love is for children

When Black Widow walks into a Portland brewpub seeking help instead of trouble, she brings with her a mission that will unite two worlds of elite operatives. The Red Room has returned with a terrifying new method of control, and Natasha Romanoff needs the Leverage team's specialized skills to save her sisters before it's too late. In a high-stakes alliance between superhero and criminal masterminds, the line between rescue and revenge blurs as they plan a mission that could either free dozens of Widows or spark a dangerous confrontation with a ruthless organization that never stops hunting.

love is for children

When Black Widow walks into a Portland brewpub seeking help instead of trouble, she brings with her a mission that will unite two worlds of elite operatives. The Red Room has returned with a terrifying new method of control, and Natasha Romanoff needs the Leverage team's specialized skills to save her sisters before it's too late. In a high-stakes alliance between superhero and criminal masterminds, the line between rescue and revenge blurs as they plan a mission that could either free dozens of Widows or spark a dangerous confrontation with a ruthless organization that never stops hunting.

The door to the Last Call Brewpub closes behind me, the bell jangling softly against the muted conversation. I scan the room, my Widow training automatically cataloging exits, threats, and potential allies. Portland's progressive reputation is confirmed by the hostess's name tag: Zara, she/her. Her eyes meet mine with a practiced assessment that tells me she's not just a regular hostess.

"If you are here to cause trouble, there will be a great deal of it," she says without preamble.

I incline my head in acknowledgment of her directness. "I'm here for help, not to cause trouble. Is there a booth where I could wait until they have time to talk to me?"

She studies me for another moment before leading me to a back booth with excellent visibility. After taking my order, she disappears into the kitchen. I sit alone with my thoughts and a rapidly cooling red ale, knowing this meeting could change everything for the Widows still trapped.

The food arrives surprisingly quickly - pelmeni with sour cream and dill, shashlyk on either side. The scent immediately transports me to childhood memories I've carefully compartmentalized. As I lean in to smell it, I deliberately expose the back of my neck - a calculated risk and a sign of trust for the man I know is watching.

Eliot Spencer slides into the booth across from me, a dish towel still tucked into his belt. His hands smell of chicken stock and garlic as he places a different beer in front of me - a dark porter with chocolate notes.

"You need help," he states, not questions. "Am I gonna have a pub standing at the end of this?"

I meet his eyes, letting the carefully constructed mask slip just enough to reveal the truth beneath. "My sisters are in trouble," I say quietly. "And I don't know who else to trust."

Before he can respond, movement from above catches my eye. Parker drops silently into the seat beside me, seemingly appearing from nowhere. "I wondered if the air vent there was coincidental," I remark, moving my plate slightly to let her steal a pelmeni.

A third presence approaches - Alec Hardison, his Pinky and the Brain t-shirt belying his reputation as one of the world's greatest hackers. He slides into the remaining seat, completing the triangle of Leverage's core team.

Three pairs of eyes study me, each calculating, assessing, weighing the risk. The fate of dozens of Widows hangs in the balance of their decision. I take a breath, ready to make my case.