"So what's the plan, genius?" Morrison asks.

Mike doesn't say anything for a long moment, then he exhales slowly. "Well, Ciampa's staying in Florida this week to help his family through the hurricane."

"Don't blame him," John muses. "That leaves you all by your lonesome, then, huh? "

"Somewhat," Mike says. "I'm thinking about hiring security though."

"Oh, so some guys who don't know what to expect to safeguard you, cool," John says. "What are you thinking?"

"Well, I mean, I'll offer extra incentives!"

"Yeah? Like what?"

Mike flounders for an answer, biting his lip and tugging at his hair with his free hand. "I... I'll offer whoever contains Lumis a leading role in a Marine spin-off!"

John blinks a few times. "There's a Marine spinoff?"

"There will be! I just need to suggest it, and boom, right like that, it'll be in production. You'll see."

John huffs out a vague laugh. "I don't doubt you," he says dryly. "Well, I hope it's enough. You've been through a lot the last month because of this guy."

"I know," Mike grumbles. "We all have.I really just need it to end, and this may be the only way to make sure that happens."

"I'll be watching," John promises. "If I think of anything that might help get Lumis off your case and keep you all safe, I'll let you know."

"Thanks," Mike says. "I need to go now, my flight is soon. We'll talk later."

"Alright. Stay safe."

Mike has to move quickly after that, making it to the airport just in time to begin the process of international flight. Through it all, John's words keep echoing through his mind.

He's still mulling it all over when he hires the security. When he tries to encourage them with the movie spinoff offer. When he finds them later unconscious on the floor in a line. Useless, absolutely no help to him and his safety. It's very little surprise when Mike senses a presence behind him and there's Lumis.

A sharp pressure wraps around his throat, Mike's fight all-too-quickly leaving him as he collapses to the ground. Everything goes dark, but he can still hear Lumis' breath, feel the lingering touch of his fingers against Mike's forehead.

Stay safe, John's voice taunts him once more as his body gives in entirely to unconsciousness.