Chapter Fourteen

The medical personnel at the clinic weren't pleased to see me. The feeling was mutual. Thanks to an elbow fracture I was now sporting a sky blue cast, black sling, and an empty bank account. Now with my left leg and right arm out of commission as well as the yellow and purple bruising under my net of old scars I hailed a cab and headed down to Sionis Industries.

I was being stupid. I should've used my money on less dangerous things like a gun with Tourette's or a garbage bag of used needles. I'm scared of Black Mask but some part of me felt that informing him of Batman's warning was critical in avoiding getting tortured later down the road. Clunking my forehead against the window I rubbed sleep sand from my eyes. Maybe I should move. Just up and leave Gotham for Metropolis or Coast City.

Who was I kidding; I'd never have as much business in either of those places. I needed a dismal and bustling market of thugs, dirty cops, crooked businessmen, and power hungry crazies. My mouth set in a grim line as I watched the twisted architecture of the Steel district approach. There was something ironic about my line of work and how it trapped me in Gotham but I was too tired and frazzled to entertain the thought.

I paid the cabbie, took a few slow breaths, then left the vehicle and headed to the main building. I was surprised by the hustle and bustle surrounding the mill; it seemed on top of being a criminal headquarters the steel mill was in fact still a working steel mill. Having to ask directions from a worker who gave me a curious once over I eventually found a receptionist who pointed me to secretary who sent me to an office up a set of stairs. When I entered the room I was overheating in my jacket, breathing hard, and feeling achy but all that dried up into cold panic when I spotted the white suited mob boss.

He sat behind a desk half covered with papers. A glass of what I assumed to be whiskey or some other gross liqueur rested amidst the chaos with a sleek phone and a pistol that looked like it'd been built for the sole purpose of looking menacing. Not bothering to stand, Black Mask gestured towards a plush set of chairs on the other side of the room next to the wet bar and window overlooking the factory floor. I obediently and gratefully took a seat, Black Mask joining me after a moment.

"I like the look," he purred, crossing his long legs at the ankle. For a moment I thought he was complementing my lazy outfit of black leggings, fanny pack, orange tank top, and gray zip up jacket. I realized he was a focusing in on my casts.

"Yeah, it's getting a bit fetishistic," I conceded, lifting my injured arm a bit.

"Are you here to waste my time or was there something you need to discuss?" Black Mask prompted. I inwardly cringed; he really didn't have the attention span for small talk.

"It's Batman. He told me to tell you he's going to figure out whatever you're doing and stop you," I relayed the message quickly, adjusting in my seat so I was sitting up straighter. The man across from me tilted his head to the side and studied me through half lidded eyes. I dug my fingers into the chair's armrests to avoid squirming under his gaze.

"The bat broke your arm."

"Yeah. I mean yes Sir."

"Looks like you've got an admirer," he laughed, pushing himself out of the chair. "At least I have the decency to do all the damage in one go, seems like Batman likes to savor his victims," Black Mask observed as he stalked back to his desk. I licked my dry lips, nodding a bit. He seemed a lot less feral on his home turf. Not that I was going to take any chances and act up.

"Thank you for the message, Dollface. I'll be sure to send you and another broken limb after the bat when I reply," he leaned against his desk, a smile in his voice. Before I could properly panic the doors to the office swung open and a pretty young woman entered. Casting me a curious look, she continued over to Black Mask and wrapped her arms over his shoulders. Landing a plush kiss on the jaw of his mask. He in turn wrapped an arm around her slim waist and pulled her against him. Oh, maybe she had something to do with the change in the masked man's disposition.

"May I be excused Sir?" I asked warily. He took his attention from his woman and refocused on me.

"What, my company not good enough for you Dollface?"

"N-no! I'm sorry – "

"Then there's something I'd like you to see," he interrupted my panicked babbling.

I ended up following Mr. Sionis and his pretty girlfriend through the steel mill. I figured he was going to push me into a smelter somewhere but I could barely keep up with his leisurely pace, let alone try and run. We passed through a few sections of the building and rode down an elevator. I kept giving the couple I was with worried glances. When we exited the lift I nearly gagged at the odor of the basement. A thickly sweet chemical smell mixed with burning plastic. Trying not to breath too deeply in fear of burning my nose hairs off I was led down a hall and into another large open floor workspace. Surveying the room from a raised platform I paled, realizing what I was looking at as Black Mask laid a vice like grip on my shoulder.

"Think this is what the bat's referring to?" he hissed in my ear. I suppressed a shiver as I looked over the drug lab.

"Why are you showing me this?" I whispered. The pressure on my shoulder strengthened, his gloved fingers digging into my flesh.

"Wouldn't you like to see your base of operations?" he asked with faux sweetness. I shut my eyes and bit my lip, cutting off any ugly groans in my throat. "You'll be right at home around here, it'll be just like Blackgate. Hey, I'll even keep the bats out just for you," he laughed, slapping me on the back. I nodded again, not trusting my voice as I rubbed my eyes with my good hand. I shouldn't have come here. I should have just ignored Batman's threats. Now he was making sure I was involved so that I couldn't speak unless I wanted to incriminate myself. Not that I'd ever go to the police, didn't need another page added to the rap sheet.

"Llana if you'll give Dollface the grand tour I'd appreciate it," he growled, letting go of my shoulder in favor and snaking his arms around the tall blonde's hourglass figure. She smirked at the mob boss through dark eyes, "sure thing Roman, but I better get a bonus for this," she purred. I looked away, blushing despite myself. When the couple had finished murmuring erotic threats to each other Black Mask slapped Llana's bum and left us to the tour.