"Do you think anyone would think to look this close to Orlando for any of us?" asked Corey, finding it amusing how Paige had moved everyone near enough 85 miles away to Tampa, although she had allowed Zarah to say in Orlando since she was much more comfortable there. Corey had found what she had done rather amusing, allowing the family members who hadn't done anything to her to find her if they wished even leaving a coded message for them to inform them where she was but not to tell the man she had lost all trust in, she was determined one way or another he was going to get what he wanted. In her eyes the only way he could get that was if she wasn't there as a permanent reminder of the past and all of his guilt.
"Probably not, although she did leave clues to where she was going in the letter to Summer and Emma, knowing they would figure it out, along with asking them not to tell her father where she has gone if they did work it out. Plus everything seems okay here, all the moves are over and done with, the penthouses are complete as is the new base. All we have to do now is wait for our orders" responded Finn, he was surprisingly okay with leaving Orlando, since he had only moved there in the first place to keep watch on Paige, since he had all but said he was in service to her then he would go wherever she did, so if that meant he had to leave the country then so be it. He had helped to get everything ready for the HQ, even watching over the work men to make sure everything was done to specification along with Corey, as normal the Wyatt's keeping watch outside of the building to make sure no one acting suspicious got anywhere near to anyone.
"Guys, business meeting" called Paige from the dinning room door, the others she had assigned to her council were already around the table. Dean and Renee next to each other, where as Becky, Charlotte, AJ, Karl and Luke were also scattered around the table, Seth was close to Paige as he normally was. Both Corey and Finn looked to each other before making their way to the room, taking their place in the two empty seats around the table, knowing this was going to be important. "So as I said when I first assembled this council, every idea I had would go through you. Its time to talk about what we are going to do with Knight's Raven, all suggestions are welcome. The idea or ideas with the most logical sense or votes behind it is what we go for. So if you have any suggestions on what we do with it now is the time to speak up" spoke Paige, informing them the discussion they had been waiting for was about to happen. She quickly scanned the room looking for any sort of uncertainty besides her own, being met only with confident and reassuring smiles
"You said once you wanted to make it for everyone. So why not stir it away from the illegal end of things and turn it to something respectable in the community" replied Becky, her red hair up in a loose ponytail, with a single braid going down the right side. She had listened to some of Paige's ideas as well as read over some of them she had written down, to her there was only one sensible option although she had a feeling Corey would opted to stay in the illegal side, since it was the only thing he really knew. "Each of us have our own ideas but its what you decide that matters, hopefully with all of us together we can get Knight's Raven to where you want it to be, where you can be proud of it" added Becky, knowing it was ultimately up to Paige and her decisions that decided what happened with the company, all of them could say their suggestions but she was the one who say yes or no to them.
"All of you have business ideas, so write them down with the general idea what it is and then come back to me in a week or so. From there we will carry on this conversation. Also please specify which side of the law the business will be on in case we need to come up with a cover for it" responded Paige, a smile on her lips as she spoke and watched the others nod. She soon watched as they began to leave the dinning room, although she stayed seated to look over some of the plans they had made since leaving Orlando, she knew Becky was passionate about opening her own store and starting her own fashion line. Just as she was aware Charlotte had hopes of opening her own line or restaurants. Where as Renee wanted to have her own business, she knew each of the members on her council had their own hopes and dreams.
"You okay?" asked Seth coming to stand behind her, placing both of his hands on her shoulders in an attempt to give her a soothing shoulder rub. The two had grown closer over the few weeks since they had moved to Tampa, she no longer worried what other secrets her father was keeping from her just as Seth himself no longer worried about losing someone he loved or Roman turning on them, mainly because the entire council had voted not to inform him or Zarah of where they were going, instead they had given them contact information with a phone number and email address but that was it. "You got that feeling again?" added Seth, he was thankful she had been truthful with him, just after moving to Tampa, she had told him she had a feeling something was going to happen, but didn't know whether it was good or bad. He had taken it rather seriously since everything happened and Roman turning against them in the past.
"Yeah, its like something bad is going to happen but I don't know when or to whom" replied Paige, taking hold of Seth hand in a gentle manner and placing a soft kiss there. She soon rested her head on his hand, feeling more relaxed than she was a few seconds before. It wasn't long before there was a knock on the mansion door, to which both Seth and Paige looked up and towards the black glossed doors. Seth quickly bringing up the footage of the outside up to see if the person was a threat or not, there he seen a chirpy blond, her hair in loose waves as her make up was done perfectly, she seemed proud of something although what was a mystery to them, although Seth noticed the smile that come to Paige's lips. "It's Summer, and it looks like she is here to stay for a while" spoke Paige typing in the code so the door would open, Summer cautiously stepped inside since she noticed no one had opened the door for her.
"Hey Summer, its good to see you again although a bit of a surprise" spoke Seth when he went to greet her, the familiar smile of Summer's come to her painted lips at seeing someone she recognised although she appeared stunned to see what the place her cousin now called home looked like. Her father in Kane had informed her and Emma of the business Paige owned and now ran but she hadn't expected it to allow her to have such a luxurious place to call home, she would being lying if she said she thought it would be smaller. It wasn't long before Paige appeared, accepting the hug Summer offered her, knowing the blond wouldn't be there without a good reason to be. Summer knew eventually she would have to explain but at the moment she was happy to be in the company of her cousin, one of which she cared for dearly.
"I'm so happy you're okay. Uncle Mark and dad received a letter at the police station, they don't know who sent it but they said they were after something dear to them both. There was a picture of you and Seth here in the envelope" spoke Summer when she had ended the hug and holding her cousin at arms length. She had thought the worst happened when her father told her and Emma as well as their mother about the letter, informing them Paige was once again the target of something. "It gets worse, the Evolution members were broken out of a maximum security prison three days ago, Dad is pretty convinced it was one of them who sent it, due to it having the previous address of Princess Mansion written on it as well as the name Tyler Black on the back" added Summer seeing the way both Paige and Seth looked at each other, she could see the concern and worry flash across their features especially as it would mean their peaceful existence had just come to a screeching end.
"I'll go phone Zarah, let her know the place may come under attack" spoke Paige, silently thanking Summer for warning them of what was likely to come. She also knew that could potentially mean the two former members of the Shield and likely Roman going on the run again, Shane would no doubt hunt them until he got what he wanted, mostly likely using the ones the three loved the most as a way of drawing them to a specific place so he could tie up the loose ends once and for all. "I'll warn Dean at the same time" added Paige before walking towards the living room where she knew both Dean and Renee would be, Seth could only watch her walk away having a feeling there was more to it than Summer was letting on, although he knew she would likely tell Paige when it was just the two girls rather than in front of everyone.
"Hey Zarah, Its Paige" spoke Paige when she had gone into the little office after informing Dean who had now joined Seth and Summer in the hall. "My cousin has just come by to inform me that the Evolution members have been broken out of the high secure facility they were being kept in, they sent a letter to my dad and uncle with Seth's previous name on and the address of Princess Mansion" added Paige, already knowing from Zarah's voice she knew what that meant, just as she knew what the price of her son's safety was likely to be. "Yeah, I don't know what they are going to do but I can get either Seth or Dean to phone once they have sorted everything" finished Paige hearing Zarah's response before they said their goodbyes for the time being. Paige felt for the older woman, she hadn't long given birth to her son, now her happiness could be destroyed by those who had escaped from their place of holding.
At Evolution Headquarters, Stephanie, Hunter, Shane and Cena had met up with their other loyal employees or at least the ones who didn't scattered upon their sentencing. The four had been informed all of their equipment had been seized so all of their current hideouts and safe houses were known to the police and the brothers of destruction, although they had sent a letter to the pair in the hopes it would sway them from hunting them for the time being. At this moment in time, Batista was catching the four up on everything that had happened over the time since they had been behind bars, which ones had stayed loyal to them and helped to break them out and which had ran away to save themselves. He had also given them the information on what had been taken and what they would have to do to move on since everything had been compromised when they were arrested.
"There's one more thing" spoke Batista, keeping his face expressionless like he was playing a game of poker or some kind of betting game. "Paige and all of those connected to Knight's Raven disappeared a few weeks ago. She got confirmation that her father was responsible for her mother's death, then she and the rest of Knight's Raven just vanished over night. No one knows where they have gone. Not even her own father knows where she is" added Batista revealing the woman they seen as their enemy had disappeared over night, since then there had been no trace of her or anyone who was part of the company she owned. "We have also sent a letter to the brothers of destruction with a picture of Seth and Paige in the hopes it would keep them at bay for the time being. Maybe they could lead us to them" finished Batista revealing although he wasn't them he had been in control of the company and kept it going while they were behind bars.
"So we have to completely redo everything, as well as find Knight's Raven again and find those boys, anything else?" spoke Shane, at least thankful someone both Stephanie and Hunter trusted had kept Evolution going so they had something to come back to. Batista soon slid a file across the table to Shane, watching as the older man opened it and smiled at what he was seeing and the words he was reading. "So one of them is still here, interesting. Does he know where they have gone?" continued Shane, smiling when he seen the picture of Roman inside as well as reading that he was still in the city, along with the woman he had called his own and their newborn son. He was also amused to see the small family of three called Princess Mansion home, although he knew it would be a challenge to get into, the place was near enough impossible to get into last time when they had paid the property a visit. They had been met with the Wyatt's as well revealing they were indeed back with the people who they were truly loyal to.
"It appears although the three hounds are on speaking terms again, the other two still don't trust Roman enough to tell him where they have uprooted to. Although he does appear to have contact with them still" replied Batista playing a recording of Roman on the phone to one of the other hounds a few days prior. "We bugged his car, he has a phone number for them, with luck maybe we can track it if we can get it off him" added Batista revealing they had the smart idea to bug Roman's car in the hopes they would hear any information or gain leads to finding where the rest of them were. They had worked out although he didn't personally know where the remaining two hounds had gone to, he did have a phone number to contact them on. Like the member of Evolution before him, he knew Roman would once again be at use to them, even if he was unwilling to do so at first, they knew they could use his new born son and the mother of that said son as leverage against him.
"I'll go and pay Roman a visit. Give him an ultimatum, either help us get to them or lose his lover and son" spoke Shane, about to walk from the darkened room, but stopped when Stephanie grabbed hold of his arm as he passed and gave him the sternest look she could muster, reminding him of the rule they had put in place. "Okay I will give him the ultimatum either help us or become a single father" added Shane, knowing his sister was rather strict when it come to the rule of leaving children out of it, she had been like that since she had become a mother herself, with Hunter reinforcing it by making a deadly example out of anyone who dared to break the rule. After changing his words Stephanie let go of his arms allowing him to leave and question Roman on what he knew of the whereabouts when it come to the others hounds.
"That boy doesn't deserve to pay for the actions of his father, he deserves to live a normal life or as normal one could have while growing up in our world" spoke Hunter, he knew if the roles were reversed he would be in agony knowing his girls could pay for his mistakes, he wouldn't know what to do with himself so he had helped Stephanie to reinforce the rule to leave expecting mothers and children out of their troubles, thrust giving the expecting mothers less stress to worry over and the children as normal life as they could have. He knew the newborn would be safe until he was much older, although the same couldn't be said for the newborns mother. Both Stephanie and Hunter knew what Shane was capable of, just as they knew if Roman wanted to keep his happy family then he would have to help them in order to not end up as a single father, something they expected he didn't want considering all the trouble he had gone through to get Zarah back in the first place.
"Anything else?" asked Stephanie, wondering if there was anything else she and Hunter should know before they get to work on finding where those who are part of Knight's Raven had gone to and setting up their new safe houses and hideouts in case they should ever need any of them. Plus she was aware Cena had wanted to return to Nikki, although she suspected the woman wouldn't be too happy to see him in response, considering the horrible truths she had found out when he had been locked behind bars. She had feeling the woman in question was no longer in the home both she and Cena had shared for so many years, if she had to guess then she would say Nikki had probably returned to her home state or gone to stay with her twin sister until she could get herself back on her feet again.
"Nikki left after finding out what John had been up to. She packed her bags, handed in her resignation and left, didn't leave any forwarding address or contact details. All former information no longer works, she cancelled her contract phone and deleted her email, she's gone off grid to the point she has completely erased her internet footprint" responded Batista, confirming what Stephanie had thought had indeed happened although the woman in question had done it on a much larger scale than she had expected, realising they couldn't find her through social media she had deleted all of it and moved away to prevent having to deal with the man she had once loved and who she thought loved her. John could only look down at hearing Nikki wasn't there like he had hoped. He wanted to talk to her about it and put things right but instead she had given up on fixing things and walked away, without even saying a goodbye or telling anyone where she was going. He knew she could be anywhere now.
"Alright. Batista see if you can find where Paige and the rest of Knight's Raven have gotten to, ask her parents if you have to in a friendly way. Cena leave Nikki be, if she doesn't want to be part of any of this or have anything to do with you then respect her wishes. Me and Steph will work on the safe houses, we need someone to keep an eye on Shane to make sure that boy is left unharmed and also need someone to work on the hideouts so that we are all set for when we do finally come across Miss Knight again" spoke Hunter giving out the orders on what they were going to do and also giving John some advice, he knew if Nikki had handed in her resignation from Evolution then there was nothing they could do, she was no longer apart of their little family so to speak, and had chosen to disappear although he suspected that Batista may have helped with that out of guilt and pity for her, plus he had considered her a close friend. It wasn't long before Cena left the room, saying he would keep an eye on Shane for the time being. "Where did she go?" asked Hunter knowing Batista knew where she had gone.
"Went to stay with her sister Brie in Washington DC. She wrote this note before she went and made me promise I wouldn't tell Cena where she was going" responded Batista, revealing he had indeed helped Nikki disappear so she could find who she was again and heal from the heartbreak she had endured upon finding out what the man who held her heart had been doing and some of the things he had told her being false including their engagement. Which she had quickly ended before leaving. "She'll come back when she is ready, but for now she is happy to stay as far from John and Carmella as possible. She wont come back until Carmella is gone" added Batista revealing Nikki indeed knew who her ex-fiancée's mistress is and refusing to come back until that said mistress was gone.
Back at Paige's mansion, Seth and Dean were in the downstairs office talking about what they were going to do now that Shane was out. They knew they had to do something just as they knew their protection of not being in Orlando would only last for a little while longer. Both of them also knew if they stayed they would be putting those they loved and those they considered friends in danger, especially if they happened to be found while still in the area. They also knew it was only a matter of time before Shane turned his attention to Roman and used something as leverage against him, hence the older Samoan would once again turn on them and leaving them vulnerable to attacks and losing the people they loved the most.
"We have to do it. I know its gonna be hard considering you and Paige have just gotten serious with your relationship but its the only way" spoke Dean, a frown coming to his lips as he remembered what Renee had told him days before, how his happy marriage was going to be going further as she was expecting their first child. He knew the odds of him being their through her pregnancy as he had once promised would be low as would the odds of him being their at the birth of their child, yet he knew he would have to leave in order to protect her and any future they may have together. "Hopefully they will understand why we left. Renee is gonna kill me. She told me the other day she's pregnant, even showed me the dozen tests she took" added Dean, revealing why he was saddened to have to leave, Seth could only offer a quiet congratulations knowing Dean would officially have more to lose than both himself and Roman.
"I don't want to leave her" responded Seth looking at the bracelet he wore, Paige wore the matching one on her right wrist. Both of their names were engraved on the silver cuffs that held the piece of jewellery around their wrist. "I don't want to break her heart. I can't" added Seth, knowing Dean of all people would understand, after all Dean had to leave once before, returning several months later to a rather angry Renee who refused to speak to him for days after his return, their only communication being through text message or letter. He knew if he left Paige now she would once again be shattered and he would be breaking his promise to her. "I promise her I would be with her until the end. I promised her I would never hurt her, I love her Dean, how am I supposed to tell her I have to leave her behind when she means everything to me. How am I supposed to break her heart in a kind way?" asked Seth, speaking of the promises he made to Paige for the first time and admitting he loved her. Dean could see the tears welling up in Seth's eyes as he continued and the thought of leaving Paige becoming more of a reality.
"Its the only way. If we stay then both are in more danger. I hate the fact I have to leave Renee again, when she is expecting of all times but I know its the only way to ensure she wont be used as a porn in Shane's game to catch us. Its the only way to ensure she wont be made to suffer to cause me pain. Yes Paige is gonna be mad because you broke your promises, yes she's going to be hurt about it but your doing it to protect her from Shane. Your doing this because you love her to the point you can't standing the thought of anything happening to her" responded Dean knowing Seth loved Paige in the same way he loved Renee. He had finally found that one person he would do anything for, seeing the pain in his eyes at having to leave her, and how his own heart broke at having to say goodbye to her gave it away. Seth could only nod before leaving the room, opting to spend one last night with the raven haired princess before leaving for a while, he hoped it wouldn't be too long but knew nothing was certain when it come to Shane.
The next morning come around quickly. Seth woke up to the sound of the birds chirping outside, to which he smiled sadly at what he and Dean had planned to do in order to protect those they loved. He quickly got dressed, packing a few clothes in a rucksack, before placing the letter he had tearfully wrote to Paige the night before on the beside table next to her, as well as taking off his favourite chain and placing it around her neck, he also made sure to take the key chain she turned into a necklace with him. Once he had done that he placed a single kiss on her temple after whispering I love you and leaving. Making sure to pick up the mobile phone that was connected to the number they had given to Roman and Zarah. Both Seth and Dean met at the front doors of the mansion, each of them with all the necessary things they would need for being on the run, both looking back as they reached the gates of the mansion, knowing what they were leaving behind were safe inside soundly asleep.
Dear Paige,
I know this is going to be hard for you to read this. Almost as hard as it is for me to write this now. Since Shane has been broken out of prison, he will most likely turn his attention to Roman in order to find out where the rest of us have gone to. He wont stop until both myself and Dean are dead. So in order to protect you from him and the suffering he will force on you if he finds you, I am leaving the mansion along with Dean, and the phone which Shane will probably track.
I know your going to be angry at me for breaking my promises to you and no doubt hate me for it, but please understand that it is for the best. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you, nor would I do anything to put you in danger, this is me being your protector and love. This is me doing what is necessary to keep you safe and out of harms way. I don't know what I would do if I lost you or if you got hurt because of me, and I honestly don't want to find out.
I make you these new promises now though. I promise you no matter what I will always find my way back to you. I will always love you Paige, I know now I didn't go to Orlando by some sort of coincidence I was suppose to go there, I was supposed to find you. No matter what I will always come back, I will always know who I am fighting for. You're the best part of me Paige, you're where my future lies and I will do whatever it takes to make you happy again. I don't know when I will be back, but when I do I wont leave again unless you want me to. I know I'm likely to hurt you by suddenly leaving so when I return I will spend every day for the rest of my life making it up to you.
I will return to you my princess. Just so I don't forget who I am fighting for and hoping to return to I have taken your keyring which you turn into a necklace, but I also keep the bracelet we both share around my wrist. Just as I leave my chain with you, so you know that I will come back to you. Be strong my princess and have faith that everything will turn out okay. I know you can do anything you put your mind to, so please don't give up on anything and become the woman I know you are.
With love and tears
Your Architect Seth Rollins
"You leave a letter for her?" asked Dean, remembering seeing Seth writing something the night before, he soon received his reply in the form of a nod to which he had a hint of a smile come to his lips. Before remember who he was leaving behind and what he was going to be missing out on. He knew when he was finally reunited with Renee again she would be angry like last time, as like Seth he only left her with a letter. It was at that point Dean noticed the normal chain Seth would wear had been replaced with the thin piece of black string or something, he knew near enough instantly he had taken Paige's necklace as way to remember who he was fighting for and who he hoped to be with when he got back home, which would also mean Seth had left his own chain in replacement of the necklace he had taken. "Paige's necklace?" asked Dean wondering if there was a reason he had taken it, as well as wishing he had gotten something of Renee's before leaving besides the permanent reminder in the former of a wedding ring and the tattoo that resided under it.
"So I have something of hers, every time I look at it I remember who I am leaving behind, I remember the person I'm doing this to protect and the one I hope to be with when we go back home. I know the bracelets should have been a reminder but I just wanted something that's hers rather than something that we both have" responded Seth, explaining why he had the necklace in the first place since he had noticed the questioning tone in Dean's voice when he said Paige's necklace. It wasn't long before the phone in Seth's pocket went off, Dean quickly picking upon which one it was and also noticing Roman's name pop up on it. "I took it to ensure Shane wouldn't find the girls. Figured we could ditch it somewhere so we could go home" added Seth revealing he had taken the phone with the intention of getting rid of it and hopefully leading Shane astray for a while. Dean could only nod before pressing the answer button on the phone, hearing Roman on the other side, his voice frantic and filled with what they could guess was terror, the pair could also hear his son in the background.
"Seth, Dean. I know this is bad time but I really do need your help. Shane stopped by the other day, he gave me an ultimatum" spoke Roman, his voice almost booming through the phone like he wasn't in the place he should be or it was pre-recorded. Especially when both men noticed the code at the start of every call was suspiciously missing. "What's the code Roman?" asked Dean, his suspicions getting the better of him, especially when they heard another voice that both recognised instantly. "Okay since that didn't work, I'll give you two the same choice I gave Roman, who's still alive by the way although probably regretting testing my will. Any way's if you two don't hand yourselves over to me, I will go after Renee and Paige. Since you two are no doubt with the pretty ladies right now" spoke Shane, making the two worry for what Roman had gone through although smirking slightly that they had outsmarted the man who had effectively hunted them for years. "You think we're stupid enough to put our loved ones in danger when we know what your capable off. Roman may have been daft enough to stay when he found out you were free from you little cell but that doesn't mean me and Seth were. We know the risks and knew you were a far bigger threat than anything else. So you want us Shane, come get us" responded Dean before hanging up the phone and giving back to Seth who tucked the phone back in his jacket pocket.
"Do you think it will work?" asked Seth wondering if his plan actually had a chance of working or if it would just make their former employer more angry. Although he knew there was a chance, he had to hope it would successful work out, he knew if it didn't then all three of them could end up alone once again, something he didn't particularly want to go back to just as he was sure Dean didn't, there were unsure about Roman although he had shown particular fondness for Zarah. Dean could only looked at Seth with hope that their plan would work, he knew if it didn't then the odds of them going home to the people they loved would be low. "I was going to ask her to marry me" finished Seth, remembering what he had been planning, although it had been less than a year since they had met and began a relationship, he knew he loved the raven haired princess. The way she made him feel, the general happiness he felt around her as well as the aura of peacefulness and euphoria, the smile that come to his lips just thinking about her, he knew she was the one he wanted to spend his life with.
"If we make it back home, go for it. I've seen the effects Paige has on you. Its like your back to your old self before we were on the run, back when we didn't have anything to worry about, before the hell Shane brought on us, before Zarah, before Evolution and way before Roman even thought of turning on us. She's good for you, so if we do make it back home, promise me you wont mess things up with her" responded Dean, a small smile coming to his lips at thinking about attending the wedding of his best friend, although he could imagine there wouldn't be horror in Seth's eyes but excitement on what was to come and marrying the person he had perceived to be his soul mate, as well as getting to call her his own. "Promise me you wont tell Renee or anyone but I'm afraid of being a dad" continued Dean opening up to Seth much like the younger man was doing with him. He knew he could trust the younger Iowan with anything.
"Because of how you grew up?" asked Seth, seeing Dean nod as he remembered the Ohio native telling him and Roman about his upbringing when they were in the black ops together. It was sad to say the least, hence why they had stuck together for so long. "You wont be like that Dean, I know you, you wont let that child grow up the same way you did, plus you know Renee wouldn't let it happen either. You'll be a good dad, you have so much passion and love. You just need to believe in yourself. Look how far you have come since we first met. Back then you didn't even consider the idea of being in a relationship let alone having your own family, now here you are all these years later, married to a beautiful woman who loves you for who you are, expecting your first child" finished Seth giving Dean the confidence boost to realise he would be a good father to his children, all he had to do was believe he could do it, just as he was sure Renee already did.
"Thanks buddy" replied Dean, a small smile coming to his lips at being reminded how far he had come and knowing what the future could hold. "Let get through this so I can get home to my wife and mother to be and you can get back to the princess you want to call wife" added Dean, knowing whatever happened with Roman, he would get himself out of the trouble, after all he was the only one of the three to be safe from their former employee, having thrown the pair of them under the bus months ago to get what he wanted and gaining his own freedom. They knew if anyone could leave without harm then it was their Samoan friend, although the same couldn't be said for Zarah. She was after all the key to making Roman suffer without actually physically touching him. "We have hope, and something to look forward to upon returning home, that should be enough to see us through our time on the run" finished Dean, hoping they wouldn't be gone more than a few weeks, although he had feeling it would be much longer than either man wanted to be away and on the run for.
