Chasing Shadows part 11 ~ Perfect Retribution
"We both know she's become infatuated with him, Chloe," Lex stated matter of factly, referring to Megan.
"Don't give up on her, Lex, please," she begged, her feelings showed in her expressive eyes.
"It's been two months, I can't forfeit anything on her behalf. I must make the necessary precautions. We'll never have another opportunity like this again, and you know it."
"I do know that. All I'm asking is that you give her the chance to prove that she's done what we asked of her. Don't throw her efforts away like they don't mean anything."
Megan was no longer a reliable source as far as Lex was concerned, and he had made arrangements for her to be detained just before the final confrontation with his father. They had known that all communication would cease with her during this part of their plan. However, neither Lex nor Chloe were prepared for how convincing she had been the last time they had seen her with Lionel.
Her act had been convincing enough for Lex to have serious doubts, and he had taken special precautions to assure that everything would go as planned, whether Megan betrayed them, or not. But, Chloe refused to believe anything against her friend, and argued with him about the woman's loyalty with such earnest it tore him apart to have to lie to her.
He sighed deeply, and glanced at Chloe as she pulled her bathrobe around herself. They'd been arguing this point on and off for the past four days. The time was drawing near for them to make their ultimate move. They simply needed one last piece to fall into place and then... Lionel Luthor would meet his end.
"She's unreliable, Chloe," he stated tiredly. "She has no reason to fear me as long as she is close to my father. And, very close to him she has been without a doubt."
"Your arrogance is astounding at times, do you know that?" she accused rhetorically and waited for him to return her gaze. "What makes you think that 'you' are the reason she had agreed to any of this in the first place?"
He chuckled despite himself. "What makes you think she hasn't played you for the fool? It was her idea to seduce my father, after all."
"And you pounced on that idea like a cat," Chloe reminded him.
"And, that mistake will be corrected. I can't risk the chance of her possibly betraying us. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to force myself to do it."
"I think you're wrong," she stated quietly. "Isn't there any way we could find out if she's been helping us?"
"Not without making my father suspicious."
She remained quietly thoughtful for a few minutes while Lex undressed for bed. "Then, you still believe there's a chance she hasn't turned her back on us," Chloe stated confidently. "Otherwise you would have done something by now."
He paused to look at her pointedly, his socks still in his hands. "Just drop it, Chloe. I'm tired of debating this with you." He tossed his socks toward the hamper in the corner, not caring that he missed, then settled into bed.
She walked to his side of the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress. Running her hand up his bared chest, she leaned over him and licked at a taught nipple.
"I'm not asking you to not be cautious, Lex," she stated softly, meeting his eyes. "I'm asking you to let her be apart of this when the shit hits the fan. She's still a key in this."
He moved into a half sitting position and pulled her to him, consuming her lips with his. She stretch out on top of him, pushing him fully on his back, and met his demanding mouth with her own.
"You wouldn't be trying to seduce me into changing my mind, would you?" he asked breathlessly against her ear, as her lips and teeth teased his neck. His hand slipped between their bodies, under her robe, to touch her wetness.
"We both know that wouldn't work," she replied, gently nipping at his neck, her lower body grinding against his hand. "But, I can give you an incentive to check which one of us is right. I need to know as much as you do, Lex. Do whatever you have to, and find out the truth."
"Two weeks ago you told me not to interfere." He pointed out as he rolled her to her back, and positioned himself at her entrance, teasing her with his erection. She shrugged nonchalantly before drawing him into her arms. "Why do you stay with me, Chloe?" he asked, changing the subject. He knew why, but asked regardless. A part of him hoped her answer would be different for once.
"Because we're good together, now give me what I want."
She gave the same response as always, only recently his heart refused to accept it. "Give me what I want," he demanded in a whispered voice, changing their usual playtime dialog.
She tensed slightly, knowing what he meant. He had become more persistent about her giving him an answer to his proposal, the answer he wanted to hear, that is. He continued to be patient for the most part, yet more demanding of her at the same time.
He pushed himself past her nether lips, entering her just enough to send a heated jolt through her. He knew her body too well, Chloe moaned and wrapped her legs tighter around him in an effort to bring him in for more.
"Don't tease me for the wrong reasons, Lex," she warned him breathlessly. "We've never used each other to that level."
He sank himself deep into her, closing his eyes at the feel of her envelope around him. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her legs around his waist. "Don't ever leave me, Chloe," he rasped into her ear. "I couldn't bear it."
She wanted to know the reason behind his desperation. It seemed to Chloe that the closer they got to defeating Lionel the more Lex drew her in. He'd become increasingly possessive of her, increasingly watchful of her every move, increasingly more attentive to their love making. Which, although wasn't a bad thing, it made her wonder more and more for his reason.
"Lex," she breathed into his ear.
The flood of desire washed away her questions. His hands and mouth on her skin had her soaring. The feel of him moving within her, had her grab at him passionately. His lips were at her neck, his teeth nipped at that sensitive spot so perfectly. His hand slipped under her back, slowly running his palm down the length of her spine. She arched her back for him, and met his thrusts as their momentum built to a fevered frenzy.
She raked her nails down his back, and grabbed his ass to force him into her harder. She cried out when he consumed her every thought, every feeling, every particle of her being sang his name with clarity.
"I love you!"
He thrust deeply into her once more with a shuddering explosion. No matter how he tried to prolong their love making, her outburst of her affection for him always broke his will. She'd been doing it for years, proclaiming her love at the moment of absolute abandonment, leaving him no choice but to join her in pure ecstasy.
XxXxX
Lionel led Megan by the elbow into the banquet hall, pausing at the door for the doorman to take their coats. The gown she had purchased for the evening was exemplary, if not extremely revealing. She had styled her hair adeptly with curls and pins, allowing the long tendrils to lay softly over her bare shoulders, and enticingly tease any man with an ounce of sense by naturally covering the full swells of her breasts.
Lionel surveyed the crowded room with his head held high. This was where he would find out exactly what Lex has been up to. Within these walls there were no assistants to make excuses, there were no convenient ways for him to be politely shrugged aside. So far he has obtained small hints pertaining to Lex's plans to over throw him, but not near enough to be of any help. This banquet was host to every major share holder in Metropolis, and Lionel would get his answers once and for all before the evening was done.
"Mr. Luthor," a man addressed nervously after Lionel fixed him with his steady gaze.
"Parkins," Lionel responded stiffly. "I was informed you have been having difficulties with your overseas offices."
"Yes, well, that is almost resolved. I apologize for being unavailable to return your calls. I hope this doesn't effect our business together."
"Why would it? I understand completely when your business needs your full attention," Lionel stated airily, then turned his eyes to Megan. "Megan, be a dear, and escort yourself to our table while I speak with my associate."
"Of course, Lionel," she purred with a charming smile. She gave him a promising glance over her shoulder as she was met with a maƮtre d to be escorted to their table.
"I give you credit for having exceptional taste, Lionel," Parkins voiced, his eyes following Megan as she was being seated.
"And, I give you credit for having the sense to not meddle with what is mine."
Steven Parkins looked at Lionel with curiosity. He had never known the business tycoon to exhibit any show of possession toward a woman before, and the sharp edge in Luthor's tone was definitely possessive.
"I was merely admiring your taste, Lionel, nothing more," he assured the other man. Parkins didn't like the look in Luthor's eyes, in fact he didn't like Lionel Luthor to begin with, and was beside himself that he became involved with the man in the first place.
"Of course you were, Parkins, it would be foolish for you to think otherwise. Extremely foolish. Now tell me," he segued, his tone becoming lighter. "What was the business proposal my son has offered to you that would make you fly overseas, and avoid me completely."
"I'm not sure what you're accusing me of, Lionel," he replied, almost choking on his drink. "If I haven't responded to your calls, what would make you believe I would respond to your son's? I have heard that he is causing a ruckus among the ranks, however, I am not privy to the details since I have just returned state side this afternoon."
Lionel pointedly looked at the man in front of him, and knew he was lying through his teeth. "Of course, Parkins, how thoughtless of me. However, I expect to hear from you first thing in the morning to solidify our agreements."
"Absolutely," the man conceded. "You were my first priority upon my return to begin with, Lionel."
Lionel walked away to join Megan at their table. He knew damned well that Parkins had contacted Lex, albeit a few weeks before. What intrigued Lionel the most though, was how the business man didn't display any nervousness more so than usual. Surely, if he had agreed to anything Lex had to offer the man would've been shaking in his shoes.
"Will I be expected to fend for myself this entire evening, Lionel?" Megan asked sweetly as he seated himself at the table.
"That was a given, my dear, one that requires no explanation. Just be careful to whom you speak with, and what you say. I trust you can manage that much?"
Megan nodded in compliance, sipping at her champaign. "Of course, Lionel. I wouldn't dream of ever upsetting you, again."
Lionel smiled at her, and placed his hand over hers on the table. "I know you wouldn't, my dear, and I promise that things will settle down in due time."
Lionel excused himself from her side to approach a table across the room. Megan noticed with extreme interest how the attendees expressions changed dramatically as he drew nearer, even their wives became guarded and uncomfortable. She took a deep breath as she glanced down at her untouched plate of food.
With graceful ease, she tossed her napkin to her plate and stood up. Grabbing her purse she spared a glance in Lionel's direction, not surprised that his eyes were on her although he was speaking to those around him. She gifted him with a small smile before heading in the direction of the ladies room to freshen up.
As she returned to their table a few minutes later, Megan became aware of a sudden change in the room. Conversations were hushed to a mild din, the clinging of silverware practically ceased, and the tension was almost tangible. Shifting her gaze to search the hall she found the reason for the disturbance standing at the doorway. It was Lucas Luthor.
Lionel watched Megan's return to their table from the corner of his eye. She had been out of his sights for the same amount of time she would take to refresh herself at home, this pleased him greatly knowing that she had not been deterred. He also noticed the fresh application of her lipstick and a slight adjustment to her beautiful dark hair.
He stood from his seat to relieve the table of associates of his presence when he noticed the din in the room grow quieter. His gaze immediately returned to Megan, who stared toward the entrance with a paled pallor on her face. Following her gaze he saw Lucas entering the hall, and heading directly in his direction.
Pulling his coat jacket closed in the center, Lionel stepped forward to meet his youngest son with the intention of once and for all finding out what the hell was going on with Lex. Apparently every business associate he had spoken with has inadvertently been unavailable to both himself and his son in an attempt to stay out of the feud within the Luthor ranks. Lucas of course would give him insight within his cockiness to defend his half brother.
There was only several feet remaining between them, and the space grew steadily shorter. A grin formed on Lucas's face as they held each other's gazes during the approach. Suddenly there was a hand on Lionel's arm, causing him to stop short, and turn his attention to his side. It was Megan.
"Lionel, please. I wish to leave," she pleaded softly, her face pale, and eyes wide as she continued. "I understand you need to be here, but please allow me to leave. I don't want to be near him, not now, not here. I'm afraid, Lionel."
Lionel glanced at Lucas who continued to swagger toward him, his gaze now taking in Megan as well, his grin still in place on his lips. Lionel placed his hand over hers on his arm. "Of course, my dear, we'll leave immediately."
He placed his left hand at the small of her back, keeping hold of the other in his, and led her forward toward the exit. He met his son's eyes as they passed him, Lucas looking between them with bewildered amusement, Megan bowing her head to avoid any possible contact with Lucas.
"We will discuss this at another time," Lionel stated as he passed. "Tell your brother he's made a terrible mistake, and he will pay dearly for it."
Lucas watched the couple leave the hall with a broad amused smirk, his eyes shining brightly. Running his tongue over his teeth, he turned and continued on his way into the hall, snatching a glass of champagne from a passing waiter as he headed for the restrooms area.
XxXxX
"Damn, I didn't expect you to still look this good," a masculine voice stated from the doorway.
"Lucas," Chloe announced, spinning around with surprise at the voice behind her. "Uhm, thanks, I think," she replied with flattered confusion. "How did you expect me to look?"
"Oh, I don't know, from the under toned scents in this room, I figured you'd be pregnant by now," he chuckled with eyes dancing with humor.
Chloe blushed slightly, and turned away from him. Her and Lex had just finished a healthy helping of sexercise, however, she was not going to discuss this with Lucas! "Well, Lex will be down in a few minutes. He's taking a shower."
"You are pregnant, aren't you?" he asked, scrutinizing her thoughtfully.
"And, 'what' would give that assumption?" she chuckled easily, her brows raised with amusement. "You know, Lucas, I thought you would have smoothed out those rough edges of your personality over the years. I'm almost disappointed at being wrong."
He smiled lazily at her, crossing the room to stand only a couple feet away from her.
"I'm not pregnant, Lucas. Why do you insist on bringing that up every time you come here?"
"Because I know how insatiable my brother is with you," he grinned. "But, it's good to see you again anyway," he added, giving her an affectionate hug. "I missed you the last couple of times I was state side."
"Yeah, well, Lex and I needed a break from each other." She smiled weakly at him from arms length.
"More like you needed a break from him. Has he wised up any or is he still being a pompous ass?"
"He has his moments," she laughed honestly. "But, he's trying."
"And, what about you? How much of a hard time do you give him for his troubles?"
"Me? I don't give him a hard time," she replied with a feigned sweet smile.
"Right," Lucas laughed. "And, I'm the heir of LuthorCorp." Chloe laughed with him. "But, seriously," his expression growing grim. "Why are you giving him a hard time, Chloe? I don't get it."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Lucas." She blinked at him.
He snorted. "Yes, you do. I heard about what 'dear ole dad' did to you to try and keep you away from Lex. Have you thought about 'why' he went to such lengths?"
"Yes, because I was able to supply Lex with information, and help steer him in a good political direction."
Lucas laughed outright at her answer, making Chloe frown unpleasantly. "How about the simple fact that you make him happy, you always have, and 'daddy' doesn't want Lex to have anything in his life that would make him happy."
"He has you," she replied lamely, not liking the way this conversation turned.
"I'm his brother, and I drive him insane. Even when I'm not trying to, it seems."
"Oh? Is that a tell tale sign of a woman in your life?" she asked, tongue in cheek. The last time Lucas had found a woman she almost ended up with most of Lucas's shares, not to mention his cash assets. If it hadn't been for Lex interfering, Lucas would have been right back to where he started before he met Lex.
"No, snoop, it's not," he answered with humor, knowing she was referring to his brief engagement to Cecilia. Then, his tone changed again to a more serious note. "I'm not kidding, Chloe. You're good together, he loves you, and don't even think about trying to tell me you don't return his feelings."
"This is something between Lex and myself. When you get into a serious relationship, that lasts longer than two months, then maybe I'll listen to anything you have to say. In the meantime... Lucas, mind your own business."
"Why does it seem you are always at each other's throats when I find you in a room together?" Lex asked lightly, walking into the library.
"It's called sibling rivalry," Lucas joked, turning to face his brother. "Something you obviously don't know anything about."
"I have a meeting at four that I have to attend," Chloe announced, checking her watch as she walked toward Lex. "Maybe you can remind your brother that not everything is his business," she quipped lightly before giving him a kiss, and headed for the door.
Both men watched her leave before Lex turned toward his brother. "Did you have any problems?"
"Problems? I'll say we ran into problems, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. That guy Jake you had dredging up information was in a bad way. His stay at the hospital was legit though exaggerated. He got ambushed, and made it to the hospital. But, it was his common sense that kept him there until I showed up. It wasn't easy, Lex, but we got what we need.
Lex nodded his head thoughtfully, moving to the wet bar to fix a drink. "And the other matter? Anything?"
Lucas took a deep breath, staring at the back of his brother's head before answering. "You like stirring up the hornets nest, don't you?" he asked rhetorically.
Lex turned around and casually walked over to Lucas, handing him a drink, then sat in a leather chair. Lucas followed suit, leaning forward, and resting his elbows on his knees. "I almost didn't get anything," he said, replying to the question. "He's got her on a tight chain, bro, a very tight chain. He noticed 'everything', right down to the slightest eye contact she gave anyone in the room."
"But, you got something?" Lex pushed.
"Yeah, she followed through, I got the information you were looking for." Lucas reached into his jeans pocket, and pulled out a small black booklet. "He'd kill her for this, you realize that, right?"
"I'm more than well aware of the danger she's in," Lex reassured him. He reached over and took the booklet, then placed it in his own slacks pocket. "I expect 'Dad' to meet with me first thing in the morning in Smallville. As soon as he leaves his penthouse, get her out, and stay with her until I call you."
"Consider it done."
Lucas raised his glass to clink with Lex's before they both sipped in a silent toast.
XxXxX
"Okay, Lex. What's all this about?" Lionel announced loudly, barging through the double stained glass doors of the mansion. "Lex!" he called when his son was nowhere to be seen. He turned around to look up toward the balcony as a man servant entered the room.
"Pardon me, Sir," Enrique addressed. "Your son, has been unexpectedly called back to Metropolis on urgent business. He said to tell you, he would meet you in your office at LuthorCorp as soon as you return there."
"Did he now?" Lionel voiced cynically. "Funny how he can fill my voice mail with meaningless messages to get me here, yet he can't inform me not to come and waste my time." He glanced at the servant who patiently waited for any instruction. "Thank you, I shall take this up with my son in Metropolis."
"Very well, Sir." The servant half nodded, and stepped from the room. Lionel followed suit, and headed out to the heliport.
'What the hell are you up to now, Lex?' Lionel thought once he was inside the helicopter. 'Well, whatever it is I'm sure I can deal with it as I always have.'
Within a few minutes in the air an odd smell came to Lionel's nose. "What is that smell?" he called to the pilot.
"It's tuna fish on rye, with onions, sir!"
"I am 'not' in the mood for insubordination! Now put that food away, and get me to Metropolis immediately!"
The pilot rewrapped his sandwich, and placed it aside on the empty front seat, muttering to himself the whole while.
XxXxX
"Lex, what is the meaning of..." Lionel was ranting as he entered his office. His voice trailed off at seeing his son sitting behind the desk, Chloe standing at his side, and Megan standing behind them. A quick glance around the room also showed Jake, Parkins, and a few other associates standing to one side, along with half his board members. "I see," he stated slowly, then chuckled without humor. "A showdown."
"As of ten o'clock this morning consider yourself overthrown," Lex stated evenly. "I am the new head, and president, of LuthorCorp."
Again, Lionel chuckled humorlessly. "Very funny, Lex. Now remove yourself from my chair."
"While you were flying over cornfields this morning you lost all your active bids for future companies," Lex continued unmoving. "Forty-three of your sub corporations were successfully bid upon, and are no longer a part of LuthorCorp."
"That is impossible," he snickered uneasily. "There's no way that a bid can go up, and close within two hours. You're bluffing, and quite frankly I am far from being amused."
"All your assets have been frozen. Which immediately released any bid you may have had to the second bidder."
"No! There is no way you can freeze all my assets!" he yelled, losing his control. "You don't have the power to do such a thing."
"You're right. Alone, I wouldn't have been able to do it. But, I wasn't alone." Lex stood from the chair, and walked around the desk to close the space with his father. "You have no idea how many enemies you have made over the years, do you? Well, I do, and I have been contacting them for years. Gaining information, obtaining contracts, and making deals. Legitimate deals."
"I don't care who you've met or talked to, I don't keep my assets all in one basket as you do." Lionel's tone changed to dictating as he continued. "I've always told you, Lex, never keep all your money in one place, but, you never listened!"
"Oh, I listened. I listened so well that you never once checked the background of who I was making deals with to rebuild LexCorp. I haven't had all my assets in one account since I found myself homeless. I'm sure you remember that one, though it was quite a while ago."
"Ah, when Lucas became of age as share holder, how could I forget? Where is the boy, anyway, surely he's in on this somehow?" Before Lex could answer, Lionel waved his hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter, son," he chuckled lightly. "My assets are as I left them this morning."
"Actually, Lionel," one of the board members spoke up. "No, they're not. They are as Lex said, frozen." Lionel turned wide bewildering eyes to the man who spoke. "We've noticed that you have taken unnecessary risks lately that concerned us deeply. As LuthorCorp's board members we have unanimously voted to freeze your corporate accounts while we investigate your actions more thoroughly."
"You 'dare' to challenge me! This is MY company!" Lionel seethed under his breath, then turned livid eyes back to Lex. "You will never get away with this."
"I already have," Lex calmly informed him. "Trust me, 'every' 'single' account you own has been frozen, and is in the process of being turned over to me, as your heir.
"Are you saying you're going to have me killed?" he asked, a nervous laugh escaped his lips. He didn't need to ask how Lex obtained the information concerning all his personal accounts. His eyes slowly focused on Megan accusingly.
Lex smirked sardonically. "To the outside business world, you already are. You have nothing left except what I decide to give you," he stated as he reseated himself behind the desk.
"Well, enjoy your reign of power for as long as it lasts, Alexander, because you won't keep it from me for long."
Lionel turned for the door, then paused, and looked over his shoulder. "Megan, I hope you would remain with me, surely our time together meant 'something' to you," he stated softly, holding out his hand to her. She moved to stand closer to Lex. Lionel dropped his hand to his side, his eyes clearly showing his hurt at her betrayal. "Megan, please," he pleaded openly, reaching out to her once more.
His eyes suddenly glaze over with cold detachment when she didn't move. He shifted his gaze to Lex, and chuckled heartlessly. "It would seem you have finally become the conqueror. But, this game is not over, I assure you."
"You're wrong, it is over," Lex stated coldly. "You're finished. I have made arrangements for you to have a nice retirement in Prague. I expect you to remain there for the rest of your days."
Lionel stepped closer to the doors, causing them to swoosh open automatically, to find Lucas leaning on the other side of the frame. "Make sure you stay where we can find you," Lucas threatened in a deep voice, stepping in close to Lionel's personal space. "Because, I 'will' kill you if I have to search for you."
Lionel turned back to Megan one last time with pleading eyes. "Megan, please, come with me." His entire countenance bespoke how deep his fondness for the woman had become. "I am willing to forget your part in all this. I will forgive you completely. Just please, come to Prague with me."
The room became overbearingly silent, everyone a witness to Lionel's vulnerability.
"Thank you for a most enjoyable time, Lionel," she replied evenly, her tone devoid of any emotion. "But, there is nothing in Prague that interests me. Good bye."
"Get out," Lucas sneered into Lionel's ear. "And, don't come back."
Lionel walked through the doors a defeated man.
XxXxX
Upon reaching the roof, Lionel was relieved to find the pilot still with the helicopter.
"Pilot, start this bird up, I need to make an unexpected trip." He ordered as though none of the events in the office below had occurred.
"I'm sorry, I can't do that." The pilot replied casually.
"Pardon me?" Lionel asked incredulously, pausing at the door of the chopper.
"I am on call for Mr. Luthor."
"That's very funny," he stated without humor. "Get this thing revved to fly."
"No, you don't get it. I was informed that Mr. 'Lex' Luthor is now the authoritive head of LuthorCorp, therefore being the signer of my paycheck."
"Nothing has been finalized in that regard! Now I suggest you chose the next decision you make wisely."
"With all due respect, I've waited a long time to say this to you..."
"Well, enlighten me, and then get this thing flying!" he nearly bellowed, after the man paused too long.
The pilot stepped up very close to Lionel, and looked him directly in his eyes. "Fuck You. I'm going for something to eat."
The pilot roughly brushed passed Lionel, feeling damn good about himself for getting that off his chest. He exited the roof, leaving Lionel to stare after him in astonished shock.
