Mason ended the call and turned to face his captive as he pocketed the phone. He was immediately irritated to see the lack of fear in the man's eyes and without warning sent his fist flying into his face. He loved seeing the blood appear almost instantly from his mouth and he made no attempt to stop the smile that spread across his face. Still no fear just anger and for now that would have to do.

The other men shook their heads as Mason wiped Morgan's blood on his trousers and walked away toward the broken front window to compose himself. He had plans and it was way too early to hurt this man too badly.

Morgan staggered as the full force of the man's fist landed between his mouth and cheek. He was surprised by the power impressed that a man like Mason was so strong. He seemed to have no relationship with hard work or any sort of physical exertion yet he'd rocked Morgan nearly knocking him down. He wiped the blood from his mouth and instinctively moved to rush the older man before he was stopped and slammed into a nearby chair. Sal and Oliver, Mason's heavy lifters held him in place as he struggled to get to his feet.

"Relax agent you're not going anywhere. The four of us are going to get acquainted."

"What do you want, Burton?"

"I'm in a bit of a bind, I guess you could say and I need the beautiful Penelope to help me out of it."

His back was still to Morgan as he stared out into the night's blackness.

"She's not going to help you so why don't you just let me go!"

"I've known Penelope a lot longer than you and in case you haven't found out yet, she can be very stubborn."

Morgan increased his struggle against the heavy hands that had him pinned in place.

"You still haven't answered my question; what do you want?"

Mason turned and approached Morgan coming to a halt well into his personal space.

"Well, right now I need you to help me send a message to the sweet Penelope."

Home of Derek Morgan – later

"We've got to find him, Hotch!"

Garcia began pacing the room her thoughts racing she knew Mason better than anyone and she'd seen his dark side surface far too many times.

"Garcia, we need you to tell us everything you know about Mason Burton; his habits, his weaknesses, strengths, everything!"

"For starters, he's one of the smartest men I've ever met." She shot a glance at Reid.

Reid looked up in shock.

"Sorry genius…but it's true."

"What else, Garcia?"

"He's determined and extremely arrogant. He hates to lose and when he doesn't get his way…"

She looked away from the team and sat on the couch holding her hands tightly in her lap.

"What?"

"Let's just say, he'll do anything to win. We better find him quick or Morgan…"

"We'll find him don't worry, Garcie!"

JJ took the seat next to her friend and put her arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Where do we start looking?" Rossi asked.

The room fell silent and each of them fought a sudden sense of hopelessness. Then Garcia's phone rang…it was text message with an attachment.

Unknown Location –

Morgan struggled to find enough strength to pull his body from the floor. Mason, Sal and Oliver looked on as his futile attempt sent hisses of laughter through the room. The three of them had taken turns pounding and kicking him. He hadn't gone down easy and he'd gotten in a few good licks, which only served to make them angry and more vicious in their attack against him. He heard a sickening cracking sound when Oliver sent his large booted foot into his right side. His only satisfaction was feeling the man's blood splatter in his face as he'd gotten in a solid punch to his front teeth. The three had taken turns filming the assault and he knew now that his team was watching and he regretted the fact that Garcia would also be watching and blaming herself.

His arm buckled under his weight and he crashed to the floor sending renewed chards of pain through his injured right side.

"Hey, tough guy stay down!" Sal yelled out.

Ignoring the warning Morgan tried again to rise from the floor and this time it was Mason who kicked him this time in his stomach sending him backwards onto his back.

"She's not going to help you! It doesn't matter what you do to me!"

"Oh she'll help me. I see how she looks at you. Right now she's beside herself with worry and blaming herself. She's good at that you know."

"You won't get away with this! None of you will!"

Ignoring the pain-riddled declarations from the younger man, Mason looked toward the other two.

"Take him to the cellar and lock him in. He'll need his rest before we start again."

The two men grabbed him by his arms and ankles and carried him from the house and out into the cold dark air. Each step sent more and more agonizing pain throughout his body and he didn't want to think what else Mason had in store for him.

Back in the house Mason paced the floor nervously checking his watch and running his hands through his hair. He hadn't anticipated problems that would force him to such extreme measures but he knew what would happen to him if he didn't make things good with his associates. As time ticked away he felt his back up against the proverbial wall and he didn't like it. Penelope was the only one that could help him pull off his plan and he wasn't going to take no for an answer. If it meant forcing her to watch her lover die a slow painful death then he was willing to be as convincing as necessary to make her comply with his wishes.

Home of Derek Morgan –

The memory of her past with Mason sickened her. She hated what she had become with him and she was tired of blaming it on being young and insecure. She'd believed everything he said believed he could do anything and bought his lies hook line and sinker. He'd convinced her that no one understood her like he did and no one in their right mind would ever love her like he did. As she sat in front of her laptop and fighting to keep her composure, she vowed to be the woman she had never been with Mason, after all, that's why she'd run from that life so many years ago. Morgan had shown her what love felt like and looked like and she wasn't going to allow Mason or anyone else to take him from her. He deserved more than that and so did she. Mason had been so used to winning and so use to being in control and having his way especially with her that he'd assumed that this time would be no different. Even after all these years he still saw her as the same young foolish woman he'd met at the mall willing to do anything to get his approval and attention but she wasn't the same little girl. She was strong now and wiser and she'd learned to use her gifts to do good and not harm she'd taken her power back from a man that didn't deserve it…never deserved it. This time she was going to beat him no matter what it cost her.

The ring of her phone shocked her out of her thoughts she hadn't expected to hear from him so soon. She inhaled and answered trying to keep her voice even; she refused to show him any fear.

"Penelope, my darling how did you like my little home movie?"

"Let him go, Mason!"

"But we're just getting to know each other. What kind of host would that make me?"

"Stop playing games! This isn't going to end well for you and your friends!"

"Listen at my little Cherub all grown up and fearless! He must mean a great deal to you."

She felt herself wavering and she took another deep breath.

"He means everything to me."

"I remember when I meant everything to you."

"Is this what this is all about? You're jealous?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Penelope."

"Then what is it?"

"This is about money! It's always been about money, Penelope!"

"Yes, it was always about money wasn't it?"

"My poor naive Penelope always looking for that fairytale…happily ever after and all that nonsense. What good are people if they don't have a purpose? I thought I taught you that."

"Yeah you did didn't you and like everything else you taught me, it was a lie!"

"Penelope, I'm disappointed; after all I've done for you…"

"Mason, let Morgan go! Enough is enough!"

"You asked me if I was jealous…yeah I am you belong to me and you always will."

"Mason…"

"I want you back, I should have never let you go, I was a fool!"

"Mason…"

"Tell me it's not too late for us!"

"I'm not the same person I was before. I have a new life a better life now."

"That's too bad. I was hoping I could convince you to give us another chance."

"Let him go, Mason! Please! If you love me, then you'll let him go, now!"

"If you love him, then you'll come to me now!"

"Mason, I can't do that!"

"You have one hour. I'll send you the address. Just you no one else or he dies!"

"But you said we had twenty-four hours!"

"One hour or he's dead!"