*J* (the continuation)

Part Thirty-Nine: Chapter 291: Ultimatum

Oswald watched as Edward buttoned his shirt. He had a smile on his face that couldn't be erased. Oswald had never loved him more. Especially now that he knows Edward felt the same way about him. He knew that their act had cemented their love for each other. And he had absolutely no regrets about it. But when you love someone you worry about them, and Oswald was troubled by whatever Edward had going on with this Red Hood character.

"Hey Edward?" Oswald says as he pulls on his own shirt.

"Yes?" Edward looks to him.

"What does this Red Hood guy want with you? I know you can take care of yourself, but something about that guy troubles me," Oswald tells him.

Edward sighs, "He just wants me to help set up a meeting with some people."

"Yeah? What people?" Oswald's brows cinch.

"Drug kingpins," Edward shrugs and stuffs the tail of his shirt back into his pants.

"Drug... Why you? You don't exactly deal with those types. I would have been a better person to ask," Oswald notes.

Edward gives him an odd look. He knew Oswald had a drug problem, no matter how well he tried to hide it from him. From everyone. "Yes, that may be so, but he didn't ask you. He asked me."

"But it doesn't make any sense," Oswald stresses. "Haven't you even wondered why he chose you?"

Edward shrugs, "I assume it's because I have no loyalties to any of them. Less room for me to double cross him."

"I don't like this," Oswald shakes his head. "And why did you even agree to do it?"

Edward turns and crosses over to globe. He raises the top of it to reveal his liquor cabinet. He had his reasons for accepting the Red Hood's offer. One, of course was money. Millions. But it was his second reason which sold him. "He promised me more territory to call my own," Edward tells Oswald as he pours each of them a bourbon.

"How?" Oswald asks, "He doesn't have any to give you."

Edward crosses back over to him. He smiles and hands Oswald a glass. "Not yet he doesn't. But he will."

Oswald ponders over his words for a moment as he stares at his drink. "And do you know whose territory is on the chopping block?"

Edward's smile broadens, "Of course I do. But don't worry Oswald, I'll see to it that you don't lose any of yours."

"Ed...a turf war isn't something you want to get involved in. People always die," Oswald looks at him sincerely.

"Only one person has to die," Edward shrugs and sips his drink.

Oswald's eyes narrow, "And who is that?"

Edward's eyes meet his. "The one who holds us all under his thumb."

Oswald's eyes go wide as he realizes who the Red Hood's target was. "J? He's going after J?!" Oswald's voice elevates, "Are you fucking crazy Edward?!! No body goes against the Joker and wins!! I can't believe you're encouraging him to try!"

"Look, I know you think of the clown as a friend or whatever, but I don't. And frankly, I'll be glad to see him go. He's controlled us long enough," Edward states plainly.

"Edward, you don't know how awful things were under the five families! Every day was war! I had to fight constantly just to keep the Iceberg Lounge! Every week a different boss was breathing down my neck for their tribute, just so I could keep the club open! Do you have any idea how many millions I lost having to give away weapons everytime they demanded! But J took over and it all stopped! He didn't have to give me my own territory, but he did! I wouldn't have what I do now if it wasn't for J. And neither would you! He gave you your territory too! What the fuck are you thinking Edward?! This is insane! Who does this Red Hood think he..." Oswald's words suddenly stop. His eyes expand even more, because now he knows who this Red Hood really was. It was Jason! It had to be. Who else would have the balls or the motive to want to take down the Joker??