Coulson sighed again, the weight of it clear in his shoulders. He could see the disaster coming — the new vampire leader had dismantled the Elder Council, torn up the treaty, and effectively declared war on humanity.
It meant one thing: the nights would belong to vampires once again, and humankind would become prey.
Lucas looked at him for a moment, then said calmly,
"We've already got something the vampire leader's interested in. Sooner or later, they'll make a move. You'd better be ready — it's going to be a tough fight."
Coulson's eyes lit up instantly.
"Seriously? Then I'll wait for your signal."
Lucas nodded. "Tell your bald boss to get the money ready — just think of it as a commission for Devil May Cry."
Coulson perked up at that. "No problem, but I'll need an exact amount to report to the Director."
Lucas thought for a moment, then glanced at Skye. He hadn't planned to charge much — money wasn't exactly something he lacked. But then an idea struck him.
"Five hundred thousand. And one more thing."
He raised five fingers as he spoke. The half a million wasn't even for himself — he planned to split it with Matt, Frank, and Blade. Lucas didn't need the cash, but the others did. Matt's struggling law firm barely stayed afloat. Frank was practically homeless, crashing wherever he could in Hell's Kitchen.
Only Blade wasn't short on money — all those silver-coated weapons didn't come cheap. Silver bullets alone were expensive enough to bankrupt an average merc.
Coulson didn't even flinch. Half a million was pocket change to S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury could lose that much just by sneezing — and given how he liked to "negotiate" with the World Security Council, the man's slush funds were measured in the tens of millions, if not more.
"One more thing?" Coulson asked curiously. "Mind telling me what it is?"
Lucas smirked. He knew that look — the same one Coulson had worn when Lucas had asked for the Obelisk last time.
"I need vibranium."
Coulson blinked. "Vibranium? What's that?"
"The metal used to make Captain America's shield," Lucas said casually. "Also known as sound-absorbing steel."
The moment he heard "Captain America," Coulson's expression changed completely. The man was a superfan, and everyone knew it.
"Right… right. I'll report that to the Director."
Lucas nodded. "Good. Then we're agreed — I'll handle the Vampire Council and their elites. The small fry are yours."
Coulson accepted that division of labor without argument, then left the office.
---
Later that night, Natasha returned. She found Lucas leaning back in his chair, sipping coffee.
"The Director agreed to your terms," she said, "but… there's a small issue."
Lucas frowned. "Small issue? Don't tell me your egg-headed boss is up to his tricks again."
He leaned forward, his tone sharp. "And let's get one thing straight — if Fury so much as tries to screw with me or my people, I'll blow your S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ sky-high."
Natasha rolled her eyes dramatically. "You really can't stand him, can you? Look, yes — he's black on the outside and even blacker on the inside — but he's got a bottom line, okay?"
"Yeah," Lucas snorted. "A bottom line that moves wherever it's convenient. I'm not interested in being part of one of his little schemes. He should think long and hard about what happens if he tries."
With an exaggerated sigh, Natasha nudged him with her boot.
"Can you let me finish, you drama queen? The Director said S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't have any vibranium on hand. But—" she raised a finger, "—he knows a place that does. You'll just have to go get it yourself."
Lucas narrowed his eyes. "So he's setting me up for a job, huh? Using me to clean up his mess? Typical S.H.I.E.L.D. black ops nonsense."
Natasha's eyes flashed. "Excuse me? 'All S.H.I.E.L.D. people are snakes'? You better take that back, you ungrateful little punk. Who's the one who keeps saving your ass when you mouth off at world leaders, huh?"
Lucas raised both hands in surrender, flashing a cheeky grin.
"Alright, alright! My bad. Everyone at S.H.I.E.L.D. is black-hearted — except you, Agent Romanoff."
"That's better." She smirked, crossing her arms.
"Anyway, I don't know the details. But if Fury says it's there, it's there. Just… don't expect it to be easy."
Lucas scoffed. "Tell your precious Director this — if he wants to use me to 'take care of' someone, he'd better show some real sincerity. I don't do jobs for free. And as for vibranium? I can get it myself. I just didn't want to bother."
He wasn't about to play Fury's game. If the man wanted to manipulate him into doing dirty work, he'd have to pay up. In full.
Natasha exhaled, rubbing her temples. "Fine, fine. I'll tell him. Seriously though, what is your problem with him? You two could probably save the world twice as fast if you'd stop glaring at each other."
Lucas shrugged. "Because your Director's a schemer, and I don't like being on anyone's chessboard. Simple as that."
He grabbed his coat and headed for the door.
"When you're done reporting back to your egghead, lock up for me on your way out."
Natasha shouted after him, "What do I look like, your intern?! You little brat!"
But Lucas was already gone.
---
At S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, the sound of Fury's furious bellow nearly broke the comms.
"MOTHERF—!! You tell that little bastard he's not getting a damn thing out of me! He thinks he can blackmail me?! Not a chance! If he doesn't want to cooperate, fine! I don't need him! And that vibranium lead? He can forget about it!"
His voice echoed through the speakers of Lucas's now-empty office.
Natasha held the phone at arm's length, wincing at the volume. Even then, she could hear him ranting loud and clear.
She sighed. "Okay, okay, I'll tell him. But I'm guessing he'll still take the first deal. The half-million won't be a problem, right?"
Fury paused mid-rant, clutching his lower back as he sank into his chair with a grunt.
"Yeah, fine. Give him the damn money. But the vibranium? Over my dead body!"
He scowled, rubbing at his side.
It wasn't just his patience wearing thin — it was his kidneys, too.
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