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****
The daughter of the prestigious League of Assassins' leader, the true mastermind who nearly destroyed Gotham, Talia al Ghul, was trembling from Allen's provocation.
Her breathing, heavy and sharp, echoed through the phone.
It took her a while to calm the frustration boiling inside her.
For the sake of Gotham's destruction, she would endure yet again.
"You really think you're something, huh? I, " Talia began, trying to squeeze in a few harsh words to vent her growing frustration.
"I'm not your precious lover, and I never took you seriously," Allen interrupted lazily.
"No point in acting tough with me. Just prepare what I asked for."
Being cut off mid-sentence sent another wave of anger through Talia's chest.
"I will kill you. Mark my words, I'll kill you!"
Listening to her yells through the phone, Allen tilted his head with a bored expression.
"Don't bark at me like that. I was scared by dogs as a kid."
"…What?!"
"Are you calling me a dog? You dare call me a dog?" she exploded.
"Dogs are man's best friend," Allen replied sincerely.
"Shouldn't best friends settle things peacefully? Maybe just a light slap or two instead of yelling?"
Talia's chest heaved.
After a long pause, she uttered coldly.
"When I see you, I'll make sure it's more than a light slap."
"If you're capable," Allen chuckled dismissively, then told her the suit's size and specifications.
He had after all, personally measured Laurel…
Talia realized continuing this argument was pointless.
Just like that bastard said, why argue? She'd kill him when she got the chance.
'Just you wait…'
"Three days," he said flatly. "Have it delivered to Frank Bertinelli's residence in Starling City."
With Talia's capabilities, finding out who Frank Bertinelli was wasn't difficult.
He was, after all, the leader of Starling city's criminal syndicate.
Allen didn't expect her to deliver the goods without setting a trap.
If someone was going to get played, it wouldn't be him.
If a scapegoat had to be found, so be it.
Helena probably wouldn't mind anyway.
After hanging up, Allen left.
****
At Wayne Enterprises, inside the president's office, Talia al Ghul put down the phone and leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed in thought.
'The measurements mean the suit is clearly for a woman.'
She didn't care who wore it.
What mattered was using this opportunity to eliminate Allen and retrieve the photos he took.
He also knew way too much about her…
'How should I deal with him…?'
Her eyes suddenly snapped open as someone came to mind.
Catwoman.
She'd once been in the same cell as Allen.
That connection made her an ideal candidate to approach him.
Even if she failed to kill him, her skillset could easily retrieve the stolen items.
Why would Catwoman help? Because she wanted a clean slate.
With the right bait, any fish would bite.
"I need you to locate someone for me…"
Talia had someone locate Catwoman while having the suit made.
Despite her elusive nature, Talia had her own ways.
Once found, Talia, under the alias Miranda Tate, approached her and explained that Allen was blackmailing her with photos.
She asked Catwoman to retrieve them and offered something in return: her criminal record would be wiped clean.
She even handed over the necessary software to prove her sincerity.
Catwoman still remembered Allen vividly.
She had once feared Bane and even ended up betraying Batman, but Bane had been effortlessly killed by Allen.
That left an impression.
She didn't want to mess with Allen, but the temptation to clear her record made her think twice.
Talia didn't ask Catwoman to kill Allen, she knew the woman wouldn't agree.
She had other plans anyway.
Three days wasn't long, but it was enough.
Once the time was right…
Talia had someone deliver the completed suit to Starling City, while Catwoman followed behind.
****
Starling City, Bertinelli Residence.
Helena stood by the window, peeking through the curtains.
At least twenty-armed security guards were patrolling the perimeter.
She dropped the curtain and turned to stare at Allen, now sprawled comfortably on her bed.
"How the hell did you get in?" she asked in disbelief.
"Can't steal a woman's heart without having the skills to first sneak in," Allen replied, grinning.
"So? Surprised? Shocked?"
"My father locked me inside after the last time I saw you. He's still hunting for you."
"You're seriously bold to come here again. You've got a death wish." Although surprised, Helena sounded more worried than angry.
"You should go. If my father comes back, you won't make it out alive."
Allen stood up, pulled Helena into his arms, and laughed softly.
"Your father's been turning the city upside down looking for me, and here I am, sleeping with his daughter right in his house."
"Think about that. If he finds out, won't that just drive him insane? Isn't that thrilling? Even if he's the head of a criminal syndicate, he can't stop his daughter from being seduced under his nose."
"There are two bodyguards right outside the door," Helena whispered nervously.
"Then that's motivation to keep your voice down, isn't it?" Allen smirked.
Helena nodded her head, but then her eyes lit up as she suddenly whispered.
"Wait, I've got an idea."
She walked to the closet and pulled out a sleek, black gag, showing it off like a prized possession.
"This way, we don't have to worry about being too loud."
"You actually own this kind of stuff? You're more twisted than I thought, but I love it."
As Helena put the gag on herself, Allen couldn't hold back anymore.