BOOK 4 of the ORPHIC Series
DISENTHRALL
/ˌdisənˈTHrôl/
set free.
~~~~~
When Lucille 'Lucy' Opal Baker starts adjusting to a world without Captain America and more government therapy sessions...
T H E F A L C O N A N D T H E W I N T E R S O L D I E R
13
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"What a terrifying thing it is, to be yourself."
Berlin, Germany July, 2024
IN HINDSIGHT, JAMES KNEW that the half-developed plan of his was a little on the bullshit side. Sure, they finally had a lead and Zemo was leading them to their next destination, but that wasn't exactly what James had come for, had he? He had a primary handler again and it was. . .strange. Strange because he was unwilling to satisfy the feeling of compliance moving in his chest. It was as if Zemo's presence made him realize how absolutely wrong this was.
He didn't want this, now that he was giving it a second thought.
He didn't want to be used like a weapon again, nor did he want to put Lucy through that. But he'd made the decision, and even if he regretted it, there was nothing he could do. Zemo was free, and they were heading to an island of death, drugs, sex, and money. It was a modern day hell-island, and James remembered having a shit time the last time they'd gone.
"So all this time you've been rich?" Sam questioned, arm open.
The four of them stepped towards a parked plane, unmoving with its stairs reaching the ground. There was an older man standing beside it, a broad smile on his face. Alpine meowed softly from James's arms, leaning her head against his left arm.
Lucy shoved her hands into her pockets, eyes darting across the vehicle.
"I'm a Baron, Sam." Zemo sighed. "My family was royalty until your friends destroyed my country."
Lucy scowled at him.
Zemo brushed off the gaze, ignoring her as he stepped up to the older man. His smile never wavered as Zemo stopped in front of him.
"Привет, Озник."
Hello, Oeznik.
Zemo greeted in russian.
Oeznik practically beamed, his eyes filled with something between relief and contentment. The way he held himself was very similar to how Klause did, though the man was far older than him. Lucy wondered if he enjoyed his job like Klause did.
"Добро пожаловать, господа."
Welcome, gentlemen.
Oeznik responded happily.
"Cтарина."
Old friend.
Lucy watched as Zemo embraced Oeznik, kissing his cheeks. They smiled at each other, before Zemo turned his gaze back to the three of them.
