Early the next morning, Axel drove his Phantom to the club with Selina at his side. The moment he stepped into his office, Victor hurried over, his expression tense and uncertain.
"Axel, the invitations I sent to Gotham's upper class last night… the response is extremely low. So far, fewer than ten people have confirmed they'll attend."
"What?"
Axel immediately dropped any interest in the game he had just started and turned sharply toward Victor.
"They actually think they can ignore me like this?"
Victor gave a small shrug. "If this were not a matter involving death, they would not refuse you. I suspect our conversation last night was exposed."
Axel exhaled, irritation flashing across his face as he slapped the desk. "Nothing stays secret in Gotham. Only you and Oswald heard me, right?"
Victor nodded. "Oswald has no reason to betray us. He's counting on what comes after you clean up City Hall. He still wants to run for mayor."
Selina, lounging nearby with a glass of red wine, nearly choked. "Oswald wants to be mayor?"
She rolled her eyes at Axel. "This is the organization you're building? It has only been a few days, and he's already aiming for City Hall. Are you sure he doesn't just want to burn Gotham down?"
Axel chuckled, completely unbothered. "Why shouldn't he be mayor? More importantly, why shouldn't I decide who gets that seat? Just because I embarrassed Mayor Mitchell doesn't mean I owe him respect."
He waved a hand toward Victor. "Since they refuse to respond, take yesterday's invitation list and hire the best assassins available. Go through every name."
Victor's expression sharpened.
Axel continued calmly, "Fishing is harder these days. Maybe I haven't baited the hook properly. It's not that our conversation leaked, they've simply seen through my intentions. I didn't even insist they bring their wives, so of course they're nervous. That's fine. It just means we do this the harder way."
With that, Axel casually picked up his controller again and pulled Selina into a game of It Takes Two.
They had barely started when his phone rang. Axel tossed the controller aside and stepped away to answer it.
At the same time, Selina kicked off her heels and grabbed both controllers, one in her hands and the other controlled with her foot. Without looking away from the screen, she called out, "I play better with my feet than you do, idiot."
"You're incredible. Play by yourself then," Axel shot back, raising a hand dismissively before focusing on the call.
"What's up, Bruce? You don't call often."
On the other end, Bruce's voice was calm but slightly hesitant. "Nothing urgent. I just woke up. About last night…"
He paused.
Axel narrowed his eyes, waiting.
Bruce continued after a breath. "You mentioned your hearing issue. Lex and I talked about it, and it doesn't make sense. Come back to the lab. We need to run some tests."
Axel smiled. "Perfect timing. Selina's been destroying me in this game. You're saving me."
There was a faint pause before Bruce replied, quieter this time. "I got back late last night. Rachel had a few things to say too."
Axel laughed. "I'll be there soon."
He ended the call, amused. Bruce might not have said thank you, but sharing something personal like that was progress.
Walking back, Axel tapped Selina's foot as it moved rapidly over the controller. "I play for fun. You play like you're trying to set a world record. We're not the same."
Selina shot him a sharp look. "So what, you're breaking up with me?"
Axel scoffed. "Nonsense. Maybe it's not perfect, but it works. Besides, where else in Gotham would I find someone as free as you?"
Selina smirked, lifting her leg to nudge his stomach with her toes. "At least you recognize quality."
Before she could say more, Axel vanished in a flash of fire, leaving only fading embers behind.
Selina stared at the empty space for a moment. The game no longer held her attention. She set the controller aside and turned toward Victor.
"Victor."
"Yes, Madam."
"Give me the list Axel wants handled, and arrange a plane. I'm heading to Iowa."
Victor immediately handed over the document.
Selina took it, then paused as she felt its weight. "This is not a list. This is a directory."
"When the Boss acts, he doesn't leave loose ends," Victor replied evenly.
Selina exhaled slowly, slipping the list against her chest. "What he's about to do will put him on the radar of every major political figure in the country. He may not care, but the rest of us are exposed."
She thought for a moment before continuing. "Deathstroke is in Paris, so he's unavailable. I'll contact someone else. Deadshot left Gotham with his daughter and is hiding in Houston. He's careful, but he'll work if his daughter is safe. I'll handle that."
Victor nodded.
Selina's tone grew more serious. "Once this begins, I may have to stay inside the Manor for a while. We also need anti missile defense systems. I'll speak with Lex and Bruce. Wayne Enterprises and LexCorp have the best systems available. If we install those, we reduce the risk of retaliation."
She sighed, rubbing her face. "After this, freedom is going to be a luxury."
For a moment, she went quiet, then straightened.
"Prepare the plane. I'll leave as soon as everything is ready."
"Yes, Madam… but one thing," Victor said, his gaze sharpening slightly. "How exactly do you plan to negotiate with Wayne Enterprises and LexCorp?"
Selina blinked, caught off guard by his tone.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you think I have something going on with Bruce and Lex?"
Victor said nothing.
Selina frowned. "Bruce and Lex are both staying at the Manor. Haven't you noticed? And Bruce is already part of Axel's circle. He wears that bat suit, but it's not exactly subtle."
Victor froze.
"What?"
Selina stared at him. "You didn't know?"
Victor's eyes widened in shock. "That Bat guy… is Bruce Wayne?"
Selina looked at him like he had just said something absurd. "Yes. Even if no one told you, the lower half of his face is obvious. And his gear alone should have given it away."
She shook her head. "You people really didn't figure it out?"
___
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