-1Chapter Nine-Max
Clark sat in his room finishing his homework. He was waiting to hear back from Mr. Edge but he also knew that Max would be in soon as well. However he didn't think he'd see Max till tomorrow. He tapped his pencil nervously, he was anxious to see what Mr. Edge had to say. He'd asked if he knew a way to get Lex to open up a deal worth his while.
Clark didn't have anything to offer, but Mr. Edge did. If he would help him, he was his muscle man from now on. At least he had something to offer Mr. Edge for help.
He couldn't figure out why he was going through this for some girl he didn't even know.
It was just something about her that made him want to take a bullet for her, jump off a bridge, just take care of anything for her. He had the desire to protect her, but why? His laptop beeped and Clark threw down his pencil. He hastily clicked away on his keyboard, getting into his email. Sure enough it was Mr. Edge a.k.a. pocketcash101.
Kal,
It's a pleasure to know you have a weakness like all other men before you. I accept your trade, my boy. Tell Mr. Luthor you've found out through an old connection of a scam against his father. He'll get in contact with me. The bargain for your girls place must be done by you somewhere. Good luck, and I'll be in touch.
Pocketcash.
Clark logged off and closed his laptop. He'd have to wait for Max to get in town. Lex would want to know his source and if he lied, Lex would pull out of the deal. He sat back in his couch and eventually finished the last of his homework. Nothing left to do for the rest of the night, Clark went to bed.
The next morning he was up and out of bed early. He wanted out of the house before Lex could find him. Clark would have plenty of time to talk with Lex after football practice. Today, instead of his backpack, he had his duffel with his practice clothes. He made his way quickly through the house and to the garage without getting lost. It was no easy task, leaving him to sigh in relief when he reached the garage with no sign of Lex or his servers.
He jumped onto the back of his bike and started it up. The engine hummed to life between his thighs, with a quick rev he peeled out of the driveway and on his way to Smallville High.
Clark pulled into his parking spot, next to a new BMW. Clark turned his bike off and checked out the car. For the past few days, the space had been empty. The silver, two door, luxury sport's car filled it's slot. Clark walked around and smiled when he read the tag, "Max". He jogged up the steps and through the front doors. He stopped by his locker and nodded to the lad leaning against the neighboring locker.
"Morning Kal." He said as Clark pulled open his locker and stuffed his bags inside.
"Max." Clark replied pulling out his book. "It's Clark here."
Max nodded, folding his arms across his chest. "I take it Edge was in touch?" He asked.
Clark nodded, "Got your classes?"
Max rolled his eyes and looked down the hallway. "Who's the blonde?" He asked. Clark looked over to see that he was referring to Chloe.
"No one. Look I've got tryouts after school. Where do you want to meet?" Clark asked shutting his locker door.
"I saw this great coffee place on my way in." Max said pulling some of his long hair behind his pierced ears. Clark nodded not wanting to say anymore and clapped Max's shoulder as he passed. Max watched Clark go into a class room a few doors down, the blonde and her boyfriend followed. If they were friends with Kal, it was indeed a sad and pathetic world.
Clark didn't interact with anyone else for the rest of the day. So when the last bell rang he was ready for some tackling. He loved the aggression of football, and the way it helped him relax. Coach Teague waited for the guys on the field. They jogged out, all dressed in their practice gear. They warmed up and were later divided into groups. Clark and Pete were challenging each other for quarterback. Pete went first and Clark played defense. It wasn't long till they were switched out.
Clark held his hand's out, waiting for the ball. "One, Bravo, Set, Hike, Hike, Hike." Clark called.
The ball landed in his hands and he sprinted back a few feet looking for an open player. None were in range of his pass. So instead he tore past a guy running for him and broke down the field. He was able to make it 35 yards before tackled and piled on top of.
"Break it up." Coach Teague shouted. The guys pulled themselves off of Clark who was still clutching the ball. The coach looked shocked when Clark just stood back up and tossed the ball to a team mate. His decision was made. "Good game. Shower down and the results will be posted tomorrow." Coach Teague said.
Clark entered the Talon after parking behind the shiny BMW. His hair was still wet, and his shoulder was sore. He found Max at a back table and joined him. The waitress came and took his order. Clark wanted a Latte and a pastry.
"How was football?" Max asked. He was laid back in his chair. His black jean jacket was slung across the back of his chair and the top button of his silk shirt was undone.
"It went well. Lex will be glad to hear that." Clark said watching as the waitress gave Lana the order. Chloe and Pete were at the counter sipping at their drinks. Pete had stormed out of there when the coach dismissed them after seeing only one play done by Clark.
"Trying to please daddy dearest?" Max mocked in a boyish voice.
Clark glared at him and folded his arms across his chest. "Look, I don't like this okay. Once this is all over we can get back to the good life in Metropolis." Clark said.
The waitress laid a cup and plate down in front of him. Clark studied Max who sipped his drink. Max was the poker player in the group. He could always keep a straight face and have nothing in his hand.
"Don't worry Clark. Edge has quiet the deal for Lex. You'll be out of here in no time." Max said.
It was confirmed. Clark downed his pastry and his coffee. He had to get back to the Manor to work this deal out with Lex.
"You coming?" Clark asked.
Max stood from the table, "No, but I'll be around."
He dropped a twenty on the table to cover their drinks. Clark stood as well and laid a few ones down for tip. He managed to take a peek over to Lana before making his way to the exit. She was talking to Chloe but had looked over to him when he'd stood. He didn't see anger in her eyes.
Lex was sitting behind his desk when Clark barged in. Clark went straight for the bar and poured himself something to drink.
"Hello to you too." Lex said leaning back in his chair. Clark smiled from his glass after taking a sip.
"I have news." Clark said. Lex's eyebrows shot up.
"Then I take it tryouts went well?" Lex asked. Clark nodded his head and took another sip.
"I also came by with some news from an old friend." Clark went on. It was time to bargain.
"A friend from Metropolis I presume?" Lex asked. His facial expression revealed he was concerned about the interaction but curious about what had been said.
"A good friend." Clark replied.
"Really? What did he have to tell you?" Lex asked.
"Quite the information. Information I'm willing to share for a price." Clark said taking another sip.
Lex smirked, "Name it." He said. If Clark was willing to bargain it had to do with his father and he was willing to pay whatever the lad desired to get that information.
"I want to be the owner of the Talon. All rights signed over to me." Clark said. Lex furrowed his brows in confusion and thought. What did Clark want with the Talon?
"Why?" He asked. He'd offer the boy anything and if he backed down now he wouldn't know what Clark did. But was it worth the only blackmail he had over Lana for the chance to take down his father.
"Why not? The place is full with chicks. Beside's I could use the insurance incase something were to happen and I'm stuck here. I need some way to pay my own bills." Clark said smirking after downing the rest of his drink.
"Alright, you have a deal. The papers will be in your hands by tomorrow." Lex said. He leaned over to his phone and dialed the number for his lawyer. Clark listened to their conversation over the speaker phone. Clark was sure he would have the Talon by tomorrow night, however he didn't need to risk revealing all his cards and have Lex cancel his orders.
"I can only tell you what I know." Clark said setting the glass down. "Edge is after your father."
That was all he said. Clark was meant to tell him how to get in touch, but that would give away all his edge. Instead he smiled and buried his hands in his pocket.
"When I see the papers and know for sure that it's fact, I'll somehow learn how you can get in touch with Mr. Edge himself."
Clark smiled and turned. Lex let out a breath and folded his hands together while watching Clark leave his study. He believed the boy when he said he'd tell him the rest. Truth was, this was a fair trade. Mr. Edge was known for his takedown of large corporations, specially from the inside. That was how he earned his riches and knows where to send his goons like Clark for stings.
He wouldn't back out on his deal with Clark. In fact, he was glad that was what the boy wanted. He was going to win Lana back over the old fashion way, seeing that the Talon was a waste of his money and time. Let Clark have it, the idiot boy didn't know what he was getting himself into.