The next day, Persephone decided to get out. The hallways had a bit of movement, so she made her way to the library. The library has always been a place of comfort for her. Curling up with an enjoyable book in the afternoon or amid the fireplace gave a peace of mind. It is a routine she was set on continuing while she was here. Once there she quickly grabbed a book and sat on the couch. She did not know how long she was there, and she did not care. She just wanted some semblance of normalcy in this time of confusion.

"Miss Heart, Miss Heart."

Someone calls her. At the entrance stood Anthony with a tray tea. "I thought you could use some refreshments." She assessed him; he was way too calm to be a hostage. "You work for them, am I correct?"

He gives her a small smile, "Yes, I do. Since I started working for your father."

"Why were you sent here?" She was sad that her favorite person was not who he said he was. They spent time together laughing and joking about her dad behind his back. When she was close to doing something stupid, she would sit her down and go through the pros and cons of her decision. He never told her what to do, however he did lead her to the right choices.

He handed her a cup of tea and sat back against the couch. "First, my name is Amir. Second, Roland was put in contact with Bane a year ago. It was an exchange between the two. Roland would fund Bane's operation and in return we would help him with his... business endeavors. I was sent to watch him to make sure there would be no double crossing on Roland's part."

It made sense. It was not the first time Roland hand promised something and did not deliver. As long as he got what he wanted, he did not mind letting his obligations slide. Hell, he would even use that deal to expose his partners and garner all the glory for himself. If Bane knew that before he partnered with him to make a contingency plane, that would mean he had Roland under surveillance for a while.

"What about me?" she asked. "You did not have to get close to me, but you did, why?"

Amir took her hands in his, "At first, I thought you would be this spoilt little princess. I saw your room and you had everything one could imagine, but you did not live there. When I picked you up it was at a little apartment that would have embarrassed any other socialite. You did not care it was your pride and joy, something you had away from your father. I heard your conversations, the anger in your voice when he tried to tell you what to do. You wanted freedom from him, you were fine with a simple life. That is when I knew you were different; I grew fond of our interactions. You made my time here bearable."

She felt has if she might cry, she had someone on her side. "Thank you, Amir. You made it bearable for me here too." They both chuckled. "Now, with that out of the way. Tell me about what you are reading."

Bane watched them from afar. He thought that Amir being in the house would make her more comfortable. Thankfully, he was right. Amir was a member of the League of Shadows with the longest tenure. He was one of the few people who stayed in contact with him when he was excommunicated. Which was why he trusted him. Amir did not speak much about his past; all Bane knew was that he used to have a wife and a daughter before he joined. Bane figured that was why he was so fond of Persephone, she reminded him of his daughter.

His attention was regained when Persephone laughed. It was soft and genuine. The happiness traveled to her eyes lighting them up. So, that was what she was like when she was smiling. She is so expressive with her emotions. When she was mad, sad, or happy it would flash across her face. She could not hide what she was feeling from them. It is so refreshing to see someone so open with herself. It made him wonder if she could be open with him.

He checked the clock; lunch would be served soon. Barsad would not be back till dinner, that gave him enough time. He and Persephone need some one-on-one time. He wanted to see more of her emotions.

Amir escorted her back to her room, "I have some duties to attend to Miss Heart. But I assure you I will be seeing you soon." She bid him good day. She felt something was different upon entering. The double doors to the balcony were open, the wind fluttered the curtains. Outside in poised position was Bane. Leaning against the railing deep in thought. His hands were at their usual spot on his vest. On the table, was sandwiches and pitcher of lemonade. The table was set for two people. She cannot run from this; it is time to face this head on.

"Lunch for two," she begins.

His gaze lands on her, "Yes, I believe a conversation deserves to be had."

He pulls out her chair for her like a gentleman, he then fixes her plate and pours her drink before sitting down not touching the food. She ate in silence for bit not knowing what to say. The atmosphere was awkward without Barsad with is boisterous self to break the tension. She focused on his mask; it was a unique part of him. She never saw him without him, when others sat around and feasted, he would hang back and watched over them. Did he even eat?

"Why did you let me live?" That question has been burning inside her brain for the longest time. She had to know, she needed to know what was going through his mind.

Bane thrums is fingers on the granite. "I had no plans to kill you. In truth, I was not aware you would be with your father that day." It was rare that he did not have the details planned down to the last second. Persephone was a curveball he did not expect.

"If I was not there, would you have let me be?"

Excellent question. He did not know her personally, nevertheless Barsad did. He spent time with her, he was aware that a Persephone Heart lived in Gotham. His brother wanted to seek her out. The fact that she just dropped into her lap was unexpected.

"I cannot speak for me, I do know Barsad wanted to find you. You made quite an impression on him." Who was he kidding? His brother was enamored with her.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Well, I am 25 years old. I work at a diner."

"Why a diner? Surely your father has a trust for you." He said that last part mockingly.

"I do but the money that is in that trust I put there with the stocks I have earned from."

"Tell me about your parents." Maybe there was a side to Roland Daggett he did not see.

"I lost my mother when I was 15. She was my best friend. We did everything together. She had such a wonderful soul, and she could make you see that there was more to you than just what society calls you." Her mother was heaven sent, there was not a day that goes by where she did not miss her. She taught Persephone about resilience and persistence. Go for what you want, do what makes you happy. Life is too short to not live the way you want. She encouraged her to go to college for computer technology. Bane could see the love in her eyes when she spoke of her mother. There was reverence in her gaze. Her mother seemed like she was one in a million, too pure for this world.

"You mother sounds like a rare gem.

She really was. "Roland Daggett on the other hand is a different story. He bedded my mom then left her. He only cared for his image, and he would threaten her whenever she refused to fit me into his narrative." The world catered to a man with money and her dad had enough money to wrap her mother up in a nasty custody battle for her defiance. To keep the peace her mother did all she could do.

Damned bastard. He should have killed him slowly.

"After she died, I was sent to leave with him. He and I did not mix."

"Is that where Barsad came into the picture?"

"He did not appear till I was 22. I humiliated Roland and he wanted me out of the country till the heat died down. I wanted to go to Dubai, I meet Barsad there." She blushed as she thought of him. She remembered their time affectionately. She never had so much fun in her life.

Bane will recall that cute blush.

Barsad was in Dubai with Bane. They needed to gather research about the device they were sent after. They were going to be the in the country for a time, so Barsad went to explore. He found Persephone. It was not the first time they had invited someone into their bed with them. It was all a fling to them, never permanent. Then his brother came back absolutely gushing about this young woman he had been involved with. He saw their relationship evolving with Persephone in it. That was until she was forced back to her home.

"Enough about me. Why do you wear the mask?" She winces, she knows she should ask about his relationship with Barsad. But the mask made her curious. Why did he need the mask? What did it do for him? When did he start to wear it? Bane narrows his eyes the tale behind the mask was not something he wished to tell. Although he could give her the spare details.

"I was hurt in prison; the mask gives me a venom that helps combat the pain so I can move efficiently." Prison? "Why were in jail?"

"Sins of the father." he growls out. She wanted to ask more questions, yet his tone had her rethinking. He bit out his words with such hatred behind them. She did not know if any further line of questioning would worsen his mood. She gently touches his arm, "I am sorry if I made you think of any bad memories?" Bane looked at her as if she had two heads.

She touched him so gently, her eyes looked at him worriedly. The only person who stared at him in such a way was his brother. The way she caressed him without hesitation made him shiver. There was no fear in her embrace, there was only a woman reacting to his spirit.

What a tender woman in nature. He is beginning to see why Barsad likes her. "No, need to apologize habibi. Those are my own demons."

It was the second time he called her that, "What does that mean? Habibi?"

"It means 'beloved one.'"

Their eyes locked an energy passing through her to him then back to her. It would be prudent to in their interaction here.

"You might want to get going. Your men are going to need you."

He was amused. How adorable, she was nervous, and that blush was back. Bane wonders how much he can make her blush. "Very well." Before he leaves, his fingers tilt her face towards him. His crystalline eyes gazing at her with a heated intensity "It was wonderful having lunch with you, little one."

Fuck, now she needs a cold shower.


"How did it go?"

Barsad was lounging on the bed when Bane arrived at the room. He climbed in and tucked his brother into his side.

"It went will. She is so sweet and kind. She feels things on a deeper level. She has the ability to empathize with people." Yes, that was Persephone to a T. He could not believe she was real. Her loving nature was infectious, he wanted to take care of her. Giver her everything she desires, to lay the world at her feet like the queen she is.

"You're starting to like her." Bane hummed in response.

"How is our good Dr. Pavel?"

"He is fine. Safely tucked away until he serves his purpose." The doctor was scared doe. He feared any slight movement would mean his death. His fear kept him placid, he did not present the risk of running off. Who would help him anyway? To the government Dr. Pavel died in a plane crash.

"I am going to visit him. In the next month or so we will commence into the next phase of the plan. Stay with Persephone tomorrow. Take her to get her affairs in order. She will need to be prepared for what is coming."

Barsad straddled Bane, "Are you sure we must do this? We are risking a lot for this woman."

"We have talked about this, brother."

They have, a tone of times and he still did not trust that bitch. Or Talia has Bane calls her. This woman shows up unexpectedly years after Bane's excommunication to ask for his help. Where was she in the years after? Now she needs his assistance with a borderline suicide mission. Barsad called straight bullshit and he was not the only one. Amir was suspicious as well. He kept a close eye on her and reported anything that seemed amiss. Privately, of course. But Bane was dead set on supporting the woman he raised in the pits.

"I know. I just... I cannot help but think that she has more up her sleeve. I do not want you to fall in too deep."

He always pondered on what he did to deserve Barsad. "Do not worry, brother. I know you will not let me."