Chapter 46: Stolen Heart
Felicia Hardy stepped out of Kingpin's office, her heart pounding against her ribs. The air felt thick, like she was suffocating. She could still hear their voices: Kingpin's calculated words, Damien's mocking tone, and Sabretooth's low growl.
This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go.
Kingpin had offered her power, more than she could imagine. But… at what cost? Felicia hesitated, and before she could even decide, a man she had never seen before, Damien Heller, had spoken Peter's name.
That was when she lost it.
Without thinking, she lunged at him, but before she could land a hit, a blur of fur and muscle slammed her into the wall. Sabretooth. His claws pressed against her throat, sharp enough that a single movement could draw blood.
She barely had time to register the pain before Damien stepped forward, his polished shoes clicking against the floor.
"Look at you," he whispered, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Pathetic."
Gritting her teeth was all she could do.
"How can you protect Peter when you can't even protect yourself?" His laugh was soft, but it cut deeper than any blade.
Sabretooth held her there, waiting, enjoying her struggle.
Damien leaned in close, lowering his voice. "Think carefully, Ms. Hardy. You have one day to decide."
Then, with a snap of his fingers, Sabretooth released her.
She stumbled forward, coughing, her throat burning and then she looked up, with a look full of hatred, but neither Damien nor Sabretooth seemed threatened.
Their mocking smirks sent a fresh wave of anger through her, but she didn't say anything. Not here. Not now.
Instead, she turned and walked out, her legs shaking beneath her.
Peter's name. In Kingpin's office.
Her world tilted. She needed air. She needed to think. But no matter how hard she tried, Damien's words rang in her ears.
"How can you protect Peter when you can't even protect yourself?"
And for the first time in a long time, Felicia felt afraid.
Felicia had always loved danger. The thrill of stealing, the rush of adrenaline, the game of risk and reward.
Then she met Peter Parker and soon, danger wasn't the same anymore.
At first, he was just a nerd. A quiet and awkward bookworm with bad posture . Nothing like the kind of guys she usually noticed.
Their first meeting happened by accident.
She was scouting a rich guy's home, slipping through a high-school party like she belonged, when she noticed him. He was clearly out of place among the rich and powerful. And yet…
When their eyes met, he smirked.
Not nervous. Not intimidated. Just smug.
"You kind of stand out in a crowd."
Felicia had paused, intrigued. Most guys stammered in her presence. This one? Not even blinking.
She chuckled. "And you don't? You've got this... nerdy but confident vibe going on. It's intriguing."
She expected him to be some boring rich kid, but instead, he threw banter back at her, quick and sharp. By the end of their little exchange, she was left standing wanting more and with a grin on her face. Something that didn't happen often.
Then they met again, at a charity fundraiser at Oscorp.
Another scouting job, another mission, and somehow, Peter Parker was there again.
A fortune coincidence.
Felicia wasn't the type to believe in fate, but… she had been genuinely happy to see him. And when he invited her to the rooftop, she accepted without hesitation.
They talked. He was different from anyone she had ever met. And before she knew it, she had agreed to a date. Then, of course, the party turned into chaos.
The Lizard attacked.
Peter got kidnapped, after he jumped in front of her and her friends to protect them. For the first time, Felicia felt an emotion she hadn't expected, fear for someone else.
By the time they found him, luckily with no major injuries, she had already made up her mind.
She waited at the hospital until he woke up again, sitting beside his sweet old Aunt May, trying to understand why she felt like she had almost lost something important.
Felicia wasn't sure what to expect from their first date.
They met at a rooftop café, a hidden spot overlooking the city. Peter greeted her with a grin, eyes bright with mischief. "I wasn't sure you'd show up."
Felicia smirked, leaning on the table. "I like to keep things interesting."
Peter raised a brow. "Is that why you always seem to be in trouble?"
Felicia nearly choked on her drink. And that was the first time she realized: this nerd was dangerous.
Not because of muscles or power. But because he could keep up with her. He made her laugh, something she didn't even realize she needed.
Peter took her on a walk through the city, showing her things she never noticed. Not fancy places. Not rich places.
Just his world.
They stopped at a tiny diner where the owner greeted Peter like family. They fed stray cats, and Peter named every single one.
Felicia just stared at him.
Who was this guy? And why did she feel like she wanted to know everything about him?
Then, as if on cue, a thug tried to mug them.
Felicia rolled her eyes, ready to handle it. Until Peter stepped forward first.
Fast and efficient. One move, and the guy was on the ground, groaning.
Felicia just stared. "You fight?"
Peter shrugged. "I read books."
Felicia Hardy stepped into her apartment, slamming the door shut behind her. Her heart was still pounding. She yanked off her leather gloves and threw them onto the couch, her mind racing.
Peter.
They had used Peter's name.
She hated that they knew about him. Hated that they thought they could use him against her.
Felicia ran a hand through her platinum blonde hair, pacing back and forth in her dimly lit living room. The city lights outside her window flickered, but she didn't pay them any attention. She was too lost in her own thoughts.
How did it come to this? How did she go from being a thrill seeking thief, enjoying the game, to being here, scared?
She collapsed onto the couch, rubbing her temples. This wasn't who she was. She wasn't the kind of girl who let fear control her.
And yet… Her fingers curled into fists. She needed a drink. Felicia sat up, eyes scanning her apartment, already knowing the answer before she checked. She was out of alcohol.
"Of course," she muttered, shaking her head. Just her luck.
She got up and walked over to her wardrobe. Throwing on a jacket, she grabbed her keys and headed out.
As she walked through the streets, her mind drifted back to Peter. Their third date.
It had been on a rooftop, overlooking the city. It was one of those quiet nights.. no heists, no running, just them.
Felicia had always been good at reading people. She could tell when someone was holding back, when they were hiding something.
Peter had that look in his eyes that night. So she pushed.
"What's on your mind, Peter?" she had asked, tilting her head. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world."
He gave her a lopsided smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Maybe I am."
She leaned in, resting her chin on her hand. "Care to share?"
He hesitated. For a moment, she thought he wouldn't say anything.
Then he spoke. He told her about his struggles and worries. There were vague, but felt too genuine.
Felicia had been prepared for a lot of things, but not that. She had expected him to be like everyone else, hiding behind bravado, pretending to be fine. But Peter was different. He was honest.
And for the first time, she didn't just like him, she respected him. When he finally stopped talking, the air between them felt heavier, more charged.
And then, before she could second guess herself, she kissed him.
It wasn't just for the thrill, not this time. It was something deeper. And that terrified her.
Felicia shook her head, forcing herself back to the present. She hated thinking about things like that. She hated how Peter made her feel.. like she was more than just the Black Cat, more than just a girl chasing danger.
But she couldn't stop thinking about it. Their fourth date had changed everything.
They had spent the whole day together. First it was shopping and Peter, somehow, knew her style better than most people. He picked out a dress for her that actually looked good, which was both impressive and annoying.
Then, they watched The Bat Knight.
"Okay, but hear me out," Peter had said, mid-argument. "The Clownie isn't just crazy, he's methodical. He planned everything."
Felicia scoffed. "Oh, please. He was just making things up as he went."
Peter grinned. "Says the girl who never follows a plan."
She opened her mouth to argue, then shut it, realizing he had a point. "Fine. But he's still overrated."
Then, dinner. Not some fancy place, just a simple fast-food joint. And yet, it had felt perfect.
That night, at her apartment, things went further than before. She had expected it to be just physical, like all the others. But Peter wasn't like the others. He was patient. Gentle. He made her feel safe.
For the first time, Felicia didn't crave danger. Because, for once, she realized that Peter was enough.
Felicia tightened her grip on her jacket as she walked.
Everything kept replaying in her mind. For the first time, she felt powerless. And she hated it. She needed to be stronger.
Not for herself, but for him.
She sat alone at a corner table in a dimly lit bar, nursing her drink.
The decision had been made. If Kingpin wanted to break her, he chose the wrong girl. She wouldn't let Peter become another loss in her life.
It was time to stop running. Time to stop pretending. She needed power. And if that meant taking the offer, so be it.
A shadow fell over her table. Felicia tensed, looking up.
Damien Heller. He smiled, smooth and confident.
"How did you-" she started.
"Now, now, Ms. Hardy," Damien interrupted, his voice like silk. "Let's not waste time on useless words. We have a contract to sign."
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Thank you for reading my story! I'd appreciate your support and feedback. Please don't judge the story too quickly, let me tell it my way. I know some parts might seem familiar or cheesy, but that's just our different perspectives. I'm doing my best to create an enjoyable story for you and there definitely won't be any NTR (-_- ). Let's keep things friendly and respectful. We're all here to share our love for stories. No pressure, no obligations. If you like the fic, drop some stones and support me! Those who still suspect NTR and the 'same shit as all other fan-fics' can read the spoiler added in the review section and then drop after... I apologise for the immature response..
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