"What do you mean by that?" asked Roman following along behind Dean. Ever since Seth had gotten married and went on his honeymoon, Roman had been trying to put things right with Dean which was going as expected when your trying to get a guy known as a the Lunatic Fringe to see a different point of view. Renee had stayed out of it, instead focusing on her daughter and making sure she had everything she needed. "Dean?" called Roman his voice filled with uncertainty and curiosity over the statement one of them he had once called brother had said. It was at times like these when the Samoan really did wish Seth was there to help him out. Especially when the words Dean had spoken so effortlessly sounded terrifying,
"Our past enemies will find us again. Seth knew it so he kept an eye on what they were doing. Since Evolution aren't a problem at the moment its only a matter of time before someone else from the past pops up. Rusev being the most likely one" responded Dean making it clear although Evolution and Shane weren't much of a problem any more it didn't mean others they had crossed paths with in the past would be so easily put to rest. Roman swallowed hard at hearing the name of the Bulgarian Brute, the memories of a time so long ago coming back along with the promise Rusev had made to him upon parting ways and what happened with his precious Lana. The hatred in Rusev's voice still echoing in Roman's mind when he remembered the event that forced them to go separate ways.
"If Rusev is back then he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants. Everyone will be collateral damage in his mission of vengeance, especially if its because of what happened with Lana. He will make it his personal mission to make everyone he sees as responsible suffer like she no doubt did and has done over the years" replied Roman, feeling as a shiver went down his spine at the mere thought of seeing their former ali again, more because he knew there was a good chance Rusev blamed him more than anyone else for what happened to the Ravishing Russian, Rusev had once called his companion. There was nothing that man wouldn't do to make his enemies suffer.
"Seth kept an eye on him. He reappeared in Florida four months ago and has set up home base in an abandoned warehouse. Lana came with him. The scars are pretty obvious but other than that and probably the mental damage she seems alright" spoke Dean revealing the Bulgarian Brute was already in the state, although it was unclear who his targets actually were as there were a lot of people involved in that event so many years ago. He watched as Roman shook again with a shiver, clearly the memories of what happened to make Rusev view them as an enemy rather than friend. "For now he's just watching like we are with him. He has however made himself known to Evolution and to Jarrett's crew. Either he doesn't know we are here or he has and he's just waiting for the right time to make himself known" added Dean, he knew there was a better chance the man didn't actually know they were there. After all back then they went by The Shield where as now all three of them worked under the Knight's Raven Banner.
"Shouldn't we call Seth back? What if something happens?" asked Roman, he knew deep down it would be unfair to Seth and Paige to call them back from their honeymoon so early yet there was also a part of him that was absolutely terrified about Rusev being so close. He knew out of the three Shield members, the Bulgarian most likely blamed him the most for what happened to Lana so long ago. After all it was thanks to him agreeing with Shane's plan that put the blond Russian in so much unseen danger in the first place. Back then he was Shane's right hand man thrust he was often responsible for the team when they were sent out alone.
"They will be back in just under a week. Let them enjoy what's left of their honeymoon" came the voice of AJ Styles as he walked around the mansion, a small smile on his lips to see the just over one year old Freya crawling across the floor, knocking her favourite toy around as she did so. "The odds of Rusev knowing you're in Florida is pretty low, he came here because both Jarrett's crew and Evolution are here. He doesn't know the Shield is part of Knight's Raven, come to think of it I doubt he even knows about Knight's Raven" added AJ, giving both men reassurance Rusev would be unlikely to know they were even there, unless they made themselves known to him. "The only other way he would know you're here is if his partner in crime tells him. I think his name is Aiden English" finished AJ at least giving them the name of the other who could of realised who they were and informed Rusev although he doubted it due to him not joining forces with the Bulgarian until after the life changing incident with Lana.
"Either way we all have something to lose now" responded Roman, realising now was the worst time for the Bulgaria to reappear, when Seth had recently gotten married to the woman he called his soul mate, Dean was also married with a daughter and he himself had a son although his baby momma still despised him, he still loved and cared for her hence why he was happy to follow her instruction, in the hopes he would once again gain her trust and affection. "Dean you know as well as I do, Rusev will do all in his power to make us feel the emotions he did that day. If he finds out about Paige, Renee or Zarah. He's going to go after them so he can use them against us, if he finds out about them then they wont be safe" added the Samoan, knowing what Rusev would do if he found out about the three women. He knew Rusev wouldn't care if the girls were mothers although he did have some respect if they were expecting, as he had shown in the past.
"We can't run Roman. Not now. If we run then Rusev will follow, plus running will put the girls at a greater risk. You also have Jordan to think of like I have little miss there to consider. Running and being on the road isn't a place for toddlers. They and we are better off here" spoke Dean, snuffing out Roman's idea before the Samoan even had a chance to speak the words. To him Running was no longer an option, not with Freya as it wasn't the life he wanted for his little girl, it wasn't the life he had promised Renee when they married years before hand. Just as he was sure it wasn't the life Zarah would be to please about or accept for her son. Seth too would be rather reluctant to run again, especially when he had finally found what he had spent so long looking for. "We may have more to lose now, but that's worth protecting and fighting for. They are our motivation to face the past and move on like we did with Evolution" added Dean, he knew either way the people he loved would be in danger, but he also knew running would gain Rusev's attention faster than staying would. It was already rather clear the Bulgarian native didn't know they were in the state.
"He's in Orlando at the moment, where Evolution and Jarrett's bunch are based. Unless one of them tell him you're here, he shouldn't notice. Kane is keeping an eye on him as well, apparently Rusev's file has passed over his desk" added Finn revealing the city the Bulgarian Brute was currently in, he knew the biggest risk to them at the moment was Jarrett's bunch, although he doubted if they knew they were in Tampa as far as he was aware only Evolution and the Brothers of Destruction knew of their location and some of the employees. "You should be safe for now at least. The only threat to you I can see is Zarah" finished Finn seeing Dean attempt to hold back the laughter that was threatening to escape, especially upon imagining the normally harmless Zarah doing something to Roman. The Samoan only looked on with a small unsure smile, clearly having caught onto the inside joke there and for the first time in so long feeling as if he actually belonged there.
Over in Orlando, Mark was sat behind his desk at the station he worked at. The events over the last couple of years going around in his head. Paige's wedding, the Shield's arrival, Knight's Raven, the past coming back to bite him in the ass. All the feeling over the events coming back to him, the anger, tears, fear even the happiness and joy. Although he hated not being able to walk his oldest daughter down the isle he could understand why she had chosen Kane, just as he was at least thankful she chose a member of the family. The older man would admit he didn't particularly agree with the wedding but soon changed his mind when he could see how happy Paige was and the love in which Seth held for her. He could see it wasn't just a one sided relationship as he had original thought but what every father hoped for his little girl as they're growing up.
"How did Knight's Raven get over here. I thought I got rid of that before we left our old lives behind?" spoke Mark, Kane was the only other one in the room besides Viktor and Konnor both of which were well aware of what the two much older men had done for a living before turning to becoming well respected police officers and the best in the business when it come to taking down those running the underworld. Kane just looked over with a small smile although he had an uncertain look in his eyes as he hoped Mark wouldn't ask that. Ever. Especially since Kane himself was responsible for it. It wasn't long before Mark looked over to Kane, noticing he was unusually quiet, as well as concentrating on getting his pile of paper work and reports down. "Kane?" added Mark, his suspicion rising the longer Kane was unusually quiet and acted as if he was hiding something.
"I couldn't live with the guilt Mark" whispered Kane, his voice barely auditable to those around him especially to the man who had pretty much suspected he had something to do with the reappearance of Knight's Raven after so long of it being just a memory. Kane looked over to his older brother, the guilt once again there but not because he had saved the company, over the event that would have been had he not undermined his brother and the decisions he had made so many years ago. "I could live with the secret knowing Paige would never know who she really was. I kept your secret until she found out for herself. But I couldn't just forget her mother, not when she was apart of our family. I couldn't live with myself knowing Paige would inherit nothing but hatred towards a woman who wanted nothing but the best for her little girl. So when we turned our backs on the business and you set your mind on destroying or selling everything that was Saraya's. I hired someone to keep Knight's Raven hidden until Paige discovered the truth if she ever did. I merged it with our own one so you wouldn't notice it. I saved what I could of her processions so Paige would have something. What I couldn't find the people I hired tracked down and put in the vaults" explained Kane finally coming clean with his big brother on how Knight's Raven had survived and why. The pain in Kane's voice showing he was being honest and how much the events all those years ago hurt him.
"You put her in danger!" shouted Mark in response, the normally quiet area of the station echoing with the sound of Mark's anger filled voice. The older man feeling so many emotions, confusion, relief he had found out the truth, anger, frustration and hatred. All of the emotions boiling over as he thought his oldest daughter was put in danger because his own brother couldn't leave the past behind, cause his own brother got a conscious at the worst possible time when the life of his niece was literally hanging in the balance. Kane just looked over at Mark, his own anger beginning to boil over, especially when he thought of all the times when he had been more of a father to Paige than Mark had been. He remembered all the times Mark wasn't there for his little girl when she needed him the most. "She's my daughter!" added Mark the same anger in his voice just as the pure emotion was evident to anyone who could hear him shouting, Kane just shook his head trying hard to keep his words and thoughts to himself, although the struggle was one he debated whether he actually wanted to win.
"Yes! She's your daughter and you denied her the right to know her mother and her true heritage. You took away what she needed the most and when she needed you, where were you? Focusing on work and trying to forget she is a permanent remind of your darkest secret" shouted Kane in response, his voice showing his frustration on the matter, just as he was in disbelief Mark could be angry at him for what he had done when the actions he had taken as a father were so much worse and ended up doing more harm that good. "Your actions are the reason she rebelled against you, your actions are the reason why she left Mark. Paige isn't going to come back, the scared little girl you remember isn't coming back. Like it or not she's always going to be the princess she was born to be" added Kane, this time his voice more calm as he knew he had gained Mark's attention with the truth. Mark on the other hand just looked over to his little brother, unsure if he could say anything in response to what he said.
"She's not a little girl who needs her dad any more Mark. She's a grown woman who after all these years finally knows the truth on who she is. You know she's always going to be Saraya's daughter, no matter how much you try and ignore it or change it. She's happy now, don't make the same mistakes twice, she wont forgive if you do" added Kane when the air had cleared and things had calmed down a little more. He could remember when he seen the letter she wrote when she was just a teenager, just by reading the words he knew how she felt and how hard it had been for her. Yet every day she had acted as if everything was okay despite the fact nothing was. He kept the letter all these years in the hopes he could help her or see the signs in his own girls, or even just so he knew when she needed someone in the future.
"You knew all this time, Knight's Raven was out there and never said a thing. You knew eventually she would find out the truth and didn't think to tell me her father once of what was to come. She could have been killed because of this, I could lose her because of your reckless decision" responded Mark his anger once again getting the better of him, neither man had noticed Corey standing at the door to the room, in his hands was the letter Paige had written so many years ago and one she had written when she had found out the truth. He knew Kane was aware of the one written in her teenage years just as he was aware neither man was aware of the other she had written, although only a few words its meaning could go for everyone who ran from their past. But especially for her father and Roman whom had denied their past actions even when the consequences for them were plain for all to see.
"You've already lost her" shouted Kane in response no longer being able to hold back all the emotions he had inside and kept buried for so many years. "You may not of seen it but you lost her the day you hired someone to take out Saraya. She grew up never knowing who she was because of your choices, she felt abandoned and rebelled against you because you chose work over her. She left Orlando because she worked out she was the permanent reminder you didn't want of the past. She knows she looks near enough identical to her mother, that's why she never came back. So you could finally move on, so you could finally be happy without having to remember Saraya whenever you looked at her. For god sake Mark stop blaming everyone else for Paige leaving and look to your own god damn decisions" added Kane, returning to his desk to put everything back in its place. He soon looked up to see Corey there and the two envelopes he had in his hand, one of which he recognised almost instantly where as the other he could tell wasn't as old as the other discoloured one.
"She wanted it to be kept in the vault" spoke Corey for the first time, knowing Kane would understand, as evident when the older man just nodded. "But she wrote this one recently, its more of a note and goes for all those who tried to ignore their past, even those who are close to her" added the messenger of sorts, he soon carefully placed the single envelope on the table before both older men, leaving shortly after and disappearing into the shadows much like the Wyatt Family did on many occasions. It was still a mystery to most how they did that, some even consider it to be a factor in what made them appear so creepy to those they seen as enemies. Kane soon walked over to the envelope, carefully opening and knowing the writing was that of Paige's, he could recognise the writing of Paige, Summer or Emma with just one look.
"The past is in the future" were the six simple words written on the small piece of card, he soon showed it to Mark, putting their argument to the side for the time being although both men knew it would resume at a later date. Kane seen the simple words as a warning of what was to come, knowing eventually all the mistakes made in the past would come back to haunt him, just like he knew Paige was likely the part of the past to come back and bite Mark, as she had done so many times before. Both men also knew from the words Corey had spoke there was also others sent out, more than likely to those in the company she happily ran.
Elsewhere in their own mansion, AJ and Punk were keeping a close watch on what Rusev was doing, the man had made it his personal mission to take revenge on all those whom he seen as responsible for what happened to his beloved Lana. Both of them knew that meant Roman and possibly Seth and Dean as well, they had also been keeping a close eye on Aiden English, realising he could be looking for the last three Rusev seen as responsible. They knew all to well there was a high chance Aiden was told the story so many time it would be ingrained into his memory and would be willing to help catch and bring justice to those who both Lana and Rusev seen responsible for the incident.
"What are the odds of them going after Seth and Dean too?" asked AJ, deep down she knew the possibility was high, after all back then wherever one was the other two hounds were too far behind. The small woman was scared of the things she had read about this man, how he had worked with some of the nastiest in the business and even scared them. She was truly scared when she read what the man did to his victims or the ones he seen as enemies. She had read how he tortured his victims both physically and mentally, taking those closest to the intended target and killing them without showing a single human emotion and avoiding the police. Many of his victims had been found on the side of the road or in some out of the way place, disregarded like they were nothing more than trash.
"I don't know AJ. I wish I knew I really do" whispered Punk in response as he ran a hand through his hair and pulled at some he had grasp in his balled hand. He wouldn't admit it out loud he was afraid for his little brother. He knew Seth had finally found everything he wanted, and now there was a chance Rusev would take it all away to gain his so called revenge. Dean too could lose everything as could all those involved. "Lets hope Aiden or anyone working for Rusev doesn't find out they are here or about the girls. If he does find out, then Paige, Renee and Zarah would be in a lot of danger, although Rusev will leave the kids alone" added Punk, he could remember the last time he had come across someone being hunted by Rusev, they were scared of everything around them and they had already lost what they cared about the most. He could remember that person so clearly, in the end they couldn't take it and threw themselves into on coming traffic rather than wait for Rusev to finally get him.
"Please tell me, he wont get hold of any of them" whispered AJ, tears in her eyes at the thought of losing someone she cared about so much. Seth was her family as was Paige now and Dean she considered her best friend, the only person as crazy as she was. She didn't know what she would do if she lost either of them or Renee. To her they were her family, the ones she could turned to about anything. To her losing them would be the end of everything she knew, it would change the way she saw and did things. "I don't think I could handle losing any of them" added the New Jersey native, tears coming to her eyes at the thought of losing those who were so close to her. Punk soon shut the laptops lids and went over to his wife, quickly wrapping her in his arms and doing his best to calm her and his own fears. He could relate to her worries as he felt them too.
"They'll be okay. You know Finn. He wont let anyone get near those in Knight's Raven and the mansions can with stand a blast or two. They'll be safe in the mansions" responded Punk his voice shaky as the danger his little brother would be in when he got back dawned on him. He knew eventually the past decisions all three members of the Shield made would come back to bite them, yet he wished it hadn't been in the form of Rusev. The man was a sadistic killer and didn't care if a man had a wife or children, he would user their lover against them and make them feel the pain and listen as that special someone was tortured and killed. It was a surprise how the man was even able to avoid authorities for so long. Surely someone out there would have caught him or put him down.
In an abandoned warehouse somewhere in Orlando, Rusev and his two most trusted companions Aiden English and Lana, sat around a small make shift table made out of old crates. The man known as the Bulgarian Brute looked to each side of him and then to the men they had hired to find those both he and Lana seen as responsible for the accident so many years before. They had succeeded in finding the Evolution members hence why they were there in the first place. Jarrett Impact Crew were just a coincidence but one that Lana at least was thankful for.
"And what about the three known as the Hounds. What of Shane's loyal dogs?" asked Lana, her Russian ascent coming through thick although she hid herself in the shadows, her voice made it clear she was a woman and a dangerous one at that. The tone of her voice suggest she meant business and she was the one who was really in charge, although most would assume it to be Rusev. "Have you found them yet?" added Lana, she could remember how surprised she was upon learning the useless men she had hired found some of them responsible for what happened so many years ago, living their lives like nothing ever happened, moving on and forgetting such a big event as if she didn't exist or was a figment of their imaginations.
"No ma'am, there has been no trace of them since they relocated here. The last Jarrett claims to have seen them was a few years ago when they saved a girl he was targetting. No one has seen them since then. Evolution claim they haven't seen the trio since parting ways with them on bad terms over a decade ago. A year or so after your accident" spoke Mike Kanellis, the fear in his voice at what might happen to him, showing through rather plainly as his body shook when Rusev stood to his feet. Lana still hidden in the shadows just behind, it was clear she was trying to hide something even when he had heard of her beauty. Rusev soon looked back to where Lana was standing, knowing how much she wanted revenge on those three in particular.
"What do you know of them? Tell me everything" demanded Rusev, the Bulgarian doing his best to intimate the much smaller man, as he had done with the others they had hired to find those who had caused his precious Lana so much torment over the years. Most of them had failed and met a rather undesirable end to prevent it being known they were back and on the search for revenge. Mike Kanellis soon settle a little bit, shakily drinking from the plastic cup of water as well as listening as the lights above buzzed in protest of being used for so long. He could even hear the sound of water dripping from somewhere although he didn't know where, the entire place gave him the creeps.
"They appeared in Orlando about three or four years ago. Evolution followed them in order to tie up loose ends as well as to confront another of their enemies. After Stephanie, Hunter, Shane, Randy, Batista and John were sentenced. The trio disappeared, no trace of them have been found. Although it was noted that Dean Ambrose was rather protective of a blond Canadian Renee Young. It is also suspected that Roman Reigns is romantically linked to Zarah Jones, rumour says he's the father of her child. As for the other, he was last noted to be protecting a girl. Although no one will say her name out of fear" responded Mike, his hands shaking as he slid the last known pictures of the three across the table, in each one it showed the three men with the girls he had spoken off.
"Ah, the Princess has returned" spoke Aiden, making it clear he was aware of who the unknown girl was. He soon picked up the picture of Seth and the so called princess, noticing all three remaining occupants in the room had turned their attention to him. "Her name is Paige Knight. She's the only daughter of Saraya Knight and the owner of Knight's Raven. You're contacts are unlikely to tell you her location due to who works under her. Corey Graves, the Wyatt family, Finn Balor and his demons" added Aiden revealing why so many appeared to deny even knowing her name, The Wyatt's alone could strike fear into people's heart without even being seen, just that sense of being watched was enough. "Her father and uncle are effectively known as The Brothers of Destruction. Going after her is suicide. As it will be going after the Hounds if they work for her. Chances are they already know we're here" finished Aiden revealing if the trio they were looking for did work for Paige then their chances of getting revenge had drastically dropped. They wouldn't find anyone out there willing to cross the Demons, Wyatt's or Brother of Destruction. There wasn't anything they could do to convince them otherwise.
"No!" shouted Lana stepping into the light to reveal the scarring down the left side of her face and neck. Her blond hair down in an attempt to hide the ugly scarring and seem like a normal person. "I want my revenge and I want them to pay for what they did to me. Whatever it takes. Even if we have to walk up to their front door or cross their protectors. I have waited long enough for justice" calmly spoke the Russian beauty, returning to the shadows once again as she became self conscious of the scars and ashamed of them once again. The memory of what happened that day burned into her mind and still haunted her like it happened just weeks earlier. Rusev soon went over to the woman he had married, giving her a smoothing hug and a sweet kiss. Showing no matter what he loved her and would do anything to see her smile again, even if that meant going on a wild goose chase.
"Find out all you can about them and the girls they are linked to. Maybe if we ask enough questions they will come to us. For now we wait for the right time to strike. When they least expect it. That way we can inflict a lot more damage to them and it puts us in control" calmly responded Rusev making sure to keep both his wife and best friend happy. He was well aware Lana wanted her own personal form of Justice on all those who left her scared and left her for dead that day, just as he knew Aiden wanted to get this over and done with quickly without being caught and hopefully with them in control. "Zarah, Paige and Renee are our key. We wait until the time arises then catch the three of them. Force the hounds to come to us and save their precious lovers" added Rusev, seeing the evil and twisted smile to appear on Lana's lips upon hearing what her husband had in mind, all she wanted was her revenge, she didn't care about the innocent people who got caught in the cross fire or the lives which would be ruined if she happened to succeed with the plans she had set out in her mind.