He walked with the same stride as a soldier. Everything about him was put together, clean and assertive. Even the way his waist leaned with each step, his firm back, and the way his hands stayed either behind it, or at his side, or one fixing the sleeve on his wrist. He knew he was a weapon. His shoulders were back, his steps long but fast and his face stayed a neutral state which was frowning brows.

Mr. Bane changed his clothes once we arrived here. He was now in casual wear, which for him was a long-sleeved black shirt that hugged him tightly, his muscles pressing against the fabrics almost like they wanted to make sure their presence was accounted for. His shirt tucked into khaki cargo pants with many pockets along the legs, a black thick belt wrapped around his waist, and a chain hung around his neck. His black shoe and sock combo fitted his look. I couldn't imagine him wearing any other color. He looked delicious, and I wanted to bite so badly.

"As you already know, this building is where our coworkers live, sleep, and eat. We call it The Hive when referring to it." He pressed the elevator, and we stood in silence as it came. My gaze hasn't left him since I got off the floor. I wanted to slam his head between the doors of the elevator and watch them crush it for it, but not before my thighs have the pleasure. As we stepped in, he continued.

"You don't have access to any floor but yours in this building, and you will be escorted to and from here. You may not enter the building without" His monotone voice and boring look continued as he took us to the third floor. The doors opened. It was a double-door elevator on this level, one way leading down a hall and the other into more rooms ex. I noted that. His forceful grip snatched my arm and dragged me down the hall.

"Don't even think about it," I chuckled.

"This building is where all our tech-related assets are. We refer to it as Aid. Again, you will not have access unless escorted. There are five floors in this building, none you need a tour of." He didn't loosen up his grip as we walked past tables of people. Most of them avoided eye contact. I guess they've heard about me. The people who stared watched with curious eyes, like I was a rare animal. That's adorable. We exited the building, a large quad meeting us. Paths went in different directions, going to other buildings like these two. It was nice. The garden pieces placed between each path made the air feel new and clean. I took in a deep breath, enjoying it.

"To the left is where all business meetings and assignments are given. You see that when we go to Ross. The right is The Institute. All members go there to train and get personalized weapons. All means of transportation are in the building's basement as well. Again, you do not have access to that."

"Tell me I have access to something, pirate," I stated flatly. His firm grip tightening was conformation as we walked down the path to it.

We entered the building, and it was beautiful. It was the biggest of them all. They covered the first floor in boxing rings and punching bags hanging from above, and long, bright lights lined the ceiling. There was equipment hugging the walls all around with mats in front, following the walls wrapping around.

"This is where everyone trains except a select few," He said, guiding me past the people fighting on each side. We walked between the rings and bags until we got to the elevator in the back. The next level was more private, with one big ring and advanced equipment around the room, a long mirror on the left wall, a punching bag, and a showering room. "This is where you will train. '' He looked down at me, but I was in awe of the place. The damage I could do with the weapons made me giddy. "supervised of course," he added before walking deeper into the room.

"All this just for me," I swooned, and he rolled his eyes. "No," he said bleakly. "This room is for the top five, one being me. You will meet the others soon."

"Why?" I trailed my fingers against a metal pole on the wall while he leaned back against the ring, watching me with ready eyes like I'm going to snatch it and try to kill him. Not that I wouldn't. "We get the high-risk assignments. We are the best fighters and thinkers of the field agents, so we get the intense training until a spot is taken"

"Hmm" I looked back at him, his dark eyes were fascinating. He didn't fear me and he was ready for anything I tried, but something in his eyes sat uneasy. "Do I make you nervous?"

This was one of the first times I've ever heard him laugh. It wasn't taunting. A genuine laugh and it upset me. I frowned at him. "Why would I be nervous around you?" He crossed his arms and straightened. I have an idea....

"Go a round with me" turning to the silver rod, a wicked smile spreading across my lips. "No," he deadpanned. I groaned. "Why not?" mimicking his crossed arms. "We have a schedule to keep," he said flatly, with a stern look. I grinned. "Do you always do what daddy says?" He glared. His reflexes were quick as I grabbed the rod and swung it at him. He dodged it, gripping it tightly, and swept it under my legs, making me fall on my ass. He made it a point to pull me towards the part of the floor that wasn't matted. I hissed slightly. He looked down at me, his lips curved into a small grin.

"Who's daddy?" He tilted his chin as the smirk grew. That set a fire inside me. As our eyes locked, I grinned at him. I guess he realized what he said and his tone because he looked away and turned to place the rod back on the wall. I got up and chuckled.

"Scared you might have a little fun with me, pirate?" I teased. He side eyed me as he hung it back on the wall. "You're not fun, you're a responsibility, like a bad ass child" he glared walking past back to the elevator. I huffed, amused, as I followed. "That makes you daddy then, huh?" I grinned, giving him a look. He side eyed me but the small twitch in the corner of his mouth gave him away. I turned my focus on watching the elevator doors close. 

The last building had a regular and plain look, like the ones you go to before court. Everything was white or some form of gray or black. There were only three floors. The first one was for regular meetings. It had a bathroom and a small cafeteria and a big meeting room. The second was for people of importance. This one had a little spice to it, nothing crazy, same as the first but with nicer but boring painting's on the walls and carpet. The last was Ross's personal office. Of course, he got all the pleasant stuff. The man even had a water fountain. I rolled my eyes as we walked past it into the double black doors. He was sitting behind this big black desk, typing away on his computer.

The office was filled with shelves of books and files, he had no personal decorations, smart. His office, unlike the rest of the building, was a warm brown and black, the paintings in here were surprisingly beautiful, they held power in the lines and I caught myself staring multiple times at them. It smelled of firewood, everything from the walls to the carpet to the slightly dim lighting was made to relax nerves and also intimidate at the same time.

"How did the tour go?" He greeted us, closing the computer and looking up at us with a smile. It said he didn't really care. "It was nice. Now I know where all the escapes and weapons are when I plan my break out" I grinned plopping onto the soft seat in front of the desk. August stood near to me with his arms behind his back and at attention, like the good boy he is. My eyes left him as I looked at Ross with a slight frown on my brow. He said nothing about it, which made me wonder if he always did that when in his office. It gave Ross this sense of control and power over him. I didn't like that too much. He chuckled, leaning back. 

"Wonderful, now that you have gotten settled we need to -"

"Do you always do that?" I leaned back in the chair, tilting my head to look at August. He looked at me with a frowned brow. Ross cleared his throat. I guess he doesn't enjoy being interrupted. That sucks. August didn't answer. He just looked back at his owner. I didn't move my gaze from him, though. I tilted my head and watched him. His demeanor changed lightly. Ross didn't scare him and did not intimidate him. I guess the word is Loyal. You can get that from the way he acts around him, like a loyal dog waiting for his owner to let him off the leash to go outside and do his thing. They always return home, those types of people are provoking for me.

"There are rules here, Vendetta. You will ultimately go on missions as well, but we need to get a handle on your blood-"

"Don't you want to sit? You've been walking around all day" I asked, visibly not to Ross, who seemed to get bothered by my lack of attention to him. "Bane," He said from behind me. August then turned to me and spoke.

"Listen and pay attention," He glared.

"Ouu, so he barks too? can you do tricks, boy? Or do you have to wait for orders on that as well?" I grinned, but it was an exasperated one. His scowl hardens.

"Do you ever shut up or do I have to force you to?" He snapped back. A sigh came from Ross. I paid him no mind as a smirk came back to my lips.

"I think you need permission first, right? Cause I would love to see your pretty ass try." I stared back. Excitement filled my gaze and his jaw clenched as he took a breath. This, this is what I love. The tension in our stare down. He felt it, but that wasn't the point I wanted to get across. "Do you want to sit down?" I asked in a calm voice, like we didn't just heat the room with our gazes. He frowned. "Let me rephrase. Why are you standing?" My voice was a little more demanding because of his obvious ignoring.

"Please, just answer her" Ross put his head in his hand.

"Because I want to," He stated dryly. I snickered.

"Are you standing because you think I'm going to try something? Will it give you the advantage?"

"No, because my thumb is resting on the trigger of your collar. It might slip actually,"

"Then you have no reason to stand. You're not a dog who needs to stand guard and to be told when to do something, so sit" I grinned at my little humor but I was dead serious and Ross's facial expression could tell, he looked between me and him thoughtfully. For a split second, August's face changed, but it was too quick to catch unless you pay attention to his features like me.

"Why do you want me to sit down ?" He asked, irritated. I brought my bottom lip into my mouth and ran my tongue over it, giving him an impassive look. 

"I don't want you to sit and I don't want you to stand and I don't want you to give a damn about what I want, honestly," I stated.

"Good cause I don't," He hissed back. I grinned faintly.

"But if I do want something besides the obvious-" I winked, and he rolled his eyes. "It would be for once since I've been in your presence to not act like something he owns" I gave him a face and turned back to Ross who looked a mixture of dismayed and intrigued. Ross didn't look at August and I'm guessing he didn't look at him from the glare I felt on my neck. It was an awkward silence for a moment before Ross spoke up. I guess neither of them wanted to address the fact I just made the obvious, obvious to him. The power dynamic between them. You can work for someone and then there's being owned by someone. I get a feeling his loyalty doesn't know how easily those lines can blur. Regardless of how tough he may seem.

"This is how things will go. For now, you will train most of the day. You will have a daily psych val to check on the progress that will shorten as time progress. You may have permission to roam, but only with a supervisor. August is your only one until we see you can control yourself."

"Oh, okay, so you think I can't control when I want to kill?" He stayed silent. "I can, I just choose not to,"

"Well, choose to, Ms. Vendetta. I want you to understand that this agreement only stays if you only kill when given permission" His eyes were hard but a sweet smile rested on his face. I leaned forward.

"I want you to understand that I don't care. Unlike your obedient bitches I won't be someone you will just boss around. You don't threaten me. I'm not scared or worried about going back to prison or dying if you decide to go down that path. I'm here only because I want him and you know that." He grinned as he locked his hands together on the desk. I leaned back again with a blank face.

"But, I will comply until I get what I want, meaning yes, I will go to your training and sit as you get someone to pick at my brain. I'll kill for you if you give me something in return, maybe more access on the grounds or a puppy," I grinned. "But again, I'm only here because he is and once I get him, then this whole thing might blow up in your face. It kind of was a bad idea," I whispered. He chuckled, amused.

"I don't know if I hate you or respect you right now" He shook his head.

"I would suggest not to grow an attachment, although I understand your struggle with that." I smirked. He raised a brow.

"And why is that?"

"Because the second this collar comes off, rather it is because you all stupidly trusted me or a minor glitch in it, maybe a rainy day, a screwdriver to it, or an accident while training whatever it might be. That split second of freedom I'm going to take it," I smiled, with that glint in my eyes, I can tell by the change of expression on his.

"Is that a threat?" he asked calmly. He had a worry in his mind. I wonder how secured this collar really is. I chuckled softly.

" Well, it's a promise that's tied to one thing," I shrugged.

"That is?" I smiled at him before turning and looking at my pirate. Who had an emotionless expression. His eyes met mine. "He would never give you permission to do that," Ross stated. His tone told me differently, but he spoke like it was a fact. He didn't completely trust it.

"Good thing I don't need it, nor care for that" My eyes glued to his expressionless face, looking back.

"Then what do you mean?"

"You don't own him, and clearly he doesn't own himself" I gave a serious look, but he stayed the same. "I want the version of him that doesn't have a collar around his neck. That's the man I want to see under me, not your lap dog. And clearly, you don't respect him enough to tell him he's not that. So I'll take that into my hands. Whatever way I have to get that across, I will" I made sure he felt my words through my eyes. The hostility between our gazes made a grin stretch on my face. His jaw tightened. As he turned it into a glare.

"You don't own me and you don't know what relationships I have in my life, nor do you know the reasons I do what I do, so don't act as if you know me because you have some unhealthy obsession with me" he spat. My grin turned into a proud smile.

"Atta boy," my arousement spilled into my voice. "Now him" I pointed at Ross. 

"Okay, I think that's enough for today." Ross sighed. I gave him a smile as I turned back to Ross.

"I would go over the history and what exactly we do but I'm tired of you so august will do that pleasure for me. Have a good afternoon," He dismissed. I gave him a taunting grin with a slight tilt of my head, then stood. "And so it is clear, Ms. Vendetta, August is like a son to me. I have nothing but respect for him. Another reason he's the one I trust with you"

Hmm? That was more for August than me. I see.

"Noted," I said with a sweet smile. I stopped myself by turning back to him. "I want to get my belongings from my apartment. It'll keep me at bay and give me something to do so I don't cause any unnecessary problems" I sighed. He gave me a skeptic eye. "I promise no funny business".

"After the disrespect you've shown me, you expect me to do you a favor?" he huffed.

"You'll be doing yourself a favor. And respect is earned not given, that's not me being disrespectful it's me pointing out something I don't like"

"And if I say no?"

I didn't respond I just smiled.

"You have an hour and a half, august and three others with ascort you" He said tiredly.

"Thank you very much"

The buildings I used to wreak havoc in past by in a blur, but I could still pick out every detail of them. Even after all these years, it was like nothing had changed. Like I didn't change. Like they all weren't gone. Mr. Jones' house was at the stoplight. His kids ran around their front yard with smiles, laughing, and enjoying their lives. He was sitting on the porch watching them with a warm, loving smile. I tilted my head, studying it. I wonder if my Mom ever looked at me like that. On cue, he looked up at the jeep. He stared into the tinted windows, almost like he could see me. He couldn't, but a slight frown almost made me question it as we drove on.

"Did you try to kill him, too?" Pirate's voice broke my thoughts. I grinned at him.

"I don't try, I do. That should be an answer for you"

"Hmm." he rolled his eyes and looked out the window on his side.

"His name is Mr. Jones, Vincent Jones." I sat back in the soft seat. "He's been paying off my apartment and writing to me in prison"

"Wow, you and Ted have a lot in common" he didn't move his gaze. I chuckled to myself.

"Actually, he watched me grow up, helped a bit. Got me out of trouble, he owned a gym close to the house and I would go there with Lee." For once my voice didn't sound sarcastic, I don't feel a lot for people and it's not that I can't, I just don't. People don't really trigger anything good in me since... but Vincent was always good to us. I respect him and I protected him as I grew older and stronger and he grew weaker and smarter. He knew.

"So how is that you had someone who tried to help and still turned into a monster?" He gave me a detached look. Monster. I couldn't help the laugh that came from me. That word. That word.

"Monster? and how is it you're any different? Last time I checked you kill people, for money none the less" I returned his look. He huffed humourlessly.

"The difference is I killed people who gave us no other options but to. One life is worth two." I laughed in his face.

"So you play vigilante"

"No, but I don't expect you to understand" He turned away.

"I do, though, you get told what they want you to hear. 'he's bad you have to stop him'" I mocked. "Then go kill them for a price, and your way of coping with that is convincing yourself you had no other options. That you did the world a favor because you're good and you wouldn't hurt anyone innocent and he couldn't be, right?. Because your owner said so, so you listened and obeyed like the good boy he trained you so well to be" I gave him my best smile.

"I never thought a psychotic sociopath would tell me that what I do is wrong. You kill people just because you can. That's where we're different. I can feel things without having to hurt someone first. I have remorse and sympathy. The rules that stop people like you from hurting innocent people are what I care about." He glared. I clapped slowly.

"Wonderful speech, Robin, although-" I smirked. "No one's innocent"

"Children are." my smirk dropped as my blood boiled.

"Children are oblivious, confused, and vulnerable" I looked back out the window. "They are innocent because they do not understand what they feel or could do. They don't have the strength to do anything. If they could, they wouldn't be. Being naïve in a world where everything else isn't, isn't a blessing. That's why they