Roman slightly frowned at the hesitant knock on his bedroom door. "Come in." When the door opened and Mox walked in, he smiled. The younger man had been silent the day before when he'd returned from Regal's office. He'd gone straight to the gym downstairs and spent a couple of hours punching the heavy bag. Then he spent the rest of the day in the library reading, obviously not wanting any company.

"I need a favor," Mox quietly said as he shut the door behind him.

"Anything. You know that." Roman sat on the side of his bed and patted the area next to him in silent invitation. He wasn't surprised when Mox jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans and began to pace.

"I..I need people to keep an eye on Alexa," Mox finally said.

"You don't trust her?" Roman asked in surprised.

"No! I mean, yes!" Mox took a deep breath. "I trust her. It's not that. I just…want to be sure she's safe."

"Okay. Done."

Mox eyed his brother with surprise mixed with suspicion. "No questions?"

"Oh, I've got plenty of questions," Roman chuckled. "I hope you'll tell me what's going on. I know something's been bothering you for a while." He studied Mox closely. "You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

"Yeah, I know." Mox nervously rubbed his hands together. "But you're still sick and got more important stuff to do and you don't need to be bothered with…"

"Stop it," Roman gently ordered. "I'm getting much better. You know that. And you're family. Family isn't a bother, remember."

"Yeah, yeah." Mox walked towards the door. "The others are probably waiting on us for breakfast."

"Jon."

'Dammit.' Mox stopped, hand on the doorknob. Roman only used his first name in that tone of voice when he was serious about the conversation. He took a deep breath.

"Yesterday…Angle said two of the witnesses are dead. One DUI and one from a severe allergic reaction. Doesn't think they were accidents." Mox sighed and turned to lean against the door. "Apparently someone questioned in the DUI had a phony identity. Same for someone who could've been connected to the second death. The third witness recanted his testimony when his roommate was beaten into a coma."

Roman got up and walked to Mox. He gently took his brother by the arm and led him back to the bed. After sitting him down, he got the chair from the desk in the corner of the room and brought it to the bed. As he sat down opposite Mox, he spoke, "So, out of four witnesses, you're the only one left?"

"There are some guards who can talk about some of the stuff that happened but nothing that can connect the Warden to any of it," Mox explained, rubbing his face. "I told you about the guy who showed up at work…the one Seth took down?"

Roman nodded. He'd also had a report of the police presence at Mox's business from the people who kept tabs on Mox.

"Angle thinks that was warning to me," Mox continued. "I'm gonna tell Nikki, Zach, and Kendrick today about all this. If they want to leave, I'll make sure they're okay financially."

"I'll have people on them as well," Roman assured him. "Whether they stay or leave."

"Angle wanted me to go into Protective Custody. I told him no." Mox looked up in surprise when Roman began laughing.

"Angle doesn't know you very well, does he?" Roman finally spoke.

"When Angle said he didn't need my cooperation to get me into Protective Custody, Regal threatened to sink his entire case," Mox half-smiled.

"He could probably do it," Roman nodded.

Mox flopped back onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "My parents are back in town."

Roman was confused for a few moments. He'd thought of Mox as his brother for so long, he'd totally forgotten the existence of Mox's birth parents. "When did this happen?" he finally asked.

"Not long ago," Mox admitted. "They showed up at work."

"Together?" Roman frowned. "How did that happen?"

"Well, if you believe my old man…which I don't…he crossed paths with my mother and realized he wanted to get back with her," Mox explained. "And, if you believe her…which I'm not sure I do…she managed to get clean and stay clean. Got some vocational training and was working. She told him he had to straighten out his life if he wanted a chance with her."

"And they came here to do that?" Roman cautiously asked.

Mox shrugged. "Apparently, part of this whole renewal and forgiveness process is making amends with me."

Roman frowned at the bitterness in Mox's voice. "What did you tell them?"

"Don't call me. I'll call you."

After a few seconds of silence, Roman quietly asked, "What do you think?"

Mox deeply sighed and sat up. "I think I can't deal with them. Not now. Not while this trial is going on. Especially with what's happened."

Roman nodded. "I think you're right. And it wouldn't hurt to let some time go by to see just how sincere they are." He stood and put the chair back at the desk. "C'mon, let's go eat."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A few minutes after breakfast was over, Roman was in his office when Jericho, Aleister, and Samoa Joe walked in. Joe closed the door behind them.

"I have some special tasks for you." Roman motioned towards the nearby chairs. "They are a priority."

Aleister and Jericho sat down while Joe leaned against the door.

"Joe, you set up the details to keep an eye on Mox. I want similar details on Alexa Bliss, Nikki Cross, Zach Ryder, and Brian Kendrick." Roman hesitated, then added. "And Seth Rollins. Mox is one of the main witnesses in the upcoming trial against the Warden of the prison Mox was in. Two of the other witnesses have turned up dead, and a third has recanted his testimony. Mox, of course, refused to go into Protective Custody. Kurt Angle, the Federal investigator, made noises about not needing Mox's cooperation for that."

Joe snorted in derision. "That's a good way to make sure his final witness up and disappears."

"Which is something I'd like to avoid," Roman grimly nodded. "Mox is concerned about those around him. We can protect ourselves. They can't."

"I'll get it set up," Joe promised.

"Jericho, I know you did some research on the Federal investigator, Kurt Angle," Roman began. "Do as deep a dive on him as you can without raising any red flags. In particular, I want to know just how far he'll go to make a case."

"Actually, I…uh…did some more checking into his background," Jericho admitted with a slight smirk. "He's also an attorney with a respectable record of convictions. He's become more of an investigator recently, but has a tendency to handle big cases in court as well."

"I want chapter and verse on him," Roman ordered.

When Jericho nodded, Roman looked at Aleister. "I need to know about the other witnesses. Mox mentioned their names after a previous meeting with Angle. Dr. Michael Hayes. Enzo Amore. Dean Rawley, aka Mojo Rawley. Mox didn't tell me which two are dead and which one recanted, but I want everything in their background as well as the cause of deaths. Neither Mox nor I believe for one second that they were accidents. And Angle doesn't either. Not with his wanting to put Mox into Protective Custody. And find out what you can about this Warden Michael Cole."

Aleister silently nodded.

"As soon as possible, gentlemen. Thank you." Roman stood as Joe opened the door. "Jericho, one moment, please." He waited until the other two men left then picked up a folded piece of paper and file folder. He reached it across the desk to Jericho. "Another research project for you. This file was compiled by my father years ago. Start where it ends. I want to know every single last detail about the two names on this paper."

Jericho put the folder under his arm and unfolded the paper. His blue eyes widened when he read the names.

Jack Moxley

Leah Moxley

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"Nikki, I need to talk with you and the guys in the conference room," Mox said as he walked into the front office. "I'll get the guys."

Nikki saw the stern look on his face and quickly asked, "Are we in trouble?"

Mox slightly smiled. "Nope. I'll explain in the conference room."

Nikki watched him walk towards the shop then stood. She gently patted Mitch's pot and whispered, "I don't think we're going to get good news."

Mox preferred to stand as the others took their seats. He saw the three of them look at each other with worry on their faces and sighed. "Okay, first of all, none of you are in trouble. And the business isn't in trouble." He missed their looks of relief as he slowly rocked back and forth on his heels.

"I'm a witness in an upcoming trial," he began. "The warden of the prison I was in has been arrested and is up on various charges including allowing prisoners to be abused." He paused, then continued. "Some of them died." He held up his hand to stop them from speaking. "There were three other main witnesses."

"Were?" Kendrick quietly asked, his dark eyes narrowed.

"Two are dead, and the third has recanted his testimony after his roommate was beaten into a coma," Mox bluntly answered.

Ryder swore under his breath.

"The Federal investigator thinks that guy who came in here and tried to tear up the place was a warning to me," Mox continued. "I've no idea who this Rowan character is and never met his so-called brother. He bonded out and disappeared before the Feds could talk with him." He pointedly looked at Nikki. "It's possible he knew I wasn't here, and it was just dumb luck that Rollins showed up when he did."

"You need to know this because I refused to go into Protective Custody." Mox met their eyes. "You know about my friendship with Roman Reigns. You also know what is said about him." He took a deep breath. "Roman's had some of his people shadowing me for some time in order to provide an alibi for me since the cops were coming after me every time somebody in this city dropped dead."

Despite himself, Ryder snickered.

"I talked with Roman this morning, and he agreed to also put people shadowing each of you in case Rowan or somebody else shows up."

"What about Alexa? And Seth?" Nikki worriedly asked.

"Them too." Mox assured her. "You guys didn't sign on for this. So, if you want to leave, no hard feelings. I'll make sure you're set financially for a while until you find something else. Think it over and let me know."

"Um…question?" Ryder hesitantly asked. "How do we know who're the good guys and who're the bad guys?" He flinched when Nikki slapped him on his arm. "I mean, how do we know who are the guys working for Mr. Reigns?"

Mox half smiled. "They're the ones you won't see unless something happens."

"The Feds will probably have this place under surveillance," Kendrick mused. "And possibly our residences as well." He glanced at Ryder. "Still, it wouldn't hurt to flip a coin each day to see which of us stays at whose place each night."

Ryder looked at Nikki. "Want in on this? We could do rock/paper/scissors."

"I'll talk it over with Mitch, but I think I can make other arrangements," Nikki grinned.

"This isn't a joke," Mox sternly warned.

"We know." Kendrick smiled as he stood. "And trust me, we're taking it seriously. But this isn't just a job, Mox. And speaking of which, we've got work to do."

Ryder nodded and followed Kendrick out of the conference room.

Mox looked at Nikki who serenely smiled at him and went back to the front office. He wasn't sure the others were taking this seriously and was trying to think of a way to get them to understand when he heard a man's voice in the front office. Concerned, he quickly walked to see who was with Nikki then stopped in surprise to see Seth leaning against Nikki's desk, grinning as he spoke with her. "Seth?"

"Hey, there you are." Seth greeted. "I just stopped by to drop off that down payment for the project we're working on. And Nikki was saying she and Mitch might need a place to stay for a while."

Nikki reached up and took the check from Seth's hand. "Boss, I'll take care of this while you talk with Seth." She gave him a pointed look.

Seth looked from Nikki to Mox in confusion, then followed Mox when he motioned for Seth to follow him.

"I take it this conversation is about more than our project?" Seth guessed as he followed Mox into the conference room.

A few minutes later Nikki heard their raised voices and shook her head. "Boss isn't going to win this one," she muttered to Mitch.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"NO! I said 'no', Mox, and I mean it!"

Mox briefly wondered if Angle had been this frustrated with him for refusing to go into Protective Custody as he was with Seth Rollins who just refused to walk away from their friendship.

"Fuck, what do I have to say to get you and the others to understand just how dangerous this is?" Mox shouted. "How dangerous it is to even be around me!"

"We know!" Seth shouted back. "We know what two dead bodies and beaten into a coma means. I was here when that Neanderthal assaulted Mitch and was going after Nikki, remember?" He took a step forward and met the anger in Mox's blue eyes with anger in his own brown eyes.

"You're a good man, Mox. You're going to testify to make sure a man responsible for letting people he was supposed to protect but allowed to be hurt and killed is going to pay for it! And you're a strong man, Mox, to have survived that hell and not be a bitter bastard over it!"

Mox threw Seth a disbelieving glare.

"Ok, sometimes you are a bitter bastard over it," Seth admitted, waving his arms. "But you don't allow it to consume you. You're building a successful business. You've made friends! And these friends are taking this seriously. But we make our own decisions. And we decide to stay." He put his hands on his hips and glared back at the older man. "So, suck it up and deal with it!"

Mox glared at Seth for a few moments, contrasting this Seth with the memory of the overly quiet fade-into-the-background Seth of their high school days. "When did you stop being so scared of everything and everyone?" he curiously asked.

Seth snorted. "When I went away to college and knew Uncle John couldn't send me to an orphanage if I didn't live up to his expectations." He shrugged at Mox's surprised look. "I realized a few years later he wouldn't have done that in any case, but as a kid…" He suddenly pointed a finger at Mox. "Don't change the subject!"

Mox shrugged, then warned. "Take care of Nikki. And Mitch."

"I will," Seth promised. "You know the security in my buildings." He gave Mox a pointed look. "Especially about the bullet-proof windows."

Mox wearily waved a hand in acknowledgement. "Roman's probably got people watching you by now."

"So, if I see any suspicious characters, they're not Roman's people, right?" Seth teased. When Mox glared at him, he chuckled. "Right. Call 911 on any suspicious people I see."

"Call Roman and get the number for whoever installed heavier doors in his businesses," Mox growled. "For the back of the businesses and any connecting doors."

"I'll call," Seth promised.

Mox followed him out of the conference room to the front office where Nikki grinned at Seth. He leaned against the wall as she handed Seth a receipt for his down payment. "Just remember Mitch is young and impressionable," he drawled. "Don't scare him."

Seth widely grinned and gently patted Mitch. "Mitch likes me." He laughed when Mox rolled his eyes.

When Seth was gone, Mox looked at Nikki. He started to speak but stopped when she held up a hand.

"Mitch and I talked it over, and we're not leaving," she firmly stated. "Mitch made a very compelling argument against leaving."

Mox raised his hands in defeat. "Not going to argue with Mitch," he muttered. He turned and walked towards the shop. "Start locking the front door, Nikki. We're by appointment only."

"Gotcha, boss!"

Mox shook his head and decided it would take an act of God to get Nikki to stop calling him 'boss'.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I apologize for being late, Mr. Sandow," Alexa began as she shook hands with the attorney. "Unavoidable delay in Court."

Damien Sandow smiled and indicated the chair across from his desk. "Attorneys are never in charge of the Court's schedule," he chuckled. "It gave me a little more time to study the file you left with me."

"I'm not familiar with trust funds," Alexa admitted. "As I briefly explained this morning, I never even knew there was a trust fund."

Sandow nodded. "I'm sure you've heard the statement that if the world ever blew up, only Twinkies and cockroaches would survive." When Alexa nodded, he continued. "Well, so would this trust fund. It is without a doubt the tightest trust fund I've ever seen written. I would love to have met the attorney who drew this up. And the gentleman who wanted it written so tightly."

Alexa smiled. "Professional admiration?"

Sandow smiled in return. "Indeed." He opened a notebook and consulted his notes. "I've confirmed that you, your Mother, and your sisters are the only living relatives of your grandfather's grandfather. He got his money by speculating in the Texas oilfields. He owned a valuable piece of property that several of the oil barons needed. He managed to play one against the other. Not only did he receive an impressive amount of money for that time period, he also obtained a respectable number of stocks. Those have continued to pay increasingly impressive dividends."

"Wow," Alexa blinked in surprise.

Sandow nodded in agreement. "Now, as for the trust fund. It appears your ancestor didn't trust family members not to squander the money. First, there were to be disbursements for college education or…" He consulted his notes. "…as it's written in the trust fund 'any education deemed necessary to earn a living'."

"I never received any disbursements," Alexa quietly spoke, forcing her hands not to clench into fists.

"Regular disbursements were to be held in escrow for each individual from the age of eighteen until thirty," Sandow continued. "Those amounts would be determined based upon the income received into the trust fund. When a recipient reaches the age of thirty, the accumulated amount would be turned over to that individual who would control it completely. However, once that occurred, there would be no further disbursements and any future income would be placed in the original trust fund."

Sandow closed the file and folded his hands in front of him, resting them on his desk. "By law, when control of part, or all, of a trust fund is turned over to a recipient, that individual has the option to demand an independent audit of all income and disbursements as relates to that individual. My advice would be to always insist upon it." He patted the envelope containing the document Alexa's mother had wanted her to sign. "Signing this document would have waived your right to any audit as well as authorizing your mother to have full control of the money allocated to you from the trust fund."

Alexa's blue eyes hardened. "And if I had signed, there would be no way to obtain that audit. And I wouldn't ever see a penny of the money."

"Yes to your first statement," Sandow agreed. "I can't honestly comment on your second statement."

Alexa quickly thought. "I'm not signing that paper. I want you to represent my interests. I want a full and complete independent audit of my share of the trust fund. I also want the money that should have been used for my education added back to the money that I'll be receiving. If there were disbursements supposedly made to me, I want you to file whatever lawsuit necessary to recoup that money and hold those responsible for fraud."

"No matter who?" Sandow calmly asked.

Alexa met his gaze without hesitation. "No matter who."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

'What a long miserable day.' Alexa mentally sighed as she crossed the darkened parking lot hours later. Hours spent in the morning prepping her client for Court. 'People hire attorneys for a reason. 'Then some of them try to take over the case thinking they know more about the law than the attorney they've hired.'

Delays in Court in the afternoon. Then meeting with Damien Sandow about her trust fund issues. Then more hours in her office catching up on the necessary paperwork for her other clients.

'All I want now is to get home. A long hot shower. My comfy old pjs. Nuke up that leftover potato soup. And maybe a call with Jon.'

Keys in hand, she pushed the button to unlock her car. As she reached to open the door, she felt an arm go around her waist and something cover her mouth. As her keys fell to the concrete pavement, Alexa immediately brought up her feet against her car and tried to shove back against whoever was holding her.

But that person didn't budge.

In desperation, Alexa tried to move her head back and forward to dislodge the cloth over her face. 'Can't breathe!'

As she felt herself slipping into unconsciousness, she heard a hissing voice in her ear.

"Be a good girl, and you won't get hurt."

Once her assailant was positive Alexa was unconscious, she was lifted off the ground and carried to a nearby car. Placed inside the trunk and the lid closed, the assailant walked back to Alexa's car to pick up her keys, purse, and briefcase before returning to the car and driving away.