Chapter 106: Agent Hill Visits Late at Night

"It's not like you to reveal yourself in front of so many people and then let them walk away," Jessica Jones said, her breath steady but voice laced with curiosity.

She leaned against Ethan Hayes, her petite frame dwarfed by his solid physique. Jessica, though powerful in her own right, had always known Ethan as someone who was constantly evolving, growing stronger with each encounter. She had once felt on equal footing with him, but now, Ethan was like an immovable mountain, a god among men.

Ethan chuckled softly. "If I killed them all, it would serve no purpose. I only took out those whose hands were stained with blood. They looked righteous on the surface, but inside, they were corrupt, evil even. The rest, well, letting them live creates a stronger message—a lasting fear."

Jessica nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "And the priest? He was a good man, dedicated to his faith."

Ethan sighed, his expression thoughtful. "He was devoted, yes, but our paths had diverged too far. As long as the Vatican holds its grudges and God refuses to look away, I'll always be their enemy—the one they most want to eliminate."

Jessica reached up, gently tracing a finger along Ethan's chest. "You'll keep facing more enemies as you grow. I want to be by your side, but I'm afraid I could become a weakness they'll exploit."

Ethan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "With you here, I remember that I'm still human. You give me a reason to fight, a goal. Protecting you keeps me grounded, gives me strength."

Jessica smiled, touched by his words, though she knew she wasn't the only woman in Ethan's life. She'd seen the signs early on—his connection to Gwen, the Ghost Spider, was impossible to miss. But it didn't matter. Jessica had always known Ethan was more than just her partner; he was a force of nature, and she accepted his complexities.

"I get it now," Jessica murmured. "Someone must've triggered all of this—something that made you react so fiercely. Did they try to pull another stunt like the one where they kidnapped Gwen?"

Ethan's eyes darkened. "After acquiring the Osborn Group, we've made too much progress. Certain people saw it as a threat and conspired to launch a global-scale attack. They thought they could intimidate me."

Jessica's eyes narrowed. "If word of the Vatican incident, the carrier strike, and the port attack gets out, it'll put you in a tight spot. People will protest, and the government will likely feel forced to intervene. It could be a political nightmare."

Ethan smiled calmly. "The government doesn't want war with me. They know that if they provoke me, I could walk into the White House or wipe out their military installations across the globe. It would shake their entire foundation. They're cautious, and they should be."

Jessica touched his face, drawing him close. "I have to be up early tomorrow. I don't think I could handle walking around New York in a wheelchair, thanks to you."

Ethan grinned. "You used to be tougher, Jessica."

She rolled her eyes. "You used to be less… whatever it is you are now. You know exactly how strong you've become."

With a smile, Jessica pushed him gently, letting him go. "Go. I know you have a lot to deal with tonight. Besides, I know Gwen is waiting."

As he left, Jessica felt a pang of loneliness settle beside the warmth he'd left behind. It was a feeling she tried to ignore. She'd known from the beginning that Ethan was bound to be more than any one woman could claim.

"I'll need to find more women to keep him in check, or he might just burn himself out," she muttered to herself, a hint of humor in her voice as she drifted into sleep.

Ethan didn't return to his villa but instead headed back to his office. There, he found Smith waiting for him, exhaustion shadowing his eyes.

"Smith, I'm sorry," Ethan said, his voice soft but firm. "I should've ensured your family's safety."

Smith, barely holding back tears, shook his head. "Sir, you avenged them. That's all I could ask for. I know they're at peace now, and that's enough."

Ethan placed a reassuring hand on Smith's shoulder. "This isn't over. Every person involved in this will pay. You have my word."

Smith's face hardened. "Then let me help. I want power—enough to protect myself and make sure this never happens again."

Ethan studied him, nodding thoughtfully. "I should've done this sooner. Very well. But understand, power comes with responsibility. You're free to use it, but if it corrupts you, it'll consume you. Our enemies are numerous, and I need you focused. We can't afford unnecessary risks."

Smith nodded resolutely. "I understand, sir."

"Report to Vice President Raven tomorrow. She'll get you set up," Ethan instructed, and Smith left, determination etched on his face.

As Ethan settled back, his gaze fell on the Ten Rings now in his possession. He could feel their immense power pulsing against his skin.

"It's inconvenient to carry them all the time," he muttered, psychokinetically guiding them into place. He turned as the sound of helicopter blades filled the air above. Agent Hill had arrived.

She strode into the office with purpose, wearing a sleek black dress and trench coat, her heels clicking as she approached. She didn't bother with formalities; she was here with a purpose.

"I'm here to answer for authorizing the colonel's actions, forging the orders, and mobilizing the fighter jets. The colonel is dead, and we have no leads on who was behind him," Hill said, her voice steady.

Ethan looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I know who's behind it. They thought they could use mortal desires to test me. They were wrong."

Hill stepped closer, sliding off her trench coat and adjusting her dress. She sat down on his lap, her confidence flickering to something softer. "Did you think I came all this way just for work?"

Ethan grinned, his hands resting on her waist. "I didn't peg you as the type to make house calls."

"Some things require a personal touch," she replied, her tone teasing, though her expression grew serious. "And besides, there are no conditions tonight."

Ethan arched an eyebrow. "No strategy from you or Fury?"

Hill rolled her eyes, trying to get up, but Ethan held her gently. "You're not leaving now," he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

Agent Hill chuckled softly, leaning in. "Then let's make this visit worth the trouble, shall we?"

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