Chapter Ten

"Would you stop blinking?" Corrine ordered as she tried to put on my mascara.

"Well, God, you are taking forever." I argued.

"I am...almost done." She said as she finished. "Okay, all done. Now let's get your gown on. I have to help so you don't smudge anything." She said as she led me into her giant closet. She had me put on this gold gown and fit every curve I possibly had. Black lace flower designs hugged the top of my shoulders and inched their way down the back. She shoved a pair of black heels on me and smiled when she heard Jeff knock on my door across the hall. My hair was flowing around my face and down to the middle of my back. Corrine left the room and I heard her invite Jeff in her apartment, disclaiming to him that she made me her project for the evening. I emerged from the bedroom and his jaw dropped. He looked pretty incredible. He looked very handsome in a tux and his hair pulled back into a well done man bun.

"Wow." He breathed. I smiled.

"You too." I said smiling back.

"You look amazing." He said as he kissed my cheek.

"You guys have fun tonight, have her back by midnight." Corrine said jokingly to Jeff.

"Can't make any promises, not while she looks like this." He said playfully. I smiled. He knew how to make me feel beautiful that was for sure. We headed to the Gotham Gala and went through security first. They seemed extra touchy. Jeff introduced me to all of this elite friends that he grew up with. I met his parents which felt odd. Apparently Jeff was a richy who just decided NOT to be a lawyer. His parents hinted around the fact that they were still bitter about that. I saw Bruce Wayne make his entrance with Gotham's hottest fashion model, Gisele B'Iore. Of course. I excused myself to use the ladies room. I walked into the marbled, rather large women's restroom and splashed my face with water. This was so not my thing. I pressed my palms into the counter just then I saw The Joker emerge into the mirror. I looked into it, not moving.

"What are you doing here? Or in here for that matter?" I asked. But I already knew why he was here. He was going to make a scene. A big one. He made a low growl under his breath and came up behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and put his red lips to my ear.

"Just enjoying the gift you gave me. I owe all of this to you, pet. Now I owe YOU one." He said as he slapped my ass and walked out of the room. I was frozen. He was going to kill Bruce Wayne, in front of this entire Gala. I ran out of the room and I was too late. I saw the security guards being held by goons and The Joker standing in front of Bruce Wayne, while everyone else watched in horror. He pulled the trigger and screams emerged. He was gone as quickly as he had arrived. I stared as Bruce's body fall to the ground, and I couldn't move. I was grabbed by Jeff who said something to me but I couldn't hear anything. He led me, practically carried me to his car as people fled.

Jeff was splattered with blood and I looked at him confused. Then I remembered I saw him speaking with Bruce Wayne before I went to the women's restroom. "I'm so sorry. I didn't know you and Bruce Wayne were friends." I said trying to hold back tears.

"College buddies. I can't...believe this is happening." he choked out as he drove.

"We should go back, the police…." I started.

"They will show up at my place tonight I am sure." he said, sounding somewhat annoyed. He dropped me off without as much as a good night kiss and sped off. I didn't know Jeff well enough to know for sure, but I had a feeling vengeance was on his mind.

I had been texting the Joker all morning after his big show the night before. I had to at least warn him that there were people that were going to be looking for him other than the Gotham Police Department. I knew the right thing to do would be to let Jeff find the Joker's location and out him to the police. But there was a part of me that feared never feeling this monster touching me. He didn't respond. I couldn't sit around anymore. I got on my laptop and started searching for abandoned warehouses in Gotham. I had access to the City Zoning Offices records, which was not easy to get. I knew it took around ten minutes to get me there when Johnny drove me there blindfolded. There were seven locations that were a match. I sighed in frustration, that would take too long. Then I remembered. I remembered The Joker's office was at least ten stories high and overlooked water. He was by the city waterfront. There was only one building that fit that description. I shot up and didn't even bother to grab my coat, no time. I was lucky to hail down a cab immediately, I ordered him to drop me off at the pier, I wasn't stupid. If The Joker found out I led a cab driver to his hideout, he would kill me. I paid the driver and ran like hell. I tried the front entrance which was locked. I started banging on the double steel doors as hard as I could. Nothing. Then the door opened with two beefcakes in mock Batman masks with semi-automatics at the ready.

"I have to see him. He could be in danger." I said. They looked at each other, then one put his finger to his bluetooth and nodded. They motioned for me to head up to the penthouse. I finally reached his office and Frost was guarding the office door.

"He has to leave town. Now. I know someone who is looking for him and WILL find him, it's only a matter of time. Frost touched his bluetooth and swiftly moved past me. I slowly entered the office doors and The Joker was shirtless, his suspenders hanging on his hips, his gun in his right hand.

"You have to get out of here." I said.

"Yeah, yeah I heard pet. No worries, my boys are on it. So let me guess, this new "threat" is your boyfriend?" he asked as he walked towards me. Before I knew it he was only centimeters from my face.

"He is not my boyfriend." I said gritting my teeth. "He is just...it doesn't matter! He is smart, he will find you quicker than I did! He and Bruce Wayne were good friends, wants to find you and turn you in." I warned. He put a cold hand into my hair and snaked his gun occupied arm around my waist. He looked into my eyes and grinned.

"I've got it pet. No worries, im leaving." he said smiling a silver smile. I sighed in relief. "so come with me." he added. I looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back and roughly pulled my lips to his. He bit down on my lower lip and sucked. I moaned into him and wrapped my arms around his neck. Just then we were interrupted. I quickly turned around to see Jeff, soaking from the rain.

"Jesus, Leah. You're….with….him?" he breathed out. The Joker laughed and scratched his forehead with his gun.

"Define 'with'?" the Joker laughed out. Jeff looked at me with such hurt. I felt awful. I couldn't believe how much I had hurt this guy, who treated me so well. Jeff then pulled out his cell phone. He dialed Gotham PD and faces the screen at us. The Joker growled and pointed his pistol at Jeff.

"No! J wait!" I pleaded. The Joker cocked the gun and I instinctively yanked it out of his hand. He shockingly let me have it. I pointed the gun at him.

"I am calling the police. Leah, you can still get out of this. He will just end up hurting you." Jeff said. The Joker scoffed.

"As if you know me, Fabio." The Joker spat back. I slowly pointed the gun at Jeff. "That's my girl." The Joker growled as he licked his lips.

Leah...no." Jeff whispered. Tears were streaming down my face. I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know how my life turned out this way. The Joker was my drug. Jeff was my salvation. I screamed as I pulled the trigger and put a bullet in Jeff's chest. He gasped and reached out as he hit the floor. I shook as The Joker laughed hysterically. His laughter rang in my ears as I sank to the floor.