A Villain's Hero

Chapter 39 - Matteo

"So what now?" Matteo couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I'm tracking her car with the licence plate." Rowan waved at the computer. "It's not easy without my computer. Now that I know she's out of the city, it would be best if I went back to my computer and ran a search on all levels."

Matteo didn't know what shocked him more. The moment he heard from Rowan's lips that Tigress was in the city and he'd let her get away, he couldn't believe it. He was sure that Rowan's desire for revenge was strong enough for him to go after her on his own, not caring that he was hurt. Not to mention that Rowan never put himself first, but his goal was always more important to him, even if it meant risking his life.

When he explained that he wouldn't be able to get to her in time, Matteo's eyes automatically slid to the super-fast hero at his side. He was sure that if Rowan had given him the order to go after her and stop her, Speedsonic would have done it without hesitation. Matteo had seen how close they'd become in the few days they'd known each other, and it was easy to say that Speedsonic looked up to the villain.

As it turned out, though, it wasn't just Speedsonic who cared about Rowan. Matteo knew that the villain didn't let people get close to him, but in recent days, his strict rule seemed to be weakening. First Max and now Speedsonic.

"So we're assuming that Mimic wouldn't stay alone in the city?" Ciara asked, interrupting the blonde hero's thoughts.

"My guess is that he took on someone else's appearance a long time ago and is waiting for her at the arranged meeting place with reinforcements," Rowan replied to her.

"Can you track her car from here for now?" Seismic asked with a frown, and like Matteo, he seemed to be deep in thought, trying to make sense of everything.

"Yes." Rowan nodded. "But it's going to take me longer to connect to the cameras outside the city."

"I just need an extra day," Max assured him. "I'll go to the Legion and see what they have to say about the reported bombings, and if they've spotted Tigress escaping as well."

"What about us?" Ciara immediately waited for further orders.

"You stay here. If Mimic is in the city, or if they have any other surprises in store, you need to stay together as a team. We've already been split up once and they used it to their advantage, we're not going to let that happen again," Seismic instructed.

"So we're going back tomorrow? Will you be able to find out anything before then?" Speedsonic asked, making sure.

"I'd be glad if we were on the plane tomorrow morning," Max assured him. "The only reason we wouldn't be is if Rowan or I found out something in the meantime."

"Don't you want one of us to come with you?" Ciara turned to their boss.

"That won't be necessary," he assured her. "I'll be much calmer knowing you're all together and safe." No one dared protest that explanation.

No one asked him any more questions, so Seismic took that as a sign that he could leave and concentrate on his mission. Vague, Citadel, Speesonic, and Rowan were left alone.

"I'm going to go change," Vague announced, leaving the room without waiting for a response.

"Good idea." Speedsonic got up right after her and followed.

That left only Matteo and Rowan in the room.

"How are you feeling?" Matteo dared to ask. He knew Rowan hated talking about his feelings as much as he hated having Matteo worry about him, but he couldn't help himself.