The Deadly Nightshade | { BOOK 1 of The Flower series }

[46] The Truth

The copper landed down on the huge raft that was in the middle of the sea. All Tony wanted was to know where Steve's whereabouts were so he could help him. If he couldn't, he hoped that Secretary Ross could get a team together once they got the files he sent them. The door opened, and he climbed out, meeting with Secretary Ross. Tony sent him a fake smile, making sure not to reveal his hatred towards him.

"So? Did you get the files?" Tony asked. "Let's reroute the satellites and start facial scanning for this Zemo guy."

"You seriously think I'm gonna listen to you even after that fiasco in Leipzig?" Ross questioned as they walked down the catwalk. "You're lucky you're not in one of these cells."

As they walked through a room filled with security monitors, Tony's eyes landed on Wanda, who was sitting down on the floor. Her face was pale as snow as she quickly glanced up at the security camera. Tony saw the vacant look in her green dull eyes. There was a black shocking collar around her neck, and her arms were cuffed together, preventing her from using any of her abilities.

Tony frowned with guilt. He didn't expect this. He thought Ross would put them in a regular prison cell, not Hell. He was glad, though, that Jade wasn't here with him, or else she would be going on a full-out rampage on these guys for what they did to her girlfriend.

He blinked away and continued to walk into where the other cells were. He glanced around, seeing his friends in blue jumpsuits and behind metal bars.

Clint stood up from his bed and walked towards the bars. "The futurist, gentlemen! The futurist is here! He sees all! He knows what's best for you, whether you like it or not."

"Give me a break, Barton. I had no idea they'll put you in here, come on," Tony stated as he stopped in front of his cell.

"Yeah, well, you knew they'd put us somewhere, Tony."

"Yeah. But, not some supermax floating ocean pokey. You know, this place is for maniacs. This is a place for—"

"Criminals?" Clint offered. "Criminals, Tony. I think that's the word you're looking for. Right? It didn't use to mean me, or Sam, or Wanda. But, here we are."

"Because you broke the law," Tony interjected.

"Yeah."

"I didn't make you," Tony explained.

"The law. The law. The law. The law. The law," Clint chanted over and over again.

"Clint, you're all grown up. You got a wife and kids. I don't understand. Why didn't you think about them before you choose the wrong side?" Tony asked, not knowing he hit a chord.

Tony obviously didn't know Clint's reason, but Clint's reason was based upon Wanda. When Steve told him that Wanda was in lockdown at the compound and supervised by Vision, he was immediately on board because he saw Wanda as his own daughter. He didn't hesitate to get her out of there. Clint stared at him before turning his back on him. "You better watch your back on this guy. There's a chance he's gonna break it."

Tony shook his head before walking to the next cell. "Hank Pym always said, you never can trust a Stark," Scott said, leaning against his cell bars.

Tony gave the brown-haired man a confused look. "Who are you?"

Scott's lips slightly parted open. "Come on, man," he muttered under his breath.