Saving Bucky (Bucky Barnes x Reader)

Chapter 70 - Mission First

"How do you want to do this?"

You're taken aback by James' question as the two of you walk arm in arm, faces down, blending into what little foot traffic there is on the darkened sidewalk as you approach the hotel.

"You're asking me?" you whisper.

James smirks. "They're your people. Your call."

"They're not my people, James," you scowl. "Kentay is my people. I have nothing to do with the rest of them."

"Make the call, princess," James says, slowing his pace as the two of you get closer to the purple light that seeps from the hotel doors. 

You take a moment to think. You have a keycard that opens one door out of hundreds. And you don't have many attempts before someone gets suspicious of the two strangers trying every lock.

"We go straight to the elevators," you say. "Don't stop or hesitate. Don't look at anyone, but don't try to hide. Act like you belong. Look at me. Talk to me."

"Talk to you?" A voice in your ear chides. "Do you know who you're working with? The man barely speaks. What do you expect him to say all the way from the front door to the elevator? That would require like, four whole sentences."

"Shut your beak, Barton," growls James.

"Smiles, everyone," you say through grit teeth as you plaster a grin on your face and look up into James' blue eyes.

James returns your grin, but you can tell it's forced. The glass doors slide open as you near, and once more you feel the rush of warm air that washes over you as a pungent, floral aroma fills your senses. It's stronger than before. And something sickeningly sweet hides below the baby's breath. It gives you a slight headache, and it seems to have an effect on James' too. He immediately tenses, letting out a strange, throat-clearing cough as his brow twitches. 

"Are you okay?" you whisper, taking another step deeper into the hotel.

"Hmm," he grunts. But his gaze starts to wander towards the vases on the table.

"Hey," you hum. "Right here, on me."

His eye is drawn back to you as you lead him gently, arm in arm, towards the elevators as you try your best to remain inconspicuous. But it seems your efforts are in vain as you chance a quick peek at the front desks - curiously unmanned.

"You know where you're going?" James asks.

"Down the hall and to the left," you say quietly, eyes sweeping the entryway, noticing the bellhops are absent as well.

"And then what?" he questions. 

"We use Kentay's card," you say, gaze narrowing as you search for a guest, valet, anyone. But the entire hotel is...empty. Save for the low buzz of voices drifting in from the hall leading to the hotel's bar and restaurant.

"Use his card? On what?" James challenges. "We don't have time to try every door, doll."

"We don't have to try every door, James," you coo condescendingly, focusing back on James. "Only the ones on the second and third floor."

A genuine shine comes to his eye and he smirks, as if you've passed some kind of test.

"Uh, hello?" Clint says again. "Want to fill me in on why I should be watching the second and third floors?"

"Best places to hide," James answers before you can. "You're safe from a ground assault, and no one can drop in from the air."

"And you're low enough to survive a fall if you need to bail out the window," you tack on as you give James' arm a final tug toward the elevator doors. He hits the "up" button while simultaneously wrapping his arm around your waist and pulling you close to his chest.