Coulson and the others quickly left after receiving their orders. None of them wanted to get involved in this mess—especially when it involved someone like Leo.
When the sky starts falling, you let the taller people hold it up. The less you know, the longer you live.
Once the room emptied, Fury turned to Natasha.
"Natasha, you're the only one who's had direct contact with him. That makes you the most familiar—and let's be honest, you're… persuasive. Beautiful, capable, adaptable. You're perfect for this assignment."
"From now on, you'll be responsible for tracking Leo's every move. How you do it is up to you."
Nick Fury was nothing if not cunning. After all, who could resist the Black Widow?
Natasha raised a brow. "Me? No way. He's already suspicious of me. If I approach him again, he'll see through it instantly."
She folded her arms. "And by the way, he's an alien. Who knows what kind of taste he even has? Maybe he's into… blue-skinned people."
Her head shook like a rattle drum—there was no chance she was volunteering for this. The first time they met, Leo had already taken full advantage of her.
If she went again, she might not make it back with her dignity intact.
And the worst part? That man only knew how to start fires—never how to put them out.
Fury, of course, had no idea what kind of storm was running through Natasha's mind.
"Natasha," he said smoothly, "you know how short-staffed we are. Everyone else is tied up with other missions—and frankly, I don't trust half of them."
He leaned forward. "This job needs someone competent. Someone I can rely on. And as for Leo's 'aesthetic preferences'... don't worry. The guy's surrounded by gorgeous women. You're not seriously telling me you're scared of the competition, are you?"
He gave her a sly smile. "Take down Leo, and you'll be the hero of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Natasha sighed. "You really know how to guilt-trip a woman, don't you?"
Fury's tone turned firm. "Agent Romanoff, that wasn't a suggestion. That's an order."
Natasha hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, though her expression made it clear she wasn't thrilled.
"Alright, fine. I'll do it. Guess I'll just have to sacrifice myself for the greater good."
Fury's eye softened slightly. "There's no need for sacrifice. You're the top field agent in S.H.I.E.L.D.—the Black Widow. I trust your instincts."
That earned him the faintest smirk from her lips.
"Understood, Director," she said curtly.
"Good. You're dismissed."
As she turned to leave, the troubled look on Natasha's face slowly faded, replaced by a faint, mocking smile. Fury had no idea—his plan had just played perfectly into hers.
Whatever she was about to do, it wouldn't be exactly what he expected.
The next morning, Leo got a call from Bao An.
"Boss, we're ready. Six modified freighters and three hundred men. We'll stay in contact through satellite link and report any changes immediately."
"Good," Leo said. "I'll send you the coordinates. Search within a dozen kilometers of that spot and report anything unusual."
"Understood, Mr. Leo. We'll move out right away."
"Stay sharp," Leo replied, ending the call and gazing out the window.
He muttered to himself, "Hope everything goes smoothly."
As he set the phone down, another thought popped into his head. He needed a new car—something big, sturdy, practical.
That flashy Lamborghini from last night was fine for showing off, but not for comfort. And a two-seater? Totally impractical.
He grinned to himself. A man like him, warm-hearted and generous, couldn't settle for a car that only fit two people.
Especially not when there were so many beautiful women in this world.
By his count, there had to be seventy or eighty potential heroines waiting for him out there.
Time to spread the love.
"Wanda, Lali, want to go car shopping?" Leo called out.
Wanda groaned. "No way. I'm staying home."
Typical Wanda—beautiful, powerful, and proudly antisocial.
"Master, I'll go with you," said No. 18 sweetly, flashing her usual gentle smile.
Leo chuckled. "Knew I could count on you, Lali." He reached out and pinched her cheek teasingly, throwing Wanda a cheeky grin.
Wanda rolled her eyes. "Ugh, fine. But don't come crying to me when she gets all the attention again."
"You'll get your turn," Leo said smugly, grabbing his keys.
The Lamborghini roared to life as they headed downtown.
A while later, they pulled up at a luxury BMW dealership.
As soon as Leo stepped inside, a honey-smooth voice greeted him.
"Welcome, Mr. Leo! Looking for a car today? I'm the top sales consultant here—let me show you something special."
That voice... that confidence...
Leo looked up—and nearly whistled. Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
Standing there, looking like she walked off a magazine cover, was none other than Natasha Romanoff herself.
"Whoa, whoa, hold up," Leo said, laughing nervously as Natasha moved in close for a hug. "Easy there, Black Widow. I'm fragile. Don't twist me into a pretzel."
Her perfume, her posture, that signature smirk—it was all way too familiar.
Leo's mind raced. What the hell is she doing here?
He grinned slyly. "Let me guess—new undercover mission? 'Agent Romanoff: Secret Saleswoman'?"
Natasha didn't miss a beat. "Oh please. You think I'd take a side job selling cars? I just thought the name of your agency could use some work."
Leo blinked. "S.H.I.E.L.D.? Yeah, about that. What kind of name is Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division anyway? Sounds like a tax office."
Natasha actually laughed. "You're not wrong. Even we hate saying it out loud. Maybe I'll suggest something shorter next meeting."
Leo smirked. "Good. You do that."
Then he noticed something—Natasha wasn't backing off. In fact, she was standing very close. Too close.
"Okay," he said, putting his hands up playfully. "You can stop hugging now. I promise I'm not going anywhere."
But Natasha didn't move. Her expression softened into a teasing smirk.
"Relax," she murmured. "It's just part of my cover."
Leo swallowed. "Yeah, sure. Cover. Got it."
His brain was screaming danger, danger, danger!
He quickly tried to defuse the tension by babbling nonsense. "Uh—Amitabha. This humble monk has transcended mortal desires. Please, fair lady, let me go in peace."
Natasha raised a perfectly shaped brow. "What the hell are you mumbling about?"
"Spiritual restraint," Leo said solemnly. "You wouldn't understand."
She just stared at him, utterly unimpressed. "You're seriously the strangest man I've ever met."
Leo grinned. "You haven't seen anything yet."
And just like that, the Black Widow smirked again—the kind that promised nothing but trouble.