Sorcerer in the Marvel Universe

For the next half hour, Evenson lodged a passionate protest against Nick Fury’s shameless habit of piling extra responsibilities onto people without offering so much as a penny in overtime.

Fury’s response was devastatingly simple.

"Who hired you for that job?"

"...Tony Stark."

"Then ask Tony for the extra pay."

Conversation over.

Unfortunately, Fury had a point.

The position of Tony Stark’s medical consultant had been offered by Tony himself, complete with a generous five-figure salary. The only condition had been that Evenson dump every share of Hammer Industries stock he owned.

At the time, Tony had clearly been acting out of pure spite.

Evenson had accepted without hesitation.

He’d also completely ignored the condition.

There was no written contract, only a verbal promise, and Hammer Industries’ stock was due for another surge before long.

Selling now would just be leaving money on the table.

Evenson wasn’t that charitable.

Thus, like a laborer who’d just lost a wage dispute, he accepted defeat and headed for the elevators.

"Wait."

Natasha Romanoff caught up with him just as the elevator doors opened.

He blinked.

"What is it?"

A hopeful expression crossed his face.

"Did Fury suddenly grow a conscience and decide to approve a special allowance?"

"...A special allowance?"

Natasha stared.

Then she realized he meant money.

Again.

She honestly wasn’t sure whether to laugh or sigh.

Most enhanced individuals, spies, and superheroes she knew rarely talked about salaries.

Evenson, on the other hand, seemed capable of turning every conversation into a negotiation.

His priorities were refreshingly uncomplicated.

Seeing her expression, Evenson sighed.

"I’ll take that as a no."

He stepped into the elevator.

"Does he exploit all of you this badly?"

Natasha smiled with practiced elegance.

"I couldn’t possibly answer that."

She tilted her head.

"You’re the first person who’s ever tried negotiating pay with Director Fury."

"...Should I feel honored?"

The elevator descended.

"So," Evenson said, "if this isn’t about hazard pay, what did you chase me down for?"

"The plan changed."

Natasha folded her arms.

"I’ll be joining Stark Industries before you."

She noticed his puzzled look and explained.

"There’s a recruitment event this afternoon."

"A perfect opportunity to establish my cover."

"What position?"

"Executive assistant."

She casually brushed a strand of red hair behind one ear before looking directly at him.

"I think I’m well qualified."

Evenson gave her an honest once-over.

"You’ve got excellent odds."

That wasn’t flattery.

Natasha possessed movie-star looks, flawless posture, and years of elite Soviet intelligence training that taught her exactly how to present herself.

It was no surprise she could charm almost anyone.

Almost.

Evenson remained thoroughly unimpressed.

He’d learned long ago that nothing Natasha Romanoff did was ever truly casual.

Every smile.

Every gesture.

Every glance.

Any of them could serve a purpose.

Besides...

After living with Sarah, he had developed an almost supernatural resistance to feminine charm.

Compared to an actual succubus, even the legendary Black Widow felt... manageable.

"So you’re just switching the order," he said.

"That hardly seems important enough to come tell me in person."

"You’ve never worked with undercover operations before."

Natasha’s expression turned serious.

"A small change in the plan can lead to unexpected mistakes."

"I’d rather avoid that."

Evenson grinned.

"You’re underestimating me."

If there was one thing he excelled at, it was bluffing.

He’d successfully fooled demons on multiple occasions.

Humans were considerably easier.

"I simply don’t like failed missions," Natasha replied calmly.

Evenson studied her for a moment.

"Is that really all?"

He wasn’t convinced.

"If your only assignment were protecting Tony, exposing your identity wouldn’t matter nearly this much."

He shrugged.

"So what’s the real mission?"

"We’re partners now."

"You could tell me."

Natasha took a compact mirror from her handbag and calmly reapplied her lipstick.

"My mission is to protect Tony Stark."

She smiled faintly.

"Believe that... or don’t."

Evenson laughed.

"Suit yourself."

S.H.I.E.L.D.’s compartmentalization was legendary.

Even people assigned to the same operation rarely knew the complete objective.

That way, no one could leak information they never possessed.

Whatever Natasha’s real assignment was, it clearly required Tony to remain unaware of her connection to S.H.I.E.L.D.

The elevator reached the underground garage.

They stepped out together.

Natasha headed toward the exit leading to Stark Tower.

Evenson walked toward his car.

Before he reached it, someone came sprinting across the garage.

Sarah.

She’d insisted on accompanying him to S.H.I.E.L.D., though security had naturally prevented her from entering.

He felt a brief surge of warmth.

She actually waited for me.

That feeling lasted exactly three seconds.

Sarah swerved around him entirely and stopped in front of Natasha.

She enthusiastically grabbed the spy’s hand.

"Hello! I’m Sarah! It’s wonderful to meet you, beautiful."

Evenson stared.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

So this was why she’d insisted on coming.

Not to accompany him.

To meet the gorgeous redhead.

Natasha looked genuinely caught off guard.

"...Hello?"

She politely accepted the handshake.

Sarah showed no sign of letting go.

Finally Natasha glanced toward Evenson.

"...Your girlfriend?"

"No," Sarah answered before he could speak.

She proudly straightened her posture.

"I’m his Chief Financial Officer and Director of Domestic Operations."

Natasha looked at Evenson.

"...What?"

Evenson coughed awkwardly.

"Cashier."

He pointed at Sarah.

"And housekeeper."

"So that’s what those titles actually mean."

Natasha almost smiled.

"I see."

She politely withdrew her hand.

"It was nice meeting you."

"I’m afraid I’m in a hurry."

"Perhaps another time."

Then she left at a brisk pace.

Sarah watched her disappear.

Then slowly turned toward Evenson with an expression of profound disappointment.

"You ruined it."

"I ruined it?"

Evenson unlocked the car.

"You practically tackled her."

They climbed inside.

He started the engine.

"Most people would run away after an introduction like that."

Sarah folded her arms.

"I simply got excited."

She sniffed proudly.

"If I’d been calmer, my ten thousand years of accumulated yuri expertise would’ve carried the conversation."

"I might’ve convinced her to dinner..."

"...and then..."

She drifted into an increasingly suspicious daydream.

Evenson looked sideways.

"...You’re drooling."

"I am not."

"You absolutely are."

"Fine."

She wiped the corner of her mouth.

"Next time I’ll be more subtle."

She considered the matter with complete seriousness.

"My mistake was forgetting that ordinary women require time before embracing such beautifully forbidden romance."

Moments later she regained her confidence.

"Fortunately, I possess both patience and experience."

"I’ll guide her toward true love eventually."

Evenson sighed.

"Just remember one thing."

"If you’re going to fall in love..."

"Stick to one person."

He gave her a suspicious look.

"I don’t need you building a whole harem."

Sarah rolled her eyes.

"As if."

Once they had driven out of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s underground garage and Evenson confirmed the vehicle hadn’t been tampered with, he changed the subject.

"So."

"How’s the preparation going?"

Sarah blinked.

"...Preparation?"

Evenson nearly swerved into the curb.

He stared at her in horror.

"You forgot?"

She frowned for a moment.

Then his expression finally jogged her memory.

"Gillian Valentine."

Recognition lit her eyes.

"That."

She waved dismissively.

"It’s already finished."

"I’ve just had too much going on lately."

Evenson finally relaxed.

"Good."

"I’ve added a few extra details."

"Go over everything again when we get home."

Sarah grinned.

"I’ll have it memorized before you’ve finished taking a nap."

She tapped her forehead.

"I’m a strategist."

"Deception is practically my native language."

Then she asked the question she actually cared about.

"I’ll get to spend time with that beautiful woman during the mission, right?"

Evenson nodded.

"Definitely."

"If you’re capable enough..."

"You might even get much closer than that."

Sarah’s eyes sparkled.

A dreamy smile slowly spread across her face.

Meanwhile, the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing targeting Tony Stark had reached its conclusion.

The outcome surprised no one.

Despite every political maneuver, despite Justin Hammer’s testimony and the selective use of Colonel Rhodes’ report, the government failed to force Tony into surrendering the Iron Man technology.

Instead, the hearing became the Tony Stark Show.

He mocked senators.

Embarrassed Justin Hammer.

Controlled the room from beginning to end.

Then walked out beneath a storm of camera flashes looking every bit the triumphant billionaire genius.

"Your medical consultant just arrived."

Pepper Potts lowered her phone while Tony sparred with Happy Hogan inside the boxing ring.

Tony leaned against the ropes, drinking from a sports bottle.

"Send him in."

A moment later, Evenson entered.

"Morning."

He smiled.

"I’m here to earn that paycheck."

Tony slipped his gloves back on.

"I already told you."

"I don’t think I need a doctor."

He gestured toward himself.

"Look at me."

"I’m in great shape."

The lie wasn’t convincing.

His palladium poisoning hadn’t improved in the slightest.

He simply refused to admit the truth while Pepper was nearby.

He didn’t want her worrying.

Pepper immediately contradicted him.

"Ignore everything he just said."

She looked at Evenson.

"I’ll authorize whatever salary we agreed on."

"You just make sure he stays healthy."

"You have my word."

Evenson nodded.

"You’ll get your money’s worth."

At that moment, a striking woman in professional business attire entered carrying a folder.

"Ms. Potts."

"These documents need your signature."

Evenson glanced at her once.

Then deliberately looked away.

Natasha Romanoff.

Her cover identity had officially begun.

Tony, meanwhile, noticed something else entirely.

"What was your name again?"

Of course he did.

A beautiful woman had just walked into the room.

Seconds later he’d invited her into the boxing ring.

While Natasha sparred effortlessly with Happy, Tony stepped down and activated the sleek transparent computer built into the glass table.

"Let’s see..."

He opened her personnel file.

"Speaks multiple languages..."

"Former model..."

S.H.I.E.L.D.’s fabricated identity was impeccable.

Every qualification.

Every previous employer.

Every photograph.

An entire life that had never existed.

Tony enlarged one glamorous modeling photo featuring Natasha wrapped in black fur over elegant black lingerie.

Click.

Tony and Pepper turned simultaneously.

Evenson calmly lowered his phone.

"You just took a picture."

"I did."

He nodded without embarrassment.

"It’s for someone else."

He silently promised himself that was the absolute truth.

The photo was for Sarah.

Definitely for Sarah.

Not for him.

From the boxing ring came a startled shout.

Happy Hogan crashed onto the mat after Natasha wrapped him in a flawless leg-scissors takedown.

The match ended instantly.

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