The Invention Left By A Little Stark | Book 2

25) Protocol: PANIC ASSIST

Hope sat motionless on the couch, one hand braced against the fabric of the armrest and the other curled at her side where her fingers were twitching, betraying the tremor she hadn't yet acknowledged.

Tony watched her from the other side of the couch, half-lit by the glow of a holographic display. His posture was relaxed, almost bored, but his eyes never left her as he studied her reactions.

Hope couldn't believe it. The Particle had been replicated? Sold? Weaponized? And it was all because of the last person she was with before being taken.

Darren.

But could it really be him?

Her voice, when she finally spoke again, was barely audible. "You're saying he's been selling it all this time?"

Tony's gaze didn't waver. "Not just selling. Perfecting. The Particle was on every black market ledger from Prague to Jakarta."

"And you waited until now to tell me?!"

"We didn't have much of a choice. You two were a little too cozy over in San Francisco."

Abruptly, she stood to her feet. "It's not true. It can't be."

He shrugged. "Truth hurts, I know."

"No, you don't understand! I know Darren tried to replicate it once, but the experiments failed. I convinced him to abandon the project."

"Well apparently it wasn't enough. And with him selling the Yellowjacket suits, we've got a real problem on our hands."

"The Yellowjacket?" Her demeanor shattered once again. "He wouldn't."

"He already has."

She turned away, her fingers curled into fists at her sides. "This has to be a mistake. I mean... Where's the proof?"

"I'm afraid it is very real, Miss Hope." FRIDAY spoke up, her voice echoing around the room. "The boss isn't lying."

Hope faltered then, looking around for the source of the voice. "What?"

"Darren Cross sold the weaponized Pym Particle - or Cross Particle - alongside the Yellowjacket suit and sold them to HYDRA, as well as mass-producing variations. We have also been collecting the proof you need."

While the information very slowly clicked into place inside her head, Hope slowly sat back down again. Her world was spinning, uprooted, and nothing wanted to make sense in her mind.

"Did JARVIS get a makeover?" Was all she could ask. "What's with the woman's voice?"

Tony sighed. "You know, Barton asked the same thing when they first met."

"Who is it?"

"Not important right now."

"Excuse me, but I'm having my entire career rewritten in the space of five minutes over here. If I say it's important, it damn well is!"

He leaned back, pleasantly surprised by the outburst. "Down, girl."

She glared.

"My name is FRIDAY, Miss Hope." The AI spoke up, defusing the tension. "Pleased to meet you."

"She interrupts a lot." Tony explained, albeit reluctantly. "We're working on it."

"I like to think my interruptions come at the best of times. And they save you a lot of trouble, boss."

Hope scoffed, half-amused. "She's sassier than JARVIS."

"Thank you, Miss Hope."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Don't encourage her."