onto the desk, ignoring the fact that its contents spilled onto the floor. "I hate waiting." He divulged then perked up when the Italian came in with his sulking thug.
Kuklinski's eyes once again went to me, but quickly skipped to the Joker who was digging through the second drawer of his desk. He didn't find what he wanted but pulled out a bottle of scotch instead. I caught the edge of a reminiscent smile on his grease-painted face, but he quickly lost it to greet his…buddy.
"Did you put the dog in his place?" he asked, idly pouring a glass of amber liquid he had no intention of drinking. Kuklinski winced, his expression becoming slightly strained and I wondered just how expensive he liked his alcohol.
"It's been dealt with." He answered shortly then moved to his desk slowly, watching Mr. J as if he might attack. "Now, would you mind explaining this visit? I am a busy man."
The Joker grinned at that and handed Kuklinski the glass as he sat down behind his desk. The Italian swirled the liquid suspiciously and set it down on the desk again.
"That's ex-act-ty why we're here, Dicky-boy." The Joker moved around to the front of the desk so he could look at Kuklinski directly. "You have been a busy man."
I took this time to slink around Kuklinski's desk and hop up onto it. He gave me a little glare before returning his attention to the clown. I crossed my legs daintily and blew another pink bubble with my gum.
"Forgive me, but what exactly is it you're implying?" the Italian asked calmly, leaning back in his chair to pretend he was at ease. But from where I sat, I could see the sweat at his brow. He knew he was in trouble.
The Joker raised both brows and nibbled his bottom lip then motioned to Alec who immediately stood and went to the door.
"Now Richard, there's no need to get fresh." My Puddin' shook his head while Alec conferred with one of our guys right outside. He nodded once and took a brown shipping box into the office. The Joker motioned toward me and I took it from my position on the desk, plopping it down between the mob boss and myself. His eyes went to the brightly wrapped "present" then up at the clown. Ignoring this, Mr. J began to pace, getting excited.
"You've got to be kidding me." Darien mumbled, watching the present in its bright yellow and red birthday paper, covered in balloons and clowns. Kuklinski shot him a pointed look while Mr. J smirked.
"It's so hard to find good help these days." He said, giving Darien a once-over then decided he wasn't worth the time. "I mean, the kids just don't seem to understand respect anymore." His eyes narrowed suddenly and his smile became predatory. "Or loyalty."
I took my que when Alec coughed. With a glance at Darien, I pulled his butterfly knife from my boot and expertly flipped it open. His mouth dropped open in rage and he instinctively slapped a hand down on the last place it had been.
Take that.
"You bi-"but the Joker had turned his attention back on the pathetic thug and he decided to get quiet. I arched a brow and smirked at him as I offered the blade to Kuklinski. I crinkled my nose as a fetid stench rolled out of the packagewhen he opened it and Kuklinski stiffened. His vivid, green eyes zeroed in on the contents and he paled. I watched his grip tighten around the knife, knuckles turning white, and I thought for a moment, that he would stab me.
"Harley." The Joker said shortly, and I grit my teeth. Well damn…guess I was the dirty Work Girl today. What can ya do, though. With a bit of a sigh I reached into the box and curled my fingers around the blood-matted hair of a 35 year old man named Byron Transki. By the way Kuklinski's lips thinned, he knew him.
But we were already aware of that.
"Holy shit!" Darien's eyes were huge as we all gazed at the severed head. Its lips were sewn shut and a tiny corner of white peeked out between the stitches. Kuklinski let his eyes close a moment then looked back up at the Joker.
"You just never know who you can trust now-a-days." the clown sighed. I leaned forward, popping another bubble with my gum as if this were the most normal things I could be doing. I plopped the head down on top of Kuklinski's files and pointed to the sewn lips.
"Look inside." I encouraged. His eyes were dark now, intense and clouded, but he grabbed the front of the hair and sliced through the stitches without response. I took the knife from his grip and flipped it back closed, ignoring the sound of indignation that came from the far corner when I slipped it back into my boot. Kuklinski's fingers twitched once before reaching out to part the grey, puckered mouth, withdrawing a slip of paper from between the teeth. On it, in Kuklinski's own hand, was the address of a local strip club in the Narrows. It was the place you went to find disposable help.
The same place Byron Transki had approached Alec for a job only weeks ago. Byron had kept the directions in his pocket.
The Joker leaned forward, inspecting the head , then the note. "It's no-t nice to spy on your friends, Dick."
Kuklinski let out a breath and shook his head. "He was there long before we made our…arrangement." He spoke through clenched teeth.
"I know that." Mr. J rolled his eyes glancing at me when I reached forward and began straitening up Kuklinski's suit. He didn't have the power to hit me or tell me to stop, so I let it drag on as the Joker spoke.
"But no matter. You're going to make it up to me."
"How's that?" the Italian asked, glaring between me and the Joker.
"You're boys are going to pull a liiiiittle job for me." Mr. J replied with a smile.
"My men aren't into the whole terrorist thing." Kuklinski said. He thought we wanted them to plant a bomb? I let myself smile and shake my head as I straitened his tie. When I'd finished I scooped up his scotch glass and downed the expensive liquid. Kuklinski shot me another glare then looked back to the clown.
"No no no." The Joker shook his head violently with each word, then leaned against the desk. "Me and the misses were looking for a decent chunk of change. I'm sure you know where we could find some."
"A bank job?" the mob boss asked in surprise. He glanced up at me, but I was too distracted by the Joker's words.
Me and the misses.
It sent a pleasant chill down my spine.
"I thought you're rule was no money-grubbing" Kuklinski asked bitterly. Mr. J frowned and shook his head.
"I don't have rules." He corrected. "But money is useful against other people. All you venal businessmen and your obsession with The Dollar."
I think we were all taken a little aback at the use of vocabulary, but Kuklinski managed to keep the conversation on track.
"So you'll take money when it's nessisary. Fair enough. But why should I get it for you?"
I sucked in a breath when the Joker's arms snaked around my waist from behind, pulling me across the desk and against his chest.
"Because, silly. I told you to." As if this was the most obvious answer in the world. Mr. J rested his chin on my shoulder, tightening his grip until I made a tiny sound of pain and arched my back away from him. Kuklinski's brow furrowed as he watched, and he met my eyes. The look in his eyes made me flush with an almost shame, but I quickly pushed it away. So he knew I was banged up, what did it matter right?
"Is that how this works now?" Kuklinski asked softly, his gaze moving finally back to the Joker so that I could relax. The clown laughed and let his hand trail down my side.
"I'm sure it won't be hard for you, Dick." His grin was wide and playful as he slid away from the desk, leaving me breathless. It wasn't easy to avoid Kuklinski's eyes as I hopped off the desk and straitened my skirt. Not that it did much good. The Joker took my arm and gave little wave to his new bitch.
"You know how to reach me."
Pulling me close we moved for the door and I rested my head against his shoulder. I'm not stupid, I know this was just him showing off his little toy. (He'd finally gotten wind that I was a trophy-fuck) when the novelty of my situation wore off, he'd go back to treating me like normal, but until then I would enjoy this.
"Wait a minute!" Suddenly Darien was in our way. The Joker cast him a disinterested glance then released my arm. "You want to hand over my property?" he demanded holding out a hand as if I would even consider giving it back.
"Possession's nine tenths, and all that." I beamed, tilting my head. "So, if you'll excuse me."
I tried to step around him, but the asshole grabbed my upper arm and yanked me back.
"I want my fucking knife back you stupid little bi-"
The Joker moved too fast for me to catch. One moment he was standing by the door, the next he was between us and fisting the shoulder of Darien's shirt. The smaller man grit his teeth to cover his fear and pointed at me.
"She stole my shit! I just want It back is all."
Mr. J's expression was blank as he gazed at him. I squeaked when he reached down with his left hand and pulled the butterfly knife out of my boot. I bit back the complaint and only glared at Darien.
"This knife?" The Joker asked slowly, tossing it in the air then flipping it open when he caught it. Darien gave a jerky nod and straitened his shirt now that he was free.
"I want it back is all." He repeated holding out a hand. Mr. J gave me a once over then turned back and shrugged.
"Sure thing." He said, then stabbed it through Darien's hand in into the wall next to the door.
The thug screamed, high and loud making me wince, but the expression quickly became a smile when I saw the tears in his muddy, brown eyes. The Joker smiled, throwing his arm around my shoulders and nodded to Kaklinski who was rubbing his temple with closed eyes.
"I'll tell Teresa you said howdy." He grinned maliciously and Kuklinski's eyes snapped open, but he didn't move. I was kind of curious to know what was going on with the little runt. She wasn't being held at the compound, I knew. A little girl crying would be hard to miss in that echo-y place.
We finally went for the door, and I noticed Alec standing strait, removing his hand from under the back of his shirt where I'm sure he'd been palming a gun. He looked pointedly at the whimpering Darien then back to me and arched an eyebrow. So I stuck out my tongue. Mr. J was humming some disjointed lullaby about evisceration and ignoring us all. As he stepped through the door I swept one, last glance over the room, gauging the damage and paused. In a cluster of pictures on the wall was a shot of Kuklinski and three other people. All were in their late teens and smiling brightly for the picture, but my focus was on the one wrestling with Kuklinski in the center. My next breath caught in my throat and I began to shake.
Tyler. It was Tyler!
Kuklinski noticed and cleared his throat. "Childhood friends." He explained in a voice so cold it made me turn to look at him.
"What happened to them?" I asked and his eyes flicked to the Joker who was giving me an irritated start-moving face.
"I'm sure they're around somewhere." He said, titling his head. "Well, most of them anyway."
He knew exactly who I'd been looking at. He knew that I recognized Tyler. I didn't have a chance to comment, because the Joker finally got tired of waiting and curled a finger around my choke collar, "urging" me to follow.
Holy shit, I thought feeling numb, Kuklinski knew Tyler.