Brock Rumlow's entire body tensed instantly. He looked at Thomas with surprise and asked, " Thomas, what did you just say?!"
Thomas looked around warily and said again, " Rumlow, you're going to die!"
A thin layer of sweat appeared on Brock Rumlow's forehead. He knew Thomas's background well and dared not take the kid's words lightly.
He craned his neck nervously and leaned closer, asking in a low voice, " Thomas, who wants to kill me?!"
Thomas craned his neck and leaned closer, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, and whispered, " Rumlow, Adele just showed me a list, and your name is on it!"
List!
Brock Rumlow was startled; he knew that term all too well!
Could it be the HYDRA threat list that Floyd Benson mentioned?!
He couldn't help but recall the seemingly casual question Alexander Pierce had asked him when he was reporting the mission to him earlier.
[Captain Rumlow, did Floyd Benson tell you who was on that list?]
Was he testing me?
Pierce must be testing me!!!
Brock Rumlow panicked instantly, frantically trying to recall how he had answered...
[No, sir! That old guy only revealed that his name was on the list, which is why he chose to betray HYDRA...]
No problem! My answer should be fine...
Brock Rumlow breathed a sigh of relief.
Before he could wipe the cold sweat from his brow, Thomas said mysteriously, " Rumlow, you really need to be wary of that old bastard Alexander Pierce..."
He glanced around warily again and said, " Adele said that Alexander Pierce is eliminating everyone on the list one by one!"
"I've asked people to check, but no one knows exactly where on that list they've removed from..."
Brock Rumlow's heart leaped into his throat once more.
He stared intently at Thomas, and asked reluctantly, " Thomas, are you sure my name is on that list?!"
"Of course!" Thomas assured him, patting his chest. "That list is top secret, something Adele got from her father!"
Brock Rumlow pressed, "What's the name of that list?"
Thomas scratched his head and thought for a moment, then said uncertainly, "I think it's called something like a threat list?"
Brock Rumlow said in a hoarse voice, "A list of HYDRA threats?!"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Thomas nodded quickly. "That's the name! Sorry, Rumlow, Adele said that list is too important; I can look at it but not take it..."
Brock Rumlow waved his hand weakly. "It's okay, as long as you're sure my name is on the list..."
"I'm absolutely certain of that!" Thomas patted his chest and said, " Adele specifically pointed out your name to me!"
"I also glanced at the other names on the list, and above yours was a guy named Floyd Benson..."
Brock Rumlow was shocked, and his face turned pale instantly.
Thomas, oblivious to his change in demeanor, continued, "I checked his file; it seems this person has been missing for a long time..."
At this point, he slapped his forehead and said, "Oh right, below your name is a man named Sitwell... He seems to be a Level 6 agent of S.H.I.E.L.D...."
" Sitwell?!" Brock Rumlow perked up at the name.
This guy is one of Pierce's staunch supporters!
His name has appeared on HYDRA's threat list?!
Damn it! Is Pierce trying to eliminate everyone around him?!
Even with his extensive combat experience, he couldn't understand why Alexander Pierce would do such a thing...
" Rumlow, Rumlow?" Thomas waved in front of Crossbones.
Brock Rumlow snapped out of his daze and looked at Thomas gratefully, "Thank you for telling me this, Thomas..."
He said with a bitter expression, "I'm afraid I can't help you with your marriage proposal to Baron Strucker..."
Thomas quickly waved his hand. "That's not important. The most important thing now is how you deal with Alexander Pierce's purge!"
Brock Rumlow shrugged with a wry smile, " Thomas... you know HYDRA's power. If Commander Pierce wants to kill me, I'll die no matter where I run..."
"No! No! No!" Thomas exclaimed hastily, "I can help you, Rumlow!"
" Adele told me that Baron Strucker doesn't approve of that horrible list! All the purges targeting that list were Alexander Pierce's own doing!"
"As long as you can get the Baron's protection, old man Pierce won't be able to do anything to you!"
Brock Rumlow was taken aback. "You mean you want me to side with Baron Strucker?"
Thomas nodded and said, "That's right! You are the famous Crossbones! His Excellency the Baron admires you greatly!"
Joining forces with Baron Strucker... is tantamount to betraying Pierce...
Crossbones couldn't help but recall the words Alexander Pierce had once said.
Traitors never deserve forgiveness!
He hesitated for a moment.
Seeing this, Thomas opened his mouth as if to urge them on, but Figo's voice immediately came through his Headset.
" Thomas, shut up and don't say a word!"
Thomas obediently shut his mouth immediately.
He didn't dare look around, and after seeing the bottles of liquor on the booth table, he simply picked up a bottle of Whiskey.
He forcefully pushed open the bottle cap with his thumb and placed the bottle of Whiskey in front of his Crossbones with a 'duang'.
Brock Rumlow picked up the bottle, tilted his head back, and gulped down half of it.
Then he slammed the bottle on the table, his eyes red, and said, " Thomas, please introduce me to His Excellency the Baron!"
Thomas grinned broadly. "No problem, Rumlow! I'll call Adele right away and ask her to make the introduction!"
Then, he eagerly took out his phone and dialed a number.
" Adele, Rumlow has agreed!"
Adele's delighted voice immediately followed. "Well done, Thomas! I'll report this to Father right away!"
After hanging up the phone, Thomas gave Crossbones an 'OK' sign. "All done, Rumlow ~"
"Next, you must remain hidden and not let Alexander Pierce's men find you..."
At this point, he suddenly slammed his fist into a fist. "You'd better go to Sokovia in secret; that's the Baron's stronghold..."
Even if Pierce finds out you're there, he won't dare to make a move!
"Thank you, Thomas!" Crossbones looked at his good nephew with gratitude.
Upon seeing this, Thomas slammed his hand on the table and stood up. " Rumlow, I'll arrange a flight to Sokovia for you right away!"
"Okay!" Crossbones nodded emphatically.
Thomas got up and quickly left.
At the same time, in a coffee shop about 100 meters away from Starlight Bar.
Thomas's friends Cass Soren and Sitwell, were sitting facing each other.
He said with a solemn expression:
"Uncle Sitwell, you're going to die!"