Vincent's Villa. Night.
Vincent stared into Natasha's eyes, hoping to see ambition or shock. Instead, he saw amusement.
She was laughing at his goal of "Immortality."
"There is no such thing as immortality," Natasha dismissed.
"Natasha, you're wrong. You and I see different worlds," Vincent gazed at the stars. "Space is vast. Earth is not alone. Maybe Nick keeps secrets from you, but I can tell you this: If an alien invasion happens today, Earth falls."
Natasha frowned. "What do you know?"
Vincent was an enigma. An orphan whose parents were murdered in a robbery. A victim of bullying. Then, two months ago, he transformed. He wrote a global bestseller, made millions, awakened god-like powers, and now bought a defense contractor.
"I know the future is dark," Vincent said. "But do you know why humanity can't win?"
Natasha shook her head.
"Infighting. Paranoia. Arrogance. They treat anyone stronger than them as a monster. They pray for a savior, but when we fight for them, they fear us. They want to leash us, turn us into weapons."
Natasha shuddered. She felt that deeply. As a Black Widow, she had been a weapon her whole life.
"So, do you think I'll join SHIELD?" Vincent asked.
Natasha shook her head involuntarily.
"SHIELD's intentions might be good. But be careful, Natasha. Operation Paperclip brought Nazi scientists to America. Do you really think Hydra is dead?"
Natasha's eyes widened. "Hydra was destroyed."
"Was it? Or did it just grow a new head inside SHIELD?" Vincent chuckled. "Poor Nick Fury. He's just a pawn who knows nothing."
"Are you saying Hydra is in SHIELD's high command?" Natasha demanded.
"Hydra, SHIELD... they are all human. Ambition is endless. Who would allow a living god to exist above them?"
Natasha realized the danger. If Vincent was right, SHIELD was compromised. And if Vincent was tempted by Hydra...
"Vincent, your thoughts are dangerous," Natasha stepped forward, pinning him against the wall.
"Natasha, your body is more dangerous. The deadliest weapon I've ever seen," Vincent grinned.
"Let's make a deal," Natasha purred, pressing her body against his.
Vincent's interest piqued. "I love deals."
"Promise me you will never join Hydra," Natasha said intensely.
"You know, if Hydra exists, they would pay a high price for me," Vincent teased.
Natasha grabbed him firmly. "I name the terms. You fulfill them. And I pay the price."
"100 times," Vincent haggled.
"50."
"30."
"20. No less," Natasha glared.
"Deal."
"Is that all?" Vincent asked, greedy.
Natasha changed tactics. "If I infiltrate Oscorp to help you, what do I get?"
She sat on the bar counter, her legs exposed by the slit in her dress.
"One favor," Vincent said seriously. "I will fight for you once. Full power. Risking my life."
Natasha paused. A promise from the Ice Demon (and Fire God) was invaluable.
"Full power?"
"Yes. Unless someone forces you to ask. Then I kill them instead."
"Deal," Natasha beckoned him with a finger. "Now, my Knight. Princess Natasha orders you to serve her."
"My pleasure, Princess."
Vincent carried her upstairs.
Greenland Sea. Deep Ice.
"We found him!"
"Get him out!"
"He has a pulse! Medic!"
Morning.
Natasha clung to Vincent like an octopus.
Vincent was exhausted but happy. Last night broke records. 1 Million Desire Points. Natasha was... enthusiastic.
Her phone rang.
"Princess, your phone," Vincent nudged her.
Natasha groaned, glared at him, and went to the bathroom.
"I'm convinced you wrote Fifty Shades now," she called back. "Where did you learn those moves?"
"Imagination," Vincent laughed.
Moments later, Natasha stormed out, fully dressed.
"I have to go. Emergency."
"What happened?"
"They found Captain America."
She left without another word.
"Steve Rogers found already?" Vincent mused. "Nick Fury is desperate."
He checked his status. His back hurt. He needed to cultivate.
He spent the morning practicing the Dragon Elephant Wisdom Technique and his Eight Extremities Maze Fist. His martial arts were reaching a peak, breaking human limits.
After training, he called Mr. Smith.
"Mr. Smith, Harry agreed to sell."
"Congratulations, Mr. Hall," Smith said. "I have a proposal. Commonwealth Bank can help you take Oscorp private."
"Privatize it?"
"Yes. Delist it from the stock exchange. Reorganize it away from public scrutiny. We can handle the debt transfer to the company itself."
"What's the catch?"
"We need you to go to Europe next week. Retrieve an item for us. In exchange, we fund the privatization with a one-year interest-free loan."
"Deal," Vincent agreed. "But privatize it first."
Europe meant encountering other superhumans. But for a billion dollars in saved interest and a free company? Easy money.
"I'm a Chinese national. Why should I pay American taxes?" Vincent joked to himself.
Ding-dong.
"Sir, your custom suit for Prom is here."
"And Ms. Stacy's dress?"
"Delivered to her home."
Vincent paid the Chanel designer.
Outside, a delivery truck dropped off his new Ferrari.
Vincent drove to Midtown High.
The campus was buzzing. Everyone was talking about Captain America.
"He's alive!"
"The Legend returns!"
To Americans, Steve Rogers was a god. If he ran for President, he'd win in a landslide.
"Vincent!"
Gwen ran up to him, smiling radiantly.
Now Get The FULL NOVEL at Once!
Get 40% OFF for limited time only.
@patreon.com/Authorizz/shop