Hello everyone! Been a bit since I updated but I've just been so swamped with work. Any-who, I hope you enjoy this next chapter and that you're all still with me reading this. :) As a side note, I want to thank the reviewers and favs/follows I've been getting. I also wanted to ask you guys, since I'm fairly still new here, if you, as reviewers, prefer that I actually answer your reviews? I see it done in some stories but not all. Just curious what your thoughts are.

Also, forgive me for the constant summary change. I'm just trying to work out the best one. Haha!

As always, PLEASE don't hesitate to leave a review! I do enjoy reading your feedback which in turn helps me improve. Thank you all again!

"Baby, I'm a four alarm fire,
And I'm what you desire,
Like a siren in the night (Don't niro-niro)
Baby you's a man on a wire,
Risking all that you've got,
For the love of your life (You're my hero, hero)

Let me be your dangerous girl"

- Lana Del Rey, "Dangerous Girl"

The next few days seemed to pass by like a dream.

Although I didn't see much of Mister J, when he was around, he'd invite me to dine with him or have a drink or two with some of his business partners. Nothing too serious but enough to let me know he didn't mind my company. I felt like I had reached a new plateau. These little moments allowed us to grow closer.

Today, I was out in the garden stretching my legs on a stone bench. My toes wiggled with the breeze as my fingers lazily caressed all of the flowers surrounding me. I couldn't recall the last time I had felt so relaxed.

Closing my eyelids, I let my head fall back as the sun warmed my skin. It was one of those cool end of summer days. Hot enough to not wear a jacket but the breeze had a crispness reminding you that maybe you should have worn stockings with that dress. I scolded myself silently while welcoming the goosebumps.

I gently brought the back of my left hand to my forehead, humming lowly to myself. I became lost in my own thoughts when suddenly, I felt a tickle at the tip of my nose. My eyelashes fluttered opened to view the iridescent purples of flower petals. Beyond that, a silver grin.

"Good morning, little bug." Joker greeted, twirling the stem.

I sighed with content and smiled, "Morning Mister J." I wrapped my fingers around an empty part of the stem to take the flower from him. "It's such a beautiful day."

"Yes" His eyes glinted as he pulled his hands away to place behind his back. He began to pace around me. "And it'll be even better."

I sat up, laying the petals to my nose. "How's that?"

"Well, my little papillon, today's the day we get one step closer to bustin' good ole' Harls out." His smile widened as I drew my legs in so he could sit.

I frowned, not entirely meaning too. "What do you mean? So soon?"

He let his tattooed digits trace nonsense at the top of my foot. "Turns out, I know a guy-" He paused to look airily around him. "-who knows a guy that just so happens to be a security officer at Belle Reve." His blues quickly met my greys. "An Officer Griggs."

"Mmm, seems lucky."

He chuckled softly behind his smile, both of us knowing the actual truth. He looked away, staring off into the vast green. His fingers now clasped around my ankle.

"Well, I found out a few things, Olive, that has me a little…on edge." His grip tightened as did my own on the stem. His eyes were a darker shade now as they glared into mine. "An Amanda Waller is organizing some screwball task force of baddies to fight other baddies so the good guys don't have to."

I lowered my gaze. "Sounds like the heroes are slacking."

"Doesn't it?" J's grin was twisted. "That's not even the worst of it."

I brought the petals to my lips. "Oh?"

"Oh no, they've recruited Harley and to make sure she doesn't step out of line-" His grip started to hurt the skin of my ankle. "-they've implanted a nano bomb. Do you know what that means?"

I winced slightly at the pain, "No"

Joker leaned in so close that our noses almost touched and whispered, "They want to hurt my pumpkin pie. No one touches the things that are mine. No one except me."

I nodded, "I know."

He removed his hand and smiled again. "Of course you do, that's why you're coming with me." J got up to walk away.

"Hm? I'm what?"

He turned around with his hands behind his back again. "This Amanda Waller and her lackeys clearly want to push my buttons. I won't play her games nor let her pick off the things that are important to me. We're going to be doing a bit of traveling, my dear. So I want you in my sights or accompanied with Frost at all times. Just until we're all back home safe. Got it?"

He may have referred to us as things but I could still hear the odd affection to it. It warmed my soul as I rose, flower between my fingers, and planted a small kiss on his right cheek. He eyed me curiously.

"Got it." I answered, batting my eyelashes as I slinked back inside the house.

We were set to take a private jet down to Louisiana an hour after Joker and I's conversation. Belle Reve was located within one of it's swamps but Frost learned that our security officer would be at a local casino tonight. Apparently, Griggs had the night off which gave us ample opportunity to catch him for a chat.

Mister J drummed his fingers impatiently against the inside of the car door. I sat next to him hugging my shaggy faux fur coat in awe as I took in my new surroundings. As if the private jet wasn't enough, I had never been out of state before. Granted, I was only passing through it, it still didn't change the fact that this was all a wonderland to me.

"What's our plan of action, boss?" Frost asked cooly.

"I'd love to pluck every single tooth out of that empty skull of his, grind them to dust, and feed it to him." He sucked in a copious amount of air through gritted teeth, then released it in one big sigh. "But, we need some information. I'm sure our boys there have already persuaded the staff to let us commence our business as we please."

"Just pull him out when we get there?"

I paused my window sightseeing for a moment to watch J's other fist curl in an out. "Precisely."

"Won't that make a scene?" There I go again, speaking without meaning too.

J's baby blues shifted ever so leisurely in my direction. Frost answered for him. "It won't matter. Most of the people in these places are glad to see a belligerent player escorted out."

I tilted my head, "Belligerent?"

"He's quite the loud mouth womanizer." J's eyes had focused back outside his window.

Womanizer. The gears in my brain began to turn. "But still, why risk it?" I glanced down at my fingertips as I threaded them together. A nervousness filled me as I spoke. "I could lure him in the right direction." My irises peeped at the clown's reaction finding him meeting my gaze again. I couldn't read his face. "Where ever you needed me to bring him, I could do it within an hour."

Unexpectedly, J laughed throatily. He went on for a few minutes before being able to speak. "Oh, Olive, that's very kind of you but Daddy's got this. You sit tight and look pretty."

I don't know why, but the way he said it made my blood boil. It was evident he still didn't take me seriously. He could dine with me, converse with me, kill in front of me, watch me kill, fuck me for all that it's worth but he didn't wanna let me lead. Didn't want me to give him a reason to thank me for.

The car grew silent once more as I observed with careful eyes the buildings we passed. When we got there, I'd show him. I was more than capable.

My fingers now gripped the door handle. "What does this Griggs look like anyway, Mister J?"

"Why?" I could feel his glare boring holes into my skin.

"Just curious. I want to know who to keep my eye out for." I didn't dare look away from the window.

"Couldn't miss that tacky white suit, that's for sure." Frost said with a hint of amusement.

"Mm." The clown made little to no acknowledgement of either of us. Was he reading my mind again? I couldn't let him unnerve me. Not this time.

My heart became heavy with pounding when I saw neon lettering approach the right side of the vehicle. I was seated on the left, so if I was going to pull this off, I had to be quick. Before the car came to a complete stop I unlocked the door and ran out into the street, dashing around. I couldn't hear J's shouting until I was pushing my way into the casino entrance.

Part of me wished I had thought this through more, but another part reminded me that I had a lot left to prove. Whether there would be serious repercussions, didn't matter. It was time for me to embrace my strengths to show what an asset I could potentially be.

He'd thank me one day. Even if that day as far and few between.

The casino looked like any other casino in the cities. Only difference was the choice of low lighting which made it seem seedier. Different choices of gambling were spread out over the vast, open room. People gathered by the droves around card tables and the slot machines were fitted with mostly older people trying to avoid the angry gamblers. They had their drinks in cup holders as they pulled the shiny lever multiple times.

I was never a person who saw the allure of wasting money only to maybe win some of it back. Then again, I never had money to waste. I use to watch some of the boys from Angelo's crew spend their entire paychecks inebriated at the casino just outside of Gotham. It always ended with a thrown drink and a temper tantrum.

As I pushed my way through the thickets of people a man in a white suit was having a disagreement with a woman at the bar. He ran his fingers through his facial hair while trying to lay his free hand gently on her upper arm. The woman immediately lost her shit and brushed off his hand as they began to exchange more heated words.

The man, who I now was assuming was Griggs, got in her face a little and she backed up to grab her stuff. He reached for her again but she knocked his advances with a heavy swing and flipped him off before she rushed out. The word "slut" echoed over the obnoxious dance music.

"Classy." I scoffed.

Men, or rather boys like Griggs were like shooting fish in a barrel. They all had the same misogynistic tendencies. If she was showing skin, she was asking for it.

I let my coat fall over my shoulders as I grabbed a complimentary lollipop that I noticed at the bar. I unwrapped it quickly, discarding the paper to the floor. Popping it in my mouth, I pulled up a seat next to the perv as he eyed the asses of passing women.

As I waved my hand to get the attention of the bartender I noticed in my peripheral that I had caught Griggs' interest as well. Excellent.

"What'll it be?" The bartender asked.

"Rum and coke, please." I flashed a grin.

Griggs let a heavy hand fall onto the counter beside me. "Put the lady's drink on my tab." He gave me a sloppy smile.

I rolled the lolly between my teeth, giggling. "You don't have to do that."

"And you don't have to be so gorgeous." He outstretched a palm. "Yet, here you are."

Internally I wanted to vomit, externally I feigned appreciation. "Aw, well thanks. You should let me buy next round."

He waggled a drunken finger at me. "All I need is your fine company."

We shared a laugh before I suggested, "In that case," I sucked the lollipop in watching his eyes follow the movements of my mouth with anticipation. Then I let it slide over my lips agonizingly slow hearing a small groan escape him. My tongue trailed after, tasting the sweet flavor of strawberry. "How about a shot?"

His ears pricked. "I like the way you think! You like whiskey?"

"Love it." I cooed.

He winked and flagged down the tender for shots. After he ordered, he leaned the left side of his body against the bar, propping his head on a curled fist. "I don't think I've seen you around here before. Where have you been hiding all my life?"

I giggled again, "I'm from out of state. Heard Louisiana was the place to be."

He snorted as he took a sip of his beer. "Not if you were in my line of work, lady."

"Oh?" I twirled the lollipop between my digits. "What kind of work is that?"

He tugged at the collar of his suit and hunched in really close, whispering, "Well, I hate to brag, but I'm a captain security officer at Belle Reve. It holds the most dangerous meta humans and super villains of all time. And I have to keep those suckers in line." He raised an eyebrow. He was so full of himself but at least I knew for sure I had the right guy.

I gave him a shocked look, "So you're like a superhero then. In your own kind of way." I popped the lolly back into my mouth.

Griggs mulled this over for a second, standing up straight. He clearly never thought of it that way, but he liked it. A lot.

The bartender placed our shots onto the counter. Grigg's cupped his hand around the glass, answering. "Yeah, I guess so." He raised the shot in my direction. "Protecting babes like you from filthy savages, one at a time."

A wicked smile grew on my face as I raised my shot to clink with his, momentarily holding the stick candy in my left hand. We threw back our glasses, slamming them onto the counter top afterwards. If only he knew what filthy savage I was accompanied by tonight.

"Wooh!" He made a sour face as he shook off the heavy after taste. Then he clapped his hands together. "Hey little lady, hows about being my good luck charm for the night?"

I washed my palate with my forgotten rum and coke. "Alright, cowboy. What's your dig?"

He snickered mischievously while rubbing his palms. "Tables."

I pounded back my drink to prepare myself for the next forty-five minutes. If I was going to listen to him attempt to butter me up the whole time, I at least wanted a good buzz going. I licked my lips intently then dropped my unfinished lolly into the empty glass. If Griggs could smile any wider his face would split in two.

His eager fingers latched onto my wrist as he practically dragged me across the floor. We settled down at a black jack table where a few other unsavory looking people were playing. Even though they were all clearly in the middle of game, Griggs demanded the dealer lay him out some cards.

For a second, I really thought the Belle Reve's officer was going to get shanked. However, to my surprise, the dealer finished up the round and skipped the others to deal Griggs in. The smug man gave me another wink. He must have had an in with the owner.

That wouldn't stop Mister J, unfortunately.

As Griggs began his mantras of "hit me", I waved over another waitress for two more shots. I told her to put it on his tab and looked at the clock. I had about forty minutes to warm up to this loser to get him to go quietly to where I wanted. I brought my attention back to the boring game.

For the next twenty minutes, I pretended to be engrossed in the security officers losing streak of black jack. He was either too high, or too low but he kept promising me that he was just "warming up". When the shots arrived, he asked no questions whether I bought them or not. He took it hurriedly and dived right back into the game.

About fifteen more minutes in, I could see he was severely beginning to wobble. His speech wasn't slurred but he was definitely feeling it. I searched around for a good exit to bring him through. That's when a man with long, slicked-back hair and sunglasses nodded in my linear. I pointed a hushed finger at myself. He pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose, nodding again.

This must have been my cue. A tad bit early but I could manage.

I wrapped my arms around the flustered brute to breath casually in his ear. "Hey cowboy, how about we take this rodeo elsewhere?"

He side-eyed me, "I'm so damn close."

I peeked at his losses. "I bet." Then I changed tact, forcing his face to mine. "Tell you what, all of those drinks are starting to hit me. Why don't we take a little breather." I bit my bottom lip letting it slip seductively from my teeth.

His pupils lit up, finally understanding. He gave a breathy laugh to the dealer. "What can I say? I'm irresistible." The dealer appeared as unamused as me. Griggs stood up to drop a palm on the table. "Call upstairs and tell 'em to float me another 10k. I'll be back."

Hearing enough of his jabbering I grabbed ahold of his hand and pulled him towards the kitchen where that man was standing. I immediately felt Griggs trying to tug me back.

"Hey baby, I thought you wanted a little fresh air. My car's out back-"

I swiveled my head around to grin, "-I was thinking you could eat something sweet off of anywhere you wanted."

He gave me another elated expression. "Woah baby, I love the way you think! You could be my soulmate."

Ignoring that last comment he became more compliant to let me lead him to the back. Once we passed the threshold of the kitchen, the buff man with the sunglasses shoved Griggs into a different direction. I pasted myself against the steely wall.

"Oof hey! What the hell do you think you're doing? Do you know who I am?"

The guy said no words as he tased the officer in the neck. Griggs cringed under the volts and was hauled off into another room of the kitchen. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Papillon"

I nearly jumped out of my skin at that snarling voice. Mister J's capped teeth clenched as he glared me down. I watched his fists tighten and curl and he raised the hand with the wide grin inked on it up to my mouth. I prepared myself for the worst. Only, it didn't come.

Not just yet.

He shoved me harder into the cold wall replacing my mouth with a smiling one. "Why is it the you women always think you have something to prove? Why can't you just be obedient?"

I didn't humor him with an answer. I just let my grey eyes glare at him with hidden defiance. This wasn't about obedience. Proving something, yes, but only that I wouldn't be a lap dog. I was tired of being people's lap dog. I wanted him to see that I was as good of a smooth talker as he was. That I could play his games in equal format.

Considering I had been silent for almost a whole minute, J became even more angry but before he do any psychical damage Frost intervened.

"Boss, Griggs is ready."

Joker cracked his neck from side to side and thrust me to the ground. He pulled on the edges of his golden suit jacket. "This isn't over." He pointed an index at me. "You're going to wait right here like a good little girl until I'm finished. Alejandro here is gonna keep an eye on you." He pointed to the same man who had tasered Griggs. Only now he was holding a gun.

Mister J and I had a stare off that lasted for all of five seconds before he growled and disappeared into the other room. Frost passed me a graved face as he followed the clown in. I sat up, hugging my arms around my body awaiting whatever fresh hell was to come unto me next.