Bonus Chapter
-----------
---------------
đ Enjoying the Story? Get Ahead Now!
Can't wait for the next twist or epic moment?
Join my Patreon and unlock 40+ advanced chaptersâread ahead of everyone else! đ„
đ https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your support means the world to meâthank you so much! đ
----------------
Only a few minutes had passed in the restaurant. For Alex Ray and his friends, it was barely a formalityânot even enough to count as a warm-up.
Strictly speaking, only Alex had made a move; John Wick and the others hadn't lifted a finger. They simply came along to watch the show.
But for Coulson and Natasha, those few minutes felt excruciatingly long.
Each second dragged like torture.
Just moments earlier, they were confidently boasting about the strength of S.H.I.E.L.D., believing Alex and his crew to be no real threat. Yet now, only minutes later, both Coulson and Natasha found themselves pinned to a table by Alex Rayâor more accurately, by his people.
They had heard the gunfire from the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents outside and assumed Alex's team would be overwhelmed soon.
They were already considering whether or not to spare Alex's life once backup stormed the restaurant.
Coulson was still entertaining this hopeful fantasy when the gunfire abruptly ceased.
He glanced over at Natasha, confusion written all over his face. She mirrored his expressionâequally puzzled.
Coulson tried to look back toward the entrance to see what had happened, but the gravitational force pinning him down made it impossible to move.
All he could do was curse silently, "Shift!"
Not once had either of them imagined that Alex Ray and his allies could defeat Clint Barton and an entire S.H.I.E.L.D. team.
A few moments later, they heard the restaurant door creak open. The footsteps that followed were slow and deliberate, headed toward the kitchen. They assumed Barton had come to save them.
Coulson called out quickly, "Barton, is that you? I told you these guys were no match for us. I don't know what kind of magic or ability they used to pin Natasha and me down, but we need to neutralize it. Fast."
"There's someone in the kitchen. Be careful. It's Alex Rayâhe's a mutant," Natasha added sharply. Ever the consummate agent, she hadn't forgotten that the situation was still very dangerous.
Alex strolled in at a casual pace and smiled disarmingly when he heard them speak. "Sorry to disappoint. I'm not Barton."
He walked over to Coulson and asked with feigned curiosity, "By the way, who's Barton? Is there an Agent Barton outside? A friend of yours? Well, whoever he is, he's lying out there just like the rest of them. You two are luckyâyou're lying on a table. They're on the floor."
"That's impossible! What did you do to everyone out there? If you've killed them, the people in Hell's Kitchen are going to be in serious trouble," Coulson said in disbelief.
Alex didn't bother answering. He turned and walked calmly into the kitchen, leaving Natasha and Coulson to exchange stunned looks.
When he didn't respond, Coulson could only roar in frustration.
Natasha, on the other hand, remained composed. She even cracked a dry joke. "Looks like we're someone else's prisoners now. Hell's Kitchen really is full of monsters."
"Relax. He doesn't seem interested in killing us. He probably doesn't want to provoke the federal government," she added thoughtfully.
It was clear she understood that Alex wasn't interested in executions. He just wanted to send a message.
Still, the strength they'd witnessed shook her. One of Alex's subordinates had been that powerfulâwhat did that say about Alex himself?
Natasha realized that, with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s current resources, they wouldn't stand a chance against Alex Ray.
Just then, Alex returned from the kitchen, now wearing a white apron and holding a knife engraved with intricate dragon patterns.
"Marcus," Alex called out casually as he sat down and looked toward his friend.
Marcus, understanding the cue, lifted the gravitational field binding the two agents.
Almost instantly, Natasha and Coulson felt the invisible force vanish.
Cautiously, they lifted their heads from the table.
The moment Natasha realized she could move again, she drew the handgun from her waistband and aimed it at Alex and Marcus.
"What are you trying to do? Attacking federal agents and obstructing an operation? You think you'll get away with that?" Coulson added, raising his own weapon.
Alex didn't seem remotely concerned. He pointed to a security camera in the corner of the restaurant and said, "We didn't do anything. You just decided to kneel down and pay your respects. Check the footage if you don't believe me."
"Why don't you go outside and take a look first? Then come back and figure out how you want to rephrase your accusations," Alex said, his tone growing cold.
He had grown tired of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s arrogance. Did they seriously believe he wouldn't dare kill them? The only reason he hadn't was because it was more trouble than it was worth.
Of course, he wasn't about to just let them walk free either. S.H.I.E.L.D. was going to pay for this intrusion.
Natasha and Coulson shared another look before Coulson turned and headed for the door.
Natasha remained, gun still trained on Alex, stepping slowly toward the exit with caution.
Alex didn't stop her, nor was he worried they might escape.
As Coulson opened the door, his eyes widened.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents were strewn across the ground.
At first glance, he thought they were all dead.
He approached slowly. A few agents' eyes still moved, and after checking one of them, he confirmed they were still breathing.
Coulson let out a deep breath. Thank Godâthey were just incapacitated.
Though every agent understood the risks of the job, losing an entire squad would've required mountains of paperwork and accountability.
He glanced around and saw that Hell's Kitchen residents had gathered to observe the aftermath.
Realizing this wasn't the place to escalate things, he turned back to the restaurant and reentered, now wearing a calm, conciliatory smile.
"Mr. Ray, this is clearly a big misunderstanding. I'll report this to my superiors immediately and make it clear this was all a mistake. Obviously, someone in another department misjudged the situation just because this happened in Hell's Kitchen. I'll personally request a formal apology."
Coulson clearly understood he was outmatched and was now attempting to shift blame to other agencies.
Alex looked at him with amusement. This man changed faces faster than flipping a page. No wonder he was the glue that held the Avengers together.
"Oh? You think a few soft words are enough to get you off the hook after coming in here, guns blazing, threatening us?" Alex asked, his tone sharp. "You said it yourselfâthis is Hell's Kitchen. My territory. No one steps in here, makes a mess, and walks out without paying the price."
As soon as Alex finished speaking, John Wick and the others silently closed the restaurant door behind Coulson, surrounding the two agents.
Coulson's fake smile disappeared instantly. Sweat began forming on his brow.
"I don't believe Mr. Ray is the type to kill federal agents over a misunderstanding," Natasha said calmly. "Why don't I contact Director Fury and let him handle it?"
"There's no need," Alex replied, pulling out his phone.
Right then, his phone buzzedâand the screen flashed with an unknown number.
---------
ADD TO COLLECTION
LEAVE A REVIEW
DROP POWER STONES
--------------------
Let's rise up the rankings together!
----------------
Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------
đ Enjoying the Story? Get Ahead Now!
Can't wait for the next twist or epic moment?
Join my Patreon and unlock 40+ advanced chaptersâread ahead of everyone else! đ„
đ https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your support means the world to meâthank you so much! đ
----------------