Chapter Thirty-Six
Selina woke a little after dawn and slid out of bed. She picked up her dress and shoes.
"Selina," Bruce said as he grabbed hold of her wrist.
"I have to go Bruce."
His fingers intertwined with hers and he pulled her back towards the bed. "Don't."
"You know I have to. Don't make this any harder than it already is." Selina's eyes focused on the floor as she fought back tears she refused to let fall. This wasn't goodbye she told herself.
"I'm sorry, just be careful," Bruce murmured.
"I will," she whispered before she kissed him. And he drew her back into the bed kissing her back hard. His mouth demanding control and she gave it feeling a sense of urgency. She broke the kiss suddenly knowing if she didn't then she wouldn't be able to at all.
Bruce let her go and she stood up once again. His fingers still held her hand.
"I'll get you out of there, some how."
"Bruce."
"I will Selina."
"I know. Good…"
"After breakfast," he beseeched.
Selina drew in a breath and closed her eyes. Trying to quiet her raging emotions. "Okay."
The two moved downstairs and ate a small breakfast and then Selina moved back upstairs to change. When she descended the stairs Bruce met her at the landing. He pulled her against him and hugged her tight before kissing her forehead and down her face.
Bruce pulled out a thin gold chain and unclasped it taking the thin wedding band from her finger he slid it onto the chain and fastened it around her neck. "I love you," he whispered before he kissed her. Tears slipped past her lashes as she kissed him back she felt the pad of his thumbs brush them away as his fingers tangled in her hair.
Selina turned away from his lips to break the kiss and let him go. "I love you too," she whispered. As she opened her lips to say goodbye he kissed her lips again briefly.
"Don't say it. This isn't goodbye," he said.
Selina nodded and he let her go though he didn't want to. He watched as his wife picked up the tiger cub and walked out of the manor to return to her self made prison.
As she stepped in the house Daggett met her. He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "Did you enjoy your day off?"
"Yes," Selina replied her voice expressionless as she tried to dull the sting of having left her husband.
"Good. Did you do anything interesting?"
"No, not at all," Selina lied. I'm not going to tell you just how interesting yesterday was.
"Breakfast?" Daggett asked.
"I already ate."
"After I'm done we'll discuss plans for the day and what will be expected of you."
"Fine."
"Oh, and kitten now that you're back under my roof you'll bath and change."
"I'll take care of it while you eat," she said.
"Good."
Selina turned to leave and he grabbed her by the arm stopping her. "Welcome home Selina," he said before he kissed her cheek.
Selina left him moving down the hall to her room closing and locking the door. She set the cub on the floor and moved to the closet and pulled out a dress before moving towards the bathroom. She was still in the tub when Daggett entered her room.
"Selina, my dear, are you ready to start the day."
"Not yet. I'll be ready in a minute," she replied wishing she had a door to lock and berating herself for sitting in the tub so long.
"Kitten if you're going to be here, you're going to have to learn not to make me wait," he said before he moved towards the tub.
"Don't," she warned.
"Relax kitten I'm not going to hurt you. That's Mr. Wayne's job," Daggett whispered before he lifted her robe from the ledge and held it out for her.
Selina slid her arms into the robe. She rose to her feet and pulled it tight around her tying it shut.
"You really are a beautiful creature Selina. He's a fool for leaving you," Daggett whispered as he rested his hands on her shoulders. Pressing his body against hers from behind.
"Daggett, get your hands off me."
"Come on kitten. You and me we could own this city," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Just forget about them. They don't care about you," Daggett said before he kissed the side of her neck.
"Stop it," Selina hissed. She was not in the mood to deal with him this morning.
"Relax kitten, I won't do anything you don't want me too," he whispered.
"I don't want you touching me," she said.
"Are you sure, Selina? Maybe you're just afraid of what you're feeling," he whispered before moving further down her neck.
"Stop."
"What are you afraid of kitty?" He asked.
I'm afraid my husband may lose his patients and kick your ass, Selina thought. "Nothing."
"Then why stop me?"
"Because, I love someone else."
"He doesn't love you Selina. He left you to rot in jail. He'll never know about this."
"I'd know. Now stop."
"Where did you go yesterday?"
"No where special."
"Why are you fighting me on this?"
"You tried to kill me. It's not something I forget easily."
"I didn't know you," he replied as he continued his attempt to seduce her.
"You better leave now. We'll discuss business once I'm dressed."
"But I like you venerable."
"Go."
"Watch it kitten," he hissed in warning.
"Please, I'm not ready for this."
"I'll give you your space, for now."
"Thank you," she whispered as he withdrew from her.
"For now," he repeated making it clear that his leaving was only temporary.
Once he was gone Selina pulled on her dress and stepped out onto the patio.
"You okay?" Batman asked.
"For now," She replied.
"Selina."
"I'll be fine, I can take care of myself."
"If he..."
" I won't let him." Selina said interrupting him.
"If he hurts you again…" Batman began, but she cut of this as well.
"You promised…"
"I know, but…"
"No buts, you gave me your word."
"I won't let him hurt you. You're my wife."
"Bruce, don't go after him."
"Do you want me to just stand by and watch while he tries to seduce my wife, and beats her when his temper flares."
"No, but don't betray who you are, and have faith."
"I hate this."
"I know, but it won't last forever," she whispered.
"Neither can I Selina, just watching, being powerless to do anything, unable to interfere it's more than I can take."
"Don't worry, it will be okay," she purred before she turned and moved back into the house.
"Selina I love you," he whispered before leaving as well.
Selina brushed a few tears from her eyes before stepping out of the bedroom to face hell.
As Selina stepped out into the hall she found Daggett waiting. He stepped forward to meet her and draped his arm over her shoulder, and steered her towards his office. She allowed it knowing not to anger him needlessly.
She took a seat in the chair in front of his desk and watched as he walked around the desk to his chair.
"I suppose you haven't seen the headlines this morning," Daggett said.
"No, I didn't get a paper this morning," she replied.
Daggett pushed the front page across his desk and then pulled out a cigar and lit it.
Selina blinked. She didn't like his mood. It made her skin crawl. He seemed too happy. Looking down at the headline she could see why. Daggett Industries cleared of all charges in regard to the Wayne Enterprises scandal. Selina repressed a curse as she wondered how he'd managed to slip through clean. "Congratulations," she offered.
Daggett smiled. "Yes, they are in order, and perhaps we'll have a private celebration later tonight. My only regret is that I lost the company as a result of this mess."
"I'm sure you'll think of a way to get it back," Selina said. If you do, I'll find away to stop it.
"We have a press conference this morning in response to the headline. You're to steer to the topic of our engagement if anyone tries to go off topic."
Selina nodded.
"We'll be having lunch out again and then you'll be on your own until dinner."
"Understood."
"Best behavior no arguments, we're to appear as a happy couple deeply in love."
"Of course. Anything else?"
"Yes, we may have company for dinner so remember your manors in public."
"Sure," Selina replied. "Can I go?"
"For now," Daggett said with a grin that made her blood run cold. He was up to something she was sure of it and what ever it was she wasn't going to like it.
Selina turned and left heading back to her room. She lay down on the bed next to her tiger cub and closed her eyes wanting to be free of this place.
She pulled the small gold band from her dress and looked at it for a moment before hiding it away again. She had no doubt that the press conference would include her husband and she wondered how she was going to get through it.
This game was difficult and she suspected that in the end it would only get worse. Maybe I should have gotten out when Gordon offered it, Selina considered but the thought was rebuked as soon as it came. She knew that she was right the only way to stop Daggett was for her to play the game through until the end.
She tried not to dwell on what lay ahead and to focus on the night before and that moment. She had to play this game moment by moment or the possible events ahead might drive her mad. Catwoman took a firm hold of her and pulled her together. She was a survivor she'd get through this to.
The cub growled softly and Selina looked up to find she was being watched. Daggett stood at the foot of the bed looking her over his gray eyes raked over her ivory skin and she cursed herself for letting herself lose focus. How long has he been here?
"Time to go pet," he said offering his hand to help her up.
Selina glared for the name but said nothing she took the offered hand and he pulled her to her feet. He didn't let go of her hand though instead he pulled her to his side and once more draped his arm over her shoulder.
He led her out of the pent house apartment and to their limo. Selina rolled her eyes at the car. It was hardly necessary and would only created more of a media circus but that was the point. He wanted to be in the spot light. Selina slid across the seat taking a seat at the opposite side trying to create space, but Daggett had other ideas.
He slid into the car closed the partition between them and the driver and closed the door. His hand grabbed her wrist and he drew her back to his side. "Now kitten we talked about this earlier happy couple," he said. His lips found her neck and his grip moved to her thigh.
"We're not in the public eye yet Daggett. Get your paws off me," she snapped.
"You're mine now Miss Kyle a fact you'd do well to remember," Daggett warned.
"You don't own me Daggett. We have a contract agreement if you breach it again I'll walk," Selina warned.
"You're mistaken pet. I do own you. If it wasn't for me you'd be rotting in prison and with your track record you'd have been dead inside of year. I saved your life Selina I own you." He said smugly; before he returned his attention to her neck his hand sliding behind her to touch her bare back while the other drew her onto his lap to give him better access to her body. The hem of her dress rose subtly with her movement and his other hand skimmed beneath the silk dress to play with her garter-belt.
"Enough Daggett," she hissed as her nails dug into skin. His hands were both too close and she'd tolerate no more. While the one played with her garter-belt the other used the open back of her gown to touch anything he could without ruining the gown.
"No pet, it's almost enough," he countered before his lips captured hers in a passionate kiss. She was given no opportunity to retaliate as his fingers dug into her skin eliciting a muffled cry her nails dug into his shoulder and as she struggled to get free her body shifted exposing her garters and causing her to straddle his leg.
The car froze and door opened to reveal their current position. Selina blinked as the flash of several cameras blinded her. She felt rage fill her as she realized what he'd just done. He broke the kiss closing the door as the cameras flashed again.
She smoothed out her dress and hair as she pawed at her face trying to wipe off his kiss. Wishing she had time to shower feeling dirty and glad her mother was alive to see the tabloids in the store knowing she would die if she saw her daughter in such a position. Her thoughts instantly turned to Bruce how would he handle it. A headache formed behind her temples and she resisted the urge to lash out she'd tell him what she thought of his little stunt later now she had to behave.
He was good at manipulating the press to his own ends she had to admit that. He had played those reports for fools and she had no doubt part of the scene was directed at Mr. Wayne a cold slap in the face reminding him that he'd given her up.
Daggett's need to one up Bruce was one of his flaws. He behaved like a jealous sibling and the show created was yet another way to taunt his adversary much in the way a small child taunted his rival with a toy the other wanted and she was the doll being fought over.
"That was low," she commented.
"No, it was well played and you know it," Daggett countered and he grinned at out come of his game. The press would forget about anything they had been planning to ask and no doubt focus on his and Selina's up coming marriage. Not to mention the look on Mr. Wayne's face had been priceless. Daggett couldn't wait to finish the game because even Selina wouldn't be ready for his next move.
"Is that really the kind of image you want to put on our engagement?"
"Yes. Any man would have to be a fool to not be carried away by you Selina," Daggett replied both to seduce and remind her yet again that Mr. Wayne was such a fool. "Now come along pet or else we'll give the impression that we're going to finish what we've started."
Selina nodded and as the door opened again she was blinded by a new wave of flash. She spotted Bruce in the crowd ad felt ill. She knew full well that had looked like and her green eyes met with Bruce's and she saw first worry then rage as his focus fell on Daggett. Selina shifted her attention back to Daggett and noted hid smile only widened in response.
The man was infuriating and at the moment she'd have liked nothing better than to walk through the crowd to Bruce's side kiss his and wipe that cocky grin off his face. He thought he could read people so well, but he was in the dark for a change and she was looking forward to enlightening him when the time came.
Moving through the crowd towards the stage area and Mr. Wayne Daggett slid his had into the open back of Selina's gown and pulled her to his side as he led her in. The day was going well so far and he was enjoying the ability to punish both Selina and Wayne at one time. Flaunting her in front of Wayne was enjoyable and being able to control Selina was even more so. Using her against Wayne was a masterstroke.
Bruce despite his act of losing gracefully was not happy to see her with him and after today Wayne would be no threat to his plans for Miss Kyle. If things went according to plan the engagement would become a permanent arrangement and in time Selina despite all her denials would indeed be his.
"Good morning Selina," Bruce said taking her left hand he kissed it reverently where her wedding band should be. Using her name as a caress he couldn't bestow in public.
"Good morning Bruce," she whispered her fingers playing with the chain around her neck nervously. His name was spoken like a prayer.
"How are you?" He asked. Keeping conversation polite and friendly to those observing but the question had several hidden beneath it that only she could understand. Did he hurt you? Are you okay? What's going on?
"I'm good and you?" She asked keeping the conversation light, understanding the unspoken questions and asking one of her own. He didn't hurt me. I'm okay and I'm not completely sure what's going on it was mainly a show for you and the press. Are you okay?
"I'm tired, but other than that I'm good," he replied.
"Hello Bruce," Daggett said feigning courtesy he extended his right hand to his rival as he drew Selina closer to him.
Selina's eyes shut to hide her reaction as Daggett's hand slid from her back to beneath the black silk to caress her abdomen and made no attempt to conceal the liberty he was taking with her body. His move possessive and his message clear, Selina was his. Bruce had missed the chance.
"Daggett," Bruce said as he took the offered hand. His tone was polite but Selina knew it wasn't he spoken the name as if it were a curse or something vial he wanted to be rid of.
It took all his strength of will to keep the handshake friendly. He saw all to clearly what Daggett was up to now. Using these displays to run off the competition, but what he didn't know was it was a hopeless battle Bruce had no intention of abandoning Selina.
"Shall we get this over with Selina and I have lunch plans?" Daggett said.
"Wouldn't want to keep you two. You're a lucky man Daggett," Bruce said evenly playing into Daggett's ego.
"Yes she is quite a woman," Daggett said in a tone that implied he knew first hand on an intimate level.
"Yes, she is," Bruce replied his meaning not laced with a hidden sexual meaning. He looked at Selina and his thoughts turned to the night before despite his efforts. He watched as her ivory cheeks flushed no doubt the shared look had sent her thoughts on the same path. Bruce turned his attention back to Daggett trying to change gears before his mind had a chance to wander any further from the present moment. "Good luck to you both," he added.
Daggett nodded as he let Bruce's hand go. Knowing that the other man wanted nothing more than an opportunity to speak with Miss Kyle and beg her forgiveness and ask her to come back to him. Daggett would make damn sure that never happened. In fact when she went out next Saturday he'd make sure Wayne Manor was watched. He gave Selina his word she wouldn't be followed but if she showed up there he'd know and there would be hell to pay when she got back.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the press I want to first express how relived I am that Daggett Industries staff has been cleared of any wrong doing in regard to the buying of Wayne Enterprises. I pride myself on running a company established in trust and honesty. I intended to aid Bruce in his search for the person or persons responsible for this terrible crime."
"Daggett I am glad of the help and I a sure you Wayne Enterprises and myself hold no grudges. I only want the criminals involved in this act against both our companies found and brought to justice."
"Miss Kyle ahs a date been set for your wedding?" Gertty asked.
"Not yet, Roland and I are still trying to work out a day that won't interfere with his busy schedule," Selina said dodging the subject though she was sure Daggett would prefer her to name a possible day.
"Mr. Daggett, Mr. Wayne, are there any hard feeling in regard to the fall out of your last dealing?" Knox asked.
Daggett smiled as if expecting the question Selina felt fear wondering what he had planned in response to the question.
"I hope that there will be no hard feelings between us and as an act of friendship I'd like to offer Mr. Wayne an invitation to join Selina and I for dinner this evening and then to discuss the matter of the sale further."
Selina felt rage and then panic as her vision began to cloud. Pull it together Selina you can't faint in front of all these people that will result in three things: a sound beating and lecture, his further amusement and tabloid stories suggesting your pregnant pull it together. She told herself and then she blinked. What if I am pregnant? She felt panic set in anew but pushed it aside she couldn't think about this now.
"Daggett I'd be glad to join you and further still I'd like to invite the two of you to lunch with me," Bruce countered trying to figure out what Selina was thinking about.
"We'd be happy to join you," Daggett said and the press thinned as they headed out to report their stories for the press meeting.
Selina, Daggett, and Bruce pilled into the limo and it rolled down the road towards the restaurant.
"Pet are you okay you look a little green," Daggett said as he pulled her head into his lap.
"I don't know," Selina replied honestly her green eyes locked with Bruce's and she said, "I just got dizzy all of the sudden."
Bruce blinked not sure how to react he'd seen the rage beneath the surface and panic in response to Daggett's words he'd even seen her blink as if clearing her vision and then a second wave of panic. The second waved puzzled him it was caused by her thoughts but he wasn't sure how to follow them.
"I hope you're not coming down with something," Daggett said brushing his fingers through her hair.
"Its probably nothing," she whispered hoping she was right.
Bruce heard her reply and noted the uncertainty in her words. She wasn't sure that nothing was wrong. Bruce ran back through the conference and tried to figure out what she had been thinking. She'd gotten dizzy she said. She'd been trying to clear her vision. She'd nearly fainted. No doubt she stopped it to prevent the scene and aftermath. A beating, his satisfaction the embarrassment in front of the press, but none of those would stir panic. I'm missing something… What is it?
"I'm glad to here that I'd hate for you to get sick," Daggett said.
"Yes, I'm just glad the press didn't notice it's bad enough they caught us like that earlier. I'd have felt really foolish if I'd come off looking drunk to," Selina said.
Bruce sifted through her comment for what it was she was trying to say without telling Daggett. The scene in the car earlier. What's it got to do with her almost fainting? She wasn't slurring her speech, and showed no sighs of being drunk what other conclusion might the press leap to if she fainted?
Bruce saw a flash of the scene in the car and the image of her fainting dead away. He saw a glimpse of Gertty and recalled the question concerning a date for the wedding all the fuss made over the scene in the car. And his eyes widened with shock. The tabloids would be throwing speculation she's pregnant. Oh God, what if she is?
