11

Wren stirred and winced slightly at the connection of the light hitting her eyes while it poured through the window. Turning her head to see whether Steve was next to her, she noted the empty side of the bed.

The night before had been the first where he'd simply wanted her presence there, and not just to use and abuse. It was a good sign in some ways, perhaps her influence was rubbing off, perhaps she could change him?

Then Wren remembered that no matter how hard she would or could try – she could never change a man like Steve Rogers. His idea of settling a dispute was to kill. It was his natural instinct. There was never any negotiation.

She could not fall for him. She would not – he wanted just the physical side, not the emotional. It was better that way.

Slipping on her robe, the sounds of music were heard coming from the living area. He was playing some old music that was most likely from the forties if Wren guessed right. Steve was sat looking through some reports while drinking some coffee, one leg propped up on the other while his eyes scanned the contents of the pages. The sight of him just acting naturally took her aback. It was just a strange scene to see Captain Hydra going about his day like a normal man.

It was Saturday after all, only a select few worked in terms of Hydra employees, herself being one now that she was Steve's assistant.

He looked across at her, sensing her presence from the moment he'd heard her get out of bed. Steve couldn't help but look at her attire. Hair a little messed from purely being in bed (for once he had nothing to do with it – although that could change later), and her satin robe gracefully slipping from one shoulder to expose it as well as the underwear set that was underneath.

Holy Hell.

Already something was stirring within him.

"Good morning." She smiled lightly, leaning against the doorway.

He beckoned her to him with his finger, pulling her onto him and putting the papers on the coffee table. "I thought I'd let you sleep..."

The coolness of his hands chilled her skin as they slid inside of her robe and rested on her waist. "Didn't you have a meeting this morning?" She frowned. Wren was sure that there was something on the diary for today.

Steve nodded. "In an hour. It's gonna be a long one,"

"Am I allowed to go home and change my clothes?" She smirked.

His lips brushed over her collarbone with the rough "No" telling her that she was going to be staying in either her underwear all day or she was going to have to wear yesterday's outfit. "I'll need you here."

"Am I allowed to know what it's about?" She asked, innocently trying to get as much as she could about their role in Project Insight. Wren saw his face. "I'm your assistant. Surely I should know about certain things?"

"Yes, but not this." He told her sternly.

She slipped off of him and poured herself some coffee. "You still don't trust me."

"I told you already. I trust no one."

"So why am I here then?" She now turned and snapped; the irritation clear. She had no idea why she'd come over like that. Why it bothered her so much that he could tell her about things be it work related or personal? Steve was so guarded, and she hated it.

She hated herself for having these feelings. They were so mixed.

Shit...

Maybe she was falling for him?

This was toxic. The whole situation and she knew that she needed to get out of it. But he wouldn't let her go – she was his. She belonged to him.

A fresh realisation hit her like a tonne of bricks. 

She wanted to belong to him.

Steve rose calmly and walked to her, Wren backing up until her back connected gently with the wall. His hands now placed themselves either side of her head, caging her in. Instantly she knew that this wasn't going to be a nice conversation.

"You are here, because I have fucking told you to be!" He hissed, mood now switching like the flick of a switch. "You are here because it's your fucking job! You work for me; you do as I say. You don't ever question my authority or my decisions!" He emphasised and grabbed her face as she looked away from him, turning it harshly back to him so she looked into his eyes. His fingers dug hard into the sides of her jaw.

"I'm not scared of you." She spat, but instantly regretted doing so. Something inside her wanted to push him to the edge. To see how far she could go. It was stupid.

"Well you should be sweetheart, because you carry on questioning me and you'll soon find out what happens to people who do. I warned you before, and I'll warn you again..." His hand now slid down to her throat and tightened slightly around it. "I won't hesitate to break this pretty little neck of yours with one squeeze. Because that's all it'll take." He threatened.

It had to be done.

She needed to learn her place.

Steve released his grip on her throat, and she rubbed it, coughing slightly where he'd choked her somewhat. Without another word, he turned and silently went back to sit and read through the mission reports. "I'm sorry Wren, but you had to learn the hard way. The last thing I want is to have your corpse carried outta here. I'll have to decide a suitable punishment though..." He sighed, mood now back to an unsettling calm.

Wren said nothing and silently returned to the bedroom, looking out of the window onto the city and wishing that she could be anywhere but here for the moment. Hot tears slid down her cheeks.

No. She wouldn't cry

He wouldn't make her cry.

Wren was hurt. How could one man who she was meant to despise make her feel this way? Why did she feel such betrayal?

It's because you're in too deep Wren. Her mind chided. You're trying to change a man who cannot be changed. You got too cocky, thought that you could do this easily without getting too close. But you've walked into the fire, and you're falling hard you stupid bitch. But you can always back out, you can just give up.

She didn't want to give up.

You can tell Fury everything. Forget Project Insight. You can save yourself.

She didn't want to leave...

But you don't want to tell Fury do you? Her mind cooed. "Because you don't want to betray him...oh dear Wren, you are in a bit of a pickle aren't you? Pull yourself together! He'll never love you! You are here for SHIELD. You are here to see the mission through. And to do that? you're going to have to betray him...

Wren felt Steve's arms now slide around her waist, chin resting on one shoulder. Her body stiffened slightly at his touch and he felt it. "You have to understand..." he murmured. "You have to accept there is no trust between me or anyone. It's just how it is, and how it will always be."

The last thing he wanted was for the outcome that he'd told her about earlier. "Don't you even care about me at all?" Her voice shook. "You must in some way if you wanted me here last night?"

"It won't happen again..." He now said. "I don't know why I wanted you to stay. I care for no one, trust no one. How many more times do I have to say it for you to even realise?"

"I just...I thought that..."

"You thought what? That something more would come of it?" He half laughed. "Wren...you may be my best girl, but I can't afford any setbacks. You are simply here for my enjoyment and nothing else. Feel grateful that I actually want you for that much."

Told you, her mind spoke to her once more. He doesn't give a shit about you. You're just his plaything.

If that was all she was going to be seen as then in her eyes it was better than nothing. But it still hurt. Wren had seen a different side of him last night, and she decided now that she wasn't going to back down, no matter how much of conscience told her to.

Something in his voice told her that he was lying. That she wasn't just here for his enjoyment. She just needed to break the hardened exterior of Steve Rogers, and if that didn't work, then she knew she'd have to risk everything and come clean to Fury about his identity. 

Unfortunately that outcome was looking more likely than ever.