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The sun was swallowed the moment they left the mainland and crossed the bridge to Gotham City, where the towers of its myriad skyscrapers clawed their way into the clouds as if they, too, were seeking out the sunshine.
And still, Taylor’s smile was untouched. This trip, one that highlighted the impulsiveness she’d been embracing for the last several weeks, stood to mark several firsts for her.
Her first trip to Gotham City, her first spontaneous concert (one her old agent would definitely have talked her out of), and the first time she planned on telling Bruce Wayne how she really felt.
“I know I said it at the airport, Ms. Swift, but it really is a pleasure to meet you,” Alfred said from his seat across from her. The stretch limousine had met her at the airport in New York City, the one concession she’d made to Bruce after telling him she was coming for a visit.
He’d wanted to send the chopper. No, more accurately, he hadn’t wanted her to come at all, which she had to admit had hurt some until she reminded herself that his schedule was always busy, just like hers. Until she reminded herself that there were still secrets beneath that brooding exterior. She hadn’t uncovered everything she wanted with Bruce, but they were making progress.
Late-night phone calls had gotten them further than she imagined. Once Bruce started to open up, she found he was an encyclopedia of things she never expected. There was a depth there most people probably didn’t know about. There was also a sadness that most people did.
Bruce Wayne had long been scrutinized in the public eye, just like she had. But his admirers and critics alike painted all their stories with words like “sorrow”, “recluse”, and “secretive.” He’d lost his parents when he was a kid, and while his efforts to rid crime from the city were greatly publicized, the rest of his life was very much a mystery.
Taylor found herself desperately wanting to chase away his sadness, but she wondered how many secrets she’d have to uncover to do so.
“It’s great to meet you too, Alfred,” she told the older man. “Bruce speaks very highly of you. And fondly, too.”
“He’s like a son to me. One I very much regret didn’t come along with us to meet you.”
Taylor’s friend, Selena, rolled her eyes. Taylor politely ignored it. Selena had mentioned more than once that Bruce should have come himself. Or that they never should have planned this trip at all.
Gotham City wasn’t exactly the safest place to be. They had a whole car of security following not-so-discreetly behind them, and Bruce himself had sent his own security–both of whom were in the front of the limousine behind a darkened screen.
“He mentioned he had a meeting,” Taylor said to Alfred, “and that he could try to move it. I told him not to. I understand that business is business.”
Alfred adjusted his glasses, his British accent thickening slightly when he answered. “That’s very considerate of you.”
“She’s hopeless,” Selena told him with a sigh, though she was smiling slightly as well. “Lost in a haze of love.”
Taylor couldn’t deny it, though she still blushed because Alfred’s smile had widened and because she hadn’t even told Bruce how she felt yet, let alone his long-time butler. Their relationship looked simple on paper. They spent time together, they clearly had feelings for each other, and they wanted more of each other.
But she knew better than most that relationships usually weren’t simple. And with Bruce, well… they didn’t seem to be progressing either. She knew he cared–more than cared. But he seemed to be holding back.
“I like that,” Taylor told Selena, pulling out her phone and tapping the pink icon that brought up her notepad. “A haze of love.” She angled her head as lyrics filled her brain, words dancing around inside and rearranging themselves into a pretty melody. She’d always been good with words, and she typed two of them into her phone. “Lavender Haze.”
She’d work on that one later. In the meantime, the sky was getting darker, the clouds rumbling as they threatened to release torrents of water.
“There,” Alfred said, pointing to one of the taller buildings as they wound through streets that shouldn’t have been so dark considering it was barely after noon. “That’s Wayne Hotel. That’s where you’ll be staying.”
Selena leaned in next to her and whispered in a voice equal parts wonder and horror. “It looks like there should be gargoyles outside.”
Alfred chuckled softly. “I told Master Wayne that once myself. He said he’d add more lights.”
Taylor grinned to herself. That sounded like him. A simple solution to a simple problem. She kind of liked the look of the hotel, like a 1920s skyscraper that hosted all the city's elite. And perhaps a murder mystery. Selena was right. It had a dark side.
She sat back in her seat and tried to relax. She still liked it. Gotham City was part of who Bruce Wayne was, and that was enough for her.
When her phone lit up with a message, excited nerves ran through her belly. It was a message from Bruce.
Simple and to the point.
Can’t wait to see you .
***
The venue was small compared to the coliseums and arenas she usually performed at. The ceiling sloped down like some gothic European castle, all dark and moody, sparking thousands of ideas for songs. Ones soaked in candlelight and angst.
But it was hard to think of the hard times when she knew she’d see Bruce soon. Even with the melancholy feel of the city and the venue she was performing at tomorrow night, her heart was lighter than it had been in a long time. Performing in new places would do that. Meeting new fans would do that. Love would do that.
Selena stood across the room at the tall windows, the stained glass casting prisms of light on her cashmere sweater. She scanned the city through the mist of the downpour. “It’s like a graphic novel. Noir.”
“Like a whole other world,” Taylor agreed, nerves racing through her again. Gotham City truly was an entirely new world, like she’d gone through a portal to an alternate universe, an upside-down world where dark was light and day was night.
What if Bruce was a different person in this gloomy metropolis? What if she’d made a mistake insisting on coming when most of their relationship had formed through midnight texts and secret phone calls?
“...swinging between the buildings fighting crime.”
Taylor snapped back to the present, confused. She looked at her friend. “What?”
Selena smiled. “You know. Batman. You can’t tell me you haven’t heard about him on the news. That’s one of the only things I know about Gotham City. It’s got a lot of crime and it’s got Batman. Two things–that’s all that I know about Gotham City.”
“I’ve read about him.”
Taylor and Selena turned when a clatter on stage reverberated through the cavernous space.
“Sorry!” one of the tech crew called to them. “Just the mic stand.”
Taylor waved her thanks and angled back to Selena.
“You’ve got to admit,” Selena said. “It’s kind of sexy. A masked vigilante sneaking through the city in search of the evil within.”
Taylor chuckled and scanned the agenda the crew had given her when she arrived. “The evil within,” she murmured, amused but distracted. “Not sure how sexy that sounds.”
She nodded in approval at the itinerary and checked to make sure they’d included a block of time beforehand to meet fans. One of the primary reasons she’d wanted to come to Gotham City was to meet a very particular fan Bruce had told her about. A young girl who he’d met through one of the charities he worked with. The girl was sick and had been in and out of the hospital, unable to travel much further than the inner city of Gotham in order to see any concerts, namely one by her favorite singer.
Taylor got fan letters frequently and heard similar stories, but this one really stuck with her. The least she could do was try to plan a concert closer to home for the girl so she could finally see a concert she’d spent her life waiting for.
“I’m going to check backstage,” Taylor told Selena, pointing. “Make sure we have what we need.”
Selena angled her head to the balcony. “I’m going to search for ghosts. Or gargoyles. Or the phantom.”
“Phantom?”
She lowered her voice to a hushed whisper. “The Phantom of the Opera. Didn’t you read the sign at the front? This used to be a theater. I bet they’ve had dozens of operas in here.”
Taylor’s stomach twisted. Theater. Bruce had once told her about an old theater in the center of the city, one he and his parents had gone to just before they were murdered in a dark alleyway…
“Don’t get lost,” Selena said with a laugh, already heading for the stairs at the back of the theater.
Taylor gave her a smile and tried to shake off the uneasy feeling that had fallen over her as she passed by part of the tech crew to make her way behind the stage. Thunder grumbled outside, vibrating the walls.
“Is the weather always like this here?” she asked one of the women at the edge of the curtains.
“Like the beginning of a horror movie?” the woman returned with a smile. “Pretty much.”
Taylor laughed. That described it perfectly. A dark and stormy night. Perfect weather to write a new song.
Already she had more ideas. She pulled out her phone as she turned, ready to make another note, and promptly ran into something.
No, someone. Her breath caught in her throat when his scent enveloped her. Cedar and leather, fireside warmth with a hint of danger and mystery.
Bruce.
She lifted her head and their eyes met. So much like the first time they saw each other. New York City, a party neither had wanted to attend. They’d spent the evening on the balcony drinking champagne and talking about everything and nothing.
“Hi,” he said quietly.
Warmth filled her from the inside out and a smile sprung to her lips. “What are you doing here?” she asked as she moved in for a hug.
His arms came around her without hesitation, and it took her a moment to remember that there were dozens of other people around and anyone could see them. She started to pull back, but Bruce’s arms tightened.
“Not yet,” he murmured, his breath tickling her ear.
Chills worked their way up her spine. “I thought you were working.”
“My meeting ended early and I knew you were coming to check out the venue,” he said. He eased back slightly and met her eyes. “Something wrong?”
“People might see us,” she told him.
He released her and stepped back, angling his head like he was considering what she had said. “And?”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “And…” She waved her hand vaguely. “It’s not…”
His eyes narrowed. “Not what?”
This was exactly why Bruce was such a good businessman. He was straight to the point, enough to be intimidating. People probably did what he wanted just so he wouldn’t pin them with that questioning stare anymore.
She gave him one of her most dazzling smiles. “You know what.” No one knew about them yet. No one but her closest friends. And Alfred, apparently. Had Bruce told anyone else?
“Hmm.” He folded his arms, his eyes tracing her features. “Sounds like we have things to discuss.”
“Sounds like,” she echoed, simultaneously amused and nervous. “So why are you here again?”
“I wanted to say hi.”
“I thought we were meeting for dinner. Or did something come up?” Her hand itched to reach out and take his. It was the first time since the party they’d been in public together for longer than a few minutes.
It seemed like the hesitation was still mostly on her end, which made no real sense since she was the one who wanted to come here to clear things up between them. To tell Bruce that she wanted something more serious.
“Nothing came up.” He looked around, his eyes scanning the exit behind them. “You’re going to have security posted back here, right? And extra at the exits. This venue is…” He grimaced.
“What’s wrong?”
He met her eyes again. “It’s a security nightmare.”
“I like it.”
That was enough to make him smile. “I bet you do. It’s intimate, gets you closer to your fans.”
“Exactly.” She hesitated before venturing her next question. “Have you ever been here before?”
The change in his shoulders was subtle enough she wouldn’t have seen it if she hadn’t been looking. They tensed ever so slightly, almost as though he’d taken a sharp breath. But his expression remained the same. “It’s been a long time.” Then his face smoothed out and he smiled again. “I hired extra security, just to help out.”
This wasn’t the first time he’d changed subjects on a dime. Bruce wasn’t one to delve into his past. And while that may have worked in the beginning, when she too loathed to bring up any source of strife from her personal history (especially exes), she’d started to open up a lot more and give him a deeper look into who she really was.
“I’m pretty sure we’ve got it covered,” she started.
He reached out and brushed his fingers on her cheek. “I’d feel better if we had extra people. It won’t hurt anything, and it’ll keep the crowd under control. There will be people out front and in back, too–people who couldn’t get tickets for the show.”
“Sure.” She could give him this, an easy concession, to keep them on the same page until they had time to talk a little more. “So, for dinner… Your place, right?”
His smile returned. “I thought we could eat out. I could show you around some or–”
“I thought you just said I like intimate–which you’re right, by the way.”
Bruce was silent for a minute, his eyes glued to hers like he was trying to figure out a puzzle. “Sure,” he said, just as she had only seconds ago. His own concession. “I’m not big on cooking, as you know, but I’ll have something brought it. And Alfred will appreciate the company. He was charmed by you–as most everyone is.”
Her cheeks warmed. “That’s nice of you to say.”
“It’s true.” He reached out again but stopped short of taking her hand when she glanced over her shoulder. “Ah, well. We’ll save it for later then.”
She resisted the urge to apologize, especially when one of the tech crew walked up and her mouth opened in surprise when she saw Bruce. She looked back and forth between them, clearly reading something between them. And she wouldn’t be wrong.
But this was exactly what Taylor wanted to avoid. How many times had she been catching up with an old friend or getting lunch with an acquaintance and someone had snapped a picture, only for the rest of the world to assume she had another boyfriend? Or girlfriend.
It was best for them both to keep things on the down low–at least for now.
“I just had a quick question,” the woman said after a moment.
Bruce’s lips curved in a smile at Taylor. “I guess I’ll let you get back to it. And the Wayne Foundation really appreciates the early access to your show. Your fans are very lucky.”
She held back a laugh, appreciating that he’d covered their meeting with an excuse about charity. Which, to be honest, was partly true.
The woman looked at her with wide eyes as Bruce walked away and whispered, “I didn’t know you know Bruce Wayne.”
Taylor only smiled at her. As usual, the less information she gave the better. But inside, she had to ask herself how much she truly knew about Bruce Wayne.
***
“Are you sure you really want to do this?” Bruce asked as the city fell away behind them and they traveled to the outskirts of Gotham City.
“It’s one of the things on my list.” Taylor squeezed his hand, relieved that they had the whole day to themselves.
Dinner last night had been nice, but she hadn’t had nearly enough alone time with Bruce. Even though her concert was tonight, she insisted they spend the morning together visiting the place Bruce had told her so much about.
His childhood home.
“You have a list?” Bruce ran his thumb over her knuckles, one eyebrow raising. He looked as relaxed behind the wheel of a dark SUV as he did in a three-piece suit at a board meeting. His other hand was on the wheel, steering them effortlessly down a quiet road. "Do tell."
She shifted in her seat so she could get a better look at his profile–strong lines with a long lean nose and a sharp jaw. His dark hair waved back from his forehead, a little wind blown from the breeze that pushed through the slight crack in the window. Did she tell him now? She wasn't lying. She had a list. But pretty much everything on that list revolved around her telling him her true feelings. Everything else was just creating a moment for that to happen. But this, seeing the house he spoke so fondly of at the same time feeling such torture over, was important to her. She wanted to see him fight his demons and win, just as much as she wanted to conquer her own.
"Mostly it's just spending time with you," she admitted.
"Away from prying eyes." He cast her a laughing smile. "Or ears."
She bit her lip. Taylor knew exactly what he was getting at, and he would be right. She’d learned the importance of privacy and she held tight to it when she could. She said, " I know we don't see eye to eye on this."
“Life's too short to live a secret.” She swore she saw a shadow pass over his face before he smiled again. "I know from personal experience. "
She studied his face as he stared forward, his eyes taking in the scenery before them. Was this one of those moments where it made sense to ask for more? This was a familiar dance for both of them, one of them asking, the other avoiding, and the other way around. It was one of the things she wanted to move past by telling him her true feelings, but was that even possible if she wanted to, as he said, “Live a secret?”
“There,” he said nodding his head forward and giving her hand a squeeze. “We're here.”
“This is where you grew up?” she asked, her mouth agape. "You said it was nice."
He glanced at her, seemingly amused. “You don't think it's nice?"
She leaned forward in her seat, releasing Bruce's hand and placing it on the dashboard. “Of course it's nice. It's more than nice. You downplayed it by quite a lot. This is…an estate. A mansion, are there like secret passages and everything?”
He chuckled. “How about I show you?”
They got out of the car as the sun was eclipsed by clouds. She took Bruce's hand as he helped her out.
“Did Alfred live with you here when you were a kid?” she asked.
Bruce nodded. “Ever since I can remember. He'd go back to England to visit his family sometimes but otherwise, I remember him being with us always.”
“Did you spend a lot of time with him?”
“Sure.” Bruce's eyes crinkled with the memory. “He'd always bring back a new teapot for my mom, and then my mom would say we have to have a tea party and Alfred would get it all set up and then sit with us while we drank. Dad was usually off doing some sort of charity but sometimes he would even come.” Bruce pointed to a wooded area. “And when they were both busy, Alfred would come out here and find sticks for me to whittle or frogs to pick up. You know, typical little boy things.”
The idea of him being a normal, well-adjusted little kid despite the grandeur of his surroundings warmed her heart. From the sound of it, his parents had loved him and he'd loved them back. Not everyone was so lucky. It made her wonder what Bruce might be like as a father or if he even wanted kids.
When she glanced over, Bruce was watching her face. She smiled quickly, shoving aside that train of thought. "Did you want to be like him when you grew up?"
He grinned at her as they walked up the stone steps in front of the house. "Alfred?"
She laughed. "No. Your dad."
He pulled out a simple set of keys and unlocked the door. "There's usually an alarm system but I had someone come earlier in the morning to turn it off," he explained, and then went back to her earlier question. "No, I didn't want to be like my dad, I wanted to be like Alfred."
He led her into the house and she stopped in the foyer, her eyes widening. It was clear someone took care of the place even though no one was living there. There weren’t any sheets over the furniture like she saw in the movies or dust on surfaces. It was sparkling clean and set up like it was about to be sold.
“Alfred? Really?” Taylor asked, her eyes still on the house as she asked the question.
“Absolutely. He seemed so confident but easygoing. To me, he didn’t ever seem like he was working. He would talk with my mom when she needed someone to talk to, or play pirates with me, or make sure my dad had the right tie for his suit. I thought he had the perfect job. He got paid to hang out with people who liked him.”
Taylor looked over with a smile. “You’re right. That does sound like the perfect job. If only things were as simple as adults as they were as kids.” She pointed. “Show me your room.”
He laughed, a husky laugh that made her smile widen. “You don’t waste any time.”
She gave him a playful shove. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m just trying to learn more about you. See you who you are.”
He caught her hand again. “I haven’t lived here in a long time. You probably won’t find many clues about who I am in this house.”
“But you’re planning on moving back, right? I mean, that’s why you have someone take care of it, isn’t it?” She looked around again. “It looks like you could move in right now.”
He lowered his chin and stared at his shoes. “I’m still not sure. I know I told you I was thinking about it, but every time I come back, the place just feels so empty. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s so big or because I expect to see my parents on the other side of the door each time I open it or…” He sighed. “I can’t quite figure it out.”
Taylor turned to him and set her hand on his cheek. His head came up and his eyes met hers. “We don’t have to be here if you don’t want to. I know it’s hard for you.”
He was silent for a long moment, as though trying to find the perfect words. “No, I want to be here. You make me want to take the steps I was too afraid to take before.”
“I feel the same way.”
His breath touched her lips a moment before he kissed her. She closed her eyes and let the world drop away around her. Kissing Bruce was like riding a roller coaster. There was anticipation and even a little swirl of nerves in her belly before being jerked into breathlessness.
She hardly felt her feet moving as he urged her backward until her shoulder blades hit the wall. Bruce had a gentle strength about him, one she barely noticed was there until he made a move like this–his body pinning hers to the wall. It was a dizzying experience of falling in love, losing her mind with the simplicity of his mouth on hers, and the barely veiled power of his arms as they wrapped her tight nearly drove her mad.
“I’m going to fall down,” she murmured, her mouth brushing his. He returned her comment with a chuckle, and it reverberated against her lips.
Bruce tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her upright against him. “Can’t have that.” He placed another soft kiss on her mouth before releasing her. “Should we continue the tour?”
With her body humming and her mind sufficiently distracted, she nodded and took his hand.
He guided her through room after room, entertaining her with stories from his past and answering her questions dutifully, though she knew it had to be hard on him. Despite not having lived here for years, the house was no doubt a specter that followed him around even when he wasn’t nearby.
By the time they finished with half the second floor, Taylor paused outside one of the bedrooms and leaned against a banister that overlooked the grand foyer. Her eyes traced over the gentle shimmer of a chandelier. “Were you happy here?”
“I was.” Bruce's voice grew softer. “Our family was small but happy. Until …”
Taylor turned back and watched his face, able to see the subtle hint of sadness there that cropped up every so often. The same one she’d seen yesterday at the theater. “Tell me the truth,” she said. “The theater yesterday…” He glanced away and she knew immediately. Her heart wrenched in her chest. “Oh, Bruce…”
He angled back and drew up a smile. “It's fine.”
“I didn't know.” She stepped forward and cupped his cheeks in her hands, tears filling her eyes. “Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you say something before?"
“It makes sense for you to have the concert there, and I know you liked the venue.” He shrugged. “It's not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal?" she burst out, stepping back in surprise. “These are the things we’re supposed to tell each other, the things that really mean something. Unless–”
She broke off, the revelation hitting her hard. Maybe they weren't at the same place in their relationship. Maybe she was further along than he was, maybe she'd invested more of her feelings than he had. It had happened before–and God, she thought she'd change since then and knew better, but when her heart got involved…all bets were off.
Bruce's eyes narrowed. “Unless what?” he asked, sounding cautious.
Taylor shook her head. “Nothing.”
She started to step away from the banister, but suddenly Bruce was there, his hands on either side of her, caging her in. Her lips parted in surprise, but she couldn't find the right words to say.
“Tell me,” he insisted.
"Does this tactic work for you when you're at the office?” she asked.
He didn't even blink. “You're trying to distract me. It won't work.”
“I'm not trying to distract you,” she argued. It was self-preservation. But she wasn't going to tell him that.
“Then let’s be open. What were you going to say?”
The pressure of it hit her out of nowhere. She was rarely the first person to say “I love you” in a relationship. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe it took her longer to fall in love. Maybe it took her longer to recognize her feelings. But with Bruce, they’d hit her almost immediately and it had scared her so much she thought she was probably taking even longer this time to recognize where her heart lay.
“I…have lots of things I want to say,” she started, then put up her hands because she felt trapped. “Give me a minute here.”
His eyes narrowed on hers again, like he could see straight into her heart if he tried hard enough–which was exactly what she was afraid of. She didn’t want him knowing her true feelings until she was ready–and every moment she thought she was, nerves hit her and she couldn’t do it.
Bruce released a breath and backed up, giving her space but still not taking his eyes from her face.
Taylor turned and paced away from him. “Okay, so… I came here for the concert.” She paced back in his direction and saw him give a slow nod like he only partially understood where she was going with this. “But I wanted to see you, too. Of course I wanted to see you, I mean you live here and I wanted to see where you grew up and all that,” she babbled, nervous again. When he angled his head, she turned abruptly in the other direction again so she didn’t have to see his face. “I wanted to–you know, talk to you and–” When she turned back, he was there, directly in front of her–close enough she ran right into him. “Bruce.”
His hands came up to frame her face, his touch gentle though his stare was intense. “You can tell me anything,” he murmured. When she opened her mouth to say something, anything–probably argue–he shook his head. “Anything. I’m serious.”
“It feels like we both aren’t telling each other things. That we haven’t passed that point in our relationship where we can be real with each other.” She shrugged. “That’s why I wanted to come.”
“We all have secrets,” Bruce said, his voice low. “Layers of who we are. I’m trying to show you mine.”
“I…” Her voice came out in a whisper, and her cheeks caught on fire. The words were there on the tip of her tongue, but when she was finally able to speak again, she couldn’t say them fully. “I really care about you.”
Bruce’s eyes stayed locked on hers. “I care about you, too. It’s been that way since the beginning.”
He was right. Their connection had been instant, and since then she’d been chasing after her feelings, trying to keep up because it seemed they’d already decided which direction they wanted to go in–and the direction they wanted to go in was love.
Bruce kissed her softly and then smiled, the same smile he’d given her that first night that showed her another side of him. “I swear I’m not trying to end this conversation but I have to get you back soon so you can get ready for tonight.”
She checked her phone and realized they’d been here a lot longer than she’d expected. She released her breath, trying to relax. She was nervous about tonight, and she knew that was affecting her more than she recognized.
“You’re right,” she said, flashing a smile. “We should go. Thank you for showing me your house.”
He stepped back, his eyes still thoughtful on her face. He rested one hand on the railing, and he tapped his fingers against his thumb, a gesture she noticed he did often–especially during conversations like this. It was a nervous tick, she figured, one he displayed when he was uncertain.
It felt like there was a gap between them now, both holding back something. But right now, all she wanted to do was go and think about the show tonight. Bruce was a complex person and one small conversation wasn’t going to get them where they needed to be.
“Ready?” she asked, heading for the stairs. When she glanced back, he still had that same expression on his face–the thoughtful one punctuated with indecision.
But he finally moved in her direction, and Taylor descended the long staircase, trying to focus solely on tonight and not the questions swirling in her head.
***
She went with all black, a skintight latex suit that showed a lot of leg and every curve–easy to move in and fun to look at because of the subtle line of sparkling material down each side.
The meet-and-greet before the show went smoothly, and Bruce accompanied the young girl from his charity in himself. Something lingered in his eyes, but she reasoned it had as much to do with the venue as it did with their earlier conversation.
The concert itself went off without a hitch, energizing her and reminding her again why she was so passionate about what she did for a living.
Backstage after the performance, she could still hear the cheers from the crowd. She heard others, voices raised somewhere else. Chants and yells.
Bruce appeared at her side as if out of nowhere. He wore simple jeans and a dark shirt that hugged the muscles of his chest. Worry etched his features.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, giving a thankful smile when someone passed her a bottle of water.
“There are a lot of people out there.” He nodded to the exit. “In the front and the back. It’s probably better to change the plan.”
She eyed the exit he spoke of and then followed his gaze to the opposite side of the building. There was another exit at the other side, one that released to the side of the old theater. She wondered how many people were out there or if they’d all been alerted somehow that she was planning on exiting out the back.
Bruce had the presence of mind to keep his hands to himself even though she could tell he wanted to reach out and take her hand or touch her cheek. At that moment, she wanted him to. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and let the world know they were together.
“I’ve arranged for another car,” he said. “You go out the side exit and I’ll make sure the fans in the back here are distracted.”
Taylor frowned. “You’re not coming with me.”
“Go with Selena and I’ll meet you back at the hotel.”
Bruce's eyes met hers, steady and confident. He nodded firmly, easing some of the concern she felt inside. But only some. “I won’t be far behind.”
Selena linked her arm through Taylor’s. “We’ve got this. Let’s go.”
It seemed like a solid plan until they got outside. Rain fell in a haze and spotlights danced above the cathedral. One instant she heard the shout of a voice in her periphery–and suddenly reporters were darting around the side of the building, and following them, fans in hordes.
Security surrounded her, but even then, Selena was separated from her side. Taylor stopped on the path to one of the dark cars as rain peppered her hair. One of the security guys gripped her arm.
“Ms. Swift–”
“Wait. Selena–”
“We’ve got her,” the man said in clipped tones. “She’ll ride in the other car.”
He urged her forward, and with the crowd coming in their direction, she had no choice but to follow. She got into the vehicle, the engine already running and the driver ready to pull away at a moment’s notice.
Both cars had tinted windows, so it was hard to see inside the other one, but she caught a glimpse of a red sleeve before it disappeared into the car behind her and she prayed it was her friend.
Taylor shifted in her seat to face the security guard who sat in front. “Did Selena get into the other car? We can’t leave without her.”
The man paused a minute, his eyes drifting from hers as though he was listening to something beyond her hearing–probably a voice in his earpiece. Abruptly he nodded. “We’ve got her.” He gestured to the driver. “Go.”
The car lurched forward and sped down the alleyway. The other SUV followed, and soon they were on the darkened streets of Gotham, tires splashing in puddles of spilled rain. After making sure Selena was behind them, she shifted in her seat, facing the front and pulling out her phone.
She hated not having Bruce at her side. She was in an unfamiliar town without either of the people she most wanted at her side. Selena traveled with her often and made her feel comfortable even when she was away from home. And Bruce was her support, her safety, and her solace. With him, there was no fear. She could conquer the world when he was nearby. Together they could move mountains.
Taylor texted Bruce, Are you coming? I’m in the car.
She waited several seconds, then saw his text come through. Almost out of here. Where are you?
The car splashed through puddles and rounded a corner. She scanned the streets, looking for familiar surroundings in an unfamiliar city.
I don’t know… Taylor spotted Wayne Hotel through other tall buildings and added another text. Several blocks away from the hotel?
She waited again. No text came through. The car slowed and Taylor spotted a mass of headlights ahead, red slashes of light in the mist of rain.
“Dammit,” the driver muttered. A traffic jam loomed in their midst, dozens of cars clogging an intersection with flashing lights ahead.
“What is it?” she asked, peering through the rain to see what was ahead.
“An accident,” the security guard in the passenger seat said. “It’s fine. We’ll take a detour.”
“You sure? It looks like people might be getting through on the side there.”
The security guard, the same one who had rushed her through the rain to the car, shook his head. “Faster this way.”
Taylor looked at her phone but still didn’t find a text from Bruce. She had dozens of notifications and tags from social media, messages from friends or regular business emails but not one from the most important person she was waiting to hear from.
When her phone lit up with another message, her eyes quickly scanned the text. It was Selena. What’s happening?
We’re taking a detour. There’s an accident, Taylor texted back.
The driver cursed under his breath as he tried to weave his way out of the traffic.
“There,” the other man said. He pointed to a dark alley and they left behind the rows and rows of cars.
Taylor glanced behind her but didn’t spot the other SUV. “Wait,” she started. Then another text came through from Selena at the same time Bruce texted.
Where did you guys go? My driver said we’re not supposed to detour. We’re supposed to go straight to the hotel , Selena’s text said.
And then Bruce. Are you still with the security team?
She frowned, her stomach twisting with instant anxiety. Something was wrong. Taylor leaned forward in her seat as far as the seatbelt would allow. “Is this the way to the hotel?”
Neither of the men looked at her. Neither said anything.
She squeezed her phone tight in her hand, suddenly aware she wasn’t safe. Who were these people? Were they even security like they claimed to be?
Taylor tried to calm down. Just because they were taking a detour didn’t mean anything. Just because she didn’t know this team, it was still fine. It had to be. Bruce had hired them, hadn’t he?
She was about to ask where they were going again when the driver slammed on the brakes. The seatbelt snapped against her chest, making her breath catch. Her phone slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. She reached for it automatically but the belt held her tight.
“Dammit,” the passenger hissed under his breath.
She followed his gaze and her own mouth opened in shock. Another dark car sat at the end of the alley, its profile close to the ground, looking like a racecar with black plated armor. What the hell…?
Taylor slid her hand down the seatbelt to reach the latch.
“Don’t move,” the man in the front said.
Like hell. She had no idea who was on the other side of the alley, but she doubted staying in here was any better.
Before she could even move, the driver put the car in reverse and started backing down the alleyway toward the street they came from. In an instant, the car across from them came in their direction. Something dark shot from the front and hit their SUV, making her slam back in her seat.
“He’s latched onto us with something,” the driver said incredulously.
“Who the hell is this guy?” the other one asked, though it sounded like he already knew.
Her mind whirled with ideas before suddenly, almost impossibly, landing on one. Batman.
He fought crime, didn’t he? He was supposed to be Gotham’s hero, even if he was a vigilante. She searched her memory for what Selena had been saying about him yesterday but couldn’t come up with anything but the basics. The same thing the entire city knew about him–which was nearly nothing.
Whatever had been shot at them clamped onto the SUV, stopping them from backing up any further. And at the same time, the car came in their direction, drawing closer and closer. She discreetly pushed the latch to release her belt and slowly let it slide loose from her shoulder while the men in front cursed and debated what to do.
The moment the passenger pulled out a gun, she grasped the door handle and shoved, launching herself at the same time she heard him yell. The car was barely in motion at that point and despite skidding to her knees and wincing at the impact, she was back on her feet in seconds.
The rain had picked up, pelting her cheeks and coating her hair as she rushed back to the street they’d come from, her mouth opening to yell for help. She didn’t have her phone, didn’t have anything to even consider using for a weapon. Her only hope was to get to someone else.
In the blink of an eye, someone was in front of her. She yanked in a gasp and prepared to strike the figure when she felt strong hands grip her arms and a gruff voice say, “Stay here.”
He didn’t push her so much as lift her and set her behind the car before he moved impossibly fast to the other men, who’d exited the vehicle.
She ducked down enough to feel safe but kept her eyes on the dark figure, the one cloaked in black, his identity unmistakable. This was Batman in the flesh, Gotham’s superhero.
He moved like a panther, striking before the other men could move. One swift punch had the driver on his back, and a well-aimed kick knocked the passenger off his feet and onto the hood of the SUV.
She grimaced at the same time the man groaned. In another swift movement, the masked figure had yanked the man off the hood and to the wet ground. The three of them vanished from view, and behind the car with the rain pouring down, she debated what to do.
After a split second of indecision, she straightened and crept around the side of the car, taking cautious steps until the trio came into sight again.
Batman looked up at her briefly before finishing his tasks. He’d deftly tied the men together, back to back, with some kind of nylon binding. He stood abruptly and kicked aside both their weapons, leaving the men helpless on the ground.
She froze where she stood beside the SUV, wondering if she was in shock. She shivered and tried to make sense of what had just happened in her mind. Who were these men? What had they wanted? And where was Bruce?
The masked figure stood, his height eclipsing hers, and gestured to his vehicle. “We should go,” he growled, his voice low and hoarse. He released the tether between the two cars as she watched, her mind racing with uncertainty.
Taylor found her voice. “What about the police?”
He angled back, though his face hid in the shadows. “They’re on their way.”
She paused, hearing sirens in the distance. How had he known to call the police? And how had he known where she was?
Bruce. She had to let him know where she was. And Selena. Was her friend okay?
Taylor yanked open the door she’d gotten out of just minutes ago. She had to find her phone. She ducked down, her wet hair dripping all over the seat and the floor. She ran her hands over the carpet and in between the seats.
When something touched her back, she yelped and looked back.
He stood there, rainwater shimmering off his dark suit, his hand out. “We need to get out of here.”
“I have to find my phone. I–hey!” She struggled when he looped an arm around her waist and pulled her from the car. Her feet came off the ground as he carried her effortlessly to his vehicle. “We can’t go. We need–”
He set her on her feet next to the car, his face coming into partial view. “The police are on their way and everyone else is safe. I promise. Come with me.” When her mouth opened, another argument on her lips, he said one more word. “Please.”
She’d learned to trust her gut over the years, and her gut was telling her that she could trust him.
Taylor got in the door he opened, ducking down to a low seat and staring, mouth agape at the interior of the vehicle. There were lights all over the dashboard, making her feel like she was in a science fiction movie. Batman got in the seat next to her and immediately touched one of the buttons on the dash before they were shooting backward, out of the alley, the low vehicle sliding smoothly on the rain-slickened streets before spinning around in a forward-facing direction.
He pressed on the gas and suddenly they were racing past buildings and weaving through the light traffic. “Are you hurt?” he asked.
She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering against the leather seats. “No,” she whispered. “I need to go back to the hotel or…”
He reached out, almost as if he was going to set his hand on hers. But he stopped mid-motion and instead flicked another switch on the dash, sending a wave of heat blaring in her direction.
Wayne Hotel came into view up ahead and she pointed because he wasn’t slowing the vehicle. “There,” she said, her voice coming out so quiet she wasn’t sure he heard her. “My hotel.”
He gave a quick shake of his head. “Not yet. It’s safer this way.”
That was what Bruce had said, and now she felt completely lost. “What do you mean safer?”
“The press is outside, the fans are flanking both entrances.” He glanced over at her and when he found her watching him, he leaned back, casting his face into the shadows again. “It’s not safe to go back there yet.”
She swallowed her response, then let her gaze drop to his hand resting on the console between them. Just like how Bruce always sat, his hand relaxed and waiting for her to link her fingers with his. And then he did it–just the slightest motion, but one that was distinctively Bruce. He ran his fingers against his thumb, the same thing Bruce did. The same motion she always noticed when he was looking for words to say or trying to work through a situation.
Her heart clutched. No. No way. Bruce couldn’t be Batman. He was…her boyfriend. A businessman. A regular guy with money at his disposal. But also someone with a dark past. Someone who would want to right the injustices of a corrupt city.
All the pieces fell into place. She studied his profile and even that fit. His build was the same, even in the shadows she could see that his jaw was the same, and the way he moved…
“Pull over,” she commanded, disbelief hitting her in waves.
“It’s not–”
“Pull the car over now.” She put steel into her voice. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
That did the trick. He took a sharp right, racing them into a parking garage, where the rumble of the engine echoed against cement walls. Tires screeched when he yanked the wheel and slid them haphazardly into a space.
Taylor opened the door and stumbled out, still shivering with her mind whirling. She pressed her hands over her face and took a deep breath. Behind her, she heard the other car door open and knew Batman–no, Bruce, she was sure it was him–was getting out.
She couldn’t hear him but she felt the moment he was behind her. More than anything right now, she wanted him to put his arms around her and tell her it was okay. Then give her the entire truth. But part of her also wanted to put the blame somewhere because he hadn’t been honest with her from the beginning.
She turned around and found herself face to face with an intimate stranger–someone she knew well and at the same time didn’t know at all. His face was still half in shadow like he always searched for the darkest spot he could find to deter from recognition. It made sense. He had to keep his secret–apparently, even from her.
“Take off your mask,” she said, trying to keep her voice even.
He took a step backward, retreated even further into the shadows.
She tried to stay calm. “I want the truth.”
He took a visible breath, and part of her heart broke for him. She could feel the hesitation there, the worry–and more. Maybe he was afraid she’d reject him or leave. Maybe he wasn’t ready to reveal the other side of him he didn’t let many–if any–people see.
But after a long moment, he reached up and pulled off the mask. Even though she’d been nearly certain it was him, Taylor was still surprised to see Bruce’s face behind the disguise.
She exhaled. “I knew it was you.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. His hair stuck up on the sides, making him look like a little kid. “I wanted to tell you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
His eyes searched hers, and when he responded, he didn’t answer her question. “I didn’t want to hurt you.”
She folded her arms and tried to keep her teeth from chattering. “I don’t like being lied to.”
“I know.” He opened the door to the car and rifled around for something before pulling out a jacket. He passed it over. “Can we get back in the car? It’s warmer in there.”
Taylor shoved her arms into the sleeves and immediately felt a wave of nostalgia. The jacket smelled like Bruce, like all the times he’d wrapped her in a hug or given her his jacket because she was cold. Her chin wobbled and she ducked her head to compose herself.
“Please,” Bruce said, taking a step forward again. He still didn’t touch her but she saw the compassion in his eyes. “I’ll explain everything if you come back to my place and get warm.” When he still saw her hesitate, he added, “Selena’s fine. I made sure of it. Those men in the car with you…” He swallowed and dropped his chin. “They were supposed to be with the rest of the security team but they were being paid to kidnap you. The minute I found out, I came after you, and I–I–”
Though the words shook her, Taylor saw it was even harder for Bruce to talk about it than it was to tell her. She could read the guilt all over his face.
“Okay,” she said softly. “Let’s go.”
He walked back to the car with her, and once she was settled he got in the other side and took them back to his place.
***
She was wrapped in his robe, sitting beside a crackling fire with a cup of coffee in her hand. Bruce had made sure she had everything she needed before going to change.
When he returned to the living room, he wore a simple pair of black sweats and a black t-shirt. His hair was still wet but smoothed back and he looked more tired than she’d ever seen him.
To her surprise and partial amusement, he walked straight over and sat on the floor with her. He grabbed the edge of the blanket that was over her lap and tucked it under her legs.
“Are you warm enough?” he asked. When she nodded, he peered into her mug. “Do you need more to drink? Or I can–”
“No.” She set aside the mug. “I just want to talk.”
He prepared himself with a deep breath but nodded. “Of course.”
“What happened back in the alleyway?”
He gritted his teeth. “I hired that security team–and I know most of them. They’re legit and wouldn’t do anything but their job. But because there were so many people outside, they brought in a few others, and since…” He frowned… “Since I told you to take the other exit, it was easy for the new guys to get you to their car. They were working for someone else–promised a lot of money if they kidnapped you and…” His jaw clenched and he shook his head. Then he reached out to take her hand. “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you leave my side. When the head of the team told me you’d gone with those other guys because you’d been separated, I left right away. I–” His voice went hoarse and he looked down at their joined hands. “I’m so sorry.”
She flipped her hand so her fingers linked with his. “It’s not your fault.”
“That never should have happened.”
She reached out to touch his cheek and repeated, “It’s not your fault.”
“If anything had happened to you,” he started. Abruptly, he pulled her into his arms, seeming to forget everything else but her. He crushed her tight to his chest and set his cheek against her hair. “This is why I didn’t want you to come here. Not because I didn’t want to see you–I was afraid. Gotham City isn’t safe.”
“But you’re trying to make it safer,” she murmured, breathing him in.
“I’m trying.” He ran his hands in circles over her back, warming her even more. “But it never seems like enough.”
“You made it to me in time,” she whispered against his chest.
He shuddered and held her tighter. “Don’t remind me. I should have–”
“Don’t. It all worked out and I’m okay.” She looked up at him, hoping her words would erase the tortured look she saw on his face. “So are you.”
“I don’t know what I would have done if I’d lost you,” Bruce said. He eased back and cupped her cheeks between both hands. “I love you.”
“Bruce,” she whispered.
“Hold on.” He kept his gaze fixed on hers. “I need to get this out. You mean more to me than I can tell you. I couldn’t tell you this before–no, I didn’t want to tell you because it wasn’t fair. You didn’t know the whole truth about me and I was scared to tell you. Batman is…not the best part of me. He’s the part that wants revenge against injustices that we all experience every day. Taking the law into my own hands and…” He shook his head. “I didn’t know if that was something you could make any sense of.”
He was being completely transparent with her now, honest in a way she’d never experienced with him before. Not only honest–vulnerable.
He brushed his thumb on her cheek. “But now you know me, the real me. The good and the bad–the parts of me I never share with anyone else. And now I can tell you without any walls or secrets between us. I love you, Taylor. I think I have since the first day we met.”
She swallowed emotion, trying to find the words to express how he made her feel. “That’s what I came here to tell you. I wanted to come to Gotham to see the sides of you I didn’t already know but I also came to tell you I love you.”
He ran his thumb over her lower lip before kissing her, a raw kiss that told her as much as his words. He loved her more than he could say.
“Will you stay here tonight?” he asked. “Stay close so I know you’re okay.”
Taylor shifted in front of the fire, moving the blanket so she could lean against him and cover them both with the fluffy material. “Of course. With you, I know I’ll always be okay.”
“Even now that you know the truth?”
“I always knew there was another side to you, one I accepted before knowing the full truth.”
He closed his arms around her and she settled into his embrace, feeling safer than she had in a long time.
And when he told her he loved her once more, she closed her eyes and let herself relax, marveling at how she’d found her soulmate in a corrupt world, one that only seemed to make sense with him at her side.