Chapter 2

Nate arrived back at his house two hours later and poured himself a whiskey before taking a seat and calling Eliot telling him to get himself and the other two over to the house as soon as possible, then he dialled Sophie's number and informed her that she needed to come home, telling her he would fill her in when she arrived.

Sophie arrived home just over an hour later and the others a half hour after her then they all sat around the dining table waiting for Nate to tell them what this was all about.

"Ok, about 15 years ago Sterling and I took down a man named Jacob Perkins. He was a thief and a murderer and altogether unsavoury character. He vowed that when he got out he would come after us and make us pay for what we had done no matter how long it took. Well he is out."

"And you think he is going to make good on his promise?" Eliot asked. "That was a long time ago Nate and a lot of guys make those kinds of threats against the people that put them in prison."

"Yes, yes it was Eliot and like I said to Sterling when we met this morning I did not think he would…"

"But…" Sophie prompted him.

"But he came to see me."

"What?" Sophie asked alarmed at the admission.

"He showed up at the café I met Sterling at just after Sterling left." Nate informed them.

"And?"

"Well Hardison he said he was there to let an old friend know he was back and that he would be seeing me." Nate stated and he could see they understood what he was saying, Perkins was planning on making good on his promises.

"So he is going to be coming after you." Parker summed up what they were all thinking. "But why let you know?"

"Yes Parker I do believe he will be. I don't know why he came to see me but, well Sterling has kept tabs on him since his return and I am sure he knew that he also knew I would be meeting him at that café. Now Perkins, he had a reputation, he tended to not only take out those that crossed him but their families too so.."

"We are all in danger here." Hardison finished for him.

"Exactly." Nate said softly and they could hear in his tone the distress that very fact was causing him.

"Ok well we have dealt with worse and we will deal with this." Sophie said reaching out and placing her hand on her husbands. "Eliot."

"Right. Security, we all stay here for the time being, nobody goes anywhere alone, and we always keep our earbuds in. Hardison you need to get a picture of this guy uploaded for facial recognition and we need to ensure that all camera's and other security is up and running. Blinds and curtains stay closed, Nate this guy is coming for you, so you need to keep low and not expose yourself unnecessarily understand?"

Nate smiled at his Hitter, Eliot was telling him that he was not to go and put a big fat target on his back and walk out daring Perkins to take his shot.

"What about Sterling?" Sophie asked looking at Nate, this involved him as well.

"He is getting Olivia out of the country and to a safe place. He has his people keeping tabs on Perkins since he arrived in the country, other than that I don't know." Nate said as he rose and poured himself another whiskey.

"Who do you think he will go after first?" Parker asked, there were two targets here Nate and Sterling and Perkins would have to choose who he was going to take out first.

"I don't know." Nate said he had also been thinking about that. The man had come to see him though and not Sterling, was that because he knew Sterling knew he was around, or for some other reason.

"Well he came to see you." Eliot said meaningfully thinking along the same lines as Nate.

"True, but he knows that Sterling had eyes on him since arriving, so he maybe thought there was no point in letting him know he was around."

"But he saw you meeting with Sterling and probably knew he was telling you about him." Parker said.

"What are you thinking Nate?" Sophie asked knowing the man always had a plan, or at least the beginnings of one.

Nate sighed and took a sip of his whiskey his hand playing with his glass before looking up at his wife.

"I don't know. I mean this guy is tricky, it took Sterling and me to a long time to finally take him down and it was not easy. He almost killed me then, and Sterling, and I think he means to finish what he started. Other than that, I don't know. He has just got out of a French prison after fifteen years of being locked up and I don't know what resources he has at his disposal. Sterling said he had met with some people on arrival, people of…let's say questionable repute and that does not bode well for either of us."

"Or us." Hardison said softly.

"Or you."

"Ok, well we need to find out where this guy is now. Then we need to find out what he has, I mean resources. Maybe you should speak to Sterling again." Eliot said looking at Nate.

"Mmm." Nate said looking up at the Hitter. "Yes, perhaps I should." He had no idea what to do now, not until he had more information, and he did not like the fact that Sophie was in danger, or the others but especially Sophie.

"Nate…" Sophie said stopping as his phone rang.

"Sterling." Nate said as he answered the phone.

"No Nate not Sterling but he sends his regards. Now I would like your company as well if you please." Perkins said.

"Is he dead?" Nate asked and his team was immediately on the alert at those words.

"Not yet."

"What do you want?"

"I want you to join us. We have some…discussions we need to have."

"Where are you?"

"Sterling's house, do come alone Nate or Olivia might not make it."

Nate closed his eyes as he realised what that meant, he had Sterling yes, but he had Olivia as well and that was his hook to get him. Well he had him.

"Fine. I will be there." Nate said then put the phone down.

"What the hell Nate?" Eliot asked looking at the Mastermind.

"Perkins has Sterling…" Nate said finishing off his whiskey. "And Olivia."

"Nate." Sophie said knowing what was coming next.

"I am going to meet him."

"Not alone you ain't." Eliot said locking eyes with Nate.

"Alone or Olivia dies. Now I am not arguing or debating this."

"If you go alone or not she may die." Parker said softly. "If you have back-up there is more of a chance of her not dying."

Nate looked at her and smiled briefly. She was probably right he thought, there was more of a chance of them all getting out alive if he allowed them to go with and help.

"Ok but Sophie…"

"Is not staying here." She finished before he could. "Now I won't go in and get involved and nor will Hardison, we will be outside waiting for Parker and Eliot to bring you all out…I'll be your getaway driver." She smiled at him laying his fears to rest hopefully.

He looked at her and then nodded, he was not going to stop her from going anyway and as long as she stayed out and let Eliot do the heavy lifting the he was ok with that, well not ok but at least he felt better about it.

"Ok let's go." Nate said as he walked out the door with the rest following him.