Chapter 13: Twisted Propositions
Chloe enters the 'Talon' to get her caffeine fix and confront Lana who had been avoiding her since she walked in them, and after three weeks Chloe had had enough before going to the 'Torch'
"Hey Lana," Chloe says walking up to her.
"Chloe," she says before quickly going to get another order.
"Oh come on Lana what you saw wasn't that bad and if it is I'll pay for therapy, but I miss my only girl type friend, besides Lois who is visiting her sister in Copenhagen and I'm dying to talk to someone about it,"
"Ok Chloe we can talk when I get home I promise and I've been dying to ask you about it any way but I really am busy." She says smiling at the blonde.
"Great see you when you get home."
About three weeks have passed since that night and Lex is slowly cutting his father out of his life. Chloe walks into the 'Torch' to work on the final issue of the year. When she sees her beloved newspaper she is shocked at the disarray it looked completely ransacked. Her heart plops to her stomach as the tears begin to fall.
"Chloe?" Clark asks as he walks in and notices the destruction.
"Clark I'm gonna fix this you have the day off," she brushes bast him and swiftly gets to her car and heads in the direction of the mansion.
Unfortunately instead of finding Lex he found his father. "Sorry Mr. Luthor I thought you were Lex." She turns to leave
"Wait Miss Sullivan I have something I wish to discuss with you." He smiles at her back when he sees her stiffen, and she turns to face him. "I've been following the 'Torch' and I must say you are very good at what you do," The double entendre of his words is not lost on Chloe and her skin begins to crawl. "I remember Martha saying how poorly they invest in the journalistic department in your school, and I thought I'd lend a hand by updating the 'Torch'"
Chloe's reporter brain goes into overdrive as she could smell a rat when she sees one, but she is curious, "What's the catch?" she watches him get up and circle her like a predator stalks his prey.
He scoffs in her direction and says, "Normally that remark would wound me Miss Sullivan, but this time however-"
"Cut the bullshit and tell me what you want," Chloe says interrupting him, and for a moment she thought she saw shock on his craggy face.
"I want you to stay away from my son, and if the loneliness is too much to bear I'm sure we could come to some arrangement." He's standing directly in front of him and he places a hand on her arm, which she immediately shakes off. Knowing what he meant by 'arrangement'
"You sick sadistic twisted Bastard, you can take your propositions and shove them up your ass, why do you hate your son so much he has done nothing to you except try to gain your warped approval. Or is it the fact that he's happy and in love with me. So as much as I love the 'Torch' I'm sorry I will decline." She turns to leave before she becomes physically violent.
"I love Lex and I know what is best for him and you are taking away his destiny by keeping him from me." He says
"You just want control of him so he can become like you well let me tell you something Mr. Luthor as long as there is breath in my body I will fight tooth and nail for Lex's soul and I can be a formidable opponent," she vows with a passion Lionel hadn't seen for his son since Lillian died he is beginning to admire the gutsy blond and if she was on his side she would be a perfect fit for lex but since she isn't he needs her to either switch sides or move out of the way.
"Oh Miss Sullivan before I forget I meant to inquire about your father's health everything is well I hope."
Chloe could read the threat between the lines and she wheels back around, "You Son of a Bitch if you hurt my dad you will become the next Jimmy Hoffa,"
"Careful Miss Sullivan I could push one in my phone and destroy your entire life maybe even end it, now do we have a deal,"
Chloe knew her backs against the wall so her shoulders slump in defeat and she says, "Can I at least think about it?"
"Very well just don't think too long Miss Sullivan."
Speeding down the road he races to the mansion Lex tries to get to Chloe before his father does. He knows his father would be there he'd gotten a tip from his loyal butler Steven. However when he stopped by the school to see Chloe and tell her about his father Clark stopped him and told him about the 'Torch's' destruction and about her going to see you to see if it could be fixed.
He sees her car speed in the other direction he shuts his eyes tightly as the slow burning anger towards his father comes to him. He pulls a very illegal u-turn and signals for Chloe to pull over.
When they are both stopped Lex gets out of his car as does Chloe and she runs to him she buries her head into his chest and just sobs, sobs for Lex because of what he's had to put up with for his whole life and for Her father who will probably get hurt because of this. Lex wraps her in his arms tightly and whispers soothing words into her ear. About thirty minutes later she stops crying and lifts her head to meet his eyes, she could see worry, concern, anger, and understanding in them. "You want to tell me what happened," he asks gently wiping her tears away.
"Uh well I went over to your house to see if you could help me set up a new 'Torch' since it was destroyed and your dad was there. And he offered me a deal that basically made me choose between the Torch and you when and if I sleep with him, after I told him no he well then he just got charming, he threatened my dad; and then things became very vocal." She offers him a watery smile and steps away from his embrace, and instantly missed his warm arms, but also needed her space.
Lex's stomach twists in disgust at his father's gall to try and tempt Chloe he'd need to do more research Chloe isn't the one to back down from anything, "Why don't you go home I'll be there later."
"Lex don't do something rash please,"
He smiles at her and counters, "You know me,"
"Yes that is what worries me." She steps in her car and begins to drive in the direction of her house.
Lex storms into his study and finds his father speaking into the phone, "Hang up before I do," Lex says his mask of aloofness firmly in place he leans over the desk his palms flat on the smooth surface his eyes narrowed, Lionel could see the barely leashed fury in his eyes and for the first time Lionel feels fear that he had pushed his son too far, but the feeling only lasted a moment. He ends his phone call and looks up at his son's face.
"To what do I owe your wrath today Lex," he says leaning back an easy smirk on his face leaning back in his chair.
"You threatened Chloe dad, why can't you leave us the hell alone."
"You both need to learn a lesson in family loyalty, son."
"I don't need you dad and that fact threatens your power over me and you think you can do what ever you want to restore control over me," Lex says. "But guess what dad you have lost now leave Chloe alone and let us live our life in peace." He rises up from the desk and begins to turn and walk away.
"Lex you should know that a true victor never gives up," Lionel says from his seat, "And it would be in both your best interests if you uh how do the youth of today put it ah yes, 'take a break' if you don't who knows what could happed, after all she gets into so many scrapes, and her father's job is rather dangerous." Lex stops briefly before continuing to make his exit his heart filling with sadness for probably having to give up his one chance at happiness, Chloe.
He stops outside the room to take a breath and try to pull himself together when his father's voice filters to his ears obviously on the phone, "Charles do you remember the little uh problem I mentioned…yes the one with my son, well my son refuses to fix it himself I believe he needs a little help, could you lend him a hand with her and perhaps her father…excellent, the payment will be there as soon as it is done, you're a good man Charles."
Lex knew who Charles is; he is one of the most highly paid hit man in the world and he knew Chloe is in trouble.
"Dad, dad," she yells upon entering her home panic enters when he doesn't answer right away, but relief sweeps through her is as her father comes out of the kitchen drying his hands.
"Chloe what is it I just started to make dinner." He says worried at the panicked tine in her voice and eyes. Then she throws herself into his arms thankful he is there and not out or worse. When she pulls herself from his embrace she says, "Dad listen to me I can't explain right now but do you think you could go stay with Uncle Sam for a few days,"
"Chloe what are you," Gabe does not get to finish his question because Lex comes into the house. And quickly takes Chloe into his arms, thinking how bad things had gone since only yesterday had been a good day.
"My father just hired a highly paid hit man for you both, and we need to get out of here and lay low for the next few months, he is only contracted for three months if he doesn't get his target my father will either fire or kill him."
"Ok I'm a little lost what the hell is going on?" Gabe says frustrated.
"I'm sorry dad I never meant to get you dragged into this mess, I need to go pack."
"I apologize as well Mr. Sullivan, this is my fault. Listen I villas in over many countries I can hire decoys in five seconds to be on a plane to every single one of them and my secretary call the press and send them on a very wild goose chase and we go our separate ways, until this is resolved."
"How would that work where would we go and when?" Gabe asks.
"The villas where the decoys wouldn't be and immediately if at all possible," Lex explains.
"Ok but Chloe goes with you she'll be safer with you," Gabe relents a feeling of helplessness wells in his chest.
"I'd die for her I promise you that."
"I know you would Lex," there is a faint smile on his face and acceptance mixes with understanding in his eyes. Lex smiles back and then begins to make the phone calls to his secretary and decoys.
Then Chloe comes down the stairs with her duffel bag, "I called Lana and told her to stay with Nell for the summer because of everything that happened." She says wiping her eyes. She hugs her dad again and tells him she loves him and to be safe. She swallows the lump in her throat and nods to Lex to tell him that she is ready as she'll ever be.
Driving in silence Chloe and Lex are half way to the airport. He looks at her a moment and her eyes get wide and she yells, "Lex!" before he turns his eyes back to the road and another car looms dead ahead, and collides into him, and Lex's vision goes white.
HA HA HA a very big cliff now I know some are mad at it and I may update faster if you Review.