Chapter Text
You don’t know how you get mixed up in shit like this. You’ve somehow managed to get yourself mixed up with one of the lower level mob bosses in New York. Alexander Pierce had been the one you’d taken a loan from, not knowing exactly who you were dealing with was costing you big now.
He’s bound your wrists, the rope cutting into the skin, sharp pain shoots through the nerves there. He’s covered your hands with your jacket leaving you in a tight black dress that you hate to admit, you look amazing in.
“Hurry up.” He snapped, “I can’t be late for this meeting and you’re a very important piece of this meeting.” You don’t ask why, last time you’d asked a question the only response you’d gotten was a smack across the face. He drags you into a building and into a back room, a woman with red hair looks confused for a second but then her gaze hardens.
“I assume you’re here for a meeting with Barnes and Rogers.” She says coldly to Pierce.
“No, just Mr. Barnes.”
“You know they don’t meet alone, they’re partners.” She snips, picking up the phone she speaks softly into it, the words no longer English. “You can go in but she stays out here.”
“She’s part of the deal.” He says jerking your forward and into the room before she can say anything else. He shoves you to your knees then waits, he knows that he’s the least important person in the room.
“What’s this?” One of the men, the Brunette with the cold blue eyes asks, his voice is rough and harsh. He’s seated behind the desk so you assume that he’s Mr. Barnes. His friend on the other hand has lighter hair but he too looks irritated, he’s leaning against the bar behind the desk, his arms folded, blue eyes searching your face. He leans forward and murmurs something into Mr. Barnes’ ear who nods.
“I thought Natasha told you to keep your girl in the lobby.” Mr. Rogers sounds bored.
“She’s a gift, Captain, for Mr. Barnes.” The two men exchange a dark look and you’re pretty sure you’re going to throw up. Your heart is racing and you’re taking small shallow breaths.
“Come here Sweetheart. Let me see you.” Barnes says softly leaning forward in his seat. You struggle to stand and the one Pierce has called Captain grips Mr. Barnes’ shoulder. The two men stand and Captain blocks you from Pierce’s view while Mr. Barnes flicks up the jacket, a sneer crosses his face when he sees the rope that is cutting into your skin.
“Mr. Pierce. Out.” The Captain orders seeing the look on Mr. Barnes’ face.
“My gift?”
“Is accepted.” He snaps.
“My debit?”
“Remains.” Mr. Barnes growls, it sounds like Pierce is going to argue but Mr. Barnes looks up at him that same angry look he had on his face when he saw the rope. You hear him move away and the door opens then closes.
“Sweetheart, you alright?” You don’t say anything, fear coursing through you. “Hey, you can talk to us Sweetheart.” Mr. Barnes says in a voice that’s far gentler than you’d have expected to come from him.
“Please, the rope, please.” Mr. Barnes lifts his leg and pulls a knife from his boot while the Captain takes the coat from over your hands. Mr. Barnes brings the knife closer to you and you panic, jerking away from him and accidentally cutting yourself in the process. You cry out in pain but neither of the two men get angry. They just gently shush you, as Captain keeps you steady Mr. Barnes quickly cuts the rope.
“Did you agree to this Sweetheart?”
“To-to What?” You murmur still too afraid to actually talk to them.
“To being used as a form of payment.” The Captain says bluntly.
“No.” Horror laces the word.
“What’s your name Doll?” Captain asks, you tell him and he nods, “Here have a seat. Can you tell us how you got mixed up with Pierce?” He eases you into a seat and glances at Mr. Barnes who moves around the desk and pours you something to drink. He passes you the amber liquid and you swallow it down enjoying the burn.
“Natasha bring the first aid kit in here.” Mr. Barnes says into a speaker and a moment later the pretty redhead is bursting into the room causing you to flinch and spill some of the whiskey on your dress and hands.
“Damn it Tash.” Captain swears, and she looks guilty.
“Hey, I wasn’t given any instructions here Cap!” She hisses and Captain takes the kit from her.
“Make sure we’re not interrupted.” She nods and then makes her way back out the door then shuts it quietly behind her. “This is going to sting a bit.” He’s gentle as he cleans and bandages your cut wrists. Once he’s done he moves back around the desk with Mr. Barnes.
“Alright Doll, can you tell us your story?” You nod then begin talking, your eyes focused on your lap.
“I owed him money. I didn’t know who he was when I took the money, I didn’t know the price I’d pay.”
“Why’d you take money from him?” Captain asks gently, they’d been so harsh with Mr. Pierce you’re still surprised that they’re being so sweet to you.
“My mom was sick, cancer and since my dad had skipped out when I was a kid we didn’t have any money coming in. I was 16 and was working overnights while going to school but it wasn’t enough. It was never enough. A co-worker told me about Mr. Pierce and so I borrowed money. I was paying him back, I guess it wasn’t fast enough.”
“How much did you have left Doll?” Mr. Barnes asks, god his eyes are so blue.
“10,000.” Mr. Barnes slams his fist down on the desk causing your eyes to widen in fear.
“That fucking piece of shit. What the fuck did he think he was gonna get away with Steve?” He sneers.
“Hey, calm down Buck. You’re scaring her.” Mr. Barnes looks back at you, his features softening.
“I’m sorry Doll. I’m not upset with you. It’s Pierce.” He pushes the button for the speaker again, “Nat, get me Clint.”
“Buck.”
“Steve he tried to give her to me against her will for a tenth of what he owes me.” Mr. Barnes growls, and his friend’s face hardens too.
“He still owes you 100,000. You make him pay it then you deliver punishment.”
“I’m gonna remind him who the fuck he’s dealing with.” Mr. Barnes stands abruptly and circles the desk, he holds out a hand for you. “Come on honey, you don’t need to hear all this.” You take his hand and let him lead you to the door. “You don’t need to worry about Pierce Doll. Steve and I will take care of him.”
“But, where am I supposed to go?” You say quietly as he reaches for the door to the street.
“Home.”
“I-I don’t have a home anymore, he owns my building. Through a shell company but he owns it.” Mr. Barnes looks angry again, he hasn’t been angry at you yet but you’re not taking any chances. “It’s okay, I’ll go to a shelter.” You give him a soft smile, “Thank you Mr. Barnes.” You murmur before lifting your chin and stepping out the door. You don’t get far when a hand wraps around your hand.
“Come on Doll, you’re under my protection, I can’t let you stay in a shelter.” He says with a small sigh.
“Really, Mr. Barnes, I’ll be fine. I’ve been on my own since my mom died-“ he cuts you off with a look.
“I know you didn’t chose to be here, to be-for a lack of a better word- given to me but please let me do what I can to help you.” Your eyes search his face and you slowly nod. With a gentle tug of your hand he brings you back into the building and then to the woman, Natasha. “Nat, I need you to call Wanda, I’ve got a job for her.”
“Clint is almost here, what do you need Wanda for?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Mr. Barnes growls and she nods as he brings you back into his office. When The Captain gives him a puzzled look Mr. Barnes sighs, “He took away her home, so I’ve placed her under my protection. She’s agreed.”
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“You have a better one?” Mr. Barnes challenges and Captain huffs then holds his hands out in surrender. You feel like you’ve been left behind in the conversation but you’re not going to say anything. You’re just grateful they’re not men like Pierce. “Wanda is on her way, I’ll have her take her home.” There’s a knock on the door, “Come in.” Mr.Barnes calls and a slightly stocky blonde man comes strutting into the room.
“You called Boss?”
“Yea, bring me Pierce.”