Possessed - Bucky Barnes x OC

Part 45

James took one last sip from his tumbler of scotch as he rose from his seat. Amber liquid and ice clinking as he set it down. He reached over shaking the hands of his associates, as they thanked him and Steve for their time.

He had spent the last couple hours discussing a vast conglomerate of business opportunities with some of his newer international investees. He had been poking and prodding to an almost exhausting level. As much as he kept his front stoic, his mind was racing a hundred miles a minute. Analyzing choice of words and calculating intentions. Doing what he did best.

Walking out onto the snow covered sidewalk, illuminated by the street lamps and lightly clouded moon. He gave one last nod to his associates as they climbed into a cab and took off. A puff of fog shooting from the tailpipe of the yellow car.

"What do you think, Bucky?" Steve asked, turning to glance at James.

He hummed. "It seems to be promising. They seem to be running a tight ship."

"Agreed. I'll shoot through the paperwork tomorrow."

"Thanks, pal." James spun on his heel, crushing the snow under his leather Santonis, and striding over to his Aston Martin. "Have a good night." He called back before slipping inside.

He turned his car on, engine roaring to life. Blasting the heat to warm himself from the subzero night air. As he pulled away from the curb, he dug out his phone, calling Maggie.

It went to voicemail after two rings.

He frowned, staring down at the screen, he tried again.

Again, it went to voicemail.

Panic started to seep into his chest, breathing picking up, as he squeezed the steering wheel tighter in his left hand. Knuckles cracking from the sheer force of his grip.

Trying one last time, it was picked up and a wave of relief washed over him.

"Doll? You okay?"

"Sorry, Barnes. She can't come to the phone right now."

The line cut off. Realizing exactly who was on the other side of the call.

~ Four hours earlier ~

Maggie was in a chipper mood.

She had spent the whole day working diligently at her gallery. Inputting new client information into the system, reaching out to a few artists, and even making time to help with customers in the lobby.

It had been a long day for her, so she eager to leave, to say the least. It was the day of Natasha's long awaited wedding dress shopping trip. She had been working with a stylist at Kleinfeld, emailing back and forth about different cuts and designers.

Natasha had invited Maggie and Wanda along to help her decide between the few she had selected.

The moment Maggie filed the last of her paperwork, she bundled up in her fluffy fur coat. Wrapping it over her little black dress. Rushing out of her office, she called over a couple of brief goodbye's to her staff and hurried out into the snowfall, just as Harrison was opening the backseat door for her.

The black SUV sped across the city, dropping her off at the taupe stone building. Yanking open the heavy glass, doors, stepping into the lobby. Marching over the rich Persian rug to the front desk with a smile. "Hi, um I'm looking for Natasha Romanoff."