Val turned slowly, like facing a ghost she prayed would never come back.
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out at first.
Frankie stood there. No weapons drawn. No threats made.
And yet-every inch of her radiated danger.
"Francesca," Val finally managed.
"Don't call me that," Frankie said flatly.
The room stilled.
The Thunderbolts didn't speak.
Bob's eyes were locked on Frankie.
Bucky didn't flinch.
Yelena looked like Christmas came early.
Frankie took a step closer.
Val didn't back up, but her grip on the tablet tightened.
"You're supposed to be-"
"Dead? Yeah," Frankie cut in. "You'd prefer that, wouldn't you?"
Her voice didn't rise. Didn't crack.
It was just true.
"It was easier when I was just another file to close."
Val's voice tried to regain control. "You don't understand what's at stake-"
"I understand perfectly."
Frankie's eyes narrowed, cold and focused.
"You don't send us into missions. You send us into death traps. You call it strategy. I call it cleanup. Disposable assets dressed up like heroes."
She let that hang.
Val opened her mouth again-but Frankie beat her to it.
"We're done playing your game."
A beat.
"From now on, we run our own missions. We choose where we go. Who we help. Who we trust."
She tilted her head slightly.
"And it's not you."
Val's face hardened. "You think you can just take over?"
Frankie smiled.
It wasn't warm.
"No. I already did."
YOU ARE READING
Code Name: Untraceable
FanfictionShe's not on the roster. She's not in the system. She's not even supposed to be alive. Every mission the Thunderbolts run, she's there-appearing out of nowhere, tearing through enemies like a storm, then vanishing without a trace. One time? Coincide...
