A Little Mad

Chapter 7

Jeremiah was cleaning up his desk, preparing to head out to ambush Jerome. He had a long day preparing for it. He was just getting around to putting his desk back in order after him and Ecco made a mess of it. Motioning to place a folder back on his desk he noticed a stain of a white thick substance. He touched it and realized it was still slightly sticky. He groaned and rolled his eyes. 

"Ecco!" 

His voice projected in annoyance and disgust. It only took a few more moments for the blonde-haired woman to enter his study. The darkness in his stare frightened Ecco to her very core. She slowly walked up to him. 

"Clean up this disgusting stain of your body fluids. I am leaving. I will not need you to follow me tonight. I expect dinner ready by the time I get home and you in bed. I do not want to look upon you." 

Jeremiah grabbed his gun and headed for the door only to pause turning back around. 

"Oh, and Ecco." The woman looked at him with sad eyes. "You are always so happy when we fornicate. Do not let that go to your head. A man has needs. It is not because I love you." 

Jeremiah left leaving Ecco heartbroken. She had been working for him for years now. She loved him and could not understand why she did everything in her power to please him and was always so kind yet; He treated her like she didn't matter. All Ecco wanted was love and protect him. To be anything he needed, but Jeremiah was always so dismissive and nasty towards her. Her heart couldn't possibly break anymore. 

Jerome strolled past Bailey who still had a confused look on her face. He groaned and rolled his eyes. 

"Bailey you have been looking like that all day. What is going on with you?" 

Bailey stood straight and tilted her head. 

"Why did you kidnap that girl? You have never done that before." 

"She's beautiful." 

Bailey scoffed. She started laughing. 

"We have seen plenty of beautiful girls and you have killed them all. You never cared before." 

Jerome froze, not knowing what to say. He pictured the young woman and his cheeks started to burn. He pictured how frightened she looked in his bedroom and made his chest hurt. 

"There... this... It's just different okay? Leave me the fuck alone." 

Bailey's eyes widened, and she began to laugh harshly. Jerome stared at her annoyed. 

"This is the best shit ever! This is prefect! Circus act has a crush! Oh shit!" 

Jerome narrowed his eyes, feeling anger. "I do not." 

Bailey continued to laugh as she made fun of him. "I can't believe this. You actually have a crush on this girl. You feel something every time you look at her. The mighty Jerome Valeska! Terror of Gotham City has feelings!" 

Jerome pulled out his pocketknife and threw it past Bailey's head. She rolled her eyes still laughing. "Get your whittler and stop being a baby. Although your tantrums are funny." 

Bailey and Jerome froze at the sudden sound of tripping feet. They turned around only to see Mercedes standing firmly against the wall. Bailey smirked. 

"Well, look who got brave and decided wonder about the house." 

Jerome walked towards Mercedes and she tensed. He gently grabbed her arm pulling her forward. 

"This is Bailey. She is a bounty hunter and skilled fighter. She works for me." He returned his gaze to Bailey. "This is Mercedes." 

"Well, we know what car your parents wished they could have." 

Mercedes glared at Bailey and a darkness that even scared herself swept over her. Mercedes was used to bullying and being called all kinds of names, but the one thing she hated the most was being compared to a car. Bailey backed off.

"Lord it was a joke. Geez." 

Mercedes remembered the mention of her family and it broke her. Tears began to fall down her cheeks. Jerome glared at Bailey in annoyance. 

"Oh great! She's crying again. Look at what you fucking did Bailey."  

Mercedes turned her head to the right to finish cry and unintentionally buried it in Jerome's side. Jerome stiffened, noticing her taking comfort in him. After a few moments he relaxed and put an arm around her, realizing that he could never get away from the fact that he caused her pain. Mercedes finally realized what was happening, and she straightened up, pushed him away, and wiped her tears. Jerome straightened himself slightly annoyed. 

"Are you done?" He stood with an eyebrow raised at Mercedes. "It's time to go." 

"Master Bruce, are you ready?" 

Bruce checked himself in the restroom's mirror and smiled. 

"Alfred I believe I am. Thank you." Hearing him being introduced from on stage, Bruce walked back out into the bright ball room. He smiled and waved as he headed towards the stage. 

Mercedes set next to Jerome in the van, confused what they were doing until they reached the city hall banquet building. She remembered there was a Wayne event her family was supposed to attend this very evening. Her eyes widened. 

"What are we doing?"  Jerome chuckled. 

"It's best that you don't know this one doll face."  

Mercedes glared. She was tired of being called doll face, but a part of her liked it. She watched as the van came to a stop in front of the building. Jerome's followers jumped from out of the van behind them. Jerome clutched a huge assault rifle in his hands. A wave of pain crossed through Mercedes's stomach. She knew there would be death in tonight's events. Jerome stepped out of the back of the van, gesturing Mercedes to come. Once she was standing next to him he gently grabbed her wrist. She slowly looked up into his gaze. 

"Stay close to me."  Mercedes heard a command, but also heard concern in his voice that confused her.  Walking into the front door Jerome's followers shot the people guarding the door. Bruce was in the middle of his speech when they walked in. Jerome interrupted the speech by laughing loudly. He started walking towards the font of his followers and Mercedes noticed he was dragging her with him. He was holding her close to his side by her wrist. 

"Hiya Brucie. What do you say we have some fun?" He laughed one last time before gun shots fired and people running. Jerome still had a grip on Mercedes, who desperately hoped not to be hit by a stray bullet. For a few seconds, Jerome let go of her wrist. Mercedes took this time to run. Not knowing Jerome had turned around, rolled his eyes and began running after her.