SABLE | MCU

19

𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗮, 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝘃𝗶𝗮.

Back on the streets of Riga, Juno adjusted her backpack as she followed Bucky and Sam, who were walking at a brisk pace. "She said what?" Sam asked into his phone, prompting Juno to glance at him from behind. "Right. Hold on, hold on. I know, I know. Listen, pack an overnight bag and take the boys." Sam ordered, making Bucky frown as he looked at his friend.

"What happened?" He asked as Sam lowered his phone.

Glancing over his shoulder at Juno briefly, Sam turned back to Bucky. "Karli called Sarah. She threatened my nephews." He held up his phone again, speaking to his sister. "Okay. Go somewhere safe. Only pay cash." Bucky looked at Sam, then over his shoulder to check that Juno was still behind them, her footsteps quiet on the pavement. "All right? Tell me when you get there." Sam nodded. "I know. Look, I love you. I'll never let anything happen to you and the boys. You know that." Juno exhaled softly as they continued down the side street. "Okay." Sam breathed. "Bye." With that, the call ended. Bucky turned to Sam, who had stopped walking, Juno halting behind them. "Karli wants to meet. She left a contact number." He explained. Just then, his phone buzzed with an incoming text. Sam looked down at the screen as Juno scanned the surroundings. "She said come alone."

Bucky stared at him. "I'm coming with you."

"Sweet." Juno muttered, pressing her tongue against her teeth and tilting her head. "What should I do?" She knew that a third person would only make the situation more tense. It was bad enough that Bucky refused to let him go alone, but he was significantly stronger—able to safe Sam from sheer force if things went wrong. "I mean, it's not exactly the brightest idea to bring someone, let alone two, to a meet-up where no one else is welcome."

"We'll figure it out on the way." Sam muttered, leading them toward the location Karli had sent.

Since Karli was careful about whom to trust, the trio had decided to leave Juno behind, exchanging earpieces before separating. She now sat outside the coffee shop opposite the building, laptop open, earpiece in, a cup of coffee placed in front of her by a young woman. "Thanks." She mumbled, leaning back in her chair, watching people and the occasional car pass by.

Inside the courtyard, Sam, now fully suited as Falcon, moved with a mix of anger and determination. "Karli!" He yelled across the empty yard, stopping to scan the area. His eyes found the redhead, calmly leaning against the stone railing on the second floor, looking down at them. With a glare, he began ascending the stairs without a word, Bucky following closely behind. Sam approached her on the walkway, Bucky maintaining a cautious distance. "You called my sister? That's how we're gonna play this?" Sam demanded.

"Sam, I would never hurt her." Karli said, leaning against a pillar, arms crossed over her chest. "I only wanted to understand you better." Her eyes flicked toward Bucky before she straightened and slowly stepped closer, gesturing toward the man with the metal arm. "I see you, um, didn't come alone."

"You have to end this now." Sam said, his gaze sharp.

"I don't want to hurt you." She replied, shaking her head as Bucky shifted closer. "You're just a tool in the regimes I'm looking to destroy." Her eyes briefly met his. "You're not hiding behind a shield. If I were to kill you, it'd be meaningless." Sam faltered, glancing over his shoulder at Bucky. "I was going to ask you to join me." She continued, reclaiming his attention. "Or do the world a favor and let me go."