Instant heat filled every inch of her body. She’d known last night she’d been loud, but deep down, she’d hoped they hadn’t heard. Apparently they had, and it appeared that Jason wasn’t going to let it pass without comment.
“What about you, Cole?’ Jason asked. “Did you hear Lexi screaming last night?”
“Sure did,” Cole replied. “Sounded pretty hot and heavy if you ask me.”
Jason nodded. “I agree. Guess Logan won’t have to rub one out in the shower anymore, huh?”
Her flesh felt as if she’d been set on fire as embarrassment engulfed her from head to toe, and she struggled to ignore their teasing. She should have known they wouldn’t let her slip go by without comment, but knowing that didn’t make her feel any less embarrassed.
“Not when he now has Lexi to do it for him,” Cole joked.
Desperate to end their razzing, she pressed harder into Cole’s back. “Why don’t you two grow up?” she snapped. Maybe if they thought she was getting angry, they’d back off.
“Fuck! Damn, Lexi, you trying to kill me?” Cole yelled.
Yep, her plan worked just as she’d hoped. Now to keep them off track. “Stop being a baby,” she ordered. “I’m doing the best I can, but you really need a deep tissue massage from a professional.” She shook her head, lifted up, and leaned back on her heels. “This is crazy. You guys should have showers and massages before you ever left the arena last night. I’m not qualified to give you a proper massage.”
She looked at Logan. “Instead of calling Mark, I’m going with you tonight when you tape your match for Slow Burn.”
Logan’s eyes widened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“This”—she motioned to the room and them—“this is no longer a good idea. No storyline. No single person is worth risking injury to others.”
She climbed off Cole and stepped in front of Logan. He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her to him. “What’s running through that devious mind of yours?”
“I’m coming out with you guys tonight for your match. I have something to say, and by God, people are going to hear it.”
* * * *
Lexi checked her appearance in the mirror. Dressed in camo cargo pants, a black T-shirt, and black boots, she looked as if she belonged in The Tribunal. She pulled long curls up into a ponytail, careful to leave the hair around her still-healing wound loose.
She stepped out of the tiny bathroom into the larger room where the men waited.
At the sight of her, Logan stood up and slowly stalked toward her, a predatory gleam in his eye.
“Damn, Lexi, you look like the female version of The Tribunal.” Jason grinned.
“Yeah, you look great,” Cole offered.
Logan stopped directly in front of her, and she looked up at him. “Well? What do you think about my outfit?”
He lifted a hand to her jaw, holding her in place as he lowered his head and captured her lips. Immediately, she wrapped her arms around his neck and sank into the kiss.
“A-hum!”
She pulled back slightly and smiled at Logan, then glanced over his shoulder. Jason and Cole stood shoulder to shoulder, their arms across folded across their chests, grins on their faces. “Not that we mind the show,” Cole offered.
“But unless you’re planning to share, you might want to save that for later,” Jason added.
She looked back at Logan; her grin widened. “So should we share?”
Amusement lit in Logan’s eyes. “How could I not share with my best friends?”
He released her, and she strolled over to where Jason and Cole stood. Without a word she stepped closed and pressed a soft kiss to Jason’s lips. Then she turned to Cole and repeated the kiss.
She stepped back and, enjoying their stunned expressions, said, “Okay, Logan. Your turn to share the love.”
Logan took a step forward, and Lexi laughed as Jason and Cole’s shock turned to horror at the realization of what Logan intended to do.
“Whoa!” Jason held out a hand in front of him. “Um…that’s okay. We don’t need you sharing. Right, Cole?”
“Right.” Cole took a full step back. “You can just forget we asked.”
Logan grinned and grabbed Lexi by the waist. “So no sharing after all, huh?”
She looked up at him to find love staring back. It was, she realized, a love she reciprocated tenfold. That discovery warmed her body and filled her heart with joy as happiness spread through her. “Only with you,” she replied, then rose up on her toes to kiss him.
Just then, the door flew open, and an angry Mark stormed inside. “What in the hell are you doing here, Lexi? You’re supposed to be at the hotel.”
Despite his angry outburst, she pulled away from Logan and turned to stand her ground. “I’m here to set the record straight tonight.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about how this storyline has put giant targets on the backs of these men.” She took a step forward, going toe to toe with a man who stood nearly a foot taller. “I’m talking about how you’re risking injury to them by denying them all the services that keep this roving circus performing night after night. It’s not fair, and it needs to stop.”
Mark’s anger seemed to deflate right in front of her. He let out a heavy sigh and raked a hand across his short hair. “I’ll admit that none of us expected such a violent reaction from members of the roster. Our decision to start whisking them out of here after their match was made to protect them from further injury.”
“Well, you of all people should have realized that without access to the company’s preventative injury program, they’re no better off than if they’d suffered a real beat down.”
“You’re right,” Mark replied.
“So you’re going to do something about it, right?” Lexi challenged.
“All right.” Mark nodded. “Let me go talk to the writers and see what we can come up with. Just don’t do anything until you hear from me.”
“Then you had better have something for me before it’s time for their match,” Lexi replied.
Mark looked from her to the men; then without a word, he turned and walked out.
“Holy shit,” Cole exclaimed. “I haven’t known Mark all that long, but in the few months we’ve been here, I’ve never seen him bow to anyone.”
“Me either,” Jason agreed. “You’re one tough chick, Lexi.”
She waved a dismissive hand at them. “It has nothing to do with me being tough and everything to do with Gene’s promise to my father.”
Logan’s brow knit in confusion. “I don’t follow.”
She rested a hip on the table “It’s simple. You remember how my father was screwed out of the title right before he retired?”
The three men nodded in unison.
“Well, there was bad blood between Dad and Gene after that incident. When I grew up and decided I wanted to be a wrestler, Dad wasn’t all that happy. There are really only two companies to work for in the wrestling business. Here and our competition. I grew up here, so I wanted to work here. In order for Gene to be able to sign me, he had to get past my dad, who was at the time my agent. Part of Gene’s recompense to my father for what happened all those years ago was not only he agree to give me a place in the company, but also to watch over me.” She shook her head. “It may not have appeared like it when you saw him, but my dad isn’t happy with Gene about me getting hurt. As you’ve seen, my father is very opinionated and outspoken, and he’d have no problem going to the press with all this.”
Cole arched a brow. “Ahh…I get it. The fallout from bad press surrounding you would give the company a black eye.”
“Not to mention placing the heat for all this squarely on Mark’s shoulders since he’s the manager,” Jason added.
Lexi gave a nod. “Exactly. I like Mark and consider him a friend, but he and creative are wrong this time, and they need to fix it.”
“Why not just walk out of her
e and head backstage?” Jason asked. “I mean, if you suddenly showed up, they wouldn’t be able to say we kidnapped you then.”
“Sure, they would,” Lexi corrected. “How would I explain the fact that I haven’t answered my cell phone for the past week? How would I explain where I’d been? You actually think they’ll believe that this was all a big ruse? Especially coming from me?”
“Lexi’s right,” Logan added. “They’ll chalk it up to her escaping and trying to protect us by making up some lie about it all being part of the storyline.” He shook his head. “This has to come from management to be legit; otherwise we’ll still end up with targets on our backs.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lexi glanced at the monitor and then up at the clock. Mark had yet to return with a game plan, and now he was out of time. This ruse would end tonight come hell or high water.
“You ready?” Logan asked.
She nodded. “Let’s do it.” She stepped into the hallway with the men and noted the heavy security. “Do you always have this kind of an escort?”
“Since we supposedly kidnapped you, yes. Before that, it was only a few guards to keep the fans back.”
The roar of the crowd grew louder, and her heart began to beat faster with each step closer to the center of the action. She loved the feel of anticipation, but tonight it was tinged with apprehension. What she was about to do would piss off a number of people and most likely place her future with this company on the chopping block. Still, if sacrificing her career in the name of all that was right was the only way to get management to listen, then she’d do it willingly.
The music kicked in, and Logan gave her a tiny nudge. She stepped forward directly into the camera spotlight. The crowd exploded in cheers, and she grinned at the warm reception. The fans never failed to remind her of why she decided to do this for a living. That feeling of being adored by thousands was addicting and like no other feeling in the world. Leading the way, she descended the ramp with Logan close enough she could almost feel his body heat. When she reached the bottom, she waited for the guys to join her.
“I’m going to the announcers’ table,” she said close to his ear so he could hear her.
He gave a nod, and as he joined Jason and Cole for the six-man tag match, she walked directly to the announcers’ table and slid into the empty seat next to Josh Dietrick.
Josh and Matt stared at her wide-eyed. “Lexi Blackwell. You’re alive and well,” Josh finally said.
“We certainly weren’t expecting you tonight. In fact we thought you’d been kidnapped by The Tribunal,” Matt added.
Lexi picked up the extra headset and slid it over her ears. “I don’t know who started that ridiculous rumor about my kidnapping, but as you can see, it’s completely false.”
Josh arched a brow. “Is it?”
“Of course it is.”
“Then explain what happened to you after Logan Lanier carried you away two weeks ago on Backlash.”
“And what about the video of The Tribunal whisking you away from the hospital?” Matt added.
“Jason, Logan, and Cole felt bad about me getting injured and volunteered to take care of me until I was better. That’s all.”
The announcers paused and stared at her as if she’d suddenly grown two heads. “You don’t really expect us to believe that lame story, do you?” Josh asked.
“I have to agree with Josh on this,” Matt added. “The Tribunal does nothing that doesn’t aid them in some way. Taking care of you would not benefit them.”
“I’m telling you it’s true,” Lexi retorted. “There is more to The Tribunal than what you all see.”
“I get the feeling that you’re actually siding with them,” Josh argued. “Have they brainwashed you?”
“Do you believe in their theory of widespread corruption throughout the EUW?” Matt asked.
“Of course not,” she replied, “But they believe it to be true. And no, they haven’t brainwashed me or kidnapped…” She let her sentence trail off as Garrett appeared from around the side of the ring with Kyle following close behind. They stormed toward where she sat, their faces masks of relief and determination.
Garrett reached for her, and she pulled her arm away. “What are you doing?”
“We’re getting you out of here while The Tribunal is busy with their match,” Garrett answered.
“Are you crazy?”
“Come on, Lexi,” Kyle urged as he glanced from her to the match and back. “Let’s go.”
“No.” She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Kyle shot her a look of confusion. “What’s wrong with you? Have they brainwashed you or something?”
Anger welled inside her. Why wasn’t anyone listening to her? “That’s the second time in less than five minutes that someone has accused me of being brainwashed, and I don’t appreciate it.”
“We don’t have time for this,” Garrett grumbled. He moved closer and pulled Lexi from her seat. “Let’s go.”
“Wait. What are you doing?” She shook her arm free. “How dare you interrupt during a live televised event?”
“I don’t care what it is.” Kyle stripped her of the headset, and Garrett wrapped her in a bear hug. “You’re coming with us.”
“Hey! Stop it,” Lexi yelled as she fought to free herself from his grip. “Put. Me. Down!”
“Not until we know you’re safe,” Kyle replied.
“I am safe. Now, let go of me,” Lexi screamed
“No,” Garrett nearly growled. “We’re getting you away from those jackals.”
“They’re not jackals.”
“They kidnapped you,” Garrett argued.
“The only one kidnapping me is you,” she shot back. “Now let go!”
As Garrett backed his way up the ramp, Lexi’s panic began to build. If they dragged her away without believing her, then no one would ever know the truth, and The Tribunal would be forever branded as kidnappers and thugs.
While she didn’t much care what the crowd thought, she desperately needed her friends and the others on the roster to know the truth. What would happen to her relationship with Logan if her friends never allowed him to get close? Would they force her to choose between them and him? Fear welled inside her at the idea of having her relationship destroyed by this lie. Trying to break free, she fought harder and shoved her elbow back, catching Garrett near his ear. His head snapped to the side, but he didn’t break his grip.
When that didn’t work, she lifted her leg, and using as much force as she could muster, she kicked Garrett in the shin.
“Ouch. Lexi, stop it.”
“No!” she snapped as she repeated the move. “Let me go.”
“Not a chance,” Kyle shot back.
“Then you leave me no choice. Logan, help!” she screamed, even as she dug her fingernails into Garrett’s flesh, trying anything to get him to release her. Logan snapped his head up from where he, Jason, and Cole were putting a beat down on the final member of the other team.
His eyes widened as events registered. “Lexi!” He slid from the ring and rushed toward them. Jason and Cole followed close behind.
Garrett’s grip tightened, and he struggled to move faster. Doing her best to deliberately slow him down, Lexi went completely limp, becoming dead weight. It only took a moment for Logan and crew to close in, and Garrett had no choice but to release her in order to defend himself.
The moment she felt freedom, she raced for Logan, who immediately tucked her behind him as Cole and Jason moved in to attack. Kyle and Garrett stood their ground, but they weren’t any match for The Tribunal.
Horror streaked through her as the result of her decision played out before her and the fans. Guilt ridden, she snagged Logan by the arm. “Please. Enough. Let’s go.”
He glanced at her, then gave a nod. “Let’s go, guys. They’ve learned their lesson.”
With Logan on her heels, she hurried up the ramp and disappeared through the c
urtain. Sadness, anger, and guilt swirled inside her like a black putrid stew. This hadn’t gone at all as she’d envisioned. Obviously Mark hadn’t bothered to do a damn thing he said he’d do. Between her decision to speak out and his nonaction, all she’d managed to do was make the situation worse.
Chapter Sixteen
They stepped inside their dressing room, and Lexi stopped short at the sight of Mark. “What the hell, Lexi?”
“Me?” She angled a finger against her chest, then stormed toward him. “I should be asking you what the hell. What was that shit out there?” She pointed toward the now closed door. “You sent Kyle and Garrett out after me?”
“Yes, and going with them would have ended this so-called ruse you’ve been complaining about.”
Her eyes widened in shock, and she shook her head. “Have you lost your mind? The only thing that would have accomplished would be to solidify The Tribunal’s evil nature.”
“Exactly,” Mark replied. “The crowd loves their bad-guy personas.”
“But the employees don’t,” she argued. “All I wanted was for you to tell the stars on the roster the truth. Instead, your answer was to extend this charade by sending my two best friends out to kidnap me back.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t let that happen.”
Mark let out a sigh. “As much as I agree with you about the direction this is going, let me remind you, Lexi. Gene owns this company, and you signed a contract with him, which means Gene owns you. So as much as you don’t like what’s happening, you will do as you’re told and follow this storyline to the letter.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Or what?”
Sadness slowly replaced Mark’s angry expression. “Lexi, please…”
“Or what, Mark?” She’d never been one to take orders well, especially when those orders made no sense. No way was she going to start now.
“Or you’ll be fired,” he finally replied, his words tearing through her like a bullet. For a moment they stared at each another; then he pushed past her and the guys only to stop at the door. “You know, we’ve all been stuck in lousy stories, but we all do what’s expected of us. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, Lexi. Please just think about this before you do anything that’s going to jeopardize your career.”
On the Ropes 1: Leap of Faith Page 9
