The next instant, Abomination vaulted straight out into the street. In the face of that raw power, reinforced concrete was a joke—he smashed through it in a single charge.
The impact jolted one of the lab rigs, and a splash of green blood dripped from a reservoir—falling right into the cut on Samuel Sterns's forehead.
Meanwhile—now that Blonsky had seized his new strength—what was our villain Maguire up to?
A café. Not the kind common folks could afford. Gilded décor, lights glittering everywhere—the most upscale coffeehouse in New York, where even a plain cup ran dozens of dollars.
At a corner table, Maguire sat in a black suit, smiling faintly toward the entrance.
A statuesque blonde stepped in, her figure carried with easy grace. A fire-red, form-fitting dress traced a perfect S-curve—like a moving flame. Golden hair spilled down her back. People all over the café stopped to stare; a few wore knowing smiles.
Under that envy, the blonde walked to Maguire's table. She smiled, and the room felt like a breeze in spring—stunning.
It was Holland-Spidey's Aunt May.
"Maguire, what do you think of this dress?" she asked.
He gave a light clap. "A sight fit for heaven—rarely seen on earth."
May blushed. For a moment, she looked less like a twenty-eight-year-old woman and more like a girl in her teens.
She sat. The lavish space, the clearly well-heeled crowd—despite knowing she wasn't plain, her background made her self-conscious. If Maguire hadn't invited her, she'd never have come.
He'd asked her out for coffee. She told herself that was all—though in her heart a little voice kept whispering: I want to go.
When the prices on the menu hit her, she froze. Those numbers were astronomical to her. She set the menu down, nervous. "This place is too expensive, Maguire. We could go somewhere else, couldn't we?"
Maguire just looked at her, heat in his eyes. May glanced up, then away, like a startled kitten. "If it's you," he said, tone sober, "no amount of money is wasted."
Color rose in her cheeks. She ordered the cheapest set; he ordered the same. Dishes arrived. Maguire's silver tongue kept her laughing; she found him gentlemanly, gentle, quick with a joke.
Soon the late supper was done, and they stepped to the café doors.
"I'll see you home," Maguire said softly.
A tiny pang of disappointment pricked at her. "Just… see me home?"
He read the conflict in her eyes and added, "How about a walk—burn off the calories?"
Surprise brightened her face. She nodded fast. "Okay. I don't want to put on weight anyway."
Maguire's heart kicked. Was tonight…?
A roar and the thunder of feet cut through the night. Crowds sprinted past, panic on their faces. In the distance, a massive green shape loomed into view.
"The Hulk—Banner?" Maguire muttered. "Breaking up you and Betty put you in a mood to crash my evening?"
A second look and he frowned. "Abomination? Well, well—Bully Points delivered to my door."
He glanced at May and felt a tug of war. Fish or bear's paw—you can't have both.
May clutched his arm, terrified. "We have to go. It's too dangerous!"
So be it, Maguire thought. Fate made the choice for me. Abomination—lucky you. No "polite conversation" tonight. I've got a better companion to talk to.
May tugged him toward a side alley, and he went with her. As they slipped into the narrow passage, several tall, burly men peeled off from the street and followed them in.
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