Chapter 10

Howard really hoped and prayed nothing bad happened tonight, but he knew that was a long shot. It was an inferno match between two people who had legitimate hatred for each other and desire to do each other great bodily harm. Someone was leaving here in an ambulance, of that he was certain.

Kane growled when Stephanie shot him a quick peek, adjusting his black leather glove. The match wasn't for some time, but he was more than ready for it at this point. Vince was an asshole. An evil asshole.

Savalyn did her job perfectly, standing in the middle of the ring with the lights on bright and using her warm honey voice announcing matches. The night progressed and her stomach tightened the closer the Inferno match approached. After announcing the Corporation halfway through the show, Savalyn stepped out of the ring and stopped when Vince grabbed her arm, forcing her to hold the microphone for him. It was uncharacteristic of him, but she did as she was told with a smile, keeping it plastered on even with the announcement of the Inferno match. She glanced at Kane very briefly before her eyes went back to Vince, sending another prayer above this all worked out and nobody ended up in the ER.

Vince knew exactly what he was doing and he knew the Undertaker would be watching the monitor right there at gorilla position, see this and fume, providing he wasn't already. He was sending messages tonight. He was not going to be jerked around. His family, his daughter particularly, would not be harassed and threatened.

The old man was going to die a slow, painful death. An Inferno match, against Kane of all people. He had officially lost his mind, bound and determined to take everyone he had ever loved, hell everyone he had ever even briefly met, down with him. Now Taker was more than ready to tear apart Vince's world and anyone who happened to have set foot in it.

Once the Corporation segment ended, Savalyn stepped out of the ring after being reminded to mind her manners at ringside during the match. She nodded once at Vince, letting him know when her eyes she wouldn't interfere. Sitting down, Savalyn nodded when Howard asked if she was alright and clasped her hands in her lap while he went up to announce the next match. Before they knew it, the Inferno match arrived and Taker made his way down to the ring, surprisingly alone. Savalyn did her best not to lock eyes with him or acknowledge his presence, simply staring straight ahead while the flames began licking at the ropes the moment Taker stepped foot inside the ring with Kane. Please be careful, Taker, please, she silently prayed, having put the anti-burn ointment on prior to the match beginning as Howard instructed. This was going to be terrible.

Taker was being careful, it wasn't his backside he wanted burnt to a crisp. While he was normally calculated each move in his matches, Kane tended to bring out pure brutality and aggression. The flames surrounding them only dampened the urges to murder his idiot half-brother, not ridding it entirely. The fact that McMahon had set up this match, with this person, with Savalyn out here…Vince quite literally was playing with fire and he knew better then to acknowledge anyone except Kane as they fought simply because Kane was a mad dog. If there was a wild card in this equation, it was Kane.

Her body was drenched from head to toe in sweat, the flames emanating some major heat in their direction. Every time Taker and Kane hit a big move, the flames shot up past the top rope and it made Savalyn consume bottle after bottle of water. Howard did the same thing. She knew he was sweltering in that suit and felt terrible for him, but at least she was smart enough to dress appropriately. Being this close to the flames made her heart jump in her throat whenever the men got too close to them. Somehow, she managed to keep a poker face until she spotted Paul Bearer coming down the ramp to ringside, carrying what looked to be a round box with a black silk bow on top. What the hell? She could only watch, bewildered sky blues following his every move and watched Vince open the box, only to become completely distraught. She was even more astonished when he pulled out a teddy bear and knew this had to be another mind game from Taker.

First pictures and now a teddy bear?

What the hell was going on in her ex's demented mind?

"Damn, he's on fire!" Howard grumbled, watching Taker plant Kane's foot in the flames and shook his head, thankful the match was over, but feeling sorry for the Big Red Machine too. "Fire extinguisher!"

At least it was his heavily booted foot and not any other part of his anatomy. Savalyn looked past him to watch Taker from across the ring through the flames and her hand covered her mouth at the sight of Taker burning the teddy bear in front of Vince. The boss, the powerful Vince McMahon, was reduced to tears and dropped to his knees, reaching out to the burning teddy bear with Taker backing up the ramp. What did that teddy bear signify? Did it have something to do with Stephanie again?

Oh yes indeed it did and that had been what his minions had been informing him was hilarious. Taker was a sick, spiteful bastard and it was all worth it. Seeing the expression on Vince's face, the fear in his eyes fighting against his hatred, the swell of tears…it was enough to give the Devil a hard-on. His acidic gaze flickered briefly to Savalyn who was looking faint, aghast and the spite swelled. Let her suffer too. She'd learn soon enough along with all the rest of them.

Why? That was the only question searing through her wide sky blues as officials rushed toward the teddy bear to put it out with the fire extinguisher. Kane was already helped to the back for medical attention and luckily, Savalyn and Howard hadn't been burned by the flames. Why was Taker doing all of this? Why had he changed so much from the quiet and warm man she'd once known? What happened to make him change so drastically and to target the McMahon family? Sighing, Savalyn wished she had the answers to the questions and headed toward the back once the officials told her it was safe, immediately changing out of her dress. She was informed Kane was headed to the hospital for medical treatment, having third degree burns on his foot. So that was her next destination to check on him.

As far as he was concerned, Kane deserved what had happened because nobody had forced little brother to participate in that match. Quite frankly, nobody made Kane do anything Kane didn't want to do. The mental hospital facade, being afraid of fire, that was all gimmick. Scars, not so much. Brothers, that they were, same mother different father. Paul really was Kane's biological father, much to Taker's annoyance. He could enjoy his third degree burns and next time; remember to mind his own business.

Once she changed into a pair of jeans and a long sleeved burnt orange top, Savalyn made her way out of the arena. She could feel a presence behind her, but didn't stop, knowing Taker wouldn't stop her. He was simply following and tormenting her because that's the type of man he had turned into. Someone who enjoyed causing misery for others. She let Vince know ahead of time she was going to the hospital to check on Kane, to which he just nodded mutely at her. The man was scared to death for his daughter's safety and looked haunted after that burning teddy bear incident. Once outside, Savalyn stopped and squared her shoulders, pursing her lips tightly together before looking up at the starry night sky.

"I'm glad it wasn't you." It was the only thing she could say, especially after the last time they spoke.

"And why is that?" Conversing with her was a mistake, another one to add to his list, but Taker was mildly curious why she didn't want him to be the one to be burned. "Given what happened between us at your home, I figured you'd be more than happy to watch me burn."

The ice began melting around her heart, the concrete cracking as little pieces fell away down to the pit of her stomach. "Why do you think?" She shot back softly, wishing she could inject some kind of malice into her tone. It just wasn't possible with this man. "You know why. I don't know why you insist on asking a question you already know the answer to."

His upper lip curled in a sneer, not because he was displeased by her words, but much they rang true. "Sava…" Taker hissed out her name, stepping up to close the distance between them and had surveyed the area to make sure they were completely alone. "Do not tell me you still care for me, not when you've spent time with my main nemesis" He still couldn't believe she agreed to go out on a date with Steve Austin, knowing how much he detested the man.

"Believe me; I'd give anything not to care about your wellbeing." She spat, folding her arms tightly in front of her chest and shut her eyes the moment his hands landed on her shoulders. Instantly, her body responded and her blood turned to molten lava. "But that's what happens when you're with someone you DO care about. No matter how many times you hurt me, I'll never stop not caring about you, Mark." And loving you, she added in thought, flat out refusing to utter the L word to him.

The scent of her always made him heady, though Taker still had perfect control over this situation. "And pray tell, why is that, pet?" He demanded, hiding the fact her words really stung and cut through him. They bothered him more than he'd ever admit. "Is it my appearance? My devotion to claiming the McMahon princess for my own? Why exactly do you not want to care about me anymore?" His large hands squeezed her shoulders, pulling her to where her back pressed against his muscular chest, which was covered in a black thermal top.

Savalyn scoffed, rolling her eyes and shook her head. "Your appearance has never been an issue to me. You grew a longer beard and got rid of your goatee part of your facial hair. Big deal. You still look the same to me. Your attitude and, yes, going after Stephanie, one of my best friends, is part of the reason I wish to god I could stop caring about you. I wish I could forget you ever existed and everything we had together, actually." Is that what he wanted to hear? Her heart clenched with pain the moment those words came out of her mouth.

His pride along with his own heart took a beating with what she said, though once again Taker didn't show it. "With that delectable photographic memory of yours, pet, there is no way to do so. I made sure to burn your memory with me, all the times I fucked that delicious pussy of yours and claimed you as mine." She still belonged to him, even if they weren't together at the moment. And it was for her own good, though Savalyn didn't need to know that detail. "Mmm even the last time I tasted you…"

"You mean the last time you surrendered to me, in my own home?" Savalyn had to find some way to gain the advantage over him, not wincing when his grip on her shoulders tightened. "Still bothers you, I see."

Snarling in her ear, Taker suddenly whipped her around and dragged her behind one of the trucks, pinning her against the wall of the arena. They were completely out of sight, so whatever he did wouldn't be seen by anyone. Only remembered by her, which is exactly what he wanted. She just had to keep reminding him of that momentary lapse in judgment.

"You surrendered to me just as much. And yet you try to convince yourself not to care about me, even as your heart and mind refuse to allow it." Taker knew this was a dangerous game to play, especially with his plans, but if this stubborn woman only knew the truth… "You will never forget me, Savalyn."

Before she could open her mouth to respond, Taker quickly captured it with his, pressing her back against the building somewhat harshly. Savalyn melted, not bothering to fight him off and grabbed a handful of the leather duster, the same one he wore last time they kissed, pulling him closer. Taker growled, lifting her to forcefully wrap her legs around his waist and used the wall for leverage. If he wanted, he was sure Savalyn would've let him sex her up right here and now, not caring they were outside in the cold. Goddamn, she tasted sweeter than the last time and felt incredible in his arms. Just a little longer and then he would have her again permanently, but not until his plan was completed. Only then could they truly be together and happy without any interference.

"Do you trust me?" He demanded hoarsely, breaking the kiss abruptly and set her down on her feet, not releasing her waist.

"What kind of question is that?" She shot back, tears filling her eyes and the confusion once again engulfed her. "What the hell is your game? You said-"

"I know damn well what I've said, woman." Taker growled impatiently, needing to hear her answer and squeezed her hips a little harder. "Now answer me. Do you trust me?"

Savalyn was sick of the games, not sure what happened to her sweet loving Mark, the man she'd met back in '97, but this certainly wasn't him. "Let me go." She ordered in a whisper, refusing to answer him and lowered her eyes, looking to the side. "It's late; I need to head back to the hotel before the boss starts getting suspicious. After all, I sold myself to them, remember?"

Sneering, Taker didn't appreciate his words being tossed back at him. Talk about eating his own words. "Very well, pet. You should get going, you're right." He did as she asked, releasing her and stepped back, folding his arms in front of his chest.

Before she left, Savalyn would give him one last parting shot. "I told you once I trusted you completely…and I meant it, Mark. I just wish you'd trust me enough to tell me what the hell is going on with you. Good night." Continuing on her way to her car, Savalyn slid behind the wheel and drove off toward the hospital to make sure Kane was alright.

"Idiot." He grunted dryly, watching her peel out of the parking lot.

She truly was an idiot. He had gone out of his way to hurt her. She had gone out of her way to try hurting him. That just made things worse because he had unleashed his inner dick and gone to town on the McMahons and, by extension, her. Savalyn just didn't know the full impact of it just yet. But she was still glad it wasn't him who was fried tonight... and that somehow made everything…feel worse.

"Idiot." He repeated, though this time at himself.

"I'm such an idiot."

Even though he'd hurt her with his harsh words, and she'd locked her heart away, didn't mean Savalyn wanted to see Taker burnt to a crisp. She felt bad Kane had lost and was the one burned, but relieved since it wasn't Taker currently at the hospital. Her words rang true, she truly was thankful it wasn't Taker who was set on fire tonight, even though he deserved to be. She didn't even need to turn around to look at Taker to know he was there. The man had a presence about him that was uncanny, unearthly and powerful. She could always sense when he was around, not understanding why.

It'd always been that way between them.