Chapter 37: Deal with Black Widow

Suddenly, a sound came from the terrace on the second floor of the duplex. Ethan Hayes smiled and opened the door leading to the terrace.

"Ethan, I'm sorry," Gwen said, taking Ethan's hand. "I came back in a hurry and ruined your evening."

Ethan gently stroked Gwen's soft blonde hair, and she leaned into him, her eyes reflecting his shadow.

"Mr. George's health is the most important thing," Ethan replied, concern etched on his face. "I read about the Lizardman in the news. He's definitely a monster. I'm worried he'll continue to endanger New York—and put your dad in harm's way."

Ethan's concern wasn't without merit. If things followed the path of the Amazing Spider-Man storyline, Gwen's father, George Stacy, would die at the hands of the Lizardman. As the father of his girlfriend, Ethan certainly didn't want George to meet that fate.

"I will protect my father," Gwen said firmly.

The "Friendly Neighbor" of New York had already decided to track down this Lizardman, catch him, and ensure he was put behind bars. Killing him wasn't Gwen's style.

"But I heard the police are looking for the Ghost Spider," Ethan mentioned, recalling what George had said on the news. He wasn't thrilled with the idea of vigilantes like Ghost Spider.

Gwen rolled her eyes at that. "My dad doesn't know it's me. If he did, he'd support me."

"How do you plan on protecting Captain Stacy? Do you need my help?" Ethan asked seriously, cupping Gwen's face and gazing into her gray-blue eyes.

"No," Gwen replied confidently. "I'm just protecting my dad, not hunting down the Lizardman."

Ethan could tell she had already formed a plan in her mind. "Okay, but promise me, if things get dangerous, you'll run."

Gwen murmured something about not running but still nodded her promise. Ethan kissed her deeply, and her face flushed pink.

"I better go," Gwen said shyly, breaking free from Ethan's arms. "If Mrs. Tracy finds out I came here, she'll freak."

With that, she quickly slipped back to her room next door, leaving Ethan standing there with a smug smile.

Both of their terraces were side by side, easily close enough for either of them to sneak over. But for now, Ethan had other matters to attend to.

Just as he began to relax, his phone rang again. Ethan sighed, stepping into the bathroom to take the call, wanting some privacy.

"Natasha Romanoff, hello," Ethan said, a smirk creeping onto his face.

"I need your help," Natasha's calm voice whispered on the other end.

Ethan chuckled. "Have you thought this through? You're calling on me for a little Lizardman? Are you sure this 'devil's deal' is worth it?"

"What will it cost me?" Natasha asked directly, her voice betraying none of her thoughts.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. could easily contain the Lizardman," Ethan replied coolly. "Nick Fury knows how I feel about you. He's just using you to get close to me."

"Hao, is your promise to me just another one of the devil's lies?" Natasha teased, though her tone was sharp.

Ethan shook his head. "No. The devil's deals are always fair. The more often you rely on them, though, the less valuable they become. Eventually, I'll lose interest, and the deal between us will end. So, are you sure you want to use up one of your precious deals?"

He knew how to play this game. Curiosity was a powerful motivator. If Natasha pushed too hard, she might lose the upper hand. Maintaining a sense of mystery, a sense of distance, kept the tension alive between them.

Natasha was no fool, but she was determined. "I'm sure. If I don't test this deal, I can't trust your promise."

Ethan could almost hear the smirk in her voice. She thought she could handle him, conquer him like she had so many others.

"I hope you don't regret it," Ethan said, already thinking of the ways he could push this deal to his advantage. He had some ideas for how to make this transaction truly interesting.

"I'll need Dr. Connors alive," Natasha said, cutting to the chase.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Alive? That complicates things. You do realize the Lizardman serum has… potential, right? It could be the key to regeneration—a power people would kill for."

For a moment, Natasha hesitated. Then her phone buzzed, interrupting her thoughts.

"I need to take this," she said.

"Go ahead," Ethan replied coolly, waiting.

On the other end, Nick Fury's voice crackled through Natasha's phone. "Natasha, plans have changed. We need Dr. Connors alive."

"Understood, sir," Natasha replied curtly before switching back to Ethan.

"I need him alive," she reiterated.

Ethan couldn't help but laugh. "Well, then. I guess you'll be waiting on me after all."

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