This wasn't good.

That was what her gut told her, thank fuck, Lilith and lucifer that twisting remained gone but she was terrified it would come back, so much her hand kept going to check. But no, it was just her regular old instincts that were screaming at her that this was not good. And not because it was bloody, which it was, exceedingly so, unnecessarily so, but because it was exceedingly bloody and organized. Every door but the back exit, where the first two had had their throats slit with a precision she suspected had been in unison, had all been wedged shut, not though it looked like anyone had tried to use them. They'd fought, futilely but hard, especially considering how young they were, an inexperience that was fatal against such expertise. Did she know who was responsible?

Was this coincidence?

Or was someone tugging at strings again?

Whatever or whoever it was Leonid and his men had paid the price. His boys really, he was an old timer who'd liked mentoring the new generation, especially immigrants who were used to different rules. This would have been a crushing end for him, and a slow one, though the others had not been, a mercy for them and torture for him. An added one because in addition to the split gut she believed had killed him his chest had been carved up, on top of his tattoos being skinned off which implied someone with a vendetta. And the torture… knives were very much a part of bratva culture but if it was someone associated with the organization Alexei had given no indication though she didn't really trust him, and not just because he had shown no remorse for his fallen men. But because Tess was now questioning the last time she'd dealt with him. Rather, the time before that. When one of his contacts had suddenly decided to kidnap her, leading to her reunion with Jay. But… had it been random?

What if all of this had been intentional?

She hadn't shared these thoughts yet but she was going to have to, at the least just to get them out because Jay wouldn't care. He'd say it was whoever's behind this biggest mistake. Second, after coming after them in the first place. But while he was forefront in her mind in all this bloodshed he wasn't the one beside her. Knox was. It kind of felt like because the other men had moved off he'd made himself her bodyguard, a post she knew he was aware wasn't necessary but if it made him feel he was contributing she didn't mind. He was a distracted guard though, his attention torn between her and Jay, and he gave her a wry smile when he realized she'd noticed.

"This kind of thing is pretty normal for you guys huh?"

"Yeah. It's pretty different from the military, hey?"

"Yeah." He repeated somberly but he was smiling as he looked back to his friend. His eyes were green too, with a hint of blue but usually dull, except for right now when they were bright with pride. "He's good at it. Better even than being a soldier and he- he was one of the best."

"Did you ever think about it?" She asked tentatively, rightfully when he immediately and emphatically shook his head.

"Nah. That's Ricky's domain."

"But you wanted to." Tess pushed quietly but Elliot avoided her stare, shrugging a couple times before he finally looked up with another crooked smile.

"By the time I coulda been serious about it, it wasn't an option anymore."

"You have options now."

It was small but he chuckled and nodded, looking between them once more before he nodded again. "Teach me something?"

With a smile and a tight squeeze of his arm she did. It wasn't hard, he was smart and paid good attention to detail, it was putting it all together with context he was a bit slower with but she thought a lot of that was his lack of self-esteem. She did her best to build him up but was careful not to be overt, aware of how sensitive a struggle that was. As was he, in the moments he noticed her getting distracted. There was not a single reason she had to think she knew who was behind this, because the tingling in the scar on her spine could just as easily, more easily be attributed to the various occasions she had been in a situation like this. It was the unfortunate consequence of letting down her walls to let love in that it was hitting her harder than normal but she was quickly given another reminder that the trade was worth it.

"There's my Tinkerbell!"

Kevin fucking Atwater.

John was her gentle giant but Kevin, her Hunkules, he was a ferocious, cuddly teddy bear. And now she was his fairy.

His smile was almost as bright as Jay's but his eyes were tinged with worry and a quick glance showed her shield was down so much they all saw that she was affected. But thankfully they didn't treat her with kid gloves.

"Not exactly the sultan's dungeon huh?" Adam joked and she actually laughed, not in time to stop Kim from smacking him but he didn't seem to mind. He never did.

"No golden torture instruments here."

"Seriously?" Vanessa asked, sharing her repulsion before her eyes finally found Jay.

He was hiding his thoughts well but she knew he knew the connections she'd been making, at least some of them and while he was upset for her he also looked assured that she was okay and hell if that didn't make her feel better. They broke apart again so the team could take their turn looking over the scene and though she went alone this time, Knox checking in with Drew after almost exactly five minutes she found herself being checked on. By Kim, Hailey and Vanessa, in such quick succession Tess couldn't help but snort as they all popped up around her.

"Girl power assemble."

They all chuckled, Hailey especially soft as she raised her brows. "You okay?"

"You all know how it is." She said with a small shrug but she made sure to not avoid any of their stares.

"I really hope this doesn't come out wrong," Kim mumbled with a shake of her head before her suddenly resolute gaze found hers, "but I'd like to hear those stories."

She did.

And… she wanted to share them.

Girl fucking power.

She shared another smile with each of them before muffled shouts started coming from outside, patrol calling for Voight but before she could whip out her phone or even take a step the sound of screaming filled the air. And then four sets of pounding, frantic footsteps racing towards them until Jay, Liam, Drew and Elliot all burst in behind the others, their faces stark with anger and fear. And confusion. And she knew why.

Those were her screams.