Murder at Wayne Manor

Chapter 18

Wayne Enterprises; July 20th, 14:44 EST

I race through the office, ignoring the countless stares and murmurs of my employees as I head towards the stairwell. I take the steps two and three at a time in an effort to get to her faster. My mind spins with every dreadful through it can possibly conjure as I try to remind myself she can handle herself.

We'd had no time to talk since the heated kiss we'd shared in the training room five days ago, each of us being pulled in different directions by a multitude of responsibilities. It hasn't helped any that the Joker had managed to escape from Arkham three nights ago.

I run to her office, coming to a stop in the doorway to find Ariel standing by Diana's desk, but no Diana in sight. "Where is she?" I demand a little harsher than I had intended.

Ariel looks up at the sound of my voice, a worried expression veiling her face. "I don't know," she replies, shaking her head and pursing her lips. "I was passing by her office when I noticed these lying on her desk. That's when I called you right away."

I close the distance between us in three steps, taking the bouquet of black roses from her hand. My heart is in my throat, wondering where she is and who is behind this madness. Just as I reach for my cell phone to call her, Diana walks into her office, a surprised expression filling her face.

"Are we having a party without me?" she asks as she comes to stand beside me.

"Where have you been?" I ask, both angry and relieved at the same time.

"I had lunch with Jason," she replies with a frown as her eyes fall on the black roses in my hand, her forehead creasing with confusion.

"Jason?" I irritably repeat the name I've come to dislike. I instantly stiffen, jealousy rapidly rising as I glare at her.

She meets my glare head-on, just like she always has since the moment we first met. She's one of the very few unaffected by it. "Yes, Jason and I met for lunch to discuss the plans for the street fair next month," she evenly states with an air of haughty authority that is a definite nod to her royal upbringing. "Where did the roses come from?"

"Ariel found them lying on your desk," I inform her.

I see anger swiftly creep into her eyes as she stares at the roses in my hand. I notice the Amazon warrior beneath the surface struggling to break free, but she manages to tamp down on it much to my relief. The last thing I need right now is for her to go all warrior princess on me and blow her secret identity and possibly mine as well.

"Diana—" I begin, rubbing the back of my neck as I search for the words.

"No, Bruce," she cuts me off as she takes the roses from me. "I'm not stepping down and I'm not backing off. You know I do not run from a threat."

I grind my teeth, knowing it was beyond futile to argue with her, but I felt I had to at least try. She matches me in obstinacy which is a notable feat in and of itself. Hopefully, I can talk some sense into her later at home. "I was just going to say that I'm doubling security and installing a security camera in your office," I lie.

She opens her mouth to argue only to promptly close it a second later, knowing that it was just as pointless to argue with me about it. Not to mention, it's protection for Diana Prince, not Wonder Woman. "Fine," she relents with a scowl. "Whatever you think is best, Bruce."

No doubt sensing the tension between Diana and me, Ariel decides it's best to leave as her gaze shifts from me to Diana and back again. "I'm going back to my office," she announces. "Let me know if you need anything, Diana."