Paige and Michelle soon arrived at the formal event, both being welcome to the city hall by an employee opening the limo door and giving them a helping hand, before giving them clear instructions on where to go. Paige look to Michelle before breathing a heavy breath and walking up the many stairs to the main entrance, already hearing the classical music playing. She spotted Karl Anderson near by and felt a sense of relief knowing if Konnor and Viktor failed he wouldn't, after all she was all to aware of who her saviour was six years prior and kept to her word of never telling what to he did for a living. It wasn't long before they entered the main ballroom, as per usual someone announcing their arrival, Michelle smiling when she spotted her husband already there and in his tux. Both he and Kane met both woman at the bottom of the stairs.
"You look beautiful Paige" came an Irish ascent from behind her, when she turned around to see who it was being met by the same dark haired Irish man who had saved her life all those years prior. Paige smiled upon seeing him, knowing he would be there despite his status as a crime lord he had actually done a lot of things for different organisations in the city, including giving the police information to help catch others in the city. "I would like you to meet some people, you would be able to turn to them if you ever need help and Karl or Luke aren't around" spoke Finn offering her his arm, he knew her father wouldn't ask any questions, after all there had been many times when he had seen the pair together, and Finn himself had already been through the questioning. Although there was a friendship there, that was as far as it went between them.
"Thank you" responded Paige, knowing Finn would ask why she was thanking him. "For sending someone to trail me in case anything else happens. And for keeping who I really am a secret from the others in the illegal business. I know if they knew who I really was they wouldn't have left me alone, it was just by luck they went after me then. I don't want to imagine what would have happened if they knew who I really was" added Paige thanking Finn for not telling anyone who she really was, that she was the daughter of Mark Calaway. Finn just smiled, slowly walking her over to the doors that lead to a balcony, near the French doors were three men. One looked as if he didn't want to be there, another looked as if he was trying to find someone and the last actually looked like he was trying to find something to distract himself.
"Your welcome. Its the least I could do since you have kept what I do to yourself since finding out. Plus I know your father only has the police force to rely on, if they fail then you need someone else there to keep you protected. Plus I'm one of them who know your father isn't going to return to his previous job, so I may as well give him peace of mind his daughter has some form of protection and is safe from others who think he will come back" responded Finn explaining he was well aware her father would never return to the illegal business he now ran, something Finn himself had actually resurrected, although he was surprised they hadn't caught him considering they would be able to notice his way of operation, as it was an exact replica on how they had done it years prior. "Paige these are Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. Their new in town but will help you if you need anything. Guys this is Paige" spoke Finn when the pair reached the three men near the balcony doors, Paige smiled and waved at them, seeing the expression cross the features of two of them.
"It's nice to finally meet you Paige" spoke Seth, shaking her hand. He was curious how Finn knew who she was or even how she seemed so comfortable around him. He was a crime lord after all. Roman also looked between the pair wondering if she actually knew what Finn did or if she was like the rest of the city and oblivious to it. "You look amazing by the way" complimented Seth seeing her smile grow a little bit and noticing Dean rolled his eyes from the corner of his eye. For a reason Seth couldn't understand, he had gone nervous when Finn had brought her over and introduced her to them. He had felt his heart rate speed up as well as his hands go sweaty.
"Paige is the one I sent Luke and Karl to watch over six years ago. Sadly she's a walking target. Since I trust the three of you then maybe you could keep an eye on her from time to time as well" spoke Finn his Irish ascent almost breaking the silence that settle over the small group. He knew thing could get awkward. "You really don't want to be here do you Dean?" asked Finn receiving his reply when Dean shook his head, hearing a small chuckle from Paige as she knew how he felt on that one. Finn smiled when he seen the realisation dawn on their features, he had been the reason why they hadn't been able to find her. It wasn't long before other guests began to dance.
"Do you want to dance?" asked Seth offering his hand to Paige who smiled and awkwardly accepted. It had been years since she had been to one of the formal events, never once had she been asked to dance when she was at one. Seth smiled and lead her to the dance floor as any gentlemen would have. Opting to treat her with respect in order to calm her nerves and his own. Once the two had reacted the dance floor, he gentle place his hand on her waist while allowing her to place her own free hand on his shoulder. The two carefully listened to the beat beginning to move in time with the rhythm. Finn quickly scanned the room, spotting Karl near the dance floor and Luke on the balcony appearing to be watching for any danger. He also spotted Kane whispering something to his brother, no doubt pointing out his daughter was with someone neither recognised.
"Viktor, Konnor" called Mark, keeping his eyes on Paige. Where as Michelle followed his line of stare and smiled finally seeing Paige with a smile on her lips while doing something she wouldn't normally do. "Who is that dancing with Paige?" asked Mark when the two finally reached him, he had at least noticed they had stayed near her. One being the near the refreshments table and the other being near the entrance that lead to the rest rooms. Although both of them had failed to notice Paige with a stranger. Kane just shook his head when he realised who it was, having met the three men when he arrived with Crystal and his girls, they were kind enough to introduce themselves and answer all questions directed their way.
"Relax brother, that's Seth Rollins, one of the owners of A.R.R" responded Kane when it was clear neither of the two who were supposed to be her protectors had a clue who he was. "He introduced himself earlier on along with his business partners, Finn recommended them. Apparently they used to be in the black ops. Plus she seems comfortable enough with him" continued Kane, trying to calm his brother by informing him of what he knew and pointing out Paige seemed happy enough dancing with the young man. Plus as far as Kane could see he wasn't any danger to her, in fact he seemed the opposite, looking around when he heard a noise that didn't seem as if it belonged at a formal evening like the one they were currently attending.
"He's right Mark, if Paige didn't feel comfortable she wouldn't be out there with a smile" added Michelle trying to keep her husband from storming onto the dance floor and making a scene. She knew Paige would be the one to be embarrassed if he did. Plus she did appear to be enjoying herself, her normal bright smile coming back, something neither of the three had seen since the attack six year prior. Konnor and Viktor returned to their posts soon enough, keeping a watch for any danger, the two of them always found their job amusing. To anyone who didn't know Paige they would think she was a princess or something as she always had protection around her, when it reality she was just a normal young lady from a 2nd class family. It was just her father couldn't bare to lose her as he had her mother years prior.
Finn was the opposite side of the room with Dean and Roman, talking about business when he noticed Luke suddenly duck. That alone worried him as it meant something was seriously wrong. It wasn't long before the bigger man did the signal all of Finn's demons were taught when danger was near. Before anyone could do anything gun shots rattled through the room, causing massive panic and those on the dance floor to quickly move to safety, especially when the chandelier fell from the ceiling and shattered upon impact with the polished marble floor. The sound of gunshots soon mixed with panicked screams, especially when no one knew how many shooters there were or even where they were, they didn't even know if there was a particular target or it was just a random shooting. As soon as it dawned on Seth what was happening he went into his old Black Ops mode, quickly instructing Paige to get down on the floor and crawl to the nearest exit. While also promising he would be with her the entire time. Dean followed behind to make sure no one could grab her, where as Roman headed over for Michelle, knowing it would likely help if she was out of the building safely.
Finn on the other hand quickly made his way over to Luke and Karl, as well as AJ who had been watching from the entrance, each pulling out their weapons and firing back when they spotted some of the shooters, noticing there was at least seven or eight of them. Each guessing this wasn't a random shooting, but something that had been planned months in advance, especially when AJ recognised some of them there. They were from the Tennessee way, their boss having working with the brothers of destruction back in their hey day with the illegal business. He knew from then on this was just a cover up to get the Undertaker's daughter, he knew she would be safe with the two who had opted to get her out of the building and to the safe location only a few knew of.
"It's Jarrett's group. Their after Paige" spoke AJ recognising the logo especially when they had GFW printed on their clothing. "He worked with the brother of destruction before they left to go clean. He's been trying to get them back ever since, looks as if he finally tracked them here to Florida" added AJ hiding behind a brick wall while bullets flew passed him, he had noticed the only people left in the ballroom now were the dead and seriously injured, as well as both Brothers of Destructions who were attempting to stop those who were causing chaos. Finn looked down when he felt something on his lower leg, seeing a young blond woman there, looking as if she was struggling to breath. He quickly leant down holding both hands over her stomach in an attempt to stop the bleeding although he knew there was a chance she wouldn't survive considering her white dress had turned into an ombre one of red and white, and the small pool of blood that was forming around her.
"Laurel come in" came a fuzzy voice, now the shooting had stopped AJ walked over to the girl, recognising her almost instantly and knew she wasn't an invited guest at the formal party, but rather the one who had given the GFW members the signal when it was the right time to strike. It was now he was beginning to question if they were after Paige at all or if he himself was the target. "Laurel you there?" asked the same fuzzy voice, Karl spotting the walkie talkie where the voice was coming from in her hand underneath the skirt of her dress, quickly picking it up noticing the other tag on the back of the walkie talkie, a sight that made AJ take a sharp breath. "Laurel pick up, you okay?" again added the voice, one that was familiar to AJ more than the remaining three of them, it brought back the memories of his life and work before working as one of Finn's demons, how he was one of many snipers sent out to do a job every now and again. The four men watched as the blond woman was taken away on a stretcher, the paramedics optimistic she would survive her injuries unaware the four men had nothing to do with her, although one clearly knew who she was. "Laurel your worrying us, everything okay? Answer please" again came the fuzzy voice to which Karl gave the walkie talkie to Finn
"Laurel can't answer right now, she's on the way to the hospital since one of your goons hit her" responded Finn, informing the man he knew to be Jeff Jarrett why the girl he was trying to communicate with wasn't responding to him. "Don't worry the paramedics are hopeful she will survive the injury she sustained, although I am curious who your target was, AJ, Paige or both?" questioned Finn while also giving the information Laurel would hopeful be okay although probably not as trusting as she once was. He knew she would also be unlikely to trust anyone else either and probably try and disappear if she didn't return to the group she belonged to. Although Finn hope neither Paige or AJ was the actual target he knew the GFW bunch wouldn't just randomly attack without purpose or an order to do so, he knew someone in the building had been the target it was just trying to figure out who.
"Both" responded the fuzzy voice of Jeff Jarrett, his voice filled with seriousness and void of all emotions. "Can't have a rogue member causing trouble, and as for Miss Knight, if she is eliminated or serious injured The Brothers of Destruction will return" added Jeff, hearing heavy breathing in response although he was unaware it belonged to the one known as The Undertaker, Karl having gone and fetched both brothers of destruction when Finn was asking the questions. "Laurel wasn't the only one who was in attendance tonight, another is trailing her. Wont be long now" continued Jeff knowing Alberto was following her and knew the two who had gotten her from the building rather well due to his time with Evolution.
"If anything happens to my daughter, you'll wish you were never born. I will personal visit Nashville and end TNA or whatever you call it called now" spoke Mark in response revealing he was there and listened to the entire thing. He was struggling to understand why they targetted his oldest daughter to bring him back, especially since losing her the way he lost her mother would just drive him away from the business more and make him thirsty for vengeance and the blood of those who were responsible. "If I lose her I will never come back, I will hunt each and everyone responsible for the misery down, and make sure they suffer how you lot have made her suffer for the past six years. She isn't a porn in any ones game, she's my daughter" added Mark, knowing there was little chance they would leave her alone, especially when he knew if he didn't return to the business then they would make him suffer and likely to regret leaving it in the first place.
With Seth and Dean they were currently driving to the safe house although not the one Finn had told them about. The duo had taken the black SUV and instructed Paige to stay down while in the back seat something they were thankful for when Alberto and whomever his wingman was started shooting at the car. They were thankful they had done the modifications to it now as it prevented any of them being injured when a bullet went through the glass or through the mental of the exterior. Paige at this point was directing Dean where to go knowing their was places they could lose the one who appeared to be trailing them and had opened fired, after all she did knew the city better than the two in the car with her and the one who had followed them.
"Alright when I pull into the parking lot on the six floor you two get out and into the other one Roman put there the other day, I will lead this guy astray" spoke Dean while following Paige's instructions. He could guess she was feeling the same as he was when it come to formal parties, and probably had no intention of going to another one any time soon. Especially if this experience was anything to go by and her expression. "Not how you expected the night to go?" asked Dean quickly looking around at Paige, he knew she was going to respond with something, as Seth did. "Multi story coming up get ready" spoke Dean before putting his foot on the gas and leaving Alberto in the far distance for the time being, he quickly turned into the car park, narrowly missing the by standers as he went in, and dodging the pillars holding the structure up as he went from one floor to the next. Seth had lost count of how many cars they had just missed while skidding around each of the corners with a sharp screech of protest from the tires.
Once the trio arrived on the sixth floor. Seth quickly got from the car, helping Paige out and leading her to the stairs, listening as Dean sped off to the upper floors in an attempt to throw Alberto off the trail and distract him from realising the girl he was after was no longer a passenger in the car. The two stayed in the stair well for what felt like forever but in reality was only around five ten minutes, listening as Dean come back down from the upper floors and what appeared to be another car following him. Seth had made sure Paige was hidden in the shadows of the stairwell so if anyone was with Alberto they wouldn't notice she was there, thrust she would be able to escape quicker.
"You cold?" asked Seth spotting her leaning against the wall with her arms wrapped around herself, shivering. He was unsure if it was the shock of what happened or if she was actually cold, it wasn't the warmest night and the parking lot like all of them had no central heating. He watched as she nodded before taking off his tux jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders, attempting to give her some warmth while they waited until the coast was clear to go up four levels and fetch the back up car, luckily it had the same modifications. "You'll be okay, nothing will happen while your under my protection" added Seth, seeing a small smile appear although he could tell it didn't reach her eyes.
"You work in the illegal business don't you?" asked Paige, surprising Seth a little. He hadn't expected her to ask any questions like that, he nodded none the less. "Thought so, Finn tends not to trust others outside of his demons, unless he has come across them before. And yes I do know what Finn actually does" added Paige revealing she was all to aware of what Finn did for a living and she had actually in a way been protecting him as much as he had been protecting her over the last six years. Seth soon held out his hand to her, feeling as her cold hand slid into his. Once he had a secure grip he began to lead her up the several flights of concrete stairs, their foots steps echoing in the dimly lit stair well. Both noticing the even numbers were painted in green where as the odd numbers were in a purple-ish colour. The number of the floor written in huge numbers to the left of each door, with a small window to the right of it although tinted.
"How do you know about the illegal business?" asked Seth, as he turned to Paige before walking through the door to the tenth level door, both could feel the breeze of cold air before even opening the musky green door. "The car keys are in the left pocket" added Seth watching as Paige turned so the left pocket was facing him, he quickly reached in and got the bundle of keys noticing she had taken her necklace off at some point, putting it in the pocket with the keys. He quickly looked through the window attempting to see if there was anyone who appeared to be from the TNA business waiting for them or anyone acting of suspicious nature besides themselves. "Okay come on" spoke Seth, once again offering her his hand and leading her to the identical SUV as the one Dean was driving, this time however he directed her to the front passenger seat.
"Both parents were apart of it, it's how they met. I had just turned five when my dad and uncle Kane decided to start new and leave the business. Mum left us when I was three. As you probably know once your apart of that world it's difficult to get away from it. Those who want to bring dad back aim at me where as those who want to get Uncle Kane back tend to aim at Emma and Summer" responded Paige to Seth's earlier question, he only nodded to her reply quickly realising although young when her father left the business she could still spot the signs in someone's behaviour, plus she was close friends with Finn to the point he sent protection for her, almost making it a top priority next to staying hidden from the authorities in the city. "How about you how did you end up doing this?" asked Paige at least trying to get to know her protector, she had questioned both Luke and Karl when she caught them, although it took her months to realise Karl was there, he had stayed hidden, watching her from a distance.
"The company we worked for as Black Ops, they tried to assassinate us because of what we knew. They had succeed with silencing the other members of our team, but failed with us. In order to hide we used the skills we picked up to create our own business to combat them. When it didn't work we relocated lucky for both me and Dean we used different names in the black ops, so we were able to use are real names when going into hiding. Roman not so lucky, that's why he is constantly looking over his shoulder, he's afraid if they find him they will find me and Dean as well" responded Seth revealing after their releases from the Black Ops they had been targeted as liabilities with too much information on the company they had worked for. They had used their skills to survive and make a living for themselves.
"Your secret is safe with me" replied Paige, giving him comfort she wasn't going to tell anyone the three who had recently moved to the county were actually running an illegal business behind the doors of A.R.R. "You're the reason I'm still alive, and both you and Dean have made sure I'm safe even now, with Alberto or whomever he is running around" added Paige, in her own way saying thank you to him and the remaining two for keeping her safe even when they didn't have to. Seth smiled at hearing her words, the plan they had made together before relocating to Florida had worked, they had gained her trust, although not in the circumstances he would have hoped.
"We will be at the safe house soon, you'll be able to call your dad from there" spoke Seth when a silence had fallen over the duo. Paige looked over to him, just noticing the top of his right arm bleeding. Concern and worry took over as she couldn't remember him saying anything nor could she remember seeing it before. It was then she remembered she had his tux jacket on, quickly looking to the right arm she seen what appeared to be a small hole which had been scorched by something. "It's just a flesh wound, the bullet grazed my arm. Nothing to worry about" added Seth when he realised she had noticed the wound he had sustained while getting her to safety. He soon pressed a button near the overhead light, watching as the gates in the distance opened as the car got closer to them. "Welcome to Shield Mansion" continued Seth once he started driving up the drive way. "It's a safe house, since all of us live in our own places, this is basically our HQ. You'll be safe here" explained Seth knowing she would likely ask questions.
"Have you got a first aid kit here?" asked Paige determined one way or another his injury was going to be tended to regardless whether he had suffered worse injuries in the past. He nodded before as they walked up the front path to the double door entrance. Upon entering Seth checked the alarm noticing it was active meaning no one was in the house and the timer on the lights had done its job. He swiftly deactivated the alarm while keeping the security system online, considering it would go off if someone tried to enter through a window or outside door or without a key, after deactivating the alarm he went to the side cabinet near the reception room door, motioning for her to follow him shortly after. Upon entering the room he gave her the first aid kit and sat down on one of the chair around the table at the far side of the room.
"Had training?" asked Seth, watching as she got the things out she would be needing, including the needle and thread. Even watching as she disinfected the needle to make sure it was free from any bacteria. She soon nodded in response, taking the hair band she had around her wrist and putting her raven hair in a pony tail so it was out of her face. Seth on the other hand unbuttoned his shirt, carefully taking it off and revealing his sculpted torso, wincing a little as he slid it down her right arm, feeling the numbness and burning pain as he did so. Paige soon started to clean the blood off his arm with a wet wipe, seeing Seth had been right when he said it was just a graze from the bullet.
"I don't suppose you have a lighter anywhere do you?" asked Paige, breaking the comfortable silence between the pair of them, although she had spoke quietly it had sounded as if she shouted due to it being only the two of them in the large mansion. Paige smiled slightly when he gave her a questioning look with a hint of terror on what she might do with the lighter. "Relax it's just so I can sterilise the needle a bit more. Will also help the injury heal faster" explained Paige seeing the relief replace his previous look, to which he stood from his seat, walked around the table to where the many comfy looking fabric sofa's were. He went inside one of the draw on the closest side table, pulling out a candle lighter and returning to his previous position handing the lighter over as he did so.
"I must admit I'm curious about you" spoke Seth once he sat down holding his arm out so she could stitch up the wound he had suffered. Paige hummed in response, while she began to stitch the wound up although she was interested to know what she had done to peak his curiosity. "Not many girls know first aid, have a knowledge of the underworld and go with someone they just met, let alone help that said person with an injury. Any normal person would have ran a mile or demanded I go to A&E" added Seth explaining what he had meant when he said he was curious about her. He had to admit he was kind of looking forward to finding more out about her and just generally get to know her, all her unique twist others didn't have. He look forward to just getting to know her as a person rather than an object others seek to have or destroy.
"Any normal person doesn't have a father or uncle who was once in said underworld and would have probably ended up dead by now. Plus if your anything like Luke or Karl then you will insist you don't need to go to the hospital. So it's easier to patch you up here, saves any disagreements and the risk of someone finding us" responded Paige, finishing the stitches and putting antiseptic cream on along with wrapping a bandage around his upper arm, making sure it stayed in place with the medical tape that was in the first aid box. Once done she put the things she used away while making sure to disinfect the needle again just to be on the safe side. Seth watched her with interest, almost like she was something he had never seen before.
"Thank you" spoke Seth his voice a little shaky with nervous, although he was wondering why it was affecting him now other than being alone in a huge mansion with her while also being topless. "Here, so you can call your family, let them know your safe. It's likely to just be the pair of us until tomorrow morning, Dean wont risk coming here when he knows there is someone hunting you, and Roman avoids this place unless he has to come here for meeting and things" added Seth handing her the wireless phone and explaining it would just be the pair of them until the morning when the employee's of the household returned for the day's work. Paige nodded in thanks while tapping in her family house land-line number knowing someone was likely to be there, even if it was just Naomi who picked up.
"Hey Michelle, it's me Paige" spoke Paige, hearing the relief in Michelle's voice when she said who it was. She heard Michelle call for her father, the sound of happiness and the relief mixing together in her voice to learn her step daughter was okay and wasn't one of the thirty victims of the shooting earlier in the evening. "I'm fine dad, Seth and Dean got me to safety. Someone was following us so I'm gonna stay hidden until they give up looking. I will send to a message or call you every day to let you know I'm okay" responded Paige to the questions her father asked. She knew he would worry for her safety, especially since Jeff Jarrett had made it clear he had sent someone after her and Paige herself had confirmed it for him. "Love you all. Bye" spoke Paige, tears coming to her eyes at hearing her little sister again, although there was a huge age gap between them she still loved her sister as any older sibling would.
