Murder at Wayne Manor

Chapter 8

Gotham; April 12th, 15:54 EST

I pull up to the courthouse in my red Ferrari, not the least bit surprised by the number of people who have gathered here for Diana's first press conference as the director of the drug alliance. There are far more people here today from the press than had come for the one I had announcing the formation of the program, but Diana is far more attractive than I am and the escalation in deaths and near-deaths has created an increase in panic.

Exiting, I make my way to the other side of the car, opening the passenger door for my companion. "Thank you, Bruce," she practically purrs, her fire-red fingernails lightly dragging along my jaw in appreciation.

I give her my best Bruce Wayne grin as I close the door and offer her my arm. "This really shouldn't take long, Nicole. I just need to be here to support Diana and then we can leave for our date."

"I don't mind," she reassures me as the paparazzi turns their attention on us.

We are swiftly submerged in a swarm of bodies, camera flashes, and an unrelenting sea of questions. I hold my hand up in an attempt to keep them at bay as I escort my date through the throng that has gathered. Nicole and I have been seen out together a couple of times already in the last couple of months, photographed kissing in a restaurant and again at the opera so it should be old news seeing me with her here today.

While I had not intended to draw attention away from my drug program efforts, it had turned out to be the perfect opportunity to nip the rumors already swirling around me and Diana Prince. When she had been named as my director, the paparazzi had taken to the news like a pit bull to a bone, finding out almost immediately that she is staying in my home.

The rumors only exploded from there, resulting in several tense conversations with Clark confirming that nothing was actually going on between the two of us. There had been an overprotective anger in his voice as well as a hint of jealousy that only served to pique my curiosity, making me wonder just how deep his feelings for her truly ran.

Now was as good a time as any to put all those rumors about me and her to rest, clearing Diana's good name and relieving Clark's growing anxiety.

I spot Diana standing off to the side talking with Jason Trask, smiling brightly and laughing about something he has just said. He places his hand on her forearm and pulls her in to whisper something in her ear and I can't help the twinge of annoyance that springs up out of nowhere.

I can't deny the fact that I'm very protective of her, but I'm that way with all of my close friends. I had already made a vow to personally break Trask in two if he hurts her in any way and I plan on keeping that promise no matter what.

Her cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink, making me wonder just what he had said to her. I don't have long to dwell on it, though. Nicole tugs on my arm as she leans in close. "Why are you frowning like that, Bruce?" she asks. "You look like someone just stole your favorite toy."

I immediately force myself to relax, my attention turning to the attractive woman on my arm. "Sorry, I just remembered some files that I had left on my desk at work," I suavely reply, allowing my charm to assuage her curiosity.

"No thinking about work while you're with me," she tells me, a sensual smile on her face. "I'll just have to work that much harder at making you forget all about it."

Leaning in, she kisses me deeply, distracting me from the reason why we're here in the first place. After several long seconds, I pull back, a smirk on my lips. "Now, what we were just talking about?" I coyly ask her.