The sun came up over the waves shinning, shimmering into the early morning sky. There were few clouds doting the sky, and the sounds of sea gulls could be heard. Katherine Quackenbush stood at the beach side window. Staring out at the start of the new day. She sighed as the lack of sleep started to kick in.
Katherine considered her options; Candice and Joey would unlikely care if she went back to bed. Knowing Joey Ryan he would demand it, as he rightful would tell her. She was in no condition to stand let along drive.
Joey would be right, as her fitful sleep had only lasted five hours tops. Her dreams had been confusing, fear inducing and taunting. She tried to tell herself it all meant nothing.
That it was just all fear, an lingering feelings she wasn't used to dealing with. The fact was she hadn't dealt with them at all. Only shoved them into a corner and prayed that would be enough.
Being back in California even if it was just Recida. Home of Pro Wrestling Gorilla, along with the greatest hot dog place outside of the East Coast. Was bring back all of her repressed emotional baggage. She was at least 300 something miles from him. Yet somehow Recida was pulling her down into the swirl of emotional pain.
It wasn't Bolly Heights, nowhere near the Temple. Nowhere near him. For that Katherine was grateful, she wasn't sure how to even speak to Dario over the phone. The last thing she needed was to see him in person yet. She was scared enough of the pull she felt to him and the Temple. Seeing Dario now in person would just cause her. To willing go back to the way her life had been a year and a half ago.
Katherine hadn't thought this when she had final bailed. That fateful night back in late May. As she had packed the last few of her things. Hopped into her well worn but loved black old mustang. An bolted the hell out of Bolly Heights, praying she wasn't pulled over by the cops.
Or seen by anyone working for her former employer. All she had known was she couldn't stay any longer. Sexy Star and Evie would have to find a new partner. She silently prayed they would be able to and allowed to use them.
Dario had never pulled anything shady with her. As far as random hate partners or anything one sided. Like a two or five on one handicap match. If anything he stacked the odds in her favor.
There was a favoritism he gave her; that literal no one other than Matanza got. It had been unnoticed by everyone else at first. As Katherine hadn't been in the Temple for more than a couple of shows. Most put it down to Dario admiring his new fighter.
After about six months and still being treated like the new favorite. Many had started to question the relation ship. Wondering if there wasn't something romantic going on.
She got expensive perks she had been given as gifts. Along with horrible revenge against anyone who crossed her. Much of which seemed to happen out of nowhere. With most of the antagonists never being seen again.
Or in a few cases such as Jack Evens and PJ Black. They got a very public beatings, in the form of a "match" with Matanza. Only to have to fight four other people in a row after wards. An the four other luchadors were all ones with grudges and weapons.
PJ had ended up in the hospital for a month and been out for five. Jack had been sent to the ER. An out for eight months; after he had gotten very lippy on the mic one night.
What had happened in the middle of his rant. Would go down as legend and a reminder. You do not cross El Jefe, nor do you claim he can't handle himself in the bedroom. Especial when it came to a young lady who he treated like a goddess.
Lead most to start to realize very quickly; that Dario had decided she was his. An no one messed with Dario Cueto's property, people or in her case luchadora.
The rest of the Temple. He would do what ever crossed his mind. Without much care for how it would be taken. So long as the crowds in the Temple got there money's worth. An Dario got his violence quota. He was the one signing the paychecks. If you weren't Ray Mysterio or some other name who mattered. It wasn't going to make El Jefe lose sleep if you left.
She had also noticed that any of the guy's who tried to get friendly. In ways that most would take as trying to date her. Or worse trying to just get into her pants. Seemed to vanish into thin air. As did anyone she happened to let slip she had a slight crush on. She was just happy that she never let it slip. She had been the masked fifth member of Los Ingoveranables de Japon. That would have lead to a whole new level of crazy. Dario had come across her by chance one night before the tv tapings. Watching the last show she had done for New Japan.
It was an epic masterpiece, that all lead up to the main event. Naito vs. Togi Makabe that had been one of the most insane. Matches Katherine had ever been a part of.
There had been run ins all over the place. She had hit Tomoaki Honma with Tornado ddt off the top rope. Taking him all the way to the floor an threw a table. After he had tried to hit Naito with a kendo stick. Because EVIL had cracked Makabe with a chair. Sending him crashing to the canvas, clutching his head.
The Stone Pit bull Ishii had gotten; a hit in on BUSHI with a German suplex on the floor. Only to eat a Destino into the ring announcers table. In all the match had been a wild ride for everyone watching. As the action was non-stop in side and outside the ring. Going a full 45 minutes, and a hundred miles per hour start to finish.
An one of the best nights of her professional life. It had been a great send off for her. Along with a crowning moment for her stable mates. Who were all now doing high level matches and huge draws. She still kept in touch as much as she could. All of them sent presents for the holidays and her birthday.
Dario had become very interested in booking the whole stable. As he was very impressed with there abilities; to do violence and work the crowd up. He seemed very drawn to her masked persona. Which should have helped clue her into his true motivations. Only to be forgotten as she was good at repressing uncomfortable emotions.
'I wish, I'd stayed in Japan….well no I wish I'd told Naito. That I was interested in dating…before that bitch…sigh.'
Past personal pain when it came to Tetsuya Naito had been the majority of the reason. Katherine hadn't really paid much thought to Dario Cueto's growing personal interest in her.
The idea of someone paying that kind of attention to her. Had never seriously crossed her mind, since the fall out with Naito. She hadn't really even looked at a man. With any true interest for at least six months after wards. That had been Eddie Edwards of the American wolves. As along time friend who had hinted at maybe more. Eddie had been the first man to get her attention.
After he had noticed her depressed mood. On there way to a show in PA for ROH. Eddie had been ridding shoot gun, while Davey drove. After there stop for gas and bathroom break. Eddie had given her a tight hug on the way back to the car. Just held her as she'd broken down and cried hard. Eddie had continued to hold her in the front seat. As they continued on there drive.
It had been then that she had confessed why she was a wreck. Eddie and Davey had been supportive, sticking close to her the rest of there East coast bookings. Lucky all three were pretty much going the same places. Eddie and Davey took care of her. Making sure she didn't do anything stupid. They also took her to see her parents and siblings. Who had been able to help her shake off the pain.
An later on she just would repress all the signs of Dario's growing desire to have her. In ways she had wanted Naito. As the whole concept was a can of worms she didn't want to open.
Privately alone at night in bed, there were hours spent. Trying to rationalize all the attention being directed at her. As a way of trying to quell her growing discomfort. For what she heard the other wrestlers saying.
Dario had old world money and didn't care if he spent a lot of it. Dario was just drawing heat because he wanted more buzz. He liked the fact she didn't bug him when he was in a bad mood.
She actual knocked before entering his office. She had no problems laying out people who threatened him. Who ended up in the office same time as her. Unless it was Angelico who reminded her of BUSHI. That and Angelico was easy to bribe as she offered to have a few friends lay out Johnny Mundo.
Since the asshat was still hiding behind his lawyer. Angelico was pleased by this and went off on his happy every time. Johnny got laid out a total of five times. Before he decided he should just wrestle Angelico in a cage match.
Dario had added a twist tying weapons to the cage its self. In the hopes Angelico would final stop threatening him once a week. It had worked out well for both parties. Johnny has sent to the hospital and out for six months.
Dario stopped getting threatened by Angelico every week. About a week after that he asked about going to dinner for the first time. Katherine had been slightly uncomfortable by it. But let it go as she really had not wanted to cook that night. The rest of the times she felt like it was just a business transaction.
Dario clearly just wanted a little professional company. It made people talk about the Temple and she got free dinner. It wasn't that big a deal, at least that's what she kept telling her self. Until things had spun well out of control.
Leaving to her bailing out late May. As she no longer trusted herself around Dario. As she realized she was very physical and emotional attracted to him. Dario himself was at this point no longer dropping hints. He was full on putting his claim on her both personal and professional. This scarred her, as Dario was becoming more aggressive about not allowing her over seas.
That had pissed her off bad. New Japan had called the Temple about a talent exchange. After they had been assaulted by WWE and there raid. Hoping that a trade for a three-month tour would do both sides wonders.
Dario had actual been excited about it. Up until they had asked about her. Dario offered them three other Luchadora's of there choice. So long as they dropped the idea of her going over. She only knew because she had heard it all outside his office door. The rage over it had been nearly as bad as when her father had at first refused to train her.
Katherine had quickly left the Temple and gotten into her car. Taking off like a bat out of hell, she had ended up leading the cops on a high-speed chase. As she blared I can't dive 55 at deafening levels. She had lost the cops half an hour in. Then gone home after she changed her car's plates. She always used fakes for going to and from shows.
Not wanting to be stalked by crazy people or other wrestlers. Who were basically crazy people, who were more dangerous than normal crazies. As she opened her apartment door, an idea made its self-known to her.
Why should she allow him to tell New Japan no on her behalf. She didn't even have a contract with him. With that in mind, she called the New Japan office herself.
Letting them know she was more than ready; to spend three months over seas with them. The office had been excited and gone on for about 20 minutes longer than needed. They had told her they would send the private plane. As they had a few other people they were picking up.
She wasn't sure who had told him. But half way to Japan, her cell phone had gone off. Not thinking about it, she had picked up her phone and hit answer. She regretted this choice greatly right away. Dario had been pissed off, he was speaking only Spanish. While she had no clue what he was saying. His tone was very clear, and told a very angry story.
That being get your ass back into California now. An if you do I'll just tie you to the headboard for two days. Things had gone from bad to worse. When she had tried to reason with him. Trying to get him to see reason as it would make everyone richer. An would lead to a lot of great matches. An if he wanted she could send a few people to the hospital.
Dario hadn't seen any plus side to any of it. If anything he had gotten far angrier. This went on for a couple of minutes. Before she yelled back in Japanese, he wasn't her father. He didn't have the right to get this mad at her. When all it would do is make him look good.
It was then she learned Dario knew Japanese. He was more fluent in it than she was. An she prided herself on how well she spoke Japanese. It was a bit of a blow to her pride. As she had been told by many people she spoke it very well.
The resulting argument was short but vile. As both were angry for different reasons. Dario saw this as a slight by New Japan. After he had told them no to having her over.
She saw it as none of his damn business since it was going to make him money. An last she had checked she didn't have a contract saying she couldn't go over seas. Oh wait she didn't have a contract, as the Temple was open door.
Dario had countered back he could have his lawyer fix that. Complete with her signature on it an how dare you go behind my back. By getting on a plane without telling me and head to Japan. You will be on the next return flight once you land.
Or so help me I will be on the next flight over. I will drag you on to the plane. You will not be going over seas again any time soon. This was countered with fuck you and not in the fun way. She had then hung up and refused to pick up again.
To her credit she had managed to last two of the three months. (The front office and several younger wrestlers all spied on Dario. An reported his movements. Letting her know yes, he is over here. An yes, he's pissed off but we can keep him busy.)
Before bad luck had caused her to run across Dario. While leaving a late night streak house with BUSHI and EVIL. The resulting meeting, had everyone walk back in. To drink some sake and attempt to hammer out the issues from two months ago.
Dario seemed willing to give in on letting her stay one more month. But only if he got time with her before and after she worked. EVIL and BUSHI both began to question her after that request.
As most of her free time was spent in the gym. Shopping or hanging out with them, or SANADA as she refused to be near Naito still. For any long length of time out side of work. As both men knew it hurt her a great deal to see him with that slut as she still called his girlfriend.
Katherine hadn't really been able to give them an excuse. As she was taken a back by the request herself. Dario hadn't ever been this forward with her. She mental sighed and sent a prayer out thankful he hadn't asked her to room with him. She was starting to realize Dario was interested in her. In ways that you didn't really want your boss to be.
The kiss that had barely missed her lips; and hit the edge of her cheek. As the group went there separate ways after being kicked out of the steak house bar. Had been the final nail in the coffin for her repression of his advances.
The rest of the tour was spent with Katherine trying to work threw. All of the emotional aspects of Dario an his need for a relationship. EVIL and BUSHI had been kind enough not to tease her. As they had realized she was confused by it all. With no idea how to process just what her relationship with Cueto was. Let alone how to tell him, no I don't want a relationship. You're a owner/promoter, that is not a good career idea.
There were a lot of uncomfortable moments, that ended up getting defused by EVIL, SANADA or BUSHI. Who had become her shadows, showing up whenever needed. For that she was grateful, and let them know it. They just smiled and told her Christmas gifts of the large amounts. Where the perfect way to safe I'm grateful.
She would latter send them all huge amounts of gifts. Dispite the vile shipping costs, and having to pay for ticket to come over. To make sure the gifts got to there they needed too. It had lead to a lot of hugs, sake, and three parties. In all a great time, that had not lasted long enough.
Sighing Katherine blinked her eyes, feeling the need to crawl back into bed. She decided that bed was the right move. Sighing she pulled the covers up to her neck. Then nuzzled down into her pillow, and slowly drifted off.
Joey Ryan meanwhile was projecting claim and irritation. All in the hopes that Dario Cueto, would hang up and stop his interrogation. Joey wasn't about to give up his friend. Even if the captain would sell the poor girl to him in a heart beat. All in the name of her insane quest to find the "enemies".
Joey wasn't about to tell Cueto anything. Candice mean while remained quite. As she went about getting her breakfast going. She scowled as she caught parts of the conversation. She vowed if she ever got the chance. Dario Cueto would be sent to the hospital from a ball plex into a chair. Her scowl got deeper as Joey continued his conversation.
Joey Ryan: "Look she's back in state. That's all I really know. Its not like she put out aid space saying where and what she's doing. Knowing her, its likely just a lay over or maybe two days tops. I've got no idea where she is."
Dario Cueto: "I would hope you will remember Ryan. I have a long memory, when it comes to betrayals. I know there's a double shot PWG show going on this weekend. It would be so much easier if I could simply talk with her now. Instead of dealing with a much messier situation later."
Joey Ryan: "I told you what I know. She's back in state, that's as far as I know. I've got no idea what she's doing. Super Dragon doesn't tell me everything. I've not got no idea what suspires. If any are going down this weekend."
Dario: "If you do hear anything. You will let me know. If she shows up for ether show. I want to know. We need to talk…I just want to talk to her."
Joey Ryan: "I'll let know if I learn anything. You realize she might be dating…."
Dario: "….I do realize that. I do not like it one bit. I will…except it….."
Joey Ryan: "….ok. Talk to you when I know something then."
Dario: "…do so."
Joey is left sighing and glade he only had to talk to Cueto over the phone. Never more glade in his life for short curt good-byes. Followed up by the sounds of the end of a phone call.
Candice shakes her head as Joey sits down at the breakfast nook. Digging into his half cooled pancakes and scrambled eggs. Along with five strips of bacon, a glass of orange juice and milk. The two sit quietly for a good ten minutes. Just eating glade for the silence, as they both know things are about to get messy.
Cueto has spies everywhere, and they know there friend is in state. Thankfully they don't know she's with them. If they did, Dario Cueto and his goons. Would be here and gone by now with Katherine.
Dario wants her and will stop at nothing to get her. They know the show later is going to get messy. There friend will be doing commentary for the whole show. Which means word will get back to Cueto one way or the other.
They have to come up with a plan for it. Super Dragon's plan of violence party. For anyone dumb enough to crash his show. Is a good stand by, but Joey feels it won't be nearly enough. The mount of people Cueto is likely to send. Is what has him scared for everyone.
Dario has been calling people non-stop. From what he's heard since some ass told him. That one Katherine Quackenbush is back in California for unknown reasons. Joey is scared that Cueto might just finally go for a kidnapping. An leave the country for somewhere he can't be deported from. He's heard talk of it in the past. An as crazy as Cueto's been acting as of late. Joey wouldn't put it past him to try it.