[David's POV]
Spider-Man sitting on the ledge, tugging his mask just under his nose so he could eat. I watched him quietly for a moment before asking, "How did you know that the gang was gonna hit the museum?"
He hesitated, chewing slower, clearly unsure if he wanted to answer.
I pointed at the hot dog in his hand. "Come on, Spidey, I even gave you a bribe."
That made him chuckle nervously. "Really? You're calling hot dogs a bribe?"
"Worked, didn't it?" I said evenly.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Fine, fine. I will tell you."
I stayed quiet, watching him fidget. He scratched the back of his head and admitted, "I kinda got tipped off that Maggia were making some kind of move. I did not expect them to roll in with that much firepower though. And I definitely did not expect to run into Black Cat... or you."
His tone thoughtful now. "I have not really been fighting them directly, but they have been causing trouble around the places I usually swing through. I think I might have spoiled their plans more than once without even knowing it. And it is not just them. There are a lot of groups suddenly getting bold, trying to claim territory or push their luck. Feels like every other night I am breaking up some turf war or weapons deal."
His voice dropped a little, almost like he was admitting it to himself. "Guess you were right about the chaos part. It is happening."
I took another bite, finishing the hot dog, and washed it down with a drink of papaya juice. Then I looked at him. "How much do you know about the Maggia crime family as a whole?"
He replied, shaking his head. "I don't know everything. Just bits and pieces I've picked up. They're spread all over the city, and they deal in the usual illegal stuff. That's it."
I studied him for a moment, then leaned forward. "Then it looks like you need a crash course. The Maggia are not just one group. They are a syndicate made of multiple crime families, each with their own boss, structure, and territories."
Spider-Man wiped his mouth. "You're saying there's more than just Hammerhead's people?"
"Much more," I explained calmly. "There is the Manfredi Family. The Nefaria Family. The Hammerhead Family. The Karnelli Family. The Costa Family. The Nobili Family. And the Libris Family. Seven major branches, all powerful in their own right."
Spidey stopped mid-bite, stunned. "Seven?! I thought it was just Hammerhead making all the noise."
"Hammerhead is loud, yes, but he is only one piece of the puzzle. Each family specializes in something—drugs, weapons, smuggling, racketeering. But together, they are a shadow empire that has lasted for generations. And they are not just in this city."
Spider-Man swallowed his last piece of hot dog, processing. "Okay... that is way bigger than I thought. No wonder they have been everywhere lately."
"Exactly," I said, finishing the last of my papaya juice. "You have been running into ripples. What you have not seen yet is the ocean they come from."
By now we had both finished eating. Spider-Man suddenly asked, "Why are you telling me this?"
Before I could answer, my earpiece buzzed softly. I knew who it was. I tapped it without moving much. "Yeah, okay. I'll be there."
I stood up, storing the trash. "Sorry Spidey, gotta go. As for the your question just think of it as advice. You need information, it is the key, if you're gonna keep doing what you're doing."
I stood on the ledge and looked down. Most of the police and ambulances were gone, only a few patrol cars circling the museum now. Spider-Man pulled his mask back over his face. I turned to him again. "But before I go, can I ask you something? Why are you doing this? Why Spider-Man? Is there a reason?"
For a second he froze, silent. A full minute passed before he finally spoke. "I'm doing this because I could've stopped something bad once… and I didn't. And someone I loved paid the price. I learned the hard way that if you have the power to help, you also have the responsibility to do it. That's why I'm Spider-Man."
When he turned back, the hood guy was already gone.
Spider-Man let out a small mutter, his voice low under the mask. "Really? He disappears while I'm pouring my heart out... figures."
Then he found a phone with a folded note under it, at the position where the guy was standing. He picked it up and read the words written there.
Great power, great responsibility, I get it. But also know this: taking on the responsibility will lead to many things both good and bad. So if you need me, call this number xxxxxxxxxxx. This is a burner phone, untraceable, at least for now.
Spider-Man kept staring at the note, his eyes fixed on the words. After a long moment, he pocketed both the phone and the note, then finally leapt off the building into the night.
---
---
Back when I had still been talking with Spider-Man, Robert was the one who called and said, "The package is secured."
I knew exactly what he meant. Before heading into the museum, I had called both Robert and Tahani. Robert had been nearby, while Tahani was across town in a club. I gave them the location and told them to keep eyes on the museum's perimeter and be ready.
When I asked for their positions later, they had already converged near the building. My instructions had been simple: "A black kitty will be escaping. Rendezvous and apprehend."
At first, they were confused. But once they reached the scene, the meaning became clear. Someone had slipped out from the chaos. They had pursued her and caught her.
The night was quiet above the city. A cold wind brushed across the rooftop as I stepped out of the shadows. Robert and Tahani were already waiting, both wearing masks, their postures sharp and alert. I noticed right away that Tahani's clothes carried the marks of a scuffle.
I walked closer, my eyes shifting past Robert and Tahani. For once, I froze mid-step, speechless.
Suspended upside down from a steel bar was Felicia Hardy, the Black Cat herself. Her wrists and ankles were bound tight with reinforced cord, leaving her hanging like a trophy. Her mask was still on, her sharp eyes narrowed in defiance despite her helpless position.
I tilted my head. "Why is she tied up like that?"
Tahani folded her arms. "She ran her mouth. I didn't appreciate it. Tried to slip away again, so I made sure she wouldn't."
Robert nodded. "She was persistent, but she lost."
I looked at Felicia for a moment longer. "Did you find any drive on her?"
Both of them answered at once. "No," Robert said flatly. Tahani shook her head.
I chuckled softly, breaking the silence. "Really?" My eyes lingered on Felicia as I smirked. "Tahani, check her chest."
Felicia's eyes widened and she thrashed against the cords, muffled sounds escaping behind the tape on her mouth. Her reaction was all the confirmation I needed.
Tahani glanced at me, then shrugged and reached in without hesitation. A second later, she pulled out a small drive and handed it over. I took it, rolling it between my fingers as my red eyes glowed faintly in the city light.
Felicia's glare burned hotter, her pride stung worse than the restraints. I let out a short laugh and met her eyes. "Always hiding something, huh?"
I told them to bring her down.
Her eyes were starting to turn red from the blood rushing to her head. While they lowered her, I moved a few steps away and connected the drive to my laptop, asking Gideon to copy the contents.
Once the process started, I walked back and crouched in front of her, meeting her gaze at eye level. Tahani stood just behind me, while Robert leaned against a pole, watching quietly.
I quickly peeled the tape off her mouth. Air rushed past her lips. Despite her position, Felicia gave a thin smile and spoke. "Took you long enough to join the party. You've got the whole silent-and-scary thing down, but trust me, I've seen scarier."
She smirked through the discomfort, her words sharp. "You think tying me up makes you the big man in the room? Please. You're just another player trying to grab a piece of the pie. And believe me, I know greedy men when I see them. You can take the drive, the loot, hell, even the credit. But deep down, you're no different than the rest. You want something. They always do."
Her tone was cutting, vengeful, laced with cynicism. She hated being weak, and every syllable dripped with defiance. "Go ahead, glare all you want. You don't scare me. Not really. I've dealt with worse than you. And when I get out of this, you'll regret ever—"
I leaned in closer, cutting her off without raising my voice. My eyes locked on hers, my words quiet but sharp enough to slice through her bravado.
"Felicia Hardy."
For the first time that night, her smirk faltered.
I let the silence hang for a moment, then spoke evenly. "Stop yapping, would you, Felicia? You are not threatening me or anyone else here. I did not catch you just for the drive. I want to know about your father, Walter Hardy, the original Black Cat, especially about his death."
Mentioning her father made her eyes blaze with fury, but behind the anger I could see confusion building. She narrowed her eyes and demanded, "Why do you even want to know about my father?"
I kept my voice steady. "Because we might have a common enemy. You tell me what happened to your father, and I will let you leave with the drive. Then you can go your way."
Her breathing quickened, anger and conflict written across her face. For the first time, her bravado cracked. "Why should I trust you?"
"I am the one responsible for the recent chaos in the city," I replied calmly. "You must have heard about me, since I have a bounty on my head."
Hearing this, she froze, her eyes wide. "Wait… you're the Reaper with the one million bounty?"
I cringed. "The Reaper?"
Felicia gave a bitter laugh. "That's what they've been calling you. After the mess you left behind with that gang, the name stuck."
I had the urge to facepalm, but I kept my composure. She tilted her head, eyes still sharp. "So what does that have to do with you asking about my father?"
"Let's just say someone was behind the gang I took out. And I have intel that he seems to be working with the Maggia now. I need to know who it was." The lie slid smoothly from my lips.
Felicia's smirk slowly faded. Her eyes softened into something darker, more personal. "My father was killed by the Kingpin. He was working a job, and he crossed him. Kingpin has been trying to bring Maggia under his fold ever since. That's one of the reason i'm working with Hammerhead. Because one day, I'll make the Kingpin pay."
As she finished speaking, I heard two notification pings, but I ignored them for now.
"T, cut her off," I ordered Tahani. She sliced through the cords holding Felicia. Once free, Felicia stood, glaring at me and Tahani, though her eyes flicked warily toward Robert, who straightened up. I tossed the drive to her. She caught it and tucked it back between her chest.
"That is it? All this fiasco for just this?" she asked.
"Yeah, that is it."
Her glare sharpened. "Are you going after the Kingpin?"
"Maybe. Unless I have a particular lead, I will not move," I lied smoothly.
Felicia stepped closer, her lips curling into a sly smile. "That means we could work together, you know." Her voice softened, laced with seduction as her hips swayed deliberately.
I was not having it. My hand shot out, gripping her throat firmly, stopping her act cold. I lifted her off the ground and brought her close, my voice low and sharp. "It might work on others, but not me. Don't test my patience."
She struggled against my grip, her nails clawing at my wrist, but I held steady. Then I threw her down hard onto the rooftop. She coughed violently, eyes watering from the choke, her pride wounded as much as her throat.
I stared down at her as she gasped for air. "If you are that hell bent on getting revenge and want to work with us, I will give you a task. If you can do that, then we will work together. If not, then that is it."
I pulled a burner phone from my pocket and tossed it to her side. "Contact me when you are ready." Without another glance, I turned and walked away, Tahani and Robert following me, leaving her there on the rooftop with her anger and the choice I had given her.
To Be Continued...