You stepped into the main ballroom, already buzzing with life. The space was filled with elegantly dressed guests, chatter echoing beneath the soft hum of music. Your long, fitted black dress clung perfectly to your frame, the slit on the right side stopping mid-thigh—just enough to turn heads, but subtle enough to blend in among the rich and powerful women that surrounded you.

Your heels clicked against the marble floor as you made your way through the sea of bodies toward the bar. Once there, you ordered a drink, taking the glass with a polite smile and turning to scan the crowd. You sipped slowly, eyes sweeping the room, searching for your target.

Before you even saw him, you felt the familiar presence beside you—a hand gently brushing your arm. You didn’t need to look to know who it was. Still, when you turned your head, the sight of James in a perfectly tailored suit made your heart skip a beat.

“Don’t you look all handsome,” you said with a small smirk, letting your eyes travel down and back up again.

He rolled his eyes and leaned in close, his voice low in your ear. “Well, you look breathtaking, doll… though that slit might be a bit high.”

Now it was your turn to roll your eyes. “You love it,” you teased, and he smirked, not bothering to deny it.

He grabbed his own drink before slipping an arm around your waist. The two of you stood there for a moment in comfortable silence, eyes still scanning the crowd.

“Did you spot our target?” he whispered, voice barely audible beneath the music.

You nodded subtly, tilting your head toward the right. James followed your gaze, eyes landing on Jasper Banks—a known figure tied to the remnants of Hydra, and your reason for being here tonight.

“I still don’t like this plan,” James muttered, tension creeping into his voice.

“I know,” *you sighed softly, “but it has to be done.”

You saw Jasper moving toward the bar and quickly slipped out of James’s hold.*

“Keep your eyes on me,” you said with a wink, setting your glass down and gracefully stepping into Jasper’s path. Timing it perfectly, you “accidentally” bumped into him, causing him to catch you around the waist before you could stumble.

“Ah—I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there,” he said quickly, steadying you as his eyes flicked over your figure. He tried not to make it obvious he was checking you out—but he failed.

James’s eyes narrowed from across the room. He didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, but his jaw clenched and his hand tightened around his glass the moment Jasper’s hand touched you. He kept watching—just like he was supposed to.