4

Wren slipped her shawl off as she entered the hall and passed it to one of the cloakroom attendees for them to hang up. Her hair cascaded down her back in natural waves that accentuated and framed her face. Lips stained crimson in a lipstick that screamed 'Hydra red' for good measure. Seeing as the theme was black tie she'd opted for a gold backless dress which skimmed and nipped in at all the right places. 

She had to admit that she scrubbed up well. The slight chill she now felt hitting her back was one that had her wondering whether it was the evening temperatures dropping, or if it was from pure anticipation of entering a hall filled with Hydra personnel – and perhaps even Captain Hydra himself. Even now the goosebumps were rising, her eyes scanning the hall for any signs of Alexander, or other key people she'd come to identify during her time here.

Taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, she could feel the eyes on her. Wren hadn't meant to draw as much attention as she was getting, but it was very rare that she'd get to go out to anything like this.

Perhaps it had been better if she'd have kept her appearance to a minimum, however there were other women here who were more overdressed than she was. No matter, but she would need to seize an opportunity to go snooping in Pierce's office. She just needed to choose the right moment to slip away.

Steve's eyes scanned the room from the gallery above where he chose to keep to the shadows. The band was playing, people were mingling amongst themselves in groups whilst others were dancing or drinking. Steve himself had a bottle of wine to hand as he leant against a pillar and observed quietly, sipping every so often and savouring the taste that danced upon his tongue before burning the back of his throat.

In his other hand was his compass, which he was currently flicking open and shut every so often in order to make the evening a little more bearable. He needed some excitement, and although gatherings like this brought it to everyone else who attended, his need was of a different kind.

Pierce now came to stand by his side. "There's plenty of new faces down there." Steve said nothing to this and carried on drinking "I just wonder whether you will find the one who will give us that Hydra heir..." Pierce suggested in a rather tactful approach. "The new generation will need a leader; the organisation will need its next Captain."

He now looked across to Alexander darkly. "You just focus on keeping this place crawling with operatives. We're so close, and should you mess it up? Then I suppose I'll be forced to do something I shouldn't like to."

"Very well." Pierce said, knowing his place. He may be in charge of certain aspects, but Captain Hydra always had the last say. No way did anyone want to be on the receiving end of his punishments.

Turning back to focus, Steve stayed silent, just watching as he usually did. Then he leant forward a little, as though trying to focus properly. Pierce noted that something had caught his attention...or someone, and now as he looked in the direction the Captain was looking, he could be sure that they were looking at the same woman.

"Her..." The low growl escaped from Steve's lips. His hunger now rising inside of him from the moment he'd caught sight of her. 

She was divine.

And for the first time in his life. He had never wanted anything more than her. The woman in the gold dress...

"Bring her to me."

Pierce smiled to himself, "My assistant, Miss Reed..."

"I don't give a shit who she is. I want her, bring her to me." He commanded angrily. Alexander was wasting his precious time. "Bring her up to my apartments." And pushing himself from the pillar he'd been leant against, he took the remainder of wine in its bottle and made his way upstairs.

Alexander made his way down to the hall and wove his way on between people, saying hello to a few who he was familiar with. Finally reaching Wren. "Miss Reed, you are looking stunning this evening."

Wren smirked. "This old thing? Just something that I threw on sir."

Alexander leant into her so no one could hear,  "He wants to see you..."

She drew back and looked at him. "He?"

"The Captain..."

Oh hell...

"Seems you have caught his attention, and no wonder." Pierce replied. "I'm to take you to him," and before she could say anything else, he slipped his arm through hers and guided her from the hall towards the elevator. "You don't speak to him until he's spoken to you, is that clear?" She nodded at this. "He asks anything of you, then you do it. I'm sure you understand the full extent of what I am implying here."

Oh no...

This was going to be a spanner in the works for her plan. Not only wouldn't she get to snoop around, but Captain Hydra had requested to see her for something much more than she could have imagined. It was anything but good in her opinion.

Wren nodded once more, the panic rising in her slightly, although she managed to conceal it well. The doors opened and they got in, Pierce pushing the button to take them to the top floor. She watched as each of the numbers lit up floor by floor until they came to the end of the line. The doors opened and she went to walk out, however Alexander drew her back into the elevator.

"Not this floor Miss Reed..."

She frowned. "Have we missed it?" and then saw Pierce swipe his ID, the doors closing as the elevator then proceeded to go up again to... another floor?

"These are the Captain's private apartments, anyone who had access is privileged, so count yourself lucky that he is allowing you up here Miss Reed." Alexander told her sharply. "You will address him as 'Captain' or 'Sir'. Understood?"

By now she could feel herself shaking slightly and it wasn't from the chill. The doors now opened, and Pierce walked out, Wren following behind him. "Captain...I have Miss Reed here for you, as requested..."

"Thank you Pierce, you can leave." Captain Hydra's voice sounded however she saw no one in the room.

Wren looked at Alexander who simply nodded to her and then said quietly with parting words. "Do as he says." Before exiting in the elevator.

She watched the doors close and then looked around the apartment. Its décor a mixture of modern with some vintage aspects, such as the record player for a start. Wetting her lips, Wren self consciously smoothed her dress down before finally looking up upon realising that someone was walking into the room.

He was suited up, face obscured by the mask that was part of his combat attire, the hydra logo donning the chest to show exactly who he was. The only features she could really make of his face were his beard and eyes. He was taller than she had expected him to be, muscular even with the suit on.

"Miss Reed..."

Her heart stopped for a moment as he finally spoke. Wren didn't really know what to expect when it came to putting a voice to someone, but his? Something about it was unexpected indeed.

She nodded, trying to remember what Pierce had told her. "Yes sir..."

His lip curled slightly.

Sir.

He liked that a lot.

Approaching her more he found her prettier than what he'd seen from the gallery. She was tiny in comparison, her skin pale, lips full and crimson.

And those eyes...

He put a finger under her chin and pushed it up so he could get a better look at her. "Tell me your name."

"Wren, sir..."

Her body was shaking beneath his touch. He could feel it. "Wren..." the name rolled off of his tongue with ease and then he leant down next to her ear. "You're shaking little bird..."

"It's a little cold..." She lied when in truth she couldn't afford to fuck this up. 

This was the man who Fury needed to know the identity of, and she'd need to play the game if she was going to get any information about him. Whatever the cost. 

The Captain took a step back, eyes skimming her body in a dress that he was keeping himself from tearing off of her. Wren felt exposed even though she was covered. Somehow this wouldn't last long, not when the fire in his eyes was burning wildly in front of her.

No. Firstly he wanted to test her resilience. His hand reached out to a strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear, giving him a better look at the beautiful porcelain face. "You understand why I asked for you?"

"I may have an idea..." She replied quietly, her voice trying to keep steady. There was something about when he touched her that sent a jolt of electricity soaring through her body.

He walked forward again, causing her to take a few steps back until her back connected lightly with the wall. His mouth dropping to beside her ear again. "Somehow I don't believe that you're strong enough..."

Her eyes met with his, silently challenging him. "I'm stronger than you think..."

"Prove it then, little bird..."

"How?"

Nothing else was said as she now felt his hand pull her dress up as it slid up the inside of her thigh. "Let's see just how resilient you are..." He murmured, the slight snarl in his voice making her remember that she actually needed to breathe.

Wren felt his fingers push her underwear aside for a moment until with one swift move they were in his hand. He stuffed them into his pocket, saving them for later, before his hand returned under her dress, fingers trailing between her legs once more until they sank into her. She let out a sharp gasp as the coolness connected with the heat that had built up already, and that was before he'd even touched her.

"You're soaking already...you're going to need to build your resilience up if you want to last sweetheart." He hissed, pushing his fingers into her more and making her moan slightly. He silenced her with his lips on hers, tongue forcing its way into her mouth until her own was dancing alongside his. His fingers continued working in between her folds, Wren feeling the heat rising more until she finally came, soaking his hand.

He withdrew and smirked at her. "Just as I thought, resilient...but not enough..." No matter, he'd soon have her doing as he wanted, when he wanted. This was just a taster.

She looked at the floor, but he gently pushed her head back up, so she looked at him. His eyes piercing her own. Wren was pretty sure that he was trying to see into her soul judging by the way he stared at her. "Practice makes perfect, and you're going to be needing a lot of it..."

Just those words sent a shiver through her and his lips met with hers once more. "That'll be all, for tonight..."

And he let her go. 

"Sir?"

"When I want you, you will come – no matter what time or whatever you're doing. Should I need you, then you are you to come up here, understand?" He told her, retrieving an ID card from a nearby drawer.

He didn't hand these out freely either.

"Yes sir..." Her voice was a little shaky, just as the hand that took the ID card from him was.

She made her way to the elevator, legs a little wobbly. "and Wren..." she heard him say and looked back at him as the doors opened.

"Seeing as you've just given your pledge of allegiance, you're mine now. No one else's – is that clear?"

Shit. She was his possession, for him to do with just as he pleased, when he wanted, whenever he desired. Part of her was a little scared, but the other intrigued. There was something about Captain Hydra that drew her to him, like the moth to the flame. Wren knew she couldn't say no.

She didn't want to say no...

"Yes sir."

"No one else. Otherwise you do not want to see me disappointed." He warned.

She nodded once more. "That is the last thing I want to do..."

"I'm glad we see eye to eye." He said, watching her step into the elevator. "Sweet dreams, little bird."

The doors closed between them, Wren grasping the handrail inside to steady herself as the elevator began to descend. This was an opportunity with pros and cons. The pros being that perhaps she could find out more about him if she played along, the cons...

Oh dear.

Currently none came to mind.

It was dangerous, and he was a dangerous man. As much as she hated to admit it, she could feel herself hooked on him already. 

The doors opened once she was back on the ground floor, Wren exiting and going to find her shawl so she could make a hasty exit for the sanctuary of home and try not to have him possess her dreams later on.

Only now did she realise that he still had her underwear...