She'd agreed to it so there wasn't going back, she told herself, trying to shelve away any regret. Twenty minutes after speaking with Karin, she was in a cab on her way for a pick up. After collecting it from a store keeper she spent most of the ride to the second location with the envelope clutched tightly in her arms.

"We'll make an exchange," Karin had told her on the yacht. "Information for cash. Simple." Karin raised her finger. "And it was why I needed Rio. Because for this you need a mediator. One company-"

From her tone Beth thought she meant 'gang' or at least a business dealing in illegal affairs.

"Needs information. The other has it, but," she made a face and her eyes looked up for a moment. "It gets messy. They're competitors. Enter company number three. Number three takes the information from one company, picks up a bit of cash along the way, passes the info on. Everyone's happy," Karin rubbed her hands as if to say "done deal."

"And you collect part of the money?"

"And- yes," Karin said.

Beth saw a flash behind her eyes. There was something else she wasn't telling her.

"A worker from Rio's crew helps," Karin indicated Beth, "We split the cost."

"I want 50-50," Beth said without hesitation, getting a hearty laugh in return.

"That what Rio offers, huh?" Karin clasped her hands. "Whatcha think?" She tilted her head. "We're not partners."

"You wouldn't be able to do this at all if it wasn't for me," Beth said.

"20-80 and that is very kind," Karin said.

"30-70."

"25."

"OK," Beth said.

"You use Rio's name," Karin tilted her chin up. "That's the deal."

Back in the car, Beth looked down at the manila envelope, as if it'd disappear from her hands if she didn't check on it every few heartbeats, and back out the window at the unfamiliar houses. How she found the courage to not only agree to do this but negotiate the terms she wasn't sure. Karin could've easily called her negotiating bravado. But if she was going for this already – why not go for broke.

A few minutes earlier her phone had flashed with Antonio's text, letting her know he'll be picking her up. She glanced out the window, shifting in her seat, before replying that she was going to get back to him as soon as possible, but she had an urgent family matter she had to deal with. It wasn't that much of a lie. She was doing this for her family, wasn't she, in the end? Helping Rio to help her family and herself. She wouldn't be in her room, Beth added, not specifying where she was, to try and buy time in case Antonio'd want to look for her – or Rio would send someone else to do the same.

Antonio'd texted her back, offering to help, and she'd explained she'll be OK, just needed to spend some time on the phone. Feeling a pinch of guilt at his kindness, her thoughts moved on quickly, and she loosened her grip on the envelope and set it on her lap, wiping sweaty hands on her pants. It wouldn't be long and this would be behind her.

The cab snaked through neighborhoods and Beth started noticing fewer and fewer people wandering the streets, tall and large scattered gray buildings filling her view. Each time a police car passed during the drive Beth held her breathe, wondering if they'd be stopped, adrenaline buzzing through her veins as it turned the corner.

Trepidation clutched her arms but something else too, something deeper, trembled through her chest that thrilled as it froze her limbs. For a moment she struggled to imagine how she could walk away from it. That similar high to when she got paid by Rio, to when he upped the amount of her fake cash.

The car stopped at a thin, nondescript tall building. Its size matched other buildings on the street, a few broken windows decorating it, with small balconies outfitting a few of the others. Unlike the other buildings a large grassy, lonely field surround this one. No person was in sight, Beth observed, and after entering the building she took the stairs quickly, climbing up to the third floor.

"You can still call Rio," Karin had told her shortly before Beth left for the cab. Last minute jitters on Karin's end, Beth had wondered, until Karin had spoken again. "If it would calm your nerves."

"I don't need to," Beth shook her head. "He trusts me."

So easily the lies slipped into Karin's room that for a moment even she believed them, before the air in her chest thinned. She'd start laughing if it wasn't for the uncomfortable heaviness the words left behind. She kept her gaze steady on Karin and swept the errant thought – she had no choice. Rio's deal had to happen or she'd be out for sure. And then where would her family be?

Karin pursed her lips then she opened her mouth. Changing her mind, she pulled out her phone. "It's good you came to me," Karin's eyes lifted from the screen and her face brightened with a little relief before she looked back at the screen.

Now, making her way up to the third floor, Beth thought again of the slippery, elusive word that circled and didn't touch her and Rio, that neither had a grasp on when it came to the two of them. Trust. Rio already didn't trust her, she reminded herself. What could happen, he'd trust he even less? It was of course a desperate thought.

The point of the trip was to rebuild, not destroy. He wouldn't have asked her to come if he didn't – oh, didn't what? He had also not made her any promises. If this deal of his didn't go through because of this, he had already said without saying, it would fall back on her. And then what were her chances of getting back in?

She stepped onto the wide floor and surveyed the room. Wooden boxes were spread throughout, some stacked up high, stopping her from being able to see to the other end, making the space seem smaller.

"Elizabeth."

She nearly jumped out of her skin as she spun around.

Karin put her hand on her chest, and nearly stepped back. "I'm sorry," she smiled. "Alanna."

She hadn't even heard the name Elizabeth. Karin had said Beth but Beth had heard what she wanted to, her full name spoken softly, had gone as far as translating it in her ears into a deeper voice she knew well. Then again, sketchy buildings were kind of associated with him by now, weren't they? It wasn't like he was on her mind because she was doing something that could risk what they – it was too late for that.

Karin put out her hand for the envelope and Beth turned it over.

"Come on," Karin stepped forward and Beth hurried to match her steps.

They made their way through narrow makeshift corridors, Karin leading the way comfortably. How often had she been here, Beth wondered.

"I thought this warehouse was abandoned," Beth nodded at the boxes.

Karin opened her mouth and shook her head. "Sometimes this space is rented out," she said and peeked at the documents, looking at the first page. "Good work."

Beth nodded once absentmindedly. Picking it up was the easy part.

They finally stopped at a makeshift table where Karin set down the envelope. Beth glanced at it, resisting the possessive impulse to bring it closer to her, fleetingly visualizing her future fitting inside it.

Karin pulled up her phone. "Whatcha know?" She swiped at her screen. "Right on time."

Unseen steps echoed across the large room, getting louder. Beth schooled her breathes. Karin calmly nodded at her.

"It's him?" Beth asked, feeling her chest tighten, and looked down at Karin's phone.

Karin picked up the envelope and took a step closer to one of the two exits, motioning for Beth to join her.

"I hope so." She pocketed her phone.

"Don't you know?"

Karin tilted her head to the side. "Sounds like him." She pulled a flip phone this time and made a face. "He never texts."

Finally a man with wavy black hair stepped into view. Karin's shoulders relaxed a little and Beth quietly breathed out. It was the right person. He was a little older than her, she imagined, thinner and shorter than she expected. Though to be fair what was she basing it on? Only the guys who worked for Rio. The man held a duffel bag over his back and Beth allowed herself to feel relief in that just for a second.

Concentrate, she told herself.

He nodded at the two women, his eyes stopped at Beth before focusing on Karin. "What's the good word, Cara? This is-"

"Alanna," Karin said easily.

The wrinkles eased on the man's face, like he'd got the answer he wanted. "It's been a minute." He said.

Beth exhaled. She'd made her decision.

Karin smiled. "Glad you could make it so quickly. I thought we'd get Ben."

The man shook his head. "I was already here." His eyes shifted to Beth and his face tightened in concentration, like he was trying to pinpoint her. "You new?"

Karin opened her mouth when Beth answered. "No."

Something in the air shifted just a little as Beth kept her eyes on the man and felt Karin's gaze fall on her.

The man tightened his grasp on the bag's handles and gaze wandered behind the women and around the room as if waiting for someone to pop out from under the desk. "You said-" The man said quietly to Karin. His face relaxed as if he'd realized something. "Guess I don't know all of Rio's people," he said.

Images of Ruby and Annie, of her four children, stood behind her.

She clasped her hands in front of her. "I don't work for him," she finished her sentence with a bright, firm smile.

"Where's Rio?" The man stared at Karin. "You said-"

"I'm here." Beth turned her face to the envelope. "And so is this."

At this she finally turned her face to Karin, as if she was in on this, Karin's face meeting hers with a stoic expression. Beth had to give it to her – she still kept her composure, her hands clasped in front of her.

"Who do you run with?" Seemingly giving up on Karin giving him answers, the man turned his attention to Beth.

Beth could see her sister, probably working an extra shift at Frugal and Ruby enjoying the afternoon with her kids at the park. Hopefully Stan had joined them.

"I have my own crew." She said.

Beth raised her chin, sensed Karin doing the same.

"Where are they?" The man smiled, not kindly, and turned his hand up as he looked around Beth as if looking for her invisible guards.

"Care to give me your name?" Beth answered with her own question, keeping her tone firm.

"Ethan." He said, turning back to Karin. "This wasn't part of the deal." He said to her.

"It is now." Beth said. "See, you never know where new competitors can roll up from. Right now our business is to help you. You need this information." Beth glanced at the envelope on the table. "And we take the pay."

"No, this isn't happening. It's not what you told me on the phone," Ethan glanced at Karin, taking out his phone and starting to step back.

"Wait," Beth raised her hand. "You've never met me before. That's fair," She motioned towards the envelope. "But you just need to come back with this." She glanced between Karin and him. A lot was at stakes here but not just for her. Not from the way Ethan's eyes lingered on the envelope.

"I need to know that Rio's people were involved," Ethan insisted. "I don't know who you are."

"You know who Cara is," Beth said. "And you know your boss needs this."

Ethan's lips pressed together and she saw him hesitate. Stop.

From a distance muffled noises came through.

"What do you say?" Beth asked.

The noise sounded again. It sounded a little like steps. Quick steps. Ethan's face paled.

"What's that?" Karin asked, looking at him accusingly. Ethan returned the glare.

"I was going to ask you that." He said, but Beth didn't believe him.

The shuffling sounded again. Not just that. What was it? It sounded too much – too sharp, too loud, something she'd heard years before. Had mostly heard in movies she'd watched with the girls or with Dean. Gunshots.

"I need to get out of here," Ethan said.

Beth's eyes widened as she saw something move from the corner of her eyes before they focused on the gun that Karin was holding in her steady hands.

"You want to stop." Karin said. "Stop and give me what I came for."

The man raised his free hand. "You're gonna shoot me? You know I didn't get the OK to take it."

Gun shots were coming closer and Karin brought down her gun. A gunshot sounded even closer and in a flash the envelope was gone, held between Ethan's fingers.

"Run." Karin said to Beth, who'd frozen in her spot.

She heard her heart as they ran, her heart and their steps, but could still make out shots. At least the shoes were good enough to run in. Phrases repeated themselves in her head, meaningless words. She wasn't even sure where she was running to, just keep away, keep away. Just make it to the other side, just turn this corner. Follow Karin who seemed to know where she was going.

The steps didn't grow fainter. Who was it? Who knew they were there? What did they want? She didn't want to ask, not waste a precious breathe on the questions. It couldn't have been someone Karin worked with, not when she was running with the same force as Beth.

Her kids. Her kids. She didn't say goodbye, she didn't say goodbye. Her sister laughing. Ruby's voice when they spoke on the phone. Dean when he'd taken the kids out months ago and let her sleep in. The new life she'd started. She wouldn't say goodbye. She'd get out of here. To snap at her sister, to hug her children, to snuggle with Ruby. To laugh and sit back with Annie and Ruby.

Someone yelled and Beth couldn't make it out, only that it was too close, far too close. She dove behind a corner, losing her step over a piece of metal sticking out of the floor, heard a snap. And then all that filled her vision was darkness.

"Elizabeth."

Her back ached against the hard floor. No, that wasn't right. Beth opened her eyes and turned her head, meeting no concrete on either side. No, she wasn't lying down but sitting against a metal chair. Her left arm moved to her right and thudded pain followed seconds later reminding her of her sore limbs. Her eyes settled on Rio and she tried to scooch back in her seat and stifled a groan at the constant wave burning through her foot. It was hard to tell the aches apart but that pain bothered her the most. Her eyes squeezed shut.

She'd seen him already, the moment she'd opened her eyes, but she wasn't ready to speak. How had he found her? It wasn't a dream, she had already realized. The darkened room was too clear and her pain too sharp. Trying to change her posture didn't help her feel any more comfortable and having already failed once to find relief in it she was afraid to move her arms or her feet too quickly. Why was she surprised that she was sitting?

She'd fallen. Finally she lowered her eyes to Rio who sat crouched in front of her. Two unfamiliar men stood a few feet behind him. Her kids, she thought. She was OK. Awake, in one peace. Her kids, she had to talk with them. Not yet. She couldn't think clearly yet. First she'd need to slow down her thoughts.

"What are you doing here?" She squinted, tried again to straighten her back, her yearning to speak to her kids bleeding into her words and softening her tone. Wishing her body to loosen, a jab of pain seizing her right foot, and her arm went to her thigh. "Where's-?"

"Your friend? Gone." Rio bit through tight lips and hard features. His featuers had been blank until then, as far as she could tell, her mind focused on how she was doing. On her kids. She tried to avoid his face, slid her right foot on the ground even though she knew better and bit back a groan as she tried to put weight on her left foot, relieved to find that she could.

Rio took her right arm, tightening his hold when she tried to extract it back though she'd know it'd hurt. He looked it over methodically. His hands weren't gentle but he wasn't trying to hurt her. Rio exchanged glances with one of his men who stepped closer and took Beth's arm. She let him, getting a sense that he knew what he was doing, going through what had happened right before she fell. The man looked from her arm to Rio and shook his head.

"Is she OK?" Beth cradled her arm and groaned softly.

"Left on her own two feet." Rio met her eyes before he quickly looked away.

She didn't want to have this conversation yet. Not ever. The knot that had tightened them together was being pulled, tightening it further, but maybe with another pull the two ends would unravel into a loose string.

"How did you find me?" She asked, closing her eyes. She had fallen as she ran and the thought dragged an injured embarrassment. A small matter compared to what happened but she couldn't ignore the feeling. It hadn't gone through. The man had left with the money. She'd never wanted to stand up and leave and stay put all at the same time.

Rio didn't answer and it didn't matter, she knew. What mattered was what he wasn't asking her yet.

"I'm not apologizing," she said before she could stop herself. "Not when I was trying to help."

He nodded once sharply and his lips tightened into a sharp line again. "Worked out. Your help."

It wasn't lost on her that neither one of them was succeeding in keeping eye contact for more than a few moments. Minutes ago his hand had gone to her other arm, the one whose movements clawed her bones much less. He'd already looked it over as she talked but he hadn't let go, holding on to her wrist without affection.

"What happened?" He asked.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." She said, speaking more to herself that anyone else, not liking the contrast between the coldness in his voice and his hold along with the pretense that he cared if she was hurt. Her response wasn't to what he asked her and quickly realizing that she spoke again, finally releasing her arm from his grip. "I tried to tell you – I had to do something." She said in as steady voice she could muster.

"I didn't hear you," his eyes didn't leave her face now as he spoke in disbelief, his words coming out like thorns. "Nah, I was just talking to myself when I told you to stay out. Right." His voice lowered and she heard the fury under it, her chest tightening. "I wasn't clear to do it, so you were."

"I'm not your employee," she tasted bitterness on her tongue. It was a childish response that would no doubt rile him up but pain was thinning out her patience.

"No, you're not." He said through gritted teeth. And you won't be, she heard the unsaid words. While his voice was calm she knew him well enough to know the restraint holding him back. It wouldn't be smart to argue with him.

Despite not wanting to get closer to him, she found herself lowering her face. "I didn't give your name. I did this on my own."

His face washed with something and disappeared before she could recognize it. His eyes thinned into thin slits and if possible, his expression was filled with more contempt than before.

"With who? What protection?" He asked the question she had heard before.

"I had to –"she held back tears that were pushing through because of her throbbing foot. "I can't argue with you right now." She took a sharp breathe. "This hurts,"

"Serves you right." He snapped. "Who did this to you?"

A hand brushed against her thigh and she lowered her chin. His hands were at each side of her legs, until that moment not touching her. It felt too much like he was closing in on her. Her eyes shot back up, raising her shoulders for a moment and put her hands in her lap, sharpening her features. He didn't respond to her irritated expression, keeping his hands where they were.

"I don't know." She said defiantly and shook her head.

"Who?" His voice came a little louder.

"I fell." She said, irritated through the pain. "Someone was chasing us. I don't know who."

"Get the guys," Rio turned his head and looked at one of his men. "Find Malcolm."

Her eyes followed Rio's to the men who stepped back, one leaving and the other moving to the exit, getting on the phone. Feeling pressure on her thigh, Beth's eyes briefly glanced downward, clocking that Rio's hand had shifted to it, his fingers sprawled over her pants, her hand already moved away to give him room. She wanted nothing more to swat it away. And she would've, fake relationship be damned, but it helped take the bite off the ache.

Responding to the ominous way he said Malcolm, Beth blurted out, "What, what are you doing? Who is he?"

"None of your business." Rio snapped and turned his head back to the man by the exit, who shook his head at him before turning back to the door. He continued speaking softly into his phone.

The who was left behind faced the door, speaking softly into it, turning away from the two of them.

"How do you know who it was who chased us?"

Rio pinched the bridge of his nose. "Elizabeth," he said in caution.

Why was she even defending some guy she didn't know? Maybe it had been the guy chasing her and Karin and about to hurt them. She didn't want to be responsible for someone else getting hurt. She wasn't ready to cross the line of not caring.

"No. You don't know who it was-"

Rio's features hardened and Beth stopped.

Even though she knew it'd hurt she pulled her leg a little, hoping the subtle movement would remind Rio of where his hand was, but he kept it on her thigh, putting even more weight down as if in retaliation, giving her a sharp look.

"What- What are you doing?" She asked quietly, looking between his hand, him, and the man who was still on the phone, his back to them.

"Stopping you from limping on out of here."

Beth turned her face away, her body acutely honed in on the weight on her thigh. She could feel the warmth of his hand. That was exactly what she wanted to do. Except hopefully with a little grace, though she couldn't imagine putting weight on her right foot at the moment.

Rio shook his head. "Beats me why I bother," he said, his voice dripping of scorn, but he didn't remove his hand. Which was too bad. It didn't even feel comforting.

She wasn't quite sure he meant it, that deep poison in his tone, but with everything that went down she couldn't be sure anymore. If that was the case...

"I'm OK," she lied. "I don't want you to- kill someone because of me."

"It ain't pretty, I keep telling you." Rio gritted his teeth." I take a chance on bringing you here." His face twisted and he held her eyes for a moment before he looked away. She wasn't sure if he was going to keep talking but she was pretty sure she didn't want to hear where it was leading.

"Why do you think I did it?" She leaned forward by an inch. "To get her off your back, so you could get this deal done."

"Nah, I got a hold on her just fine," his jaw tightened as he shook his head.

"It would've gone through," Beth continued. "If it wasn't for- an interruption. Your colleagues, for all I know."

"The ones I trust- they stay away when I tell them. Maybe you're trying to be King in a new town." His face cleared in a way and he smiled in a way that chilled her stomach.

She wished, truly did that it wasn't the case but at the expression he gave her and practically tangible way he was pulling away made her want to close the distance any way she could. But at that reminder of trust, that fragile trust. A shiver ran through her arms.

"Those you trust- do they trust you?" Her ire seeped out but remembering they weren't alone she kept her voice lower than she would've otherwise. "How can I trust you when you don't ever tell me anything?"

He shook his head in disbelief. "Nah, I should tell you more. Better you in my place right?"

She could see in how tightly he was holding his arms and his body, just how much he was holding back. He didn't raise his voice but he didn't have to. The familiarity between them, the semblance o closeness she herself had tried to built, was gone. She was poking him back because it was true. He didn't trust her and she didn't trust him. But she'd seen a glimpse of what it looked like when he'd taken his fury out and she wanted to be careful.

No, she didn't want to be in his place, not when she just got hurt, not when her kids were weighing heavy on her mind. But she wasn't going to say it. Not when a small part of her urged her to stop.

"I didn't need to do this, OK." She raised her hand a few inches above her knee, forcing herself to make a concession. "I had to do something. I couldn't stay back," she looked up from her hands, speaking quickly as she knew he'd have a response to that. "You keep shutting me out-" Her face tightened as she moved her foot carelessly and pain shot through it.

"It can't hurt so much." His hand was back on her thigh. "You got four kids."

He actually kept count? She didn't remember telling him that. And she had and no pain compared to it. It was almost like he was trying to distract her though. She leaned forward.

"What's wrong?" He asked and Beth winced, unable to lean further, indicating her back.

Rio's hands went to it, checking her.

"You hurt?"

Like he couldn't see by now that she was. Still, she shook her head, relieved to finally hear a little concern in his voice, under the biting, quiet rage. She heard the rustling as Rio's eyes met hers and he pulled something out. Folded pieces of paper.

"What's this?" He asked her.

"I got it from the envelope," She squinted her eyes through a sizzle of pain. "What I picked up."

He unfolded them, looking them over. He looked up at her.

"I just had a feeling…" She said. "Don't trust someone you don't really know."

She didn't know Karin. The little she knew wasn't the woman she spoke with on the yacht. She had thought about it when she'd looked over the pages in the cab, thinking about what control she had in the situation she was going into, deciding to take hold of some of it in the way that she could. She wasn't sure what to take from the packet, even considered what'd look least conspicuous if Karin or anyone else took closer look before the transaction happened. In the end she took a chance, pulling out what looked like rough blueprints of buildings, thinking they had to be important enough to be included.

Rio's eyebrows raised as he looked down at the first page, leafing through them. A tiny reflection of something that looked suspiciously like relief – or maybe that was what she projected onto it – flashed behind his eyes. She smiled before she could stop herself, before breathing it out. He got on his feet, his hand going to her thigh and brushing it as he did.

"Rio, it's him." The guy who'd stayed back said, hanging up the phone.

Rio stepped back, his eyes on Beth before he turned to the young man. "Stay with her," he patted him on his shoulder. "Make sure she gets back on the boat. That she gets checked out." He turned back and looked Beth in the eye as he gave his last instruction.

He was so young, Beth thought when they were left behind and she got a closer look at his tanned face. He had to be in his twenties, maybe even younger. What had gotten you here? She thought. Before walking out Rio had helped her get up from her chair despite her protests and only left when the younger man stood beside her, barely giving her a second look.

"I don't need to carry you out of here, do I?" Between the lines of the annoyance in his words Beth could've sworn she heard a bit of playfulness too and she wondered what she looked like to Rio's man.

"No, no."

As she started to prepare to step down the stairs she braced herself to ask.

"Are you taking me to the bus station? Because I need to get my bags-"

And at that opportunity try to lose him so she could talk to Rio again. She wasn't going to be dropped like that. Despite what happened. She wasn't going to walk away from this after everything.

The young man beside her shook his head, looked surprised at her question, before she realized his surprise was at her guarded tone, deferring to him.

"He said to take you back to the ship," he lifted his shoulder and dropped them casually. The matter didn't concern him of course.

Even if he knew, Beth was sure he wouldn't tell her. Rio had told the guy he wanted her to get checked out but after everything what would he care? It didn't matter, she told herself stubbornly. Whatever Rio's instructions were she was going to find a way to get to him again. Their conversation wasn't over. Even if at that moment she wasn't completely sure what she wanted. Appeal to Rio to get back in? So soon after she'd gotten hurt in a way she hadn't before.

Was she sure that this – was she sure that this was what she wanted? The money. The security, she thought as she avoided stepping on her injured foot. One thing was for sure, he wasn't going to send her away without her talking to him. She'd need to find him.

But before all of that she'd talk with her kids. As soon as she'd catch her breathe.

A/N

This chapter ballooned, you know the drill. I'm gonna try posting the next chapter sooner than the time it took to post this last one but I don't have a timeline.

Guest, thank you so much, I'm hooked on your comment, ha! It took some time but I'm still wanting to continue writing this story.

Guest, thank you for leaving your wonderful comment. I'm so glad you're enjoying my fic.