Chapter Text
Elsewhere in the Warehouse:
Ezekiel Jones was not having a good night at all. First off he had followed Parker whom Eliot called 20 pounds of crazy in a 5 pound bag.
Secondly he was bound tight back to back with said crazy person.
Finally he was being ransomed back to his friends...no family for a price.
For what price? He really really didn't want to know.
Moreau had allowed him to speak with Cassandra for a period of time, but he was never told what the ransom was, so Ezekiel couldn't tell Cassandra.
Parker on the other hand was a different story. While Ezekiel didn't like being trapped, he could with stand it better than Parker could.
Right now all Parker was doing was struggling. Which meant that she was panicking. Instead of loosening the ropes, she was tightening them.
A phone rang somewhere bringing Ezekiel's attention back to the evil businessman.
Moreau looked at Parker and Ezekiel and then answered.
"Evening Eliot Spencer" Moreau said putting the call on speaker so both Parker and Ezekiel could hear what Eliot was saying.
"That's not my name. Now what do you want in return for Parker and Ezekiel?"
Moreau laughed along with Jason Vargas.
"You know what I want Eliot. I gave you two hours and you never showed up. I know about Quinn and what you planned with him. Quinn is now my prisoner just as much as your brothers were."
Ezekiel and Parker froze as Eliot went silent at the past tense description of Alex and Jake.
"What do you mean were? Where are my brothers, Moreau?"
Jason had filled Moreau in on what he had overheard when he was listening to what Eliot's Enemies were discussing. Both of them watched as Frankie, The Torturer, Mr. B, and the rest of the group had taken the two Stone brothers from the warehouse.
"Moreau!"
"I currently don't have Jake and Alexander Stone in my custody anymore. It turns out I wasn't giving your enemies enough to do. Frankie, The Torturer, and Mr. B lead a group of your enemies and took them. Though from my security footage it seems that Frankie isn't just your enemy but is Jake's enemy as well. What does Jake do for work anyway to make such enemy?"
Ezekiel and Parker waited for Eliot's reply. Eliot must have put his end of the call on mute because for a few minutes they heard nothing.
"According to Cillian, the only reason Frankie is Jake's enemy is because he works for a group called the Serpent Brotherhood. Don't ask me what that is because Cillian wouldn't tell me. Anyway what do I have to do to get Jones and Parker back?"
"It's the same as before, turn yourself over to me and I will not only let them go but I will let Quinn go with the only injuries you gave him."
Eliot paused letting both Ezekiel and Parker he was choosing his next words very carefully.
"And what about myself since you don't have my brothers anymore, I should no longer be any good to you anymore."
Moreau agreed with Eliot on that but he wouldn't word it.
"I will let you do what you need to do to locate your brothers, on the promise you don't kill me" Moreau said almost pleadingly.
A brief pause and then Eliot spoke up.
"I won't kill you but I will return you to prison in San Lorenzo. You killed your get out jail free card."
Moreau swore hoping that Eliot wouldn't pick up on that.
"I was hoping you know to stay free. But I know you and I know you will come after me even after you rescue your brothers. I will return to prison on one condition, I get better accommodations than what you left me in"
Eliot thought about it, agreed and then only after telling Moreau to have Parker, Ezekiel, and Quinn in the front of the warehouse by the time he got there. Did Eliot Stone hang up.
A hour away from the original warehouse, a large paneled van pulled over on the side of the road.
Inside the van were two men. Both unconscious and unaware of what was about to happen to them.
There was a line of black cars behind the van as well.
"Where do you want us to go Boss?" A hired thug asked Frankie.
"The rest of you follow Mike Golder to this address and wait for Mr. B, The Torturer, Daniel Flimman, and myself before you do anything else. Understood?" Frankie asked.
The Thug nodded and drove off letting everyone know who wasn't in the van, that he was to be followed.
After the rest of the group left, Daniel Flimman and The Torturer pulled Jake Stone from the van.
Frankie slapped him across the face, waking the unconscious Librarian.
Jake who was still gagged and unaware of his new surroundings squirmed.
"Daniel if you please use the chain on the back of his gag and chain it to his hands, he will quickly learn a lesson" Frankie said as he dialed a number.
Daniel did as he was told. He chained the chain that was on the back of Jake's gag to his hands.
The effect was instantaneous.
Jake felt the metal that was pressed down on his tongue, hit the back of his throat. Jake gagged as he fell to his knees once more.
"Now you know what happens when you pull at your hands, Stone. Stay still!" Frankie said.
The phone in Frankie's hand rang three times before the person answered.
"Hello Eliot Spencer"
Jake heard a very familiar growl but kept his head down.
"Franklin Jefferies, I thought you were dead. Moreau said you have Jake and Alex."
This time Jake carefully lifted his head and listened to what was being said.
"That's right I do have them. I am afraid that I will only be able to show you Jake though. Alex is currently being treated for a stab wound."
A scream from near by told Jake that Alex wasn't going to be getting anything for the pain.
"Who stabbed him? The last time I was able to speak to Jake, he said he had been shot"
Frankie muttered something but Eliot was able to hear what he said but chose to ignore it.
"Let me speak or at least see my brother" Eliot said.
Jake's eyes opened wide when he realized that Frankie was going to show him to Eliot.
"I can't let him speak but you will be able to talk to him and see him. Switch to Video Eliot Spencer"
A second later, Eliot had a view of his baby brother.
Jake looked at the phone with tears of sadness and pain. Eliot Stone growled, causing his brother to flinch.
That startled Eliot.
Abuse. Only someone who was being abused would flinch like that.
"Ok, Jake first sorry. You ok? I know stupid question but I need to know."
Jake carefully shook his head.
"I love you baby brother and I am so sorry for what you and Alex are going through. I will find you but I need to do somethings first. I promise I won't leave you."
Frankie turned the phone back on to himself just as Jake let tears fall and he started breathing heavily through his nose.
Jake stopped listening as Frankie finished his call. Just as he was lifted back into the van, Jake passed out.
Back At Leverage HQ:
Eliot Stone listened to the dial tone before ending the call on his end. Tears had formed but he didn't allow them to fall.
"Hardison did you get a trace or not?"
Hardison fiddled with some settings but gave Eliot a thumbs up.
"Where?"
"About a hour or so from that first warehouse."
Eliot paced back and forth. Before straightening up with a smile on his face. His first smile in days.
"Eliot what's your plan?" Cassie asked looking a bit worried.
Eliot turned and looked at her.
"Hardison, get Cassie those coordinates to that location. Sophie find a map of the warehouse district. Nate, get Sterling on the phone."
Hardison, Cassie, Nate and Sophie stared at the Hitter.
"What's going on Eliot?"
Eliot ignored Hardison's question.
"Cassie, do you think your brain could locate Frankie's destination?" Eliot asked.
Cassie looked at him confused before her confusion cleared.
"How did you know?"
"Jake told me about a month ago when we bumped into each other. I have known about his job even longer though. Got friends in high places you know. Anyway he told me all about what you could do."
Cassie nodded and turned to Sophie.
"Maps now. Q and A later" Cassie said.
Nate turned to Eliot after Sterling had answered his call.
"Eliot Stone as I live and breathe. Thought you were dead."
Eliot rolled his eyes at Nate that told Nate the Hitter had wanted to play with his food.
"Dang. Anyway, I have a list of names for you. People that want me or should I say Eliot Spencer dead. Those people have two people who are very important to me."
"Those two people wouldn't happen to Ezekiel Jones and Parker would it?"
Eliot paused.
"Yes, and no. And there should be a third person on that small list Sterling. Where is Mr. Quinn?"
"Not here. Though there are two bodies here."
Bodies? What did that mean? Eliot thought.
"Bodies?" Eliot asked.
"Yes, looks like somebody took something to their faces most likely their fist. I will send a pic"
Seconds later, Eliot got a text.
"Shit, Quinn must have gotten really mad or something. Those are the bodies of Damien Moreau and Jason Vargas. San Lorenzo police and the Cebu Police are going to be very grateful to know those men are dead."
"They aren't dead Eliot. They are just unconscious, with really really bad concussions."
Eliot snorted. Quinn had taken a page out of Eliot Spencer's book and didn't kill anyone.
"About those two missing important people Eliot who are they?"
This was going to be tricky to explain.
"They are Jake Stone, Librarian and Former DEA Special Agent Alexander Walker Stone. They are my brothers. Alex lives in Cebu Philippines. Both look like me, but only Alex is my twin. Jake is four years younger than us." Eliot said.
There was a heavy pause from Sterling.
"How do you know about The Library?"
"How does Interpol?" Eliot countered.
"Touche. Ok send me that list-"
"And this is where it gets tricky to explain Sterling. I can't have you and your team anywhere near this due to not only my brothers' safety but also due to who these people are. The people involved are not like me or Spencer. These people will not hesitate to kill Jake and Alex. I already have someone trying to track these people down."
Eliot could sense the Interpol Agent frowning.
"Sterling, Franklin Jefferies, Alan Ratchet aka The Torturer, and Mr. B-"
James Sterling actually gave him a good impression of Spencer's growl.
"Ok, Frankie, The Torturer, and a man only known as Mr. B along with Daniel Flimman are playing a sick game of Cat and mouse with me. I can easily rescue Alex because honestly he doesn't mean anything to them. Jake however is a little bit more tricky. Frankie is part of a group known only to the Librarians as The Serpent Brotherhood. Jake is worth more than Alex due to his intelligence."
"Eliot you are rambling, just get to the freaking point. What do you want us to do?"
Eliot looked at Nate, Sophia, and Hardison.
"Please bring Ezekiel Jones and Parker to McRory's. Then find Quinn. I broke two of his ribs a few days ago and wasn't able to set them. I am pretty sure he didn't get a chance to wrap them either. Bring Quinn here as well when you find him."
"Will do and Eliot, I know Hardison fixed your birth certificate but your record is not cleared of your illegal activities. If you want those clear I need to bring you in. From what Nate told me, Eliot Spencer and Eliot Stone are two different people. Please think about it. Good Luck"
With that James Sterling hung up. Leaving Eliot in a shocked state.
After he got his brothers back and would be able to talk to them.
Only after, would he give James Sterling an answer.
He had one more phone call to make. A phone call that could come with a high price or not.
But it could wait.
"I found where they are going to be, Eliot!" Cassie said excitedly
New Warehouse:
Alex Walker came to with a muffled scream. He had been gagged like Jake just minus it being chained to his hands.
This warehouse was different than the last one. First off it was slightly newer, but still abandoned. Secondly the storage room he was being held in, had a barred door instead of a metal one.
"So you are awake Mr. Walker" A Thug in front of the door said with a smirk.
Alex could only glare.
"Do you want me to remove the gag?" The Thug asked.
Alex raised an eyebrow but nodded.
"Come here with your back towards me." The thug said.
Alex did as he was told.
The gag was quickly removed and Alex stepped away from the door trying to rework his jaw.
A moment later Alex spoke.
"Where is Jake?" Alex asked.
"With Frankie. Frankie has some personal business to take care of before he can set his game up."
This was too easy. The thug was answering his questions willingly. Alex had a very bad feeling about why that was. Maybe the thug was just being kind or something. He was willing to ask another two questions just to ease his anxiety.
"What does Frankie want with Jake? And what is the Serpent Brotherhood?" Alex asked.
But the thug didn't answer either question. Alex then noticed the Thugs walkie.
"He asked and you answered. The gag goes back on."
The order came from the thug's walkie.
"Walker"
"I heard"
With in minutes the gag was back on. Then the thug left. Alex looked around his cell.
It took him a second to figure out what kind of cell it was. It scared him.
How wasn't Jake terrified of by any this? Alex asked himself when he noticed the shackles on the floor.
A hour or so later, two thugs were dragging someone between them towards Alex's cell.
"Look at him Alex."
Alex was startled from his thoughts. Standing in front of the door was Frankie and behind him being held between two thugs, was Jake.
Alex almost fell to his knees when he saw his brother's condition.
"You wondering what happened to him?" Frankie asked. Alex nodded.
"Jasper, show him" Frankie ordered one of the thugs.
Alex actually thought he was gonna die on his own vomit right there.
Jake had been beaten almost black and blue.
"He was given a chance to fight back. But apparently his Momma didn't let him learn how to. Jasper here gave him that lesson."
Alex ran at the door in anger.
"Back away from the door Alex, or a bullet goes through his head." Frankie said.
Alex backed away but kept on glaring at their captors.
Jasper and his partner dragged Jake into the cell.
They forced Jake into a kneeling position in the center of the cell. Alex looked up and for the first time, he noticed shackled dangling from the ceiling.
Then he looked at Jake. He was unconscious. He wasn't going to be able to hold himself up.
Frankie and the two thugs didn't seem to care. In a second he saw why.
The shackles were removed from the chains they dangled from. The chains were then chained to each of Jake's already chained wrist.
Then to keep him from moving, his knees were shackled to the floor.
Finally the Thugs and Frankie left the cell.
It was only after they had left did Alex get a better look at his brother.
What he saw scared him to the point that he was wondering what Jake's mental status was.
Slave had been sliced into Jake's skin. It would heal but it would scar.
But something happened. Something that Alex could only describe as magic.
The word disappeared. There was no mark no nothing.
Jake started coming to.
Frankie returned with The Torturer.
They entered the cell and removed Jake's gag. Frankie then removed Alex's gag.
"You will feed him. And only when he is done will you eat. Remember this Alex, you don't matter. You are expandable. Jake here is more important than you."
Alex frowned.
"Why because he is a Librarian?" Alex asked.
"Yes!"
That's when Jake decided to let the men know he was awake.
"You lied to Eliot, Frankie. You don't lie to my brother. Bad things tend to happen you do."
"Shut up!" Frankie said kicking Jake in the ribs.
Alex looked confused.
"You are to make sure I don't die, Alex. Frankie was never going to let me free once he figured out who I was. Eliot is on his way to play a messed up game of cat and mouse. Only he doesn't know he is the mouse and his enemies are the cats!" Jake said.
Alex glared as Frankie freed Alex from the chains.
"Food will be brought shortly. You eat what he doesn't. You don't get your own." Frankie said with a smirk.
"Shit" Jake muttered.
"What the hell Jake? Tell me what is happening here because I am very confused." Alex said kneeling down to his brother's kneeling hight.
Jake took a deep breath and then exhaled. Then he started talking.
After he was done explaining what his job was a Librarian and what the Library was, Jake told Alex what he wanted him to do.
"You Alex need to get out of here. You matter. Dad was wrong. You know that right?"
Alex was frowning.
What was Jake talking about?
"When Eliot shot at me. Dad said you don't matter"
Then Alex realized that while he and their father were talking what to do about Eliot, Jake had only his father's sarcastic remark about Alex not caring enough about himself.
Alex laughed.
"You idiot! Dad was being sarcastic. Jake you had just been shot. I was pissed and yelling at dad about not caring about myself, because we didn't know what Eliot would do if I confronted him. Remember how I told you why Eliot would never pick up his rifle again? Well what I didn't tell you was after he ran I confronted him and pulled my gun on him first and held it to his head."
Jake stared at his brother.
"So you see Jakey, I do matter because if I didn't Eliot would still be out there killing people."
"Alex, I'm scared"
Leverage HQ:
After Cassie was done showing Eliot where his brothers were, she was tired.
Eliot waited for everyone to go to bed before pulling out the cellphone that the Russians had given him.
"I am calling in on that favor Sergei!" Eliot said once the Russian had picked up his phone.
Eliot listened patiently to what the Russian had to say.
"No, I am negotiating this not you! You promised if I left you and your family a lone, you would owe me a favor."
Hardison who wasn't quite asleep heard Eliot screaming in Russian. So he went to investigate why.
Sergei, I am talking about my brothers! Yes, wait what? When Sergei? Show me!"
Hardison entered the room and watched in amazement as Eliot brought a picture up onto the big screen from his phone.
"Look Sergei I am sorry about your daughter but I swear I didn't know. Yes I know someone else tried but he came to me first. I told him that she was safe with you. Please I will help get her back if you help me get my brothers back. Really?"
Hardison watched as Eliot collapsed on the sofa behind him.
"Thank you Sergei. Consider the favor paid."
"Tough call?"
Eliot jumped.
Hardison laughed as he sat down beside the man he considered his big brother.
"What are we looking at Eliot?" Hardison asked when he looked at the big screen.
"Thompson got her days before he kidnapped Jake and Alex. He lied to Quinn to cover up his tracks. Now she is with this guy" Eliot said clicking through some surveillance photos.
"Who is that?"
"One of the guys who has Jake."
"When we going to get them?"
Eliot stared at him.
"Leverage has nothing to do with this one. I have the back up for this one. Look Sterling will be bringing Ezekiel Jones and Parker back in the morning."
Hardison stared at him this time.
"But Eliot its the Russians. They don't play fair."
"Sergei promised. I leave in the morning" Eliot said turning the screen off to get his 90 minutes of sleep or however long it was these days.