Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

*Chapter 67 - New Meaning*

"But what does it mean?" you grumble, crumpling Kentay's note and tossing it in the cupholder as you bury your face in your hands. James frowns as he pulls the Acura into a new parking spot - one across the small town right beside a quiet, empty park.

"That you were right," he scowls. "I think your friend is in trouble."

"Is it Vex? I mean, you don't think...you don't think Vex got him, do you?" you question, heart racing. 

"Maybe. I don't know," James says with a frown as he puts the car in park and fishes in his pocket. "But something isn't right. That drop wasn't right."

"What do you mean?" you ask as James huffs in frustration, and start checking his other pocket.

"I mean that any Agent worth their salt wouldn't have left a message in a place like that," James grumbles. "It's too risky. Anyone could have picked up that box."

"And?"

"And I think something went wrong," he says. "That message was all he could get to us. And he took a risk in leaving it there."

"Fuck," you say, throwing your head back against the seat rest. 

"All I know is that we need backup," James says, frowning as once more his hand comes out of his pocket empty. 

"We don't have time to wait for Steve to get here," you reply as James turns around and reaches into the backseat for his black leather jacket. "We need to figure out where this key came from and find him. If he's hurt-."

"Don't jump to conclusions," James says, fishing into the jacket pocket and pulling out his cellphone. "I had to leave a few drops like this for my handlers when someone caught my wind. Chances are he's nearby. Hiding."

You reach over and snap shut the cellphone in James' hand. He tosses you an arched brow. 

"We don't have time to wait," you say urgently. "We need to find him. We need to figure out which hotel this key is for."

"And what happens when we find the place?" James challenges. "You and I go in and then what? Who's watching the exits? Who's watching the street? Who'll come in from behind if we get trapped?"

The panic that has been simmering in your chest grows into a full boil.

"So then we move fast!" you say urgently. "We get in, find Kentay, and get out."

"No," James says sternly. "They tried to take you once before. At the hospital. If they find out we're here, they'll try again. And I might not be enough to stop them."

"James-"

"Y/n!" James snaps, fierce and sharp. You snap your jaw shut, surprised by the unusually hostile tone in his voice. Your eyes widen and James must spot it, because his face immediately falls and he reaches over to rest his hand on your cheek. "I can't be everywhere at once, princess," James says. "I need help this time. I...I can't lose you."

You bite your tongue. There's a strange vulnerability in James' look. One that almost physically hurts you to look at. 

"Okay," you relent, leaning into the hand on your cheek and closing your eyes for a brief moment. "Okay let's call Steve."

"Not Steve," James says, stroking your face once with his thumb before pulling away and flipping his cellphone back open. "You're right. It'll take too long for him to get here."

"Then who?" you ask, brow furrowed. "Natasha?"

"No," James says sourly. "Doubt she'd answer my call anyway."

"That's blatantly untrue," you challenge. "But fine. If not her or Steve, who are you calling?"

"Someone nearby," James says, dialing a number you don't recognize. You catch a glimpse of the 712 area code he punches in.