Black Rose

Chapter Thirty One

Joker's POV

    She was my wife finally. Only those I trust will know. For her benefit, I made sure we had a document proving our marriage and signed by the officiant. She was my wife long before all this but now we had everything to prove it. For our protection the officiant had to die. No one can know I have a pregnant wife. Letting Amanda in on it was risky enough. Both Johnny and I were hesitant both wanting to protect the women we care about.

    Eventually I caved deciding that my wife needed someone besides me to talk to. Her life has been incredibly lonely and she doesn't even seem to notice, but I do. I see how she soaks up every ounce of attention, craves connection. Johnny caved because his sister was showing severe signs of depression, even finding cuts on her wrist. We both agreed their friendship would be healthy for them both.

    I surprise myself, since when did I care about someone's mental health? Since someone besides myself became the reason for living, that's why. She has been going crazy with bed rest so Amanda frequently stays over. They camp out in the living room and watch those awful romance movies. Amanda even bring her annoying little spawn. Somehow little Amelia always find me and ends up in my lap. It's so annoying.

    Rosalie is a little over eight months. Apparently pregnant women count in weeks, I can hardly keep up with it. I think she said she was 37 weeks, but that could have been a week ago? I am not sure. I just know that she could pop soon and that has me on edge. Every text, every call, every time she gets up at night I think the babies are coming.

    The worst part is, we have a lead on her family. One of her brothers might actually be in Gotham. We have been trying to close in on him but I swear these fuckers are useless without me. I need to go now before she has the babies, after they are born we will be even more vulnerable. This time I am leaving Johnny with her. Johnny is having his sister and niece staying as well so he can protect them all at once.

    Rosalie was not happy when I told her I was leaving. She even went into hysterics. "Something bad is going to happen, Jack. Please don't do this. You may not come back." I don't know what has gotten into her, I made sure she thought it was a typical raid. Then again, this woman knows me better than anything and can probably see through my lies.

    "Rosie, nothing is going to happen to me baby girl. I will be back within a couple days." I try to calm her down but she is just crying in my arms.

    "I just have a bad feeling, Jack. Why won't you listen?" She pleads. I kiss her, if she is right then I make sure it is a hell of a kiss. Leaving us both breathless.

    "Because I am trying to protect you." WIth that, I turn and leave as Johnny holds her back. I have every intention on coming back to her. But what she said stirred something in me and I hesitate. Is it worth it?

    It is. I can go to them and be in control of the situation, if it goes bad, I am the only one to lose my life or they will slowly find us when we are vulnerable and I could lose my wife and children.

I walked out of the mansion and to the cars where my henchmen were waiting, my wedding band heavy on my finger.

We arrived at an old factory. It looked abandoned but I knew this wasn't the case. My men have been scouting this place the past few days. Me and a few men decided to enter from the roof. There was a skylight window. The rest of my men waiting at various entrances as backup. My men shot through the glass and we propelled down on ropes.

People were shouting and shooting all around us. My men bursts through door the doors surrounding their men. I was laughing and shooting anyone who approached me. People were dying all around, we looked to be equally matched but soon I saw I was on the losing side. Fuck that, I stepped up my game. A dark hair man came up to me and started swinging a knife. He was a messy fighter and too overconfident. I quickly had the knife to his throat and about to stab when I large and booming voice interrupted. "Enough!!!"

I looked at its source and saw an older man with a cane. He was tanned skin and salt and pepper hair. Not very tall but stocky. What surprised me is he had Rosalie's eyes. "Mr. Joker, we have not been introduced, I am Gino Vassalio and the man you have a knife to is my grandson, Vincent. What brings you to my...well humble abode?"

Fighting ceased around us. What was left of my men, they looked uncertain. "What brings you to my city?" I wanted to see how much they actually knew.

"I sent one of my men looking for....something precious to me. He never returned. The last we heard of him, he suspected trouble from you and your men. Now why would that be the case?" He knew more than he was letting on. Should I get to the point or play this game?

"Do not play me for a fool old man. Ask me what you really want to know?" The man could not stay still. He paced constantly. Another man looked at me angrily. That must be Rosie's other brother. Finally a middle aged woman set poised in a black evening gown in a chair looking bored. That must be her wicked mother, I thought with a growl.

"Fine. Have it your way. Where is my granddaughter?" I laughed. I noticed his men out numbered mine and I wasn't making it out of here tonight. It confirmed though that they had no idea where she was besides in Gotham. They could however torture my men and find out where the mansion was. While laughing I pulled out my phone and hit send. The message already ready. 'Code Black' it went to Frost.

At the same time I was shot in the shoulder, sending the phone to the ground and shattering. The floor disappeared from under me and I fell into a black pit, possibly breaking my leg. Gino appeared from the top and was smirking, "We will have someone join you for company shortly Mr. Joker. First, we have to take care of your men."

The hatch closed up and I was in complete darkness.