-?Caught in her Web?- (black widow)

Cleo's POV

I won't lie—I'm scared. No, terrified. I might act tough, but inside I know I'm walking on a tightrope. The chip in my brain... it'll explode if Dreykov decides he's done with me. The thought gnaws at me like a relentless itch. I don't want to die like that. I just wanted to make Dreykov proud, to prove myself worthy to the man who's been like a father to me. All I had to do was kill the traitors.

But now? Now they're going to be the reason I die.

And for that, I hate them. I hate them with everything I have. I'll make it impossible for them to find out anything about the Red Room. They'll get nothing from me. Not a word.

Nat's POV

I can see it in her eyes. She's deep in thought—probably trying to figure out how to escape. But there's no way I'm letting her slip out of this. We need information about the Red Room. I thought we destroyed it. We thought we were done with that nightmare. But this girl is proof it's still out there, still stealing girls and turning them into weapons. And telling them they're worthless.

"Are you going to interrogate her or wait until Santa Claus shows up?" Yelena's voice cuts through my thoughts, dripping with her usual sarcasm.

I sigh, not even turning to look at her. "She's not going to tell us anything. Dreykov himself sent her to kill us. That means she's one of the best Widows they have."

Yelena shrugs like she doesn't care, but I know she does. I turn back toward the girl, watching her from the other room. She looks so fragile, so young. But I know better than to be fooled by appearances. Something that looks innocent can kill you in a heartbeat—exactly like a Widow.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "Okay, Natasha, you've got this. You're a badass. No need to be scared of a kid. You've got this."

Before I can take another step, I hear Yelena wheezing behind me. I glance back at her, confused.

"I'm sorry," she gasps, trying to contain her laughter. "But you just... talked to yourself... and called yourself a badass."

I roll my eyes. Honestly, this woman is so annoying. But... she's my annoying sister. And after everything, I'm just glad to have her back.

Taking one more breath, I walk into the room where the girl sits, eyes burning with hate. She stares directly at me, her expression cold and defiant. It's the kind of look that would make anyone else shiver and hide. But not me. I meet her gaze head-on, even though her intensity makes my throat tighten.

"We're not the bad guys," I begin, my voice soft. "We just want to help. We're trying to destroy the Red Room, but we need your help to do that. We just need some information. Where it is, how to take it down. We don't want to hurt you."

Her face remains blank. Nothing. It's like I'm talking to a wall.

"Look," I say, trying another tactic, "you wouldn't survive a minute alone with my sister. She's crazy—not the bad kind, but the annoying kind. Trust me, I'm your best option."

Still, she just stares at me. Silent.

I sigh, frustration bubbling up. "We just want to help you. Please."

Nothing.

I'm about to give up. "Okay, I'm going to let you be." I turn and head for the door, my hand reaching for the handle.

But before I can open it, I hear her voice.