"Is anything wrong? It's awfully early for a casual conversation." Roman sat down on the edge of his bed and put his phone on speaker.

"Actually, you're going to like this," Dwayne promised. "Two things. First, Haven is completely set up. We pulled the last of our gear from Sanctuary and got everyone settled."

Roman smiled. "We've got Mick to thank for insisting on having a backup location."

"God Bless him," Dwayne agreed. "I've started the process of finding a backup location for Haven. Now, the second thing. I've got a plane on the way to Davenport immediately returning to Miami. It'll be there in about 90 minutes. Put Batista on it."

"You're taking him back?" Roman felt a chill down his spine, hearing Dwayne's low chuckle.

"No…and he's not coming back to Davenport either."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Roman casually listened to the conversation around the breakfast table aware of the cold look Black periodically gave to Batista who calmly ignored Black. 'He's baiting Black into making a move against him,' Roman thought as he finished off his coffee. Roman stood as people were finishing their breakfast. "Mr. Batista, my office, please."

Batista calmly wiped his mouth and stood to follow Roman. He didn't see the looks exchanged by the others. Jericho silently held up his crossed fingers causing the twins to laugh.

"Please close the door," Roman requested as he sat behind his desk then motioned for Batista to sit down. He was silently amused when Batista took Black's usual chair. "I spoke with Dwayne earlier this morning. He's sending a plane for you." He paused, then continued. "Are you familiar with the name Rey Fenix?"

Batista shrugged. "He's a punk-assed kid who wormed his was up to running the west side of Miami. I never thought he was all that competent and probably ripping off some of the protection money."

Roman coldly smiled. "Dwayne had the same idea and has been investigating him. According to Dwayne, Fenix is a slippery individual and very persuasive. It's his opinion that interrogating Fenix will require your…special talents."

"It'll be my pleasure," Batista coldly replied. 'Dwayne will have to take me back. Adding the west side of Miami to South Beach would be very profitable.'

"Pack whatever you'll need for four or five days," Roman added. "Jericho will take you to the airport. You need to be leaving in twenty minutes. The plane should be at the airport by then and refueling for the flight back to Miami."

"I'll be returning to Davenport?" Batista asked as he stood.

Roman shrugged. "I supposed that depends on the results of your…interrogation. Jericho will meet you at the garage." He waited a couple of minutes to make sure Batista had left the house before summoning Black, Jericho, and McIntyre to his office. He was almost certain none of them had left the house.

When all three men were sitting across from Roman, he explained, "Dwayne called me early this morning. First of all, Haven is up and running. Dwayne's starting the search for a backup location…just in case. Second, a plane is on the way to pick up Batista and take him to Dwayne." He watched as the three men exchanged looks.

"Batista was told that he was needed for a 'special interrogation where his talents in that field would be necessary'. And that's a direct quote, by the way," Roman continued. "Batista was told to take whatever he would need for four or five days. But Dwayne assured me Batista's not coming back to Davenport."

"Taking more would have made him suspicious," Black nodded.

McIntyre smiled in satisfaction. "His replacement?" he curiously asked.

"In the works. I'll know for sure later today," Roman looked at Jericho. "You're taking him to the airport," Roman ordered. "Meet him in the garage in about fifteen minutes." He gave Jericho a level look. "Watch your back. Batista is eager to get back to Miami. Davenport doesn't live up to his standards so he shouldn't be suspicious. But make sure you're armed…just in case. I'll alert gate security once you've left just in case he tries to come back. Black, you leave before they do. Stay close but out of sight in case Jericho needs backup."

"I'll call you in a couple of minutes from my backup cell," Jericho advised. "You'll be able to hear if anything starts to go down. I'll take the nearest onramp to the highway."

Black silently nodded and left.

"McIntyre, once they're gone, go to Batista's house," Roman ordered. "Inventory everything and pay special attention to any computers or electronic devices. Bring those to Marko. Jericho, tell Marko those items are a priority. I want to know everything that's on them. Especially financials."

"He's already left to go to the Foundation to upgrade the security systems," Jericho explained. "Naomi left with him right after breakfast."

"When will he be back?"

Jericho thought for a few seconds. "Sometime mid-afternoon."

Roman shrugged. "Put him on whatever electronic devices McIntyre's found when he gets back." He thought for a few seconds then nodded. "That's all, gentlemen. Thank you." He wasn't sure, but he thought he heard Jericho and McIntyre laughing as they walked down the hallway.

An hour after Jericho took Batista to the airport, McIntyre returned with a laptop that he left on Jericho's desk and three different bank books that he silently handed to Roman.

Roman glanced at them then looked up at a grinning McIntyre. "Seriously?"

"Hidden under his mattress," McIntyre chuckled. "I'll take a security team back with me to go over everything more thoroughly. But I thought you'd want to see these as soon as possible. I left Batista's laptop on Jericho's desk with a note."

Roman silently nodded then began studying them more closely as McIntyre softly closed his office door behind him. Three different banks other than the one used to deposit salaries. The amounts weren't impressive, but then Batista hadn't been in Davenport for very long. He pulled out his cell phone and texted Naomi and Yuta.

'Naomi, get any information from your crews as to how much money was taken in and how much those under our protection were overcharged. Bring it to me this evening. Yuta, make sure your crews kept clear of Batista. If not, get the same information from them. You both have approval to use my name if necessary.' He paused then added, 'Or use Black's name.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Marko smiled in satisfaction. "Upgrades are completed with no issues. But if you see something that indicates a problem, give me a call." He proudly handed over one of the business cards that Jericho had provided to him.

Grinning, Naomi slid the card into her pocket. "Are you sure you don't need the doctor to take a look at those bruises?"

Marko flushed. "No, I'm okay. Really, they don't hurt."

"If they do, Mox will answer to me and Zelina," Naomi promised.

Marko's eyes widened momentarily as he silently nodded. "I did catch him by surprise one time and kicked him…hard."

"Good for you!" Naomi chuckled as they walked towards the front door.

"Everything done?" Matthews asked as he joined them.

"Yes, sir," Marko nodded.

Matthews gently smiled and walked towards the security office.

Naomi opened a small hidden panel next to the front door and keyed in the code to unlock the front door and shut off the alarm to the door. "See you at dinner," Naomi said as Marko left the building. "How are you getting home?"

The young man pulled the straps of his backpack over one shoulder. "I called Jericho when it looked like we were finished. He said Mr. Reigns had come into the city and would pick me up."

"You want to wait inside for him?"

"I asked if he could pick me up at the convenience store in the next block." Marko shyly smiled as he stepped outside. "I wanted to pick up some snacks."

Naomi chuckled under her breath as she locked the door and reset the alarm. She heard a dog barking from the back entrance almost immediately followed by shouts of 'Kevin!'. The little dog had become a favorite with a lot of their kids. She saw Seth wave in her direction as he set the little dog down on the floor to be petted.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Matthews studied the security guard who was closely looking at the security video monitors. "Anything wrong?"

"Not sure," the guard mumbled. "We've been monitoring the foot traffic as well as vehicle traffic. Some people are seen almost every day. We've identified those as employees in some of the boutique stores and as well as employees and visitors to the coffee shop. But some people we haven't seen before have shown up today. All men. They haven't been in the coffee shop, and they're not the types to be shopping in the boutiques. They're just…walking around."

"Isolate them," Matthews ordered. He had the same itchy feeling in the back of his neck that he'd felt just before Scarlett had been murdered.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"That guy just came out of the building."

Robinson grinned and adjusted his sunglasses. "Let's go," he ordered as he waved to his people across the street.

Marko saw a group of men coming towards him and slowed his walk. 'Dumb dumb dumb! I should've stayed inside.' He came to a halt as the men separated to surround him.

"Hey, little boy," Robinson laughed. "You're gonna get us inside that building."

Marko backed up a few steps and saw more men crossing the street. 'I'm trapped if they get behind me.'

"If you run or don't do as you're told, you're gonna get hurt real bad," Robinson warned with a sickening grin.

'Hit and run. Do what you have to do to keep space between you and them.'

Marko took a deep breath and slid his backpack off his shoulder.

'Use that backpack as a weapon.'

"Hey, that backpack looks new. I'm gonna take it."

'Whoever's coming after you won't expect you to resist or fight. That'll give you a head start on running from them.'

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Juice Robinson," Matthews growled as he hit the alarm for a full security alert. "Unlock the front door then lock it behind me! Be ready to unlock it again if Marko and I can get back to the door ahead of them! Make sure to get any kids outside in the athletic area back inside now." 'Robinson's coming after those kids he used.'

"FULL SECURITY ALERT! ALL EXTERIOR DOORS ARE NOW LOCKED! FENCING AROUND THE ATHLETIC AREA IS ACTIVATED! ALL THOSE IN THE OUTSIDE ATHLETIC AREA ARE TO RETURN TO THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY! BE PREPARED TO PROCEED TO NEAREST ROOM WHERE DOORS WILL BE SECURED BEHIND YOU! POLICE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED!"

Seth saw the concerned and fearful looks on the youths' faces. "Follow orders!" he said in a firm tone of voice. "You've done the drills. Nobody is going to get in here." He then ran towards Naomi, Kevin at his heels. "What's going on?" Seth asked as Matthews ran onto the sidewalk.

"Bunch of gang bangers going after Marko," Naomi growled. "Matthews went him."

They both stared through the front windows in concern, Kevin with his nose pressed against the door.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Robinson lowered his sunglasses then smirked. "Looks like somebody's already used the little boy as a punching bag. Take the backpack. He'll be begging for mercy after the first punch."

'NO! I'm Bloodline, DAMMIT! We don't beg!'

With a shrill cry of defiance, Marko swung his backpack, pivoting on his heels and putting all his strength into the swing. The backpack hit the man coming for him, catching him in the upper arm and slamming him into the wall of the Foundation building.

The other man howled and grabbed his shoulder as he slid to the sidewalk.

Marko ran as fast as he could, seeing Matthews heading towards him. He had a decent head start, but it was going to be close race to reach safety.

Matthews put Marko ahead of him and turned to try and delay the men in pursuit.

Seth quickly opened the door for Marko as soon as he reached the door. Naomi grabbed him and pulled him to safety inside the building. As Marko ran past him, Seth saw Matthews wasn't going to make it.

"KEVIN!"

Seth was startled when Kevin ran past him, angrily barking as he ran towards Matthews.

"KEVIN, GET BACK HERE!" Seth frantically shouted as the first police squad car screeched to a halt in front of the building.

Robinson screamed as the little dog sank his sharp teeth in to Robinson's calf. "FUCK! GET THIS THING OFF ME!"

Matthews smashed his fist into Robinson's jaw, causing the man to hit the sidewalk. Kevin was knocked off balance and released his bite on Robinson. As various members of his crew began running from the cops, more squad cars and unmarked police cars arrived. Kevin barked and snarled at Robinson as Matthews quickly grabbed him and ran for the front door of the building.

Seth immediately shut the door behind Matthews as Naomi locked it and activated the alarm. Matthews thrust Kevin into Seth's arms and ran for the security office. He saw some of the kids standing in the hallway and mentally shrugged. 'Let them see with their own eyes that nobody's getting in to hurt them.'

He paused in the doorway of the security office. "Isolate any pictures of those guys and make copies of everything," he brusquely ordered. "I'm sure the cops are going to want the footage." Then he turned to walk back to the lobby to join the others. He saw Marko had slid onto the floor, holding his backpack against his chest. Naomi knelt next to him, softly urging him to slow his breathing.

"Kevin, what were you thinking?" Seth scolded the little dog in his arms "You could've gotten hurt."

Kevin stared up at Seth then chuffed.

Seth sighed and set Kevin down onto the floor. He pointed at Marko. "Go sit with him and be his friend."

Kevin obediently trotted over to Marko and licked his hand.

Marko hesitated then patted his lap.

Kevin eagerly curled up on the young man's lap and snuggled against his stomach.

Marko gently patted the small dog and whispered, "I think I want a dog."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Chief Malenko!"

Malenko turned from where he was talking with Mysterio then called out, "Let them through."

Roman and McIntyre ducked under the crime scene tape and rapidly walked towards the front door. "Thank you," Roman politely spoke. "I understand one of my employees was attacked."

Malenko nodded. "We've gotten his statement as well as the statements of some of your other employees. He a little rattled, but wasn't hurt. In fact, none of your employees or the kids were hurt."

Mysterio smiled. "The security protocols worked like a charm."

"Can you tell me what happened?" Roman asked. He saw Malekno's eyes flicker to McIntyre. "Can he go inside while we speak?"

Before Malenko could answer, they heard someone calling Roman's name. Malenko looked past Roman and called him. "He comes in, too." As Mox jogged towards them, Malenko nodded to Roman. "They can go inside."

McIntyre smiled and headed for the front door.

"What happened?" Mox asked. "I got the notification the building was on full security alert."

"Joe Robinson aka Juice Robinson and some of his gang attacked Mr. Marko…"

"Marko!" Mox exclaimed. "Is he okay?"

"He's fine, Mox," Roman assured him.

"The attack was to force Mr. Marko to get them in the building," Malenko calmly continued. "Mr. Marko defended himself and was joined by the head of security, Mr. Matthews. Mr. Marko got into the building, but it looked like Mr. Matthews wasn't going to make it. That's when a dog ran out of the building and bit Robinson, allowing for both the dog and Mr. Matthews to get back into the building?"

"Dog?" Mox glanced at Roman. "Kevin?!"

Roman smirked and nodded. "Seth brings him over just about every day to be with the kids. He's become quite popular."

Mox rubbed his face. "Good God," he mumbled.

Mysterio chuckled. "I understand the security cameras were rolling. We'd like to get a copy of all the relevant footage."

Roman immediately nodded. "You'll have it. Both visual and audio. I'll inform Mr. Matthews. If you'll excuse us." When Malenko nodded, the two men walked towards the building.

"Mitch is gonna throw a fit about this," Mox mumbled.

"Either that or be totally proud of Kevin," Roman pointed out.

Inside the lobby, Mox immediately walked to where Naomi was sitting next to Marko who comfortably held Kevin on his lap. He silently sat down in front of Marko and waited.

Slowly Marko raised his head. "I remembered what you and Jericho told me. Hit and run. Use the backpack. All of it…and I did it."

Mox reached out to scratch Kevin behind the ears. "I know, and I'm proud of you. And, as for you, Kevin…" He waited until the little dog looked up at him. "Nice job. Both of you."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Hey! Where's that ambulance? That damn dog bit me!"

"Got two ambulances on the way. ETA is two minutes," Malenko called back.

"Shoulda been here already!" Robinson protested from where he was sitting on the sidewalk.

"Aw, shut your whining," Eddie Kingston growled as he walked past Robinson. "You're not dying. You scared of a little dog? Cause I can deputize that dog and have him stand guard over you."

"Fuck you, Kingston!" The two cops standing on either side of Robinson kept him from trying to get to his feet.

Kingston laughed then turned his attention to Mysterio and lowered his voice. "Cap, I had the two I caught put into squad cars to be taken in for processing. They're a couple of kids, probably around sixteen. Scared to death right now."

"Reality hitting them?" Mysterio guessed.

Kingston shrugged. "Whatever it is, I think with a little TLC, they'll roll on Juice."

Mysterio nodded as the ambulances rolled to a stop and EMTs walked towards them. "One with a dog bite in his left calf. I'm told the other may have a broken arm or separated shoulder."

"Finally! As usual, the deadbeat dad leaves me for last!"

Mysterio looked past the EMTs. "Dom?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Mr. Matthews?"

Matthews half-turned to see one of the kids behind him.

"Would anyone like something to drink? We can get it from the kitchen."

Matthews recognized the girl as one of four girls who'd arrived a couple of days earlier. The other three were standing in a group about six feet away and watching him closely. They'd all said their names were Mary so Naomi had given them middle initials. This one was Mary D.

"I'm sure Marko would appreciate something," Matthews nodded. "He's the one sitting on the floor with the dog on his lap. You can bring four bottles of water and four of orange juice."

Mary D. turned her head and spoke to her friends as Matthews looked over his shoulder to watch the cops.

"Mr. Matthews? Can I ask you something?"

Matthews looked back at her. 'Those four are probably no older than fifteen.' He nodded. "I'll answer it if I can." He noticed how Mary D. used him as a shield in case any of the cops looked through the glass front door.

"Why did you go outside? You knew those guys were out there and would hurt you."

Matthews gently smiled. "Marko was out there. He's one of us, and we protect each other…just like we protect you and the others." He noticed the other three Marys holding the bottles but not coming closer. "Mox. Can you come here?" Matthews slightly raised his voice. He was getting that itchy feeling again. The girls were afraid of someone, and he didn't think it was him.

"What's up?" Mox asked as he appeared next to Matthews.

"Can you get those bottles of water and juice from the girls?" Matthews quietly spoke. "They're trying awfully hard not to be seen by the cops."

Mox nodded then walked towards the girls with a grin. "Delivery service provided, ladies. Load me up."

One of the Marys giggled as they handed over the bottles. Then they huddled against the wall where they were hidden from the cops.

"What is it, Mary D.? Is there someone out there who scares you…and them?"

Mary D. slowly nodded. "One of the cops out there…he got money from Juice every week. Then Juice would let him…use one of the girls. The cop liked them young."

Matthews' eyes flickered to the other girls. "Let's get out of this hallway." He put the girl in front of him so she wasn't seen. Once they reached the intersection, he pointed to the right where they would all be out of sight of the cops.

"Can you do something about him?" Mary D. urgently asked.

"I can tell the cops whatever you want to tell me," Matthews slowly responded. "But the cops will need a statement from you before they can do much. Are you willing to speak to the police?"

Three of the girls immediately shook their heads 'no'. Mary D. hesitated, then nodded 'yes'.

Matthews nodded. "The cops will only be allowed to talk to Mary D. with her attorney present and in the attorney's office. So, the next level of security goes into effect before we let the cops into the building. Do you remember what that is?"

"We all go into the nearest room with a door and the doors are locked by security," Mary D. answered.

Matthews smiled. "Very good. You three girls go to the infirmary and wait for the alert. I'll take Mary D. to the attorney's office. Don't answer any questions without the attorney's permission."

"Just the cop in charge," Mary D. firmly stated. She relaxed when Matthews nodded.

Five minutes later, Matthews walked into the lobby. He noticed that Marko was more relaxed and still had Kevin on his lap. He nodded at Naomi then to where the others were standing, quietly talking. Naomi followed him across the room.

"Mr. Reigns, one of the girls wants to speak with the police."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Malenko could see the realization hit Mysterio that his son was tied in with Robinson's gang.

"What? No hug?" Dominik harshly laughed. "No surprise there. You're the worst dad ever! You gonna have your bully boys beat on me? You gonna watch that?"

"You tell him, DomDom!" one of Robinson's men shouted.

"Watch your mouth!" Kingston barked.

"Enough." Mysterio firmly ordered. He pointed at two of the uniformed officers. "You two accompany the prisoner to the hospital. Read him his rights and stay with him. As soon as he's released from the hospital, take him directly to our precinct for booking and incarceration." He stared at his son and continued, "No favoritism to be shown."

Both officers nodded and accompanied the EMTs to where Dom was sitting.

"You never cared about me!" Dom shouted.

"You're lucky they're going with you, and I'm not, DumDum," Kingston snarled.

"THAT'S DOMDOM!"

Kingston laughed and waved a hand in dismissal.

Mysterio turned away. "He started running with a bad crowd just after his 16th birthday," he muttered. "Then he ran away a few months later. I tried to find him but…" He shrugged. "I handled the situation all wrong."

"You make the best choices you can make at the time you need to make them," Malenko quietly spoke. "After that, everything is 20/20 hindsight."

"Cap, you raised him to know right from wrong," Kingston added. "You're not responsible for the bad choices he made."

Mysterio took a deep breath. "Thank you," he murmured. "At least I can tell his mother where he is."

"Excuse me."

All three cops looked up to see Roman standing next to them. Kingston threw an angry look at the uniformed cops who allowed Roman to get that close to them.

"My apologies for interrupting," Roman quietly spoke. "But one of our kids wants to speak with you, Chief Malenko."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Matthews saw Mary D. tense up when Roman returned with not only Malenko but Mysterio and Kingston as well.

Mary D.'s attorney stood and placed a reassuring hand on the teenager's shoulder. "Gentlemen, my name is Raquel Rodriguez; and I represent Mary." She glanced at Roman. "I was under the impression only Chief Malenko would be present for this conversation."

"My apologies," Malenko politely responded. "I requested Captain Mysterio join us as his department has been working closely with the Foundation. A dirty cop would most likely have come from either his division or the patrol division which is under my purview."

"And I asked Detective Kingston as the Foundation building is in his direct jurisdiction," Mysterio added.

"So, they'll know everything I say?" Mary D. sighed.

"I'm afraid so," Malenko nodded. "However, if one of them is the officer you mentioned to Mr. Matthews, he'll be taken into custody immediately.

Mary D. quickly shook her head. "It's none of you."

"It's your decision," Roman firmly spoke. "But we trust them. They've supported us almost from the beginning."

Mary D. suddenly pointed at both Roman and Matthews. "They stay, too."

"Agreed," Malenko nodded.

Raquel sat back down and took Mary D.'s hand.

"The other girls I came in with…we tried to stay together as much as possible without getting in trouble with Juice," Mary D. haltingly explained. "When we had the chance, we all ran…and came here…a few days ago." She took a deep breath.

"Take as much time as you need," Mysterio quietly spoke.

"I saw…that cop visiting Juice at his place in Severn Street…every week," Mary D. continued. "Juice would pay him a lot of money. I don't know how much. Juice called him 'The Fixer'."

Malenko and Mysterio exchanged looks as Kingston growled under his breath.

"We've got a warrant for Robinson's place on Severn," Malenko assured her.

"Why didn't you get one earlier?" Mary D. almost demanded.

"Without someone providing them with information just like you've just done or catching Robinson in an illegal act, the police can't just get a warrant." Matthews spared a glance at Malenko. "At least not legally."

"Oh. I didn't know that," Mary D. looked down at the floor. "I'm…I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Kingston chuckled. "No harm no foul."

Mary D. lifted her head and nodded in silent thanks. "What about the place on Wyndham Court?" She stiffened when the three cops looked at each other in confusion.

"What place on Wyndham Court?" Mysterio gently asked.

"It's a house where he stays and has important people for…parties," Mary D. explained.

"The property is probably under some else's name," Malenko commented. "Do you know the address?"

Mary D. nodded. "It's 1724. I was taken there a couple of times."

"I'll call the DA and get a warrant," Malenko advised as he pulled out his phone and walked to the other side of the room.

"Do you know this officer's name?" Mysterio asked. "The Fixer?"

Mary shook her head. "But he was one of the cops outside."

Mysterio pulled out his phone and pulled up an app. "Was he in uniform?"

"No. Regular clothes."

Mysterio held his phone out to Mary D. "Here are pictures of the detectives under my command. Swipe through them and let me know if you see him."

"Some detectives from other precincts might have answered the call for backup," Kingston pointed out as Mary D. began looking at the pictures.

"Mary can look at those if necessary," Mysterio quietly responded.

Malenko shoved his phone into his pocket and walked back to Raquel's desk. "Cole's writing up the warrant. He'll walk it to a judge and get it signed." They were startled when Mysterio's phone was suddenly tossed on Raquel's desk.

Mysterio picked up the phone and stared at the picture. "Are you certain?" he quietly asked.

Kingston watched as Mary D. curled around herself and Matthews placed himself between the teenager and the cops. "She's certain," he growled. "She's terrified of his picture."

Roman used his height to look over Mysterio's shoulder. He nodded to himself as he walked to Mary D. and his people. "Keep a close eye on her. Go to Level 3 security until further notice," he murmured.

Raquel tried to get Mary D. to drink some water, but the teenager kept shaking her head.

"Mary, did this man ever do anything to you?" Malenko gently asked.

Mary silently nodded.

Raquel stood and faced Malenko. "My client won't be answering any more questions. She's not in any shape to continue."

"He hurt me…hurt us…he laughed," Mary D. sobbed.

"I'll rip his fucking head off," Kingston swore. "He ain't never gonna hurt you or any of the others again."

Malenko gave his card to Raquel. "I'll be in touch. Hopefully, we can get her statement on record as soon as possible." He slightly raised his voice. "Mary? Thank you. You've probably saved a lot of other kids."

"Tracy." Mary D. looked up with tears in her dark eyes. "My name's Tracy."

"Thank you, Tracy, for your trust in us," Mysterio gently spoke. "You're very brave."

Malenko led the two officers out of the Foundation building, Kingston still muttering threats under his breath.

Roman motioned for Matthews to come closer. "We'll discuss this at dinner. The cop's name is Jay Lethal." He coldly smiled. "If he shows up here, use whatever force necessary to keep him out."

Matthews silently nodded. When Roman left, shutting the door behind him, Matthews leaned his back against the door, watching as Raquel soothed the teenager. Seconds later, he smelled a familiar scent. A lightly smoky Jasmine scent that filled all his senses with intoxication.

'I'm proud of you. You could not have stopped The Switchblade. It was my time, and no one could've kept me safer than you did for many years. Protect these children and people. That is now your task. You have always been the perfect protector.'

Matthews lowered his head and said a silent prayer for the soul of Miss Scarlett.