Forever Haunted

by cindyhasi

They don't count the cops they shoot. They don't care to remember them or even spend a second of thought on their families. But he remembered them. Having waited for so long, the itch now never seizes to lessen thirsty for revenge, the bloody and irreversible type. The Payday gang didn't know what would hit them. M Rating is for foul language and graphic violent scenes

3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

His eyes rested on the man, machines doing the breathing for him, lost in a coma. Bain at this point felt himself like he would give Leto a beating before ending trouble with a bullet, another heist busted. What they had gotten away with was laughable at best. It barely even covered bills. Wolf out of the four was in the worst mood and outwardly showed it, Dallas chewing through his brother's death, Hoxton joining Wolf in being a menace and Chains had settled into a creepy quiet with thoughts better not asked to be known brewing in that head. Their reputation? Halfway in the shitter, the man doing everything he could to counter the public stunt ensuring everyone knew it hadn't been the payday gang handing over plates. As far as anyone was concerned when it came to the panic room, the gang had pulled an impressive stunt. No one knew about the lost loot and the gang planned to keep it that way. And with Gage out of commission they now needed to buy from someone else which Bain didn't like. He wanted to get rid of Cody first but money had to come in. They had to pull one off. Bain would plan for absolutely everything, every angle Leto could attack the crew from. And after that if they hadn't ended or snatched him then, Bain and the crew would turn the hunt on the youth. Relentlessly. And without distraction, that the man vowed.

He had been lucky, having found the dirt bike in its spot with nothing missing the won money allowing him another phone for a while. Cody snarled treating the slight burn, still wearing off the slight high as part of the drugs had burned during the dangerous escape. At least it hadn't been strong, Leto barely having noticed it. The old phone already discarded and a new one in hand, Leto quickly called his employer letting him know the new number and hanging up dropping backwards on the mattress tiredly. After a moment taking a deep breath, his lips pulled into a smile before bursting into laughter. He didn't have Dallas in a coffin but the robber had to be pissing rage by now with another heist ruined. Laughing his heart out, Cody stared at the ceiling for a while contently. While he would be a liar if he said he didn't like the action, he never wanted it to be that close again. Any emotions concerning Franklin were shoved in a corner now pushed away by others. He wouldn't bait anymore no matter how much fun it was to anger the clowns. He still wondered if the escaped fear back there had been spotted as those nightmares still messed with him. Next time he would be picking them off just like he had started at the bank. One thing nagged him though when Bain had been able to call him despite never given the number perhaps just needing the proximity somehow. How much did he know? Did he know about his employer now, his only way to gain money?

They had been lucky to get it, the employer hesitant in trusting them and it had taken every bit of Bain's skills to secure it for the crew. A sniper was in place. Two spotters. It was going well, the crew reaching the prisoner transport and the man's eyes narrowed watching every angle. It had been smooth. Way too smooth. What could've been an opportune moment for Leto passed only causing Bain to get more on guard anticipating a strike any moment now, eyes glued to the screens. He still wasn't quite sure how the youth found out about the jobs anyway, this one being completely over crime net he shouldn't be able to at all. No matter how much and how well he stalked the crew. Bain could tell, it still nagged on Dallas how long he had been unknowingly shadowed for years by the vengeful soul and the other three probably less but as well for a short time. He had worked out the routes Cody must've taken and which places he must've gone to to learn all those martial arts since vicinity for him having been able to pull off his years long quest was key. The news would cheer the men up having places to look into. The prisoner was secured, law enforcement shooting at the crew as they pushed back to get their client's son to safety.

The door flew open, Bain unable to counter the attacker however he didn't end up beaten. His equipment did, the bat swinging out relentlessly pounding every bit of it, the compound rapidly turning into a mess. At the third swing, the first two having destroyed most of it, Bain jumped up having been forced back causing stumbling and tried yanking the bat out of the offending hands causing Leto to turn around to him being yanked. Their eyes met with sparks of hatred. Leto gained a grin shoving the bat into Bain's hands grasping it to ram him against the wall and the wooden tool into his gut before following with a kick to the head, Bain blocking with an arm that gave way to the force left stinging and bruising as confidence oozed off the youth, bat yanked back and absolutely finishing the man's equipment with a wide swung blow. Bain tried landing a punch suffering a hit with the bat to the wrist despite Cody's back having been to him noting just how dangerous of a fighter the guy was. This kind of skill only came with focused dedication and his case having started at ten, Bain having to wonder if natural talent only made it worse for the crew. It was like he sensed it. Whether talent or relentless honing, Bain wouldn't make the mistake again, closing his fist despite the sting facing his smirking adversary. He had to get to the desk. Bain was no slouch but the gun in there would be a huge help. It wouldn't surprise the man if Leto had some sort of armor under those clothes, gloves showing he didn't plan to leave any prints behind.

"Bain, we pulled it off heading out now." Dallas smiled, the other three cheering but only getting static back. "Bain?" His eyes narrowed. "Guys, something is wrong. Bain isn't answering I only get static." No one knew exactly where Bain's compound would be during a mission, the precaution that he couldn't be found. Right now it served as a problem.

Bain never got to the gun, slumped against the wall, both bloody and bruised as blades carried their blood along with the bat. Cody had shrugged off blows fairly well, Bain in worse shape. Despite the cramped space he had proven more athletic than Bain had thought. A solid punch in the face had Bain wondering if Cody's hatred served as fuel as he had refused to get down from it and still managed to beat him despite having consequences from the punch. Cody's bloody nose dripped on him with a busted lip as he leaned in closer, the bat's tip going under the man's chin and gun pointed at him. "Aren't you going to finish me? Isn't that what you want from your rampage kid?"

"I could… You are technically at fault too I guess. But I won't… do you know what you are Bain?"

"Victim of a vengeful, bloodthirsty civilian punk who can't accept his daddy chose a risky job and ended up with the bad day card?" It pleased to see him that he had hit a nerve but Cody didn't lash out.

"No, you're like a flower to a bee. I'll wipe out those damn clowns. And then you'll get a new crew. Which will end up arrested. Again. And again. And fucking again. So do your thing Bain. I might keep up the hunt after the clowns. Or law enforcement will. So your face is safe. For a while."

He turned to leave, stopping as Bain began to talk. "Cody, the whole crew wants to kick you around by now and trust me if we get you, you have no clue what real torture is. You saw my face I'll never stop, they'll never stop out of revenge. If you don't disappear now, you're never getting out, you'll get more eyes than us on you. You're throwing your life away. Civilians aren't supposed to get involved."

"I don't care and that's not how people work, Bain. I'll just have to find a way. I kicked your ass, didn't I? You count as some hotshot from old times. See you around." Leto smirked, leaving the compound, bat left with Bain.

"You're so fucked brat... I tried." Bain slowly stood up using the bat to pull himself up, eyes wandering over the mess which would be costly to replace. "What a prick… and wasted talent…" Fishing out a phone under the mess, he called Dallas picking up. "Got the client out?"

"Yeah, out of the cops' sight too. What happened, we couldn't reach you tried to tell you when we were done." He pondered for a moment if he should tell them but found no point in keeping it a secret. If they ditched, then was there any loyalty at all? Leto had managed to beat him out of all people, not without bloody bruises and limp of his own but Bain had thought there was no chance it could end this way. He didn't want the crew to underestimate Cody, ending up like him. Loyalty would be shown or discarded now. At least they would get paid for this heist. Leto didn't look to be in shape after the tussle to try to steal payment in any way but didn't look interested in it either. "Bain?"

"Leto came by, found my set-up."

"You got that wanker!?" Hoxton sounded SO excited and he could hear excited Swedish in the background. For a moment he wondered if the news would break those two. And the silence caused tension to crop up. Emotions slowly bubbled. "He trashed my equipment and beat me in a fight. He's licking wounds but had me at gunpoint enabling him to flee." Hoxton and Wolf moved away from the phone so Dallas could continue to talk without being drowned out. "What's the plan now Bain?"

"We have money, back to the safe house. I replace the equipment. And then we go on a hunt. A really thoroughly planned hunt."

"Hey, I need you shower." He almost dropped the ice cream out of his hand entering the room, Leto leaning against the wall playing with a handheld console owned by the dwelling occupant trying to calm his thumping heart.

"Fuck! Where the hell have you been!? You're lucky your stuff isn't in the trash! Why do you have to keep going through the window!?" His voice lowered plopping down on the cushy chair which must have a heavy price tag, one of those gaming chairs. His nose slowly scrunched up. "Fuck, you stink!"

"Hence why I need your shower. I'll be quick. I use your window cuz it faces a dumpster alley, it's perfect no one goes there." Cody pushed off the wall, fresh clothing in a bag placing the hand held console on the table as the guy threw up a hand like a defeated 'go ahead.'

'Wait, was that blood on his clothes!?'

"Punching bags are not meant to be stabbed…" Aldstone sighed having gotten one after Matt didn't survive the menacing duo the last time, specifically Wolf. While those two had an animated conversation with Chains throwing down ideas for the 'hunt' often skipping to the catch in their scenarios, Dallas was on the phone with Bain in another room.

"You know I'm glad he didn't do it, but why didn't he kill you Bain? He hasn't held back on any of us and killed Franklin."

"I'll word it like he did; apparently I'm the flower and working gentlemen like you are the bees. He kept me around for bait figuring I'll assemble another crew if he gets all of you."

"He sure has confidence… would you?"

"He won't get you, him winning over your brother was a fluke. And he caught me by surprise. Won't happen again."

"Wouldn't hold it against you, that's just business. But you're right. His bag of surprises is running out so our little buddy will be coming home real soon."

"I got a place for you to check out. Got it before rage incarnate came waltzing in. There is an underground fighting ring. Got info he's been seen there going by 'Sawyer'. Punched his handler publicly though probably won't be coming back again. But check it out anyway, I'll get you the faces that run it. Maybe you'll get a lead. I'm also sure by now that the previous house holder working at that clinic has ties to him so when she comes flying home be ready to nab her if needed. There is someone else though I think handling things for him. Before the family in it now, the house was extremely briefly held by someone else but it lead nowhere probably used an alias. Whoever that is though did a house flip for him to get the woman's name out of the picture. That's all I could dig up, he doesn't leave much to find. And I got martial art places too he might have practiced at, grab a pen and paper to write down the addresses."

"Thanks Bain, that's plenty." After writing down the places, he joined the others stopped by Aldstone. "Sir, you look tired. Can I get you something refreshing to drink? I know an excellent tea blend."

"No, thank you." Dallas gave a smile, Aldstone nodded tending to the others. It had haunted him robbing him of his sleep. His worst nightmare seeing his brother die had become reality and his dreams enjoyed to hit the replay button all in detail, Franklin soaking in his own blood with Leto standing over him with those bitterly pained eyes ever so angry. So much emotion. Dallas understood that pain now so much. But his heart wouldn't change, determined to hunt Leto down instead of showing compassion sating the whispering anger instead.

"Thanks, here."

"You don't have to pay me for using the shower."

"Take it."

"No. Hey, pick it up you're not leaving that here."

"No."

"I'll take payment in talk!" The guy huffed, Leto turning around with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"Sit down. Talk, it's what I want if you're going to be weird every time."

"You know it's better if we don't know each other. I'll be done soon."

"Don't jump the window. Come on, dude. Why do you need to borrow a shower anyway?"

He didn't know what compelled him, maybe he felt lonely. Certain Bain couldn't, at least currently, track him, Leto sat down on the couch. "I live in a storage unit."

"Why? That's sad..." His voice almost a whisper genuinely wondering why eating another spoon of ice cream.

"I couldn't stay in the house, the people I piss off make it impossible."

"That was… the red…"

"My blood." Leto shrugged. "Someone else's blood too. Multiple people."

"What's on the tapes Cody?" His voice sounded slightly shaky.

"Personal memories." His lisp pulled into a grin. "And murders." Cody burst out laughing, the guy almost spitting out the ice cream. "Relax, I'm messing with you! It's memories of my dad and me. And mom too, before she passed so I could remember her. Why are you risking this? Wanting to spend time with me? That's stupid, you know?"

"Guess I'm stupid then." He shrugged with a sigh. "That laptop with the seed working out for you?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"Remember you don't have to do anything if it does get busted. The seed will scrub itself quick enough. But if it does, I can't make another one almost got discovered the first time. If you want to be absolutely sure you can still throw the laptop in a river. Hey, that was you, right? On TV?"

"Yeah" Leto smiled.

His eyes shifted back to the window he had climbed out, silently berating himself for having been roped into talk. He already had a nightmare that Vanessa would be hurt for having been involved with him. 'I have to find another way to shower…' The dirt bike rumbled into motion as he headed back to the storage unit taking an alternate way. He was aware it wouldn't take Bain all that long to replace his equipment but he also took the detour to pass the very place, the dirt bike stopped at after while. He really should be hunkering down in the storage unit watching s every move or take the even more brazen route he had so often being physically stalking the robbers. He could even take a shot at them, probably catch one in the head for sure. But the inner child, still alive but buried under so much pain and hatred, bubbled up as eyes gazed over the dusty dirt track with bumps for jumps. It hardly ever got used, it was like his little secret playground he had found for himself tucked away. The few times he had encountered other bikers, once a larger biker gang had always ignored him. The wheel turned to enter the playground to zip around unrestrained, another biker with a heavier beefier bike practically presenting a stereotypical image physically rolled up watching the youth let loose pulling off impressive stunts. More bikers came, some getting off and chatting, a few throwing a cheer at a dazzling flip. Hands clapped after a few laps, Cody pulling out again stopped by a biker rolling his bike next to his. "Got fuel left for a little race? You're pretty good kid."

"I gotta get going. Maybe another time."

"Come on, what's the rush? Afraid to lose?"

"No"

"Prove it" The guy smirked, getting the whole gang to holler for a race, Leto turning his bike around.

"Hope you're not a sore loser." The challenge was met with more excited chatter, the two bike riders going to the designated start while another member counted down and the bikes flew.

"I like the way you ride kid, ever thought of having some biker pals?" A female biker asked.

"I'm bad luck to be around." Leto replied, front wheel turning to leave, a guy rolling in his way.

"You know bad luck can change. Friends around makes a difference especially the kind of friends you can count on. We got each other's back, you know. Like one big family." The woman smiled. Showing a bit off a tattoo lifting her clothes a little.

"Again, no thanks. Find another stray." Leto pushed off again, this time maneuvering around quick enough preventing another quick block hollering he'll race again though anytime one of them wanted to lose.

"Dallas, after that fighting ring, I got someone for you to meet. But be cautious. Just before Gage got hospitalized by the brat, he contacted a guy for a potential extra hand in it being cautious."

"I love a place like this." Hoxton smiled, the underground ring a dark atmosphere, the audience in darkness dimly lit with the spotlight on the fight.

"The kid must've polished a lot fighting here and made money…" Chains remarked, spotting 'Sawyer' still featured on a board hailed with popularity and a feared opponent, his track record something to behold taking down physically bigger fighters than him packing skills themselves.

"You're Steele?" A man looked at the four.

"Who are you? We would like to speak about business with who runs this entertainment venue."

"You're here to fight?" Another asked, clearly staff at the place.

"No, actually I'm his career helper you could say, these are my friends just tagging along we just had lunch together." Dallas gestured to a poster of Sawyer. Eyes narrowed at them but the gun wasn't shot. Wait here, don't move." Their eyes drifted to a scene, a staff member swayed over to being a drunken man picking a fight with an audience member.

"Hey, I saw you!"

"Sir-"

"I heard you ran out after that punk after he punched me! Why, where the fuck he go?"

"Sir, leave or you'll be forced to." The staff warned. Eyes glanced over the potential fight figuring a loss, the man begrudgingly letting go emptying the rest of the bottle and throwing it at a Sawyer poster showing it the middle finger.

"Ungrateful brat..." Dallas motioned for Chains and Wolf to go ahead for the ring owner while he and Hoxton turned to discreetly follow the man leaning against the wall in the empty side street staring at the empty bottle. "This what hard work pays out too… Tch..."

"Good day, we couldn't help but overhear your dilemma. You seem to hate Sawyer." Dallas approached.

"Yeah, I fucking do! What's it to you?"

"We also hold a grudge against Sawyer but unfortunately don't know much about him."

"How about you let us know your sorrow pal, we might be able to find him, give him a good beating." Hoxton smiled.

"They hope he's coming back, his fights were popular… Fools… I don't know what stung their asses but apparently people suddenly bolted after him. But I guess you want to know how to find him… Beats me, if I did I would've already and shot him even that bastard has to sleep at some point." Dallas could see Hoxton become impatient.

"Why did he punch you?"

"He was pissed. I told him with his winning streaks we could make more by him staging a loss make it look real of course. Brat refused, wouldn't throw a fight that dumbass. So too smart for a spiked drink to work, me being a smoker I lit a cigarette but didn't smoke it. But blew smoke in his face. I did it all the time. He HATED it!" The man laughed. "It kicked in, wore off fucking fast… freaky… anyway he still won the fight. Prize money got brought out and the fucker punches me out and takes off running with every cent. He only ever contacted me through a number and showed up only when he wanted to. Tried tailing him before but I could never catch him. I think that guy has an obsession… creepy fuck when he gets those long stares… If you want the owner in there, they don't ask questions. Whoever wants to fight, gets thrown in the ring has to prove themselves, well survive the fight, and then can fight. When I saw him I figured he'd be raking in cash came in really young. They almost didn't let him fight. He actually lost his first fight but the little menace made an impression and got a pass getting to fight a little later. I picked him up by a house once, no clue if he lived there."

"Was it this one?" Dallas showed a picture.

"Yeah, that's the one! Maybe the owner knows something."

"He lived there, not anymore." Dallas clarified.

"Well who knows where he is then." The man bitterly shrugged. "There was this rumor that he did offer bodyguard service floating around but then it disappeared. I asked him about it only to get no answer and loads of attitude so I think there is a good chance it was true. He's toned it down but had a real big tendency to be extra snarky and bitey to you when you were onto something but still elusive as a freakin' weasel. I don't know if anyone ever took him up on it but maybe you'll find luck looking into that. There's people who would have a bodyguard that come here, not many but more than you would think. Probably the illegality of kind of no rules being attracting. Want a smoke? Promise it ain't spiked."

"No thanks. Thank you for the chat." Dallas and Hoxton returned into the building, Wolf and Chains leaving the owner's office meeting up with them. "Anything?"

"They couldn't give less of a care who anybody is that fights here." Chains replied. "Probably why no skull cracking had to be involved, guy didn't try to hide anything because nobody knows anything."

"No point sticking around here then." The four left, Hoxton glancing to the fight snickering to a brutal uppercut dished out. "Drunken guy wasn't much help but he did mention Leto offered bodyguard service discreetly enough for it to be a rumor. He thinks it's true though because of the reaction he got when he asked the punk about it."

"Who would take a chance with basically a ghost?" Chains pondered. "We just heard ourselves, no one asks, nobody knows anybody. The type of people who hire a bodyguard usually don't like not knowing anything about the one they hire. Stabbing in the back issues and such. Risk would be extremely high."

"Bain got someone to meet for us. Potential hired hand from Gage to deal with Leto." Dallas announced.

Leto pushed it back barely in time. Lips pulled into a smile at his luck. He had spotted them but they hadn't spotted him. A few people were around but not that many. Dallas was talking to someone on the phone, Leto guessing it to be Bain. He had no clue where they were heading, not even knowing if he would have a chance at an ambush in the first place. He still had the seed to find out about any heist and the safe house as cornerstone to keep an eye on. He didn't rely on trailing them now. Not to mention, the risk he took leaving the dirt bike standing there. But he wanted to. Spotting a fire escape after a few meters having to duck into hiding a few times, Cody scaled it confidently walking along the catwalk before switching onto a roof avoiding staring eyes conquering gaps with well practiced parkour. The streets never became empty only sparse during the short walk, the group stopping and entering a bar, Cody's smile turning disgruntled. He liked the open streets better and if they just went out for a drink, it'd be plenty of risk for no gain unless he got in their head running them ragged thinking he could know where they were at any point instead of getting lucky. 'Whatever, I better not have to find another shower before that party.' Maybe a successful mind game could prove useful in the future. With the roof he had watched not that high, Leto did a few fancy moves landing solidly, awing the people that spotted it. He didn't try to hide really, pulling up his hood but otherwise walking in like anyone else picking a random table watching the four sitting down with another man raising a hand in greeting nursing a drink. His hand moved to a cell phone calling a phone number, Bain heard on the other end. Dallas phone rang a moment after, the man showing the number causing the man in the colorful shirt to nod in approval.

"My employment history calls for proof." He had a short pause before continuing offering drinks. "I'm Sangres. I saw Gage, visited at the hospital... machines breathing for him… I understand he is a bit a friend to you all, must have your blood boiling. To put an experienced man like that in such a condition, you're dealing with someone that would make a sicario proud."

"You think we don't know that?" Chains chuckled. "The stories we have for you…"

Dallas slid over a picture. "That's him? Looks like a kid."

"Nightmare of one." Wolf grumbled. Leto couldn't hear what they said, discreetly taking a picture of the new guy wondering if he should stick around. The bar wasn't empty, other customers around. Even if it was, the staff would be roped in and doomed to execution seeing faces. His mind slowly told him to move but his legs didn't want to move.

"Heeyy!" His eyes shifted having been so deep in thought watching them, he hadn't noticed the young drunk woman sit down beside him. "Geez, what are you staring at guys like that for? You're a cutie... Come on, let's go have some fun!" She tried to pull his arm, only to be pushed away, Hoxton's gaze sliding over the scene. Leto, on a dime, had to decide if he wanted to be seen. Pull her in for a kiss and hide or go for messing with their minds. Hoxton's gaze landed. And Leto stared back, quickly flipping him the bird with a smirk.

"That wanker!" The man seethed but controlled himself from shouting, all their gazes shifting Dallas immediately keeping an eye on Wolf who would have the most trouble controlling himself able to snap right there and then. Sangres rose without a word surprising all of them seating himself across the younger man. "Listen up, gringo punk you know my face, I know your face, we both have weapons on us. So let's take this into an alley or a private spot because here is the thing; you look all cool and tough and I'm sure you're fun to fight and you fucked up Gage but you don't want all these gringos around hurt. And that's where is the difference. You see, I don't care if I have to kill every single gringo in here to haul your ass to them. Do you know what Sicarios in my home do? Specifically to gringo boys that think they are men and piss on the wrong fence? Now, pick what it's going to be. I don't lose sleep over bodies."

"Sure." That hadn't been the plan but Leto could feel his excitement itch. The guy was serious, he knew his life was in hot water now. And he started liking it. No doubt the four would come along, he knew Wolf's nerves were thin now amazing that the man still sat in his chair. And he very much planned to snap them. Sangres noticed that spark in the eyes, dangerous desire. Willing to play with death. "They're coming along right? Wouldn't want them to feel left out especially Wolf he gets antsy you know." Leto purposefully only glanced to Sangres disrespectfully, mouthing a 'fuck you' and a finger to Wolf staring right into the Swedish man's eyes mockingly. Nerves snapped. Wolf stood up, walked to the table standing next to Sangres, Leto only smirking more, his finger playfully tapping against the drink. Wolf's hands slammed down on the table, the man eyeing his grinning foe with hatred. And without warning, the hand stopped playing with the drink and gripped it firmly as Wolf leaned in with a snarl. The beverage sloshed and splashed onto his face, the alcohol burning his eyes as it was slung in the blink of an eye causing the man to step back with a pained yell. Sangres moved as Leto moved to get up, the youth breaking a part of the table with a pulled up knee, dropping cash for the owners as he pulled out and blocked Sangre's attempted grab with the broken piece as his knee naturally flipped it upward. Leto dashed to the door, all five men tearing after him including Wolf with guidance as his eyes very slowly stung less enabling him to see again. Leto turned to his right running down the sidewalk, his five pursuers right on him unable to shoot unless they wanted their faces all over the news. Having to guide Wolf and Cody simply quicker, a gap slowly grew between them with the group seeing him turn into an alley. They followed, Leto swinging to the left latching onto a fire escape to get up on the roof. With people well out of sight now, the gun came out bullet nailing Dallas in the chest knocking him back pulled behind the dumpster the group took cover behind. The revealed vest saved him, the man quickly shooting back causing Leto to stumble but unsure if he hit him with their target almost at the top. No doubt cops would arrive soon after the shots Sangres quickly told they wanted him alive, Wolf and Dallas provided fire cover forcing Leto to have to hide on the roof behind a chimney forced to stay put or only crawl very slowly forward allowing the other three to catch up with Sangres in the lead now on the roof.

"Come out and play, Leto!" Wolf cooed.

"Fuck…" His eyes shifted downward lifting his shirt a little stained with his blood. Dallas hadn't managed to really hit him in the gut but grazed his side rather deep. However he figured there was a chance that the man didn't really know where exactly the bullet hit. And he had to bank everything on it. He cupped his hands, pressing against it to strengthen the blood loss sucking it up into his mouth a few times holding it, the taste horrid listening to their footsteps counting how close they were. One thing he knew for sure. They would try to take him alive. And he would play it to his favor for every bit it was worth. Determined to live and give them hell, Leto stuck his head out falling on his hands careful not to dangle out anything else behind the chimney and coughed feigning weakness causing the blood to spill out splattering the roof.

"Fuck Dallas, you got him good…" Chains sighed.

"No!" Wolf snarled speeding up, Sangres only a step away from Leto whose lips pulled into a grin and eyes sparkled dangerously Dallas too late with warning as Cody pounced like a predator sweeping the man's leg ignoring the pain the movement caused as muscles stretched. Sangres fell back slammed on the roof with his back and head harshly, Leto emptying three bullets into Dallas in rapid succession using the man's fall to shield him before pulling back behind the chimney. The vest saved the heister's life again but the rapid impacts still stumbled him good causing him to fall back having the wind knocked out of him. Sangres managed to stay conscious slightly saving himself from a concussion, fist flying out both hitting each other in the face causing bruises, Wolf darting to the right of the mexican man to put a hole in Leto's leg forced back, his arm suffering a graze but giving the new team mate an opening on Cody grabbing him into a choke hold, one hand grabbing the youth's hair barely stopping the attempted skull bash into his face. His elbow smashed into Sangres' ribs, body slightly shifted ensuring a square hit while his leg stopped the man from shifting back in any way to soften the blow. The elbow merciless, a strike stronger than the sicario had ever felt or suspected his victim could deal, he could feel his bone break. Despite the crushing pain, a bullet digging into his leg lucky that arteries were missed, Sangres' hand refused to release the kid's hair or release the choke hold. Impressing the four robbers creeping closer. They stepped back as Leto suddenly managed to twist himself and sunk his teeth into the man's neck like a feral animal as hard as he could drawing blood and Sangres coughed from the pressure. With Sangres still refusing to let go, Leto shifted his weight and slowly but surely managed to twist himself out of the grip, doubling down on the neck bite and dropping his weight dragging down Sangres the crew finding themselves take another step back rather than forward, Hoxton muttering "Savage..." Dallas was disturbed at the display and felt like maybe he witnessed Leto's 'cornered' state, Chains seemed so impressed he was lost for words and Wolf started to get giddy more so than before as Sangres' strength buckled faltering being dragged down by the younger man, managing to throw the man over himself and take him into a choke hold with his legs. Sangres coughing and feeling his air supply fade in the now fast moving scuffle quickly aimed at Leto, damned where it hit forcing him to quit the choke hold both jumping up facing each other but Leto was quicker on his feet ignoring the bullet piercing his leg from Chains retaliating sending his own in the clown's leg. Sangres stepped forward to close the gap snapping for a deep breath puling out the machete. Leto noticed the swing, his own arm striking out with precision hiding a strike in a block to derail the deadly blade, suddenly clattering to the floor as the sicario's wrist felt like it had a spasm for a second. Cody slipped out a knife in the blink of an eye, kicking Sangres in the gut definitely causing bruising and catching the man in the eye before stumbling and falling using Sangres growling in pain holding his slashed eye as a meat shield. Sangres charged again, holding the bleeding now defunct eye shut to try to focus with just one snatching up the machete but Leto kicked him sending him stumbling into rushing Hoxton causing the man's bullet to graze the top of his shoulder instead of hitting it square on like he had intended to. While it was tempting to try to rush them, Hoxton tripping over Sangres tripping himself and Dallas getting to his feet, without protective gear he knew not even he could take them all on like this. Bullets would hit him, he wasn't impervious after all. Leto ducked behind the chimney releasing a quick non aimed rain just to keep them on their feet, the chimney close to the edge off the roof. And jumped, the robbers unable to shoot if they wanted him alive. Cody hadn't jumped without a goal having aimed for a window from the other building, the glass shattering as his body hit it tumbling inside smacking his limbs on the frame. He could hear them shouting specifically Wolf, no doubt running to the fire escape to get down and trying to get in the other building. Cody dragged himself up and started limping away.

"Fucking again!?" Hoxton growled, the crew left hurt and while Leto was hurt they had suffered more with Sangres' left eye ruined pouring blood. That didn't deter the man willing to chase waiting for Dallas to make the decision talking to Bain. Hired medical help on the way Chains, Sangres and Wolf begrudgingly headed back to the safe house picked up by Twitch. Sangres wasn't coughing blood, a relief to everyone as it meant his lungs hadn't been pierced but probably came really close to it.

"Before I get hauled off, I have to know. Why is that monster after you?"

"We killed his father, cops son. As you saw, he holds a grudge." Dallas explained, Hoxton's shoulder bandaged for now. The ride arrived, Dallas and Hoxton stayed behind with time still left in the day deciding to start checking out the martial art venues, a new suit brought for Hoxton to look professional.

With fresh clothes having used the back of the pick-up van to change, Hoxton and Dallas reached the first dojo. Currently no lesson was going on, the duo entering the building calling out for an owner appearing from the back. The place was size able clearly having enough clients to sustain the business. "Hi, can I help you gentlemen?" A middle aged man greeted them with a smile. "Looking for lessons for the kids or yourselves?"

"No, we're curious about any prodigy actually. We're going around looking to financially support a prodigy to enter the big leagues." He looked them over, the men wearing fine suits they certainly looked like they had money to foster a future star. Posing as a relative was risky without knowing how well the dojo owners knew Cody.

"These are kids that attend?" Hoxton pointed to a framed picture on the wall showing a class spotting Leto seemingly trying to avoid being in the picture but roped into it.

"Yeah, when the kids and parents are okay with it I like pictures of the students. As you can see I've had quite a few batches. This one was a couple of years ago."

"Huh, you know I swear I saw that one just a few days ago when my friend here and I had a coffee catching up." Dallas mused joining Hoxton spotting Leto.

"Really, how is he doing?"

"Well, we didn't talk to him I just noticed the semblance. Favorite student?" The brit inquired.

"I don't pick favorites."

"Come on, everyone does." Dallas chuckled. "Or was he the troubled kind of kid?"

"Well…" He didn't know if Leto would've liked it but didn't see the men before him as threatening. They genuinely looked like recruiters sounding professional as well. "You know he has what it takes to get the top. That's a prodigy right there. I sounded emotional huh?"

"A little"

"Well, the kid has a story. He came in young, wanted to fight just like any other kid. Except they usually come in excited with a smile, maybe a little shy. But not bitter and itching for a fight. Kid couldn't smile if his life dependent on it gave me a bad feeling. I told him he could sign up if his mom or dad agreed. He brought his father. I did not like that man, that was the only time I had ever seen him. He had done what I asked so I let him attend. What he didn't have in talent, he perfected with dedication. But he never smiled and quite frankly it started to scare other kids. It was sad to watch so I tried building a bond. Frustrating but slowly I got him to open up. Even got him to smile and after a while he hung out after hours instead of going home sometimes. But I told myself, every time he had to leave with a smile. And eventually I even got him to laugh and instead of the look in his eyes that scared the piss out of other kids you could see actual happiness. He was doing really good, I ran out of things to teach pretty quick, technique and fighting wise. Disappeared a few years ago haven't seen him since. Still wonder sometimes what he's up to."

"If it was him, from what we saw on the street he seems to be doing fine enough to clothes himself well." Dallas assured. "Here is my phone number why don't you give a call if he does show up?" Hoxton walked back to them having taken a quick stroll around listening to the conversation slipping a listening device unseen by the shoe rack.

"Sure" Chains and Dallas visited a few more mostly receiving the same story, the paid off father got him in if it was required, came with a stinky attitude and most coaches tried to cheer him up. What wasn't mastered with raw talent received dedication that it looked no different, every art honed and polished Leto's want to succeed pointed out a few times.

Leto almost laughed at his luck, the dirt bike had been left untouched. However, luck might've roped someone into it as two bikers were by it. And not just any, two from the race track. "Hey there… did you get in a fight?" If Leto hadn't wiped the blood off his face beforehand he probably would've deeply scared two grown men.

"Maybe" He walked straight to the bike feeling the eyes stay on him, one guy wearing a helmet the other one having it off.

"You know you could lose your bike that way kid, leaving it sitting around. You got lucky, we went for a drink at the bar and were sure it was yours, decided to watch over it for you."

"Thanks. Here, for your trouble." Leto offered cash, the last bit he had on him spent with the rest in the storage unit, helmet slid on.

"We only take payment in you joining. Hey, I'm joking! Geez! Seriously though, offer of a lifetime, you'd do really well."

"No thanks, I gotta get going." The money got pressed in the man's hand and Leto took off, the duo gazing after him disappear on the streets. Unable to really cover the blood on his clothes this time, he headed straight for the storage unit making it without stops immediately cleaning and stitching up his wounds. 'Great, now I need to shower again before the party… It should be locked up by the time I get there, I can sneak in the back I don't think coach changed anything…' His leg giving support by being wrapped and fresh clothes stuffed in a bag, Cody limped away, the dirt bike left in the storage unit this time.

The man took another silent step, fist curling tight as he had heard the door in the back having come back upon forgetting something after locking up. The fist flew out but the youth dodged stepping back and pivoting into the big room, ignoring his leg, hair still damp, towel thrown over the gym bag. "Leto?"

"Oh, hey coach. Been a while. Sorry about the break-in I'll go now."

"Wait." He quickly placed himself in the path knowing better just how fast his prodigy was probably even faster now. "Come on, it's been a while let's talk a bit. Also, did you use the shower room…?"

"Yeah, sorry about that. I'll find another one."

"Find another one? What are you talking about? You're not leaving till we catch up a bit. I'll start, how come you break in to use a shower?"

"Dallas, turn it on now, he's in there." Bain instructed, the group together on couches with Aldstone serving drinks. Figuring Wolf wanted to rush over there, Bain immediately pointed out that now was their chance to get more info of their adversary than ever before. He couldn't be trailed with his gift or ruthless honed skills but no amount the perk would help him against a listening device since he wasn't being watched. Everyone leaned in closer listening intently.

"I'm not moving out of your way." The mans aid firmly blocking the doorway.

"Really coach? You want to fight me?"

"Oh, do you think you're better now?"

Leto looked away with a huff biting his lip. "I didn't come here to fight."

"Great, then we talk. So, what makes my shower so special? If it's got gold or something, let me know I can use the cash for rent." The man smiled getting a little chuckle out of Cody. "Hey there we go, the fucker can smile!"

"Fine, shut up already! I don't have a shower anymore. Don't live in the house."

"Ran away from the asshole, pardon I call your dad that that, or he kick you out? Sorry, I just could never stand that man."

"It's okay, the guy isn't likable. I left the house."

"You got a place to live?"

"Yeah."

"You know I could use a hand here, you're one heck of a fighter. Could teach some moves. Comes with unlimited shower usage." The man smiled getting another smile out of the youth.

"You'll never let me live that down, huh? Thanks for the offer, I got a job."

"What is it? Want a beer? You're old enough now right?"

"No thanks. I…" For a moment he was unsure of telling him but his mouth opened again maybe he was getting lonely. Sides, he could see no reason not to tell his former sensei.

"Come on, let's just go over there!" Wolf growled.

"No, we have to sit tight now. We could finally find out his last hiding places." Dallas pointed out.

"I don't think you could handle knowing what I do coach." Cody smiled.

"Come on, after everything I taught you got involved in the fucking streets you look like a punk…"

"I'm not. I'm a bodyguard, got a steep fee."

"A bodyguard?"

"Come on, you know it suits me. You know I can fight." Leto chuckled flashing a confident smile.

"That's true I seen you fight. You got some muscle but you don't look like it."

"I think you're jealous, my job is way cooler than yours." Cody jokingly snickered. "Sides, that's an advantage when no one suspects you."

"I'm not jealous, I look cool too without my life endangered." The man jokingly retorted glad to see Leto ease up. "Glad you got something going. You look kind of pale though…"

"Nice catching up with you coach, gotta go." Leto walked past the man, only to fall biting down a grunt his leg kicked out under him, the man in his way again. "That's cheap, I trusted you!"

"What happened to having eyes in your back? Hey, you okay I didn't mean to…" He noticed the hesitancy to use one leg, Leto quick to avoid eye contact quickly claiming he was fine. "Leto, was that a limp? What's going on?"

"Nothing, I gotta go."

"I'm not moving. That kick was nothing, what's wrong with your leg?"

"It's just an occupational hazard, it happens alright? Lay off already. Don't make me fight you…"

"So you fight me over whatever little secret you're holding? Does your secret keep you pale too, whats that fictitious fee if you can't even have food or whatever is fucking wrong with your leg?"

'It's not fucking little...' "It's real, I am a hired bodyguard! It's a bullet, okay!? I have a bullet hole in my leg… and I do fucking eat enough… I just lost some blood…" 'Why can't I keep my damn mouth shut with him?'

"Leto, please if that gets infected you have to go to a hospital."

"It can't get infected." Cody sighed sitting down cross legged, chin falling into his hand.

"You disinfected it right?" The older man sighed sitting down himself.

"I could fall in a sewer and it wouldn't get infected." His lips played a mischievous smile, a raised eyebrow a reply egging to elaborate. "Right, you never knew. No one except them… I have more white blood cells, little less red."

"That's why you're pale? And so... it's impossible for you to get an infection?"

"I suppose so. That's how I got it got explained to me. It's not a crippling amount making it a disease. Just a bit more but I'll be pale longer after blood loss. Not much longer than other people though."

"But you're eating right?"

"Yes, sensei. Interrogation done?"

"Leto, I believe your blood oddity. I even believe that you're a bodyguard, a good one too and people know what they get with that steep fee. Steep fees allow a cozy life. Even probably a regular fee would. With normal houses or apartments. With showers you know. Just tell me what trouble you're in already."

"Damn, he's got him now…" Chains chuckled.

"Played the wanker!" Hoxton hollered with a smile of his own.

"I'm fine… I have to go…" Leto stood up, eyes meeting and his former sensei's gaze softened with a frustrate sigh.

"I can't watch you throw your life away like that…"

"You don't have a choice. I'll do what I want. It was good to chat coach." Those unmoving eyes, that gaze holding a haunting hell was still there from years ago.

"Promise me one thing and I'll look away. One thing." Leto didn't reply, the man taking it as cue to go on as the youth opted to gaze towards the floor. "Recruiters came by. Looking for talent for the big leagues. You got what it takes, Leto. Fuck, I've seen you master anything you put your mind to! You could have anything you want as a job! Show up. I'll set up the meeting to be here, you pick the day, hear them out. If you don't like it, you can still do whatever. Promise me." He started moving out of the way anyway, Leto slowly stepping past but stopping, one hand on the door.

"I'll show up, coach. You pick the day. Just can't be Saturday, got work that day."

"Alright, I'll pick. Leto, just don't croak out there alright? Try to let go whatever is still in there."

"Is it that obvious?" Cody put his number into the other's phone handing it back.

"Your eyes kid."

"Hm, I guess I'm not that good at hiding it."

"Eh, I just know you asshole." He watched him leave slipping out of sight, eyes shifting to the clock on the wall. 'It's not that late… I'll try.'

Their eyes moved to Dallas, phone ringing, smiles spreading including Sangres, now wearing an eye patch for life. "Hello?"

"Hey, you're still looking for talent?"

"Of course, we spoke just today!"

"Yeah, good point I don't know how quick you guys find a fighter you like. I got my best student to give it a shot. Which day would work for you and what time? For him just Saturday doesn't work."

"How about Monday an hour after you close?"

"Yeah, I'm usually longer at the dojo anyway. Sounds great, I'll let him know! Is coming here alright for you?"

"Works wonderfully, we look forward to meet your student. Have a good evening." Dallas hung up with a triumphant smile, the others erupting in cheers and hollers, Bain smiling on his end. Wolf's cheering petered out first.

"I don't to wait until Monday!" The man grumbled, Chains chuckling.

"Well, we'll have to. We don't don't who he works for. But it is terrible to have to wait like that."

"Maybe we'll luck out and get to know who he works for before that." Dallas said.

"Well, perhaps somebody with him as bodyguard would attend a party!" Aldstone suggested. "Or has a business meeting...Or travels through a terrible neighborhood… Well, now the possibilities just became more, I tried to narrow it… Shall I make some drink to celebrate the mood?

"Yeah, thanks Aldstone!"

"Right away, Sir Hoxworth!"

"You're considering some possibilities?" Chains noticed Dallas deep in thought.

"Kind of, but I have no idea how we could find out in such little time. The only thing that would narrow down where to look is by knowing what kind of guy he works for."

"What do we know about his employer so far?" Sangres asked.

Leto noticed shortly shifting his eyes ignoring the familiar face, the youth grabbing some punch his employer always kept in sight keeping an eye on everything. Without warning the man in beret grabbed his chin turning his face to see his neck spotting the scar receiving a death glare, the offending hand smacked away. "What is your problem?"

"Nice way to say hello after so many years. So you were kid in the corpses."

"Like you care. I'm at work."

"I'm still your uncle."

"You weren't in my life before, don't need you now."

"Have you never wondered why? Why your dad kept me away?" The military clothes wearing man moved in his way.

"No and I won't ever give a fuck. Now get out of my face." He seemed to take a moment as if flipping a coin in his head to decide whether to challenge his nephew on that or step away. He stepped away. Glancing to the man shortly, pondering the sudden interest, Leto returned to the table of his employer keeping an eye over the party. Everyone attending was wealthy, acquired one way or another, a woman currently conversing with his employer. "You have a son?"

"He's not my son, by you guessing that you'll never believe that kid's job." The man chuckled, the woman gazing at him quizzically.

"Knows a face you're looking for?"

"I'll throw you this one, I know you understand when to chatter or not. He's my Bodyguard. In occasions like this taking some strain off Hansen here. Or rather giving him a day off."

"Kid, you're a bodyguard?" The woman chuckled, quite surprised, Leto turning his head to her but saying nothing.

"He's not much of a talker." Leto rose again after a while noticing something, tapping the punch glass discreetly alerting his boss, Hansen shifting his position. He swiftly scaled the grand stairs to the indoor balcony where a few people mingled, Leto's eyes zeroing in on the movement under the jacket shoving the offender into the room he had come out of, wrist broken with a twist, gun caught as it fell out of the hand, a throat jab silencing any possible whimper and a fist knocked out the assassin. He quickly peeked out the widow analyzing the escape route the guy would've taken, Leto rushing to the wall beside the door after dragging the knocked guy aside noticing slowing footsteps, deliberate ones. His fist was ready only stopping at the last second.

"Why won't you leave me alone? You can't play guardian anymore, I turned 18. Now stop bothering, I'm at work." He didn't try to hide the annoyance, not really worried if his uncle saw his job either.

"I was watching, you saw something. You know, I almost missed you noticing if I hadn't been keeping such a close eye on you, boy I would've missed it it! You're good. So what's in here?"

"An annoying uncle who should leave."

"Oh, bitey! Now, how about the truth?"

"You don't think you're annoying?" Leto smirked, glancing over his shoulder with the smile dropping.

"Someone watching?" His uncle whispered.

"Don't you have anything better to do than bother me?" Leto growled, not really waiting for an answer brushing past feeling the fleeting gaze leave but he would warn Hansen going back downstairs throwing him a quick glance, mouthing 'upstairs' and 'danger watcher.' The lady didn't catch the glance watching him sit back down looking back and forth between the youth and his boss, her voice lowered.

"Did someone just attempt a hit on you? I can't even tell…"

"He's really good." The man smiled, Hansen excusing himself leaving. The two chattered a bit longer before the woman left to go talk to someone else leaving just the two of them Hansen still busy. "The murkywater military guy know you? Looked like he was going to start a stink with you a while ago. I heard about your public disapproval of your fight handler, by the way."

"He pissed me off. And the military guy is no problem I got him handled. Just an annoying relative, he felt like chatting. Hasn't talked to me in years, practically never in my life."

"You handler never made a charming impression." His boss chuckled. "Well, wouldn't want to lose the best bodyguard I know to old family drama." His boss rose for a stroll around to talk to a familiar face spotted, Hansen right at his heels Leto an easily covered gap close by. It sure was a big party, chatter all around, wealth visibly boasted, food fancy, drinks aged expensively, the mansion pristine. Waiter and waitresses danced around the visitors. Murmurs suddenly made a short round but subsided as quickly everyone giving a glance but anyone further than a few steps didn't get to see what it was about and with everyone returning to their business there was nothing to linger. But the moment Leto had spared a glance over there along with everyone else, an arm had slipped around him, the trio stopped as his boss talked to someone the group standing near drinks and snacks by where the punch sat. He was ready to tell his uncle yet again to leave but came face to face with Hoxton sporting fitting attire and no mask smiling right in his face, the arm around his shoulder shoving him a centimeter closer, Hoxton's other hand enjoying a drink.

"Didn't know you like parties, Leto. You should've told us, we would've decorated your room differently." Cody instinctively wanted to try to spot the others, his boss still chatting oblivious to Hoxton's appearance but the crowds didn't help, Hoxton also nudging his face back to his own. "No worries, we're not interested in your boss so let's keep it that way. Do you like games?"

"I don't think you can handle the losing penalty." Leto smirked back trying to ignore his racing heart feeling Jim notice, no intention of removing his arm.

"You know you can tell when someone's heart is racing by this spot right here. But I'm sure you know that."

"Something the matter here?"

"Just catching up, I'm a fan of his spectacular fights. He's a legend in the fighting ring, did you know that sir?"

"Yes, that's where I met him."

"Actually, I have business to offer and to discuss with him, right Sawyer? I won't steal him for long, busy guy here."

"Yeah, is Hansen enough right now?" Leto asked.

"Wouldn't want you to miss an opportunity." His boss smiled.

"That's a good wanker, now start going over there with me. Here's the rule, to our little game; playing field is the mansion and the grounds, you try leaving the playing field and that party is getting a lot more lively." Out of the large ballroom the party was hosted in an empty private hallway, Hoxton removed his arm shoving Leto forward turning to face the man. "It's silenced. But maybe someone would still notice then we would have to go all out. Run, Wolf's been wanting to play."

"Isn't letting me run risky? Missing our game back at the bank? Where I beat the shit out of you?" Leto flashed a grin, Hoxton not letting it get to him.

"Well, if you want to play with a limp that's fine. 3. 2.- He's running guys. Time for tag!"

'Really? A cat and mouse game? Well if that's what they want. Fine, I'll play.' He knew better then to try to throw a look over his shoulder right after running. Or try running far going for the quickest corner. Certain Bain would have his hand in it, quick to check his clothes for a tracker in case Hoxton had placed when throwing his arm around him without taking his eyes off the hallway for a second either way.

Bain silently grumbled, the blip fading as the tracker had been found and crushed taking an advantage away from them. That mansion of a building was big and Leto certainly wouldn't try taking them all on at once even though he was probably covertly wearing some gear now picking them off one by one instead truly making a cat and mouse game. Every twisting hallway, every unsuspecting corner and dark whispering poorly lit shadow spelling the last breath for either. Bain's discovery only made the creeping danger, despite the elation cursing through the crew's veins a dangerous beckoning. Because he had recognized Leto's employer. They had done jobs for him, seemingly small ones like stealing cars from the man's own dealership. And Bain remembered. Remembered a bodyguard in the most recent one, the car one, only briefly but now a haunting memory. It wasn't Hansen. And it told Bain, that Leto could hold off whenever he wanted instead of succumbing to impulse to strike as quick as a venomous snake when he desired, twisting faster than one could escape. Leto had held off more than once and due tho those jobs probably had a window into watching them. Up close. That hatred of them ran so deep, it must have rooted in Leto like an insatiable driving force. To wait so long instead of taking a quick opening, he wanted it to be a chase. Of cat and mouse if you will, with him the cat. Bain could think of a few practical reasons too for Leto to hold off mainly giving himself enough time to gather enough skills but he couldn't shake there was a dark satisfaction lurking in giving the crew hell before taking an opening permanently relegating each one to graves.

The guy wasn't one of the clowns, a merciless fist finishing him. He didn't wear murkywater attire either and Leto didn't want this to take long. That intercepted hit before Hoxton had shown his face still bothered him. What didn't make sense to him was why if it was the same group, why they went after him in the first place. If anything, now was their chance to actually land a hit on his employer. He kept it in the back of his mind but didn't dwell on it focusing back on hunting the clowns. Down a hallway, Cody slipped into a room hearing footsteps and instinct humming a tune hosting various sized furniture sort of stored as it seemed slightly crammed but still set up everything covered in sheets, giving off a lonesome feel as if the rooms wasn't used much. Wolf entered. Leto hidden by furniture let his gun audibly make noise, Wolf quick to hug the wall and dart behind the shelf ironically right across from Cody with the presumed shelf covered by the sheet between them. His trigger finger almost itched, a knife on the man as well as he grinned under his mask. Cody's heart raced in his chest, blood pulsing with excitement among other things. "Come out and play…" He cooed as if trying to entice a puppy to come running. Leto smirked on the other side swiftly taking two silent steps back and rushing forward throwing all his weight into the shelf to send it tipping and falling with another quick tackle onto the Swedish man to crush him, Wolf quickly forced to drop his gun and do everything to stop being crushed counter tackling the shelf. His hands desperately tried to stop the weight. The man uttered a Swedish swear facing his enemy swiftly around the corner pointing his gun at him with a smile. Hidden bitterness, hatred and memories reigned whipering a lullaby. The spark of buried fear clawing to be heard the mask evoked got violently shoved back. Leto dropped down but in a position to easily jump up, the shot lined up to pierce Wolf's throat, something the heister could not survive. His voice was laced with smooth confidence and if Wolf wasn't so furious upon his sight, he might've been able to notice regretting his earlier line inviting to play answered with a bone chilling reply. "Sure Wolf."

Hoxton rushed in having heard the commotion almost managing to be on Leto's heels, his breath almost hitching seeing his enemy slide into position effortlessly, gun pointed at his crew mate, trigger finger ever ready, the finishing line uttered. Hoxton shot as fast as he could, nailing Leto in the back, a hidden vest stopping life threatening injury but sure to leave an awful bruise. He whipped around, both moving rapidly grazing each other on the shoulders as Leto jumped over behind the next piece of furniture and Hoxton jumped over to Wolf slowly losing the battle against the shelf remedied by his crew mate pushing back as well saving him, the gun quickly in his hands again. The duo approached steadily, forced back by a shot catching Wolf in the vest causing cussing, a tense standoff reaching with its tendrils in a suffocating manner, bullets piercing furniture. Chains joined in the room with a holler cheering even louder as Hoxton pointed to where Leto was hiding, Dallas in the same hallway telling Sangres via ear piece of the position. Cody's heart started to speed up but with a creeping feeling he didn't like and tried to kill spotting a mask forced back by a bullet while Wolf announced he likes knife games, Chains throwing a military joke at the line, all four slowly creeping closer. His piece of furniture wouldn't hold long and his eye strayed to the back. This room faced the outside. A three story drop. He dashed for it zigzagging behind furniture like a hare returning two bullets, two shooting into the glass damaging it and his elbow finished it with a strike sending glass shattering all over the floor and the robbers scrambled to the back quicker. To see Leto drop hopping out the window. More glass shattered in their ears, eyes straying to the ledge between stories, Cody had no doubt used to hang onto for a second his body disappearing in the window below into another room with a risky swing. "That crazy fucker…" Chains exclaimed, more excited than distraught, Dallas quickly informing Sangres of the location change, now closer than the quartet. Fear should've been felt, snaking along his spine but he could feel a little smile too. The blood on him didn't sting, his heart pounding to keep him alive whispering with an insidious sing song. Danger dangled in a new light. His mind wandered in which direction to go, where he could hit them the hardest. The sweetness born in the little child that day withered a little. Cody barely noticed. Leto only had two choices; Right or left. He picked left. And hoped to run into a monster haunting his dreams.

"Sir, I must question why we're shielding this brat he's a security risk seemingly too..." A soldier hesitantly asked, three with him. He whipped around sporting a weapon himself.

"Because I'm your superior officer and we're hired security here. And that 'brat', has family ties it all happens to go hand in hand. Is that clear?" His eyes glared daring for one to make the slightest mistake receiving a quick yes.

"Losing one eye not enough for you?" Sangres facing the taunting youth wore a mask however it looked nothing like the clown ones, something Leto noted helped. He wouldn't have to focus on keeping whispering clawing memories of dreams and the past at bay. Leaving every thought on killing the man who clearly wasn't going to move out of the way. He could spin around and bolt, the two having caught each other just outside the room, knocking the guns out of each other's hands in the surprised ambush encounter both out of reach. Sangres now held a machete. Leto toyed with a knife. He didn't want to run. As long as he hunted the clowns, Sangres would always have to be fought anyway.

"You're cocky, you think you're capable of spilling more blood than you can. You've seen nothing yet." The man chuckled, machete pointing at Cody as if challenging him.

"Enough to have the clowns hire hands being scared, good enough for me." Intent to kill met, the machete favoring more range than Leto's knife a bladed dance something the younger man could very well lose. Feet shuffled and moved, Sangres favoring an aggressive style knowing his advantage but keeping a spring in his heel to take a step back if needed anticipating a low dodge and attempted slash. Leto stumbled out of a near beheading, quick to twist his body around like a snake embracing the stumble, the wrist movement in the blink of an eye throwing the knife and sinking the blade into the man's foot slicing through the shoe like butter. The blood soaked and pooled, Sangres shrugging off the pain easily, Leto now without a weapon. He thought he had him. But a stumble turned into a nimble dash forward bending out of another deadly slash his shoulder suffering but still catching the knife with a lightning fast strike driving in the blade deeper and jerking sideways with his foot. Sangres stumbled unable to keep a reaction at bay. A fraction of an opening beckoned, a fist mercilessly right in the throat leaving the clown's ally hacking up coughs as his throat bruised. The fleeting expression of worry and tension washed away from Leto, a grin spreading instead, pain from the bloody shoulder pushed away. He had managed to keep it superficial. The hired hand tried to catch his breath but could not knowing his disadvantage only grew by the minute. Gathering all his strength, Sangres gasped for the biggest breath he could charging at Leto having turned to go for his gun underestimating his opponent in strength thrown onto the floor barely squirming onto his back. The boot barely shot up in time, the machete's tip an inch from his chest as he tried to push Sangres back, the man still gasping for breath throwing everything he still had in pushing down causing Cody's leg to buckle. His hand shot up to his boot yanking out a hidden knife twisting his body as the machete grazed his side slashing the vest under the clothes and his skin painting it crimson, Leto's hidden knife striking upward. The blade plunged into Sangres' throat barely breathing now only exacerbating his looming death as he had pushed down the machete. Eyes flickered with a fleeting moment trying to fight to stay alive as limbs had already given up, a throat beyond repair collapsing followed by the body, Leto pushing the sicario off him with a grunt his clothing stained in the blood of both. He had barely grabbed his things, taking the machete for himself, gun holstered again before bumping into a familiar face just a bit out of the room, the silent suppressed shudder wholly ignored as adrenaline flushed his veins.

"Looking a little tired there. You're bad at hide seek, tricky one." Chains grinned under the mask.

"My specialty is funerals. You lost your friends I see." Leto smiled back.

"Oh they are on the way since you like parties. Give me a good fight now, been waiting for one."

"Who the fuck was that!?" Wolf growled, the masked now dead man eliciting puzzled expressions from both, annoyed at having lost Chains from sight but informed rather quick of the location taking off again. Their short lived assailant didn't wear murkywater clothes or gear, the dwelling thought swiftly shoved aside in favor of increasing exuberance at the thought of catching Leto again.

"We're close!" The murkywater employee noted, footsteps and a scuffle heard above them as well making it unclear on which way to go. The group split on on command, Leto's uncle going with one man further down the hallway while the other man was joined by a fellow employee heading up a flight of stairs.

Dallas' eyes narrowed on the murkywater soldier creeping down the hallway, Bain never mentioned anything about those guys covering Leto but maybe the man just didn't know. But he knew now and did seem genuinely surprised as well frustrated just like the mask wearing men. However Chains had noted something during his scuffle with Leto interrupted by murkywater intervention, the fight shifted to Chains favor joined by Hoxton and Wolf instead of the youth demolishing the older male despite the thief's own skills managing to knock his opponent on his ass twice but Cody had slipped out avoiding crushing blows. Leto, despite being shown alliance towards, wasn't happy. He had scowled at the help and then smoke had caused all of them to split apart. The three had taken down the soldier getting in their way but Leto had gotten away in the smoke to start the pouncing from the shadows again.

He landed in the grass sporting blood of others and his own of the trimmed property fitting to the expensive mansion style staggering a little into motion. Eyes shifted to the still open window, weapons tucked in as he turned away. His hands rushed to cover his eyes suddenly blinded by light, the ambush swift and brutal catching a fist in the face able to fend off a few practically momentarily blinded before another strike landed on him finished by something else knocking him out.

He rushed out hearing a motor but unable to see the vehicle having taken Cody away. The furious man quickly barked a few precise orders as he stood there fuming glaring at the noise and what had to be the outline of the vehicle unable to see a license plate or even be sure. Unknown to the youth's uncle, Dallas spotted him quick to hide watching the man swear before going inside again with a plan in mind mumbling something about Leto.