Cruel - Criminal minds enemies to lovers

Stupidly reckless

"Wow" Nick said in shock as Carlos finished telling the group about the horrors of the Buckingham Russian mafia and the stories of Anton Buckingham- his former boss.

Even though he had left out one story, the story of his daughter, Athena knew it was the worst one. She handed him a cup of coffee she attempted to make as the group sat around her dining room table in her kitchen.

"Sorry for the bread" she gestured to the defrosted bread all over the counters and leading to the lounge.

"Throwing bread argument- I understand" Carlos nodded, Athena couldn't help her chuckle at his serious, knowing tone.

"Thanks for telling us that Carlos" she patted him on his arm before she got up and grabbed a sledgehammer.

"Holy shit!" Nick jumped back as she hurled it into the kitchen wall.

"What the hell?!" Sebastian stared in shock, for some reason Wesley reached for his gun.

"Relax" she said, putting down the hammer and reaching into the hole in the wall she had just created.

Sorry about the kitchen Morgan, you can tell me off about it and fix it when you're back.

"Here" she took a duffle bag out and placed it in front of Carlos, he paused before opening it to reveal stacks of money.

"Holy shit- did you rob a bank?" Nick stared in shock

"No" she rolled her eyes "it's your remaining $10,000 Carlos. You're free to go, you're not coming with me- in fact, none of you are."

She reached into the wall and pulled out 3 more bags, chucking them at the other men who stared in shock.

"No" Carlos said as he stood up and handed her the money bag.

"I've ran for too long; he deserves to pay for what he did, I will make him pay"

"You can do that once I save my team and kill him" Athena passed the bag back "this is a trap to get you to him."

He gave her a confused look.

"He didn't take me, he took the rest of the team and left me. Now I know that I have a lot of enemies with a lot of mafia bosses and criminals out there but I've made sure to stay clear of the Russian mob. This isn't about me, this isn't about the team- it's about you. He must have seen interpoles conferences after the France case with you mentioned, he must have seen my name and made a connection. Or spies on the inside of interpole who told him I know you or something- I don't know but I know that he must have known that I would call you if the team were taken. That I would be the one to hand deliver you to him- I will not do that."

He stared down at her. This stranger, this girl he barely knew but trusted with his life was willing to give up everything to make sure he wasn't killed- to make sure he wasn't sent into a trap from his abuser.

"No" he eventually said, handing the bag back to her.

"I will go with you, I joined this team and I will not let him kill you, I swore to Mr Morgan that I would protect you with my life before and I intent to keep that vow" he added, she pushed the money back into his hands.

"No" she said "I won't let you die" she turned to the rest of the group, "I won't let any of you die."

"You can't do this alone" Carlos said.

"I can't do this at all-" she sighed, sitting down and pulling out her gun.

"Holy shit! Athena no! Please, please don't kill yourself!" Nick dropped the bag and ran to her, she looked confused at him.