Kissing Steel (Book 1) *UPDATED*

Chapter 11

I saw Bane standing alone. I stood beside him and tried to follow his gaze.

"Quite a view," I said before glancing at him.

"It's time, Amy."

"What are you talking about?"

"You have done your job." Bane said firmly, looking away. "You're free to go."

I couldn't tear my gaze away from him. "If I'm doing so well I don't think getting laid off's the proper reward."

"It's time for you to leave, Amy. Pack your bags and go someplace else."

"Because you're burning this whole place to the ground? Including the innocent people?"

He turned to me, surprised.

"Yeah, I know. Miranda told me. Did you know this whole time?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does. She lied to you. And you're still going with the plan?"

"This is not a negotiation. Leave while you can."

"You can leave, too. You don't have to do this. Let her rot in jail. You can have a new life—"

He laughed at me and looked away. "A new life? This was my purpose. Nothing more. You think the rest of the world will welcome me with open arms? Wake up, Amy. You might be given the gift of choice but not me. This. This is my choice. To embrace what I was made for. I am the reckoning."

I paused. "Come with me."

He turned to me, not able to say anything.

My eyes started to well up and I bit my lip, careful at what I was about to say. "Come with me," I repeated.

His eyes...they looked straight into my soul. But he looked away, as if thinking of a million things at once. Then, he shook his head and looked away from me.

A bunch of his men started huddling at the back, waiting for Bane's signal.

A few seconds later, he finally spoke up. "Just stay away until we let Gotham burn into ashes, in that way, you're helping me. And everyone else."

"As long as you're not, then I'm not. And it's not like I'd let myself get caught. They can only know when I'm dead." I raised an eyebrow. "Just let me help—"

"I do not need your help." He looked at me one last time. "I don't need you."

That shut me up.

"Right. Just one of your pawns. Almost forgot about that."

I died a little inside, he really does not want to be seen with me. It's time to accept the truth.

But I just cannot stop thinking about how this will end. What if they lose? What if they take Bane and kill him? Then Miranda's cover won't be blown and she'll find someone to use again? I can't let that happen. But if Bane wants me out, then I'll do it.

I know that I can't get through him, I cannot talk him out of this. But I'll have to prove it in another way.

I walked away, and before his men could lay their hands on me, I snapped at them, "I can show my way out."

✦

The way that woman looks at me, every time, makes me feel something I have never felt before in a long time.

But I have an obligation—the reckoning of Gotham—and I cannot allow myself to become distracted.

Purpose was enough to provide me with enough heart and strength to see this through. But I did not know it was love that would almost cause me to give it all away.

It's the way she looks at me, stands by me even when I push her away. She insists and pushes back—a quality I admire.

But it is unsafe. Letting her stay would have cost her life. I cannot lose someone again.

"Did you get rid of her?" Miranda asked me.

I shook my head, "No,"

"What?" she sounded annoyed. "I told you—"

"I still need her."

Miranda shook her head, "You do not, Bane."

"Then I'll kill her—"

"—You will not lay a hand on her." I looked at her straight in the eye, "Just do this for me in return."

Miranda gave me a nod before slowly looking away. Her stare could have read through my heart. She didn't seem convinced. But she left anyway.

Immediately, I started walking, keeping my eyes at the broad field where a boy started singing the national anthem. But even then, all I could hear was Amy telling me to come with her.

If it only were that easy. But it's too late for me.