Seph didn't hesitate. "Why do you seem so interested in me? I haven't done anything at all… If I didn't know any better, I'd think you've fallen head over heels for me."
Natalia raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Now that would be something, wouldn't it?"
She leaned back slightly, studying him. "Let's just say I have a habit of watching things that don't make sense—and you, Seph, don't make sense."
He chuckled. "Didn't realize I was such a mystery."
"You are," She admitted, her eyes sharp and curious. "And I don't like mysteries I can't solve."
Seph let out a low chuckle, his grip tightening slightly on the wheel. "Your turn."
Natalia leaned in just a fraction, her voice softer now. "Tell me, Seph—what are you really after?"
His smirk deepened as he glanced at her, their eyes locking. "Now, where would the fun be in telling you that?"
She held his gaze for a moment, and though irritation still lingered, there was something else in her eyes—something she wasn't quite ready to admit.
Seph just smiled, pressing down on the gas a little harder.
This ride was going to be fun...
The car sped down the road, its engine humming smoothly in the quiet of the night. Streetlights flickered, casting fleeting shadows over Seph's sharp features as he navigated the nearly empty streets with practiced ease.
Natalia sat beside him, her arms crossed, one leg elegantly resting over the other. Her green eyes, sharp and observant, studied him from the corner of her vision.
The man had a dangerous aura—calm, controlled, but utterly unpredictable.
A smirk played on Seph's lips as he finally answered her earlier question.
"I'm a mercenary," He said, his voice laced with amusement. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "The King of Mercenaries, actually. That's why you couldn't find any information on me, Natalia."
A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but it was gone as quickly as it came. She arched a delicate eyebrow.
"And why," She asked smoothly, "did you suddenly decide to tell me this?"
Seph chuckled.
"That's the second question," He reminded her. "My turn now."
As he spoke, he casually adjusted the rearview mirror, his sharp golden eyes catching sight of the black SUV tailing them.
Natalia noticed the subtle movement, and her face darkened. Did he already figure it out?
His voice came again, soft yet amused, as if he were teasing her rather than addressing a potential life-threatening ambush.
Seph smiled, his tone light but knowing. "So, how many agents did you bring to capture me?"
Natalia sighed, his question confirming what she already suspected—he had realized. She cast him a sidelong glance before replying evenly, "Twenty."
Seph's smile didn't waver. "I appreciate the honesty."
Natalia furrowed her brows, watching him remain so relaxed despite the situation. After a brief pause, she exhaled and met his gaze. "Just come quietly. I don't want you to get hurt."
Seph turned his head slightly, looking at her with a raised brow before bursting into laughter. "No way. The Black Widow, the infamous assassin, is worried about me?"
He shook his head, grinning. "Why? Did my nude photos make you fall for me?"
Natalia's face flushed instantly. "Tch!"
She looked away, crossing her arms tighter as she grumbled, "You're an insufferable bastard."
Seph chuckled. "Admit it, you enjoyed the view."
"Shut up and drive," She snapped, her cheeks still tinted red.
Seph let out a deep, amused sigh and stretched his neck as if preparing for something fun.
"Well, this is disappointing," He said lazily.
Natalia frowned. "What is?"
He tilted his head slightly, eyes flashing with a mischievous glint.
"I thought SHIELD would at least send someone who could make me sweat," He said with a smirk. "But twenty agents? That's nothing more than a warm-up."
Natalia clenched her jaw. His arrogance was infuriating—because he had every right to be.
Seph suddenly grabbed the wheel and made a sharp turn, sending the car skidding toward an unfinished construction site. The tires screeched against the pavement, and the SUV following them had to slam on its brakes to avoid crashing.
Natalia gripped the handle above her seat as she looked at Seph. "You're really going to fight them?"
Seph grinned. "Of course."
She shook her head and sighed. "I should've known…"
The moment Seph's car came to a stop at the edge of the construction site, the pursuing SUVs swarmed in from one side, cutting off any escape. Their headlights illuminated the skeletal structure of the unfinished building, casting jagged shadows against the steel beams and concrete pillars.
Seph let out a quiet chuckle, glancing at Natalia. "You're not going to go easy on me, are you? I'd be sad if you did."
Before she could respond, he opened the door and stepped out. He stretched his arms as if he had all the time in the world, then strolled toward the darkened interior of the construction site.
As he walked in, he turned his head slightly and smirked.
"Well? Come on, then."
The agents hesitated for only a moment before following him inside, their weapons drawn.
But by the time they entered, Seph was gone.
The darkness swallowed him whole. Not even his shadow remained.
"Spread out," The lead agent ordered. "Find him."
They fanned out, sweeping the area cautiously, their boots crunching against the gravel and debris. The unfinished structure loomed over them, a maze of steel beams, scaffolding, and exposed floors.
The air was thick with dust and the distant echo of shifting materials.
Tension crackled like static.
Then a startled cry rang out from the far side.
One of the agents had been yanked into the darkness. His gun clattered to the floor, followed by a dull thud.
The others spun around, training their weapons in every direction.
Another shout.
Then another.
One by one, they were pulled into the shadows, disappearing without a trace.
"Dammit! Stay together—"
Too late.
A figure emerged from the darkness, stepping into the faint glow of a hanging work light.
Seph was behind the squad leader.
The man barely had time to react before Seph tapped him on the back of the head.
That simple tap sent him crashing forward, skidding across the concrete floor and knocking over a stack of metal rods.
The remaining agents turned and opened fire.
But there was nothing to hit.
Seph was already gone again.
He is a ghost.
The moment one agent caught a glimpse of him, a hand gripped his shoulder, and he was sent hurtling into a pile of cement bags.
Another was lifted clean off his feet and slammed against a steel beam before slumping to the ground, unconscious.
Within minutes, the entire squad was down, groaning in pain or knocked out cold.
Seph stepped back into the dim light, brushing nonexistent dust off his sleeve.
"That was disappointing," He muttered to himself.
---- ✦ ✦ ✦ ----
Spoilers for the next three chapters!
Chapter 108: The Chase
Chapter 109: The Black Widow & Hawkeye
Chapter 110: Game of Shadows
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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