Chapter 596 - Hired Help (1/2)

Patron Shout-out to Claybae @

Patre on.com/Fanharem

***

Nik and Ava placed their slices of pizza down simultaneously as Phil smiled wryly. ”It isn't that bad,” he explained, ”You just need to help this man secretly. Nik,” Phil gazed at the dark-haired youth with simply a face that every man might wish to have, ”You're right for this job!” Nik looked at the picture of a smiling blonde man. Slightly slanted and squarish jawline, dreamy sky-blue eyes and his body covered in the army-code belonging to the time of world war. Not only that, Nik actually knew this man from myriad doc.u.mentaries and any person the least bit interested in the American history would recognize this man, too.

”Steve Rogers,” Ava contemplated, ”We all were informed that after being dismissed from his care facility, he actually made a trip to Mexico.”

”And now he's in San Francisco. And this is supposed to be our second mission should you choose it,” Phil looked at Nik, ”While me and Ava would be on this regardless of your agreement.”

”We shouldn't discuss things here but I can only explain things further if you want in on this mission.”

”Sure. Anyway, what's the price?”

”Of?” Ava inquired.

”My services,” Nik stated bluntly. He had been living on Mary's salary for a whole month now and while he, of course, didn't mind being afforded by a woman instead. Things were starting to get tougher and extra pay would always help. ”You don't get paid for being hero,” Ava scoffed as Nik looked at her strangely, ”Sure. But what about agents? Are you saying that S.H.I.E.L.D offers you nothing in return?”

”Well...” Ava looked towards the counter, slightly embarrassed, ”Not monetary benefits, no.”

”But the organization takes care of every single payment for Ava. Including her rent. Meanwhile, for her own sustainability, like meals and clothes, she has taken a part-time job.” Phil continued, ”And I have the limits of offering you this much,” Phil extended three fingers. ”Thirty million?” Nik exclaimed with a pleasant expression, ”That's generous.” His words instantly making Phil choke on his pepperoni delight. Forcefully chugging down a glass of water placed beforehand as a compliment, he whispered raspily, ”I meant thirty thousand aside from the expenses.”

”Oh,” Nik nodded, ”I'll take it,” he smiled. He would have negotiated if he was being pressurized to join or if he was in extreme need of money, or, if his life would be at risk in every mission. This wasn't the case at all and aside from Nick Fury who quite possibly was a really advanced android. A feat of technology, in Nik's eyes and he really wanted to know how to create an android. After all, this was one of the greatest steps to 'create' a life in some manner and Nik was extremely fascinated by it. And... why wouldn't he take on a mission for thirty thousand bucks? ”How will I receive the money?” Nik inquired.

”It would be presented in cash. Since you'll be our hired help, the organization still hadn't set-up a cover line for the bank transactions so you could be traced by... other interested parties.” Phil tapped the table softly.

'He means Hydra, huh...' Nik thought as Pickle exclaimed. ”As expected. You can see through the most deceptive of behaviors.”

'He wasn't being deceptive though...' Nik continued.

”I am extremely sorry. I am still learning all the words... you just know too many languages.”

'Work hard,' Nik praised Pickle internally before looking a little concerned. ”Why isn't he exposed already? The Captain is... quite a popular figure even if he isn't known to live. So someone must have already figured it out, right? Did you provide Captain with a foolproof backstory?” Nik inquired.

”Yes, we did. And now, Captain has pushed himself in a local feud. And how should I put it... he is trying to pull the inheritor of the Mexican Mobster out of the life of crime so you can see how the gang and the competitors might react.”

”You just explained everything, even after saying that we'll talk on the way back,” Nik pointed out as Phil stiffened. ”I didn't explain everything,” he looked like a drowning person trying to find a log for support. ”Oh, I misjudged the situation,” Nik picked his slice up, providing Phil with a log as Ava felt distressed. She wasn't getting paid but everything she gained until now was monumentally greater than 30000 bucks. In fact, if she had to choose between her current mode of payment and the one provided to Nik, she would pick her choice but... that's thirty thousand dollars! She hadn't even seen so much money aside from the occasionally bust of major drug deals and that, too, had been lowered in frequency after joining Nick Fury.

”Aside from the Mexican cartels,” Nik smiled, gobbling the crust filled with molten cheese, making Nik lick his lips, he continued with a satisfied expression, ”The treat really was satisfying. So how would this go? Does the organization pay for our food, too?”

”Not personal treats like this one,” Phil grinned, ”This one's on me. But every place selected for our stay comes with a food corner. Our motel comes with a partnered restaurant and any meals in that place are free.” Nik nodded at the explanation as the trio wrapped up and stood up. As they got out of the hut, Ava spoke up. ”Phil, I wanna hang out with Nik for a while. What do you say?” She looked towards Nik with an inquiring gaze as Nik nodded with a smile. ”Sure thing.”

”Alright, I'll meet you two in your rooms. Don't get in trouble,” He unlocked the car and drove off as Ava silently took out her cellphone and switched it off, gesturing Nik to do the same. Unwilling to explain how his mobile phone was extraterrestrial, Nik simply switched it off. ”Huff, don't get me wrong, I don't know if we are being spied on but it's always better to keep electronics off if you are trying to discuss important stuff. There's always a chance that someone might be hearing you.” She turned onto the street, beckoning Nik to follow him. ”I actually... tried to get Purple Man,” Ava whispered as the duo found a rather secluded spot. But her words still required a soft volume with a few civilians still crossing every now and then. ”What he was doing... isn't right but I could barely resist his abilities.” She blushed harder this time, amusing Nik slightly as he leaned against the wall and crossed his hands, clearly enjoying Ava's predicament. ”So? What did he 'almost' make you do?” Nik inquired. Any mind controller with desires would love to make the world dance on their fingers, even Nik barely resisted his urges and if he wasn't easily popular with ladies, then his story might have been different and he knew it.

”He...” biting her lips, averting her gaze from Nik, unable to hold the burden of his eyes, she whispered, ”He almost made me unmask myself.”