Clint had avoided going back to Nikolay's hideout since the night he saw Nadine. Not because he loathed to watch her deteriorate in the hands of that vile man. At least that's what had told himself over and over. It didn't matter to him because she wasn't the job. Clint was methodical, merciless, a killer. One woman's life wouldn't jeproadise his own. What mattered was finishing the job, getting paid and moving onto something else. Preferably in a warmer climate. But if he did get this done quickly then maybe Nadine would be saved as well.
The sound of footsteps forced Clint back into focusing on what he was doing. He mentally berated himself for becoming distracted. Three police officers were inspecting an alley and Clint watched from his perch. The police were there on a tip off from himself. What he was hoping for was a male officer that matched his size. Clint was tall and well built. Years of training had given him an impressive amount of muscles. Especially in his arms. He ruled out two of the officers straight away. One was far shorter and rounder than himself. The other was too slim. The third officer was a better match in height and weight. Clint considered waiting and trying for a closer match but he didn't have time to fuck around. Not that this job really had a deadline but the quicker it was done the quicker he could leave Russia. And the quicker Nadine would be saved. Clint cursed his traitorous mind.
Clint reached for his bow and felt at peace with the familiar weight in his hands. He hadn't shot an arrow for almost two weeks and his hands were itching to let them fly free. He knew once he released the first arrow then he'd have to move quickly to take down the other two officers. If they called back-up it would make his job far harder. But it wasn't an issue. Clint was fast and accurate. The first two officers were down and dead before they'd even realised what was happening. Clint readied another arrow and took a deep breath before exhaling as he released the arrow. It hit it's target, straight through the eye socket of the officer that matched his size. Clint might have been a master at archery but sewing and getting blood out of clothes wasn't his strong suit. That was why he was here. He wanted the uniform of an officer. His plan was still forming but Clint liked to think on his feet.
It took him no time at all to abandon his perch on the roof and come to a stop to view his work. Clint stripped all of the officers of their clothing, pulled the arrows out and then used a gloved hand to shoot the police where the arrow wounds were. That done, he threw the bodies into a bin and covered them in gasoline. Clint didn't look back as he threw the match into the bin and walked off with his prize folded securely into his bag. He no qualms about killing. Once, he would have shied away from it but between the Swordsman and Trick Shot his ability to feel regret over these things was long lost.
The only thing that mattered was getting the job done.
Clint hadn't planned this. It was entirely a coincidence and he was thrown as to how to react. But as always he improvised and ignored the skip of his heart. Clint had donned the police uniform and found it fit well except around the arms and chest where it strained a little. It wasn't noticeable as he covered it with the thick coat he also stole from the officer. He was currently going by the name Ustimovich Luka Nikolayevich. Clint usually avoided taking on an alias as it carried risks. His Russian was good but it was possible someone who pick up on his accent. No matter how he practised he could never get down the perfect accent for another country. But as Luka, he could approach members of the gang. If he didn't take on an alias then Clint's job would be at risk. He couldn't speak to anyone without raising serious suspicion. Not that taking on the role of a cop didn't raise it, but not as much as.
To take on the persona as Luka, he was walking down the street with confidence. He was portraying the role of a police officer and no one looked twice. Not even when he passed other officers. Now he had to find Issak alone. For now Issak was the weak link in the gang. With a demotion and probably a beheading hanging over Isaak's head he'd be more willing to give up secrets for the chance of security. He was caught up going over Isaak's usual movements that he missed her. Until they collided.
Nadine had stepped out of the warmth of a small cafe and into the biting wind. And straight into him. Clint, out of instinct grabbed her and had to hold back the reflex to throw her on the ground. His fighting reflexes under control, he released her and took a step back. It was only then that it clicked that woman who just quite literally knocked the breath out of him was Nadine. She might had been a good head shorter than him but she was definitely sturdy.
"Sorry Officer." Nadine murmured and tried to step around him. Clint should have let her go but instead he found himself moving to stop her leaving. "Is something wrong?" Nadine looked up at him curiously. If Clint hadn't of known she was the plaything of Nikolay then he'd never suspect it. She looked calm. The look of fear he saw on her face the other day was long gone.
"I didn't know Nikolay let his whores out." Clint stated callously, hoping his Russian was holding up.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Nadine said smoothly. "Excuse me." The red haired woman tried to move past him again but Clint buffered her efforts once again.
"I have trouble believing that." Clint grabbed her upper arm. It wasn't a rough grip but he squeezed hard enough to let her know that she wasn't going anywhere.
"What do you want from me?" Nadine asked, a quiver in her voice and her blue eyes widened.
Clint was interested in the sudden change of attitude. Almost as if Nadine was playing a whole different role only seconds before. It was subtle enough most people wouldn't pick up on it. In fact, he wasn't even sure if he picked up on it. Maybe the girl just didn't want to admit to being Nikolay's property. It made sense. Except there was still something deep in Clint's mind that didn't agree. Been up this close to Nadine made him realise she was even more beautiful than he previously thought. "I want to help you." Clint finally settled on.
"You're hurting me." Nadine muttered and tried to pull her arm away. Clint released the grip.
"I apologise." Clint didn't miss the brief narrowing of her eyes. "Please come with where we can talk in private."
"If he finds out..." Nadine trailed off. It didn't need to be said. Clint knew what kind of man Nikolay was.
"I'll protect you." Clint reassured. It was probably a lie. If it came down to saving her live and completing the mission then she'd lose.
The walk to Clint's safe house was quiet. Nadine seemed hesitant and jumpy but he didn't blame her. Clint's biggest worry at the moment wasn't her, it was whether he remembered to put his arrows away after he was done fletching them. It probably wouldn't help his case if Nadine saw them.
His primary thought should have been what the fuck was he doing? This could be compromising the whole job. It was so unlikely that Nadine knew anything that he'd be better off asking any random off the street for information. He was going to get her killed just to satisfy some sort of curiosity and fascination he felt about her. It was too late now though. They'd arrived at his safe house and he ushered her inside.
"Sorry about the mess." Clint shrugged unapologetically.
"It is no problem." Nadine glanced around but Clint noticed her focusing on the exits more than anything. Smart, but maybe suspicious.
"Tell me what you know, help me and we can lock Nikolay and his men up for a long time." Clint said, cutting to the chase.
"We both know he won't stay locked up." Nadine raised a brow at him. Clint thought it seemed uncharacteristic of her. But then again he didn't know her. Clint also knew she was right but he also knew the group that hired him had men inside the prison. Including the guards. All he had to do was get them behind bars and the rest would be taken care of.
"Trust me. You will be safe." Clint tried to sound reassuring but it wasn't something he did often. If ever.
"Trust you?" Nadine asked, switching to English. "Foolish American." Her tone was flat and cold and everything about it screamed death.
Clint instantly went on guard. His bow and quiver were across the other side of the room. Clint pulled out his gun. The safety was off in an instant and Clint had no qualms about aiming the weapon straight at her head. "Who the fuck are you?" Clint reverted back to English and any form of reassuring and kindness were gone. Clint was sure she was Russian despite her excellent English. Her accent still came through but only in the barest of ways.
Nadine just looked at him with a bored expression. "You're going to get yourself killed. I'd prefer if you didn't get me involved with your stupidity."
Clint glowered at her. "Your English is extremely good. Are you a spy?"
"Yours is passable. Unlike your Russian." Nadine remarked coolly. "Helpful tip. If you're going to go undercover, make sure you know the language and accent."
"If Nikolay is your target too then maybe we can work something out?" Clint suggested but he still didn't lower the gun. Though the fact that she seemed to not even notice the gun made him nervous. Reacting to possible death was a normal human reaction but Nadine was just unimpressed. Though he doubted her name was truly Nadine.
"I work alone. I suggest you run back to your handler or employer with your tail between your legs and leave this to a professional." Nadine gave him a withering smirk.
Clint did not like being belittled by anyone. And the fact that is was by this tiny woman who up until a few minutes ago he thought was a victim just riled him up further. Without warning he attacked her. Clint wasn't ready for how fast she would be and as soon as he moved to hit her, he was blocked and his momentum used against him. Clint found himself stumbling past her. Nadine side stepped and allowed him to stumble before kicking him in the back. Clint grunted and fell forward. He used his arms to rebound himself back up off the floor and swept his leg out and around to try and knock the bitch down. Clint was feeling bitter that such a small woman had tricked him and then overpowered him. It was humiliating.
Nadine was an expert fighter and move with such fluid grace that it pissed Clint off even more. He finally touched her with a crack across her ribs. Nadine exhaled sharply in pain before composing a blank face again. It made Clint hesitate long enough for him to find himself with her thighs wrapped around his neck. Clint was taken back. Because really there were a lot worse ways to die. That probably shouldn't have been his focus as Nadine hurled him into the ground with nothing more than a twist of her body and her legs. The wind was knocked out of him but Clint didn't stay down long.
Nadine wasn't able to keep him pinned and Clint found his larger size aided in flipping her off his back. Clint was certain she didn't have a weapon on her otherwise he'd probably already be dead. She was clearly on a recon mission and had chosen to go unarmed. An unpleasant feeling settled in his stomach. Of course she'd be unarmed because Nikolay would strip her of her clothes.
Clint rolled away from her slightly and smashed his elbow into her face. He didn't feel guilty as he was pretty sure his neck was going to be bruised by her thighs. Again, not the worst thing. Nadine was knocked off kilter by the blow and Clint didn't hesitate to dig his knee into her back and restrain her arms behind her.
"Now let's try this again shall we?" Clint asked with a tone somewhere between teasing and frustration.
"Sure. Let me up first." Nadine replied easily.
Clint snorted. "How about we start with your real name?"
"Right away Ustimovich Luka Nikolayevich." Nadine retorted smugly. Clint was impressed. He'd kept the officer's badge but it was in his pocket when he ran into Nadine. Now he was beginning to suspect that the girl knew about his presence for a while. Today wasn't a coincidence.
"How long have you known?" Clint questioned, applying more pressure through his knee. Nadine didn't react at all.
"Took you long enough." Nadine goaded. "The first night you came to Ivan's. I picked you and your watching out straight away."
"The bar?" Things were starting to fall into place. "You purposely came late so Nikolay's men would notice you. You lead Isaak and his men on. Seduced them. In what, the hopes Nikolay would snap and kill them? Lessen your work load? Then play the terrified card with Nikolay. Make him an unsuspecting target. You're good."
"I know. Too bad I can't say the same about you Luka." Nadine had gone limp but Clint didn't doubt she was just waiting for an opportunity.
"But your plan failed. Nikolay didn't kill Isaak or any of the men. Help me get the evidence I need. Once they're locked up I can assure you they'll be taken care of." Clint wasn't sure why he was trying so hard to get her to go along with it. He never worked with others. It would be easier just to eliminate the threat here and now. Clint was sure Nadine would put a bullet through his head the minute he turned his back.
"Either kill me or let me up so I can kill you. I told you I work alone." Nadine didn't sound concerned at all that he would probably take the offer and kill her. It was the logical thing to do. It was the only thing that made sense. Clint thinks that's probably why she looked as confused as he felt when he stood up and allowed her up. The confusion was wiped quickly off her face though. It was back to a cold blank expression. Clint had never seen someone so expressionless.
There was no doubt in Clint's mind that she'd try to kill him but something stopped her. It was a flicker of recognition as her eyes glanced the room once more. Looking for a weapon probably. It was barely noticeable but Clint's eyes rarely missed a thing.
"And what's stopping you from putting a bullet in my head the minute we're done?" Nadine asked bluntly. Something had made her reconsider but Clint wasn't sure what it was.
"I could say the same for you." Clint eyed her warily. She seemed to have stood down but after getting sorely acquainted with her reaction speed Clint didn't trust her relaxed stance.
Nadine remained silent for a moment. She didn't take her eyes off him but appeared to be considering her choices. Or at least Clint assumed she was, she made no facial expression whatsoever. Maybe she was trying to unnerve him. "You can call me Black Widow."
Clint almost recoiled. Black Widow? He was so fucked.