Chapter 18

It had been six months since he had walked away from them, or had they walked away from him? Either way they had parted ways. They had no idea where he had gone after leaving that hotel and true to her word Sophie had made no effort to track him even though she wanted to, even though it killed her not to. She often found herself wondering where he was and what he was doing. Was he just drowning himself in liquor like he had been before, was he just waiting for it all to end again? Hardison she knew had tried to find him but failed. Nate could stay gone when he wanted to. They had all returned to their home and after a few weeks of rest and recuperation had decided that they wanted to get back to work. Just like Eliot said, they were going to continue what they were doing. This was them now. It was what he had made them. They were a family and they helped people.

The first few jobs they did worked out well. Sophie ran the team and they all helped to plan the jobs. They were efficient and they were good just like Nate said they would be. It was the last job that brought it home, let them know that no matter how good they were, they were not Nate Ford the Mastermind, the man who had a million plans running around his head each time they took on a job, the man who saw all the angles, and that may very well cost them all their lives.

"So you thought you could steal from me con ME, and get away with it?" The tall dark haired man said to the group before hm. "You are not good enough to con me, and you will pay." He said in a hard deadly voice. "You woefully underestimated me."

"So what now?" Sophie asked looking at her team, her family. They were all bound, and in a way that not even Parker could escape from. This was it she thought, this was the end of the road, and she saw no way out for them. She had not seen this coming. She had no plan for this. Eliot was hurt, they were securely bound and had about ten guns lined on them. She wondered if they would be in this position if Nate had been around and felt a twinge of sorrow and regret.

"Now I am afraid I am going to have to make an example of all of you." The man said. "I abhor violence and I don't like killing but you have left me no choice. I need to ensure that no other want-to-be's come after what belongs to me and my business. I also need to make it clear what happens to them when they do."

"No actually what you are going to do is let them go." A familiar voice drifted through the warehouse bringing everybody's attention to the man who walked slowly towards them. He walked alone seemingly without any concern. "Don't worry about your people outside, they are otherwise engaged."

"Who are you?" He asked who strolled slowly towards him. This was not expected but he was taken by surprise at this development and he was sure the man could not be alone, not if he had taken out the five men outside. No he wanted to know more before a shooting match developed and he was caught in the crossfire. His men had turned their attention to the intruder with their guns trained on him ready to shoot at their employers command, but the intruder showed no sign of angst at all and just kept walking until he stood mere feet away from the mark.

"Somebody who did steal from you." Nate replied with a small smile. He had not yet even looked at his team, his full concentration focused on Trevor Dullus the teams mark.

"And just what did you steal?" The man asked curious as to who this man was and what he thought he had done. He could still detect no sign of any other people, was he really alone? If so he had made a big mistake, but first he wanted to know what the man was talking about. He had ten guns with him and they could cut him down in an instant he knew. He would indulge him though until he determined just what the man wanted, and what he thought he had on him or taken from him, and then have him killed when he was ready.

"Well now that you ask, I took your most prized possessions." Nate said cryptically. He had still not even acknowledged his team, he stared at his opponent.

"And what would those be?" The man asked raising his eyebrows.

"Ah yes, well that would be your name, your reputation, your standing in your family, and finally a few of your things." Nate replied. "I see you doubt me."

Nate reached for the bag he was carrying and the warehouse came alive with the sound of guns being cocked. Nate ignored that and continued with what he was doing. He pulled out a couple of files and flung them to the floor in front of the mark.

"What are those supposed to be?" The Trevor asked looking from the files to Nate.

"Those are your crimes, everything about your illegal businesses and some added bonus material the police will find very interesting. Also some interesting information your fellow, well your families might be interested in knowing about you and your activities." Nate told him watching him closely. "Not very cleaver stealing from them now was it?" Nate asked and he could see hesitation in the man's eyes.

Trevor looked intently at Nate and then bent down to retrieve one of the files. Opening it his face darkened and the team could see anger flash across his expression. Nate saw it too.

"You are a dead man." Trevor hissed looking from the file to Nate.

"Yeah well more than likely, but for now let's talk businesses." Nate said completely unfazed by the threat. "Now I have not as yet delivered this very interesting information to the authorities, or your friends, but should I not emerge from this warehouse alive, make no mistake they will be informed."

Trevor stared at Nate measuring the man and saw in his eyes the truth. He did not know where he had got all of this information but he had enough just in the one file he held to bring his world down around him. It was also enough that his own people would turn on him.

"What do you want?" Trevor asked. He would give him what he wanted and then he would hunt the son-of-a-bitch down, retrieve what he had taken and kill him. But for now he thought calmly, I give him what he wants.

"Simple." Nate said lightly. "Them."

"Those five thieves?" Trevor said looking from Nate to the five captives. "Why?" He could not understand with all this leverage why would this man ask for these five people, not money or anything else of value.

"That I believe is my business." Nate stated. "Do we have a deal?"

The Leverage crew watched as Nate negotiated for their lives, their future. Well not really negotiated, simply told the man to let them go or he would bring him down in one fell swoop. Eliot wondered if Nate had brought any kind of backup or if he had simply walked into the warehouse taking his chances. That would be really stupid but something Nate would do. He had always been supremely confident of his own abilities to make it work. He was there to save them. Parker had a pout, he was not sure if that was because they were in this situation or because they were seeing Nate again. Sophie seemed to be fixated on Nate, the mere fact that he was here and Hardison had the look of awe he always had when Nate did something that was completely unexpected but would solve the situation they were in.

"Who are you?" Trevor asked again. Nate had never introduced himself.

"Do we have a deal?" Nate asked ignoring the question.

"We have a deal." Trevor said motioning to his men to release the prisoners.

"The van is outside. Get in it and drive away." Nate told them without looking towards them but keeping eye contact with Trevor. "Do it now."

Eliot nodded understanding of the instruction. He put his hand to Sophie's back and moved her towards the exit. Hardison steered Parker the same way. Both woman kept their eyes on Nate as they moved out of the warehouse. True to his word the van stood just outside the warehouse door. They all piled in and Eliot pulled off, but did not go far, just far enough to get them away safely if there were trouble. He did not want to foul Nates plan if there were no need.

"I will come for you my friend." Trevor said softly to Nate after the team had left.

"You do that." Nate smiled at him. "Now leave, take your files with you. I have copies." Nate said meaningfully. "Oh your men are in the shed just outside, you can let them out."

Trevor locked eyes with the Mastermind telling him that come hell or high water he was going to hunt him down and make him pay, not only for the blackmail, but for the humiliation he felt he had suffered in front of his men. Then he broke eye contact, instructed his men to retrieve the files and walked passed Nate to the entrance.

The Leverage crew watched Trevor and his goons walk out of the warehouse. One of the men headed to the shed and opened it letting the five men who had been patrolling outside the warehouse out. Again Eliot shook his head wondering how Nate had accomplished that. Then they all climbed in their waiting vehicles and left. Shortly after that Nate emerged from the warehouse as he finished his phone call to Bonano telling him where to get the files and where Trevor would be. Then he stood looking towards the van and the four figures that were running towards him.