I'm Sorry | Natasha Romanoff

Chapter 3: Secrets and Confessions

Weeks past since the passing of Stucker, Marcus was a man on edge, his mind unraveling thread by thread. The loss of Strucker had struck a devastating blow to his carefully orchestrated plans, leaving him in a state of frenetic paranoia. His office, once meticulously organized, was now cluttered with crumpled papers, scattered documents, and half-empty coffee cups. The tension in the room was palpable, a reflection of his deteriorating state.

In his fury, Marcus began issuing orders with reckless abandon. Jenna found herself dispatched on a series of increasingly bizarre and unnecessary missions. The targets were people who had little to no strategic value, mere pawns in Marcus's spiraling game.

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Inferno walked through the nondescript warehouse with a calculated grace, each step echoing softly on the concrete floor. Her target, a low-level bureaucrat with minimal importance, was oblivious to the danger until she emerged from the shadows. The room, illuminated only by the harsh light of a desk lamp, cast long shadows across the stacks of paperwork.

Inferno approached him silently, her movements precise and deliberate. The bureaucrat's eyes widened in terror as he looked up from his desk. His initial shock quickly gave way to a palpable fear.

"Good evening" Inferno said, her voice smooth but laced with a chilling undertone. She approached his desk with a predatory smile, enjoying the play of emotions across his face.

The bureaucrat stammered, his face paling. "W-who are you?"

Inferno's eyes gleamed with a malevolent light. "I'm the person who decides whether you live or die tonight. But I'm feeling rather generous. So let's get straight to the point." She leaned in, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You see, I can offer you a chance to live."

The bureaucrat's confusion and terror were almost palpable. "A chance? What do you mean?"

Inferno's smile widened, but it lacked warmth. "Hydra wants something from you, but I have a different proposition. I'm offering you an alternative: work for me, and I'll ensure your safety and comfort. Refuse, and..." She let the implication hang in the air, her gaze cold and unyielding.

The bureaucrat's eyes darted around, desperately seeking escape but finding none. The weight of Inferno's words sank in. "I-I'll do it. I'll work for you."

Inferno straightened, her demeanor shifting to one of feigned innocence as she put on a wide, almost cherubic smile. The contrast between her earlier menace and her current appearance was striking, and she knew it.

"Great" she said, her voice as sweet as honey. "I thought this was going to go really bad, but honestly, it's refreshing to see someone make the right choice." She leaned in slightly, her smile never faltering. "It's just so rare to find genuine loyalty in politics these days, isn't it?"

The bureaucrat, still visibly shaken but now with a glimmer of hope in his eyes, nodded fervently. "Yes, yes, of course. I'll do whatever you need."

Inferno's expression softened even further, "Calm down" she said. "I'm not going to kill you. You see, what I need from you isn't your life—it's your cooperation. I'm aware you have certain power and connections that could be quite beneficial."

The bureaucrat, still visibly trembling but now reassured by her calm demeanor, nodded vigorously. "I'll cooperate. Whatever you need, I'll do it."

Inferno turned back to the office with a gleam of twisted satisfaction in her eyes. She grabbed the chair and threw it across the room, sending it crashing into a stack of files. Papers flew everywhere, adding to the chaotic scene she was orchestrating. She then turned her attention to the desk, knocking over the lamp and setting a few documents ablaze with a flick of her hand.