No matter how clever someone might be, once they expose a weakness of the heart or an irresistible desire, being manipulated by a demon becomes only a matter of time.
The greatest heroes were proof enough.
Figures like Alexandros Mograine, wielder of the Ashbringer, and Saidan Dathrohan, one of humanity’s first paladins. Men blessed by the Holy Light itself.
In the end, even they had fallen, becoming pawns of the dreadlords and later the Lich King.
Compared to that...
Convincing General Ross to become a business partner was practically a charitable act.
"I never thought I’d have this problem..."
Early the next morning, shortly after the shop opened, Evenson lay across the counter with a deep sigh.
His brows were furrowed.
He looked genuinely troubled.
Believe it or not...
His problem was that he suddenly had money.
Tony Stark had been surprisingly honorable. As soon as the previous incident was wrapped up, Stark Industries transferred Evenson’s salary in full.
Pepper Potts had threatened to dock his pay during the chaos, but that had clearly been nothing more than an angry outburst.
So Evenson happily put away the protest sign he’d mentally prepared.
PAY ME MY HARD-EARNED WAGES.
A neat two hundred thousand dollars landed in his account instead.
Now he had an entirely different dilemma.
What was he supposed to spend it on?
The traditional answer seemed obvious.
Buy a house.
Buy a car.
Find a girlfriend.
Unfortunately...
Two hundred thousand dollars wasn’t exactly billionaire money.
A mansion in New York?
Not happening.
A small apartment?
His current home was already better, and with six other breathing occupants under the same roof, most apartments would be hopelessly cramped anyway.
A car?
Pointless.
His current ride was literally one of a kind.
It didn’t even burn gasoline.
The only inconvenience came during annual inspections, but with S.H.I.E.L.D. credentials in his pocket, that problem would probably solve itself.
As for women...
Evenson thought about the options.
Melinda May?
Elegant, experienced...
...and fully capable of breaking his spine if she misunderstood something.
Natasha Romanoff?
Beautiful beyond question.
Also the Black Widow.
An occupational hazard.
He sighed.
There really wasn’t anyone who made his heart race.
"So what am I supposed to spend money on?"
He muttered to himself.
"I’m not about to become one of those guys wearing gold chains while eating barbecue three meals a day."
He looked toward the back of the shop.
"Sarah."
No answer.
"Sarah?"
Still nothing.
Evenson turned his head.
Sarah sat nearby, completely entranced by her own right hand.
A faint blush colored her face.
The dreamy smile...
The vacant eyes...
She’d been like this ever since returning from her last mission.
"Sarah!"
Evenson shouted.
She jolted upright, hurriedly wiping away what looked suspiciously like drool.
"Huh?"
"What is it, boss?"
Evenson rubbed his forehead.
"Coffee."
He pointed at the empty mug.
"Oh..."
She reluctantly picked up the pot and wandered over, all while continuing to admire her own hand.
Fortunately, muscle memory prevented her from pouring the coffee onto his head.
After taking a sip, Evenson finally asked,
"Seriously."
She answered absentmindedly.
"I’m listening."
"You held Natasha’s hand once."
He looked at her in disbelief.
"One time."
"How has that completely ruined you?"
Sarah sighed dreamily as she looked at her fingers.
"It was a gift from a beautiful woman."
"The memory deserves to be savored."
Evenson slapped a hand over his face.
"You’re hopeless."
If possible, he wanted to send Natasha Romanoff a handwritten certificate of appreciation.
Congratulations.
One brief moment of physical contact.
You’ve successfully turned my succubus into a lovesick teenager.
At this point, Evenson wasn’t entirely sure which of them qualified as the actual succubus anymore.
He took another sip of coffee.
"Let me ask you something."
Sarah finally looked up.
"What?"
"Is this just infatuation..."
"...or are you actually serious?"
She blinked.
"Does it matter?"
"It matters."
Evenson leaned back.
"If you’re just having fun, I won’t interfere."
"But if you’re genuinely interested..."
He spoke more carefully.
"You should think it through."
"Natasha Romanoff didn’t become the Black Widow by accident."
"She’s one of the most dangerous people on the planet."
Sarah smiled confidently.
"Relax."
"I may look ridiculous right now..."
"...but I’m still a succubus."
"When it comes to matters of the heart, I’m not the one who’s going to lose control."
Evenson nodded.
That sounded more like the Sarah he knew.
She might be smitten, but she wasn’t foolish.
Still...
If she was saying that...
Then she really intended to pursue Natasha.
"In that case," Evenson said with a sigh, "here’s one piece of advice."
"Try not to act like a starving wolf every time you see her."
"Groping someone isn’t exactly the foundation of a healthy relationship."
"You’ll scare her off."
Sarah immediately straightened in her chair, adopting the solemn expression of a world-renowned relationship expert.
"You understand nothing."
"My strategy is flawless."
"First..."
"I aggressively normalize the concept of women dating women."
"Then..."
"I slowly, gently reshape her preferences."
"And finally..."
"I claim both her heart and her body."
She wiped at the corner of her mouth.
Evenson stared for a long moment.
"...If you’re happy."
The bell over the shop door chimed.
"Hello?"
A clear, pleasant female voice drifted inside.
Evenson looked up.
A young woman stepped through the entrance carrying a beautifully decorated cake.
She was striking.
Delicate features framed by short pale-blonde hair that rested against her neck.
A flowing white dress completed an effortlessly graceful appearance.
She didn’t look like a customer.
More like someone introducing herself to the neighborhood.
Sarah discreetly nudged Evenson with an elbow.
He’d been staring.
Not exactly at the cake.
More specifically...
At the very impressive figure holding it.
Evenson blinked and shot Sarah an embarrassed glance.
Even Sarah had looked momentarily stunned before quickly suppressing the reaction.
Wait...
A succubus is staying loyal?
That’s unexpectedly wholesome.
He hurriedly stood.
"W-Welcome."
He cleared his throat.
"Welcome, miss."
For reasons he couldn’t explain, simply looking into the woman’s eyes made him strangely nervous.
It was an unfamiliar feeling.
"Thank you."
She smiled politely.
The smile hit him harder than expected.
His heartbeat skipped.
What is wrong with me?
I’ve spoken face-to-face with Natasha Romanoff without reacting like this.
Why does one smile from this woman have me completely off balance?
...Have I actually met someone who makes me feel something?
"What can I do for you?" he asked, finally regaining his composure.
"I just moved in next door."
She set the cake on the counter and pointed toward the neighboring building.
"I’ve opened a shop there."
"Then I’m honored to be your neighbor."
Evenson extended a hand.
"Evenson Richter."
"I look forward to working alongside you."
She accepted the handshake with another warm smile.
"Claire Ludwig."
"The pleasure is mine."
...
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