Chapter 11
"No I am not!" July shouted at him, her blue eyes widened, shaking her head back and forth as 'Taker held her close to him. "I am twenty-two years old, I have proof!" Vince had been smart enough to send 'Taker proof of her REAL birth certificate since he hadn't believed she was a McMahon. 'Taker had those documents as July watched him pull it out, wondering if he carried it on him all the time. She didn't care as the doctor looked it over, crossing her arms in front of her chest, seeing Shane's face had completely paled.
"Sir, I'm going to ask you very nicely to leave this hospital ONCE unless you have other business here BESIDES tormenting this poor woman." The doctor stated evenly, watching as Shane stomped away.
He watched Shane go with narrowed eyes, instinctively knowing this wouldn't be the last they heard from the Boy Wonder. He guided July out to the waiting room, sitting her down on a couch and sat beside her. "What is it Shane wants from you?" He asked gently, knowing something was up. Shane had been the one to demand the Corporation get her on her first night, wondering just what that was all about.
"I can't..." She whispered, tears forming in her eyes, knowing exactly what he wanted. She stood up and wrapped her arms around herself, beginning to tremble from head to toe, feeling sick to her stomach. "'Taker, I've managed to forget what happened for a long time and...I can't do it. Please. Don't make me talk about it." Her voice was a whispery sob, her back to him, head lowered in shame. She didn't ever want to think about it again, knowing Shane wasn't going to leave her alone until he had her again. She shivered with dread at the thought and nearly lost her footing, her legs shaking.
Seeing how unsteady July was, like she would collapse at any second, 'Taker pulled her down into his lap. Knowing how strange it must look to an outsider, seeing him cradling this small woman, his heavily tattooed arms around her tightly. "You don't have to say anything." He murmured, not sure he even wanted to know anymore. "I won't ask again, July."
The memory was slowly beginning to surface as July trembled violently against him, burying her face in his neck, wrapping her around his neck as she sobbed. "I-I'm sorry..." She whispered over and over again, knowing she was a broken mess, a broken woman. Nothing would be able to bring her back from the horrible ordeal she suffered at the McMahon home. No matter what, nobody could ever know what happened with Shane. Nobody. She would keep that secret until death as she felt 'Taker's arms engulf her, needing the comfort he was offering at the moment.
What in the name of all that was holy had Shane done to make her so terrified? He could think of several different things and all of them made his blood boil. He began physically shaking with rage, having to struggle to calm himself down, knowing his anger wouldn't help July any. "Calm down." He soothed, stroking her back in slow, soothing circle motions. "It's alright, July. I'll keep you safe." He murmured in her ear.
She slowly pulled back to stare back into his green eyes, seeing the fire in his eyes, and swallowed hard. He didn't even know what happened and he was already this angry. July didn't even want to fathom what would happen if he ever did find out the truth. "I trust you 'Taker." She whispered, taking a deep breath. "I've known you for two days, but...you've treated me with more respect and taken better care of me than he ever thought about doing in the past twenty-two years I've been alive. I am forever in your debt, thank you."
"There is no debt." He said quietly, placing a finger over her lips when she went to contradict him. "I mean it, July. I don't do anything I don't want too and I haven't asked you for repayment and I never will." 'Taker's eyes moved past her when he seen Paul coming in with Bradshaw and Farooq. His eyes daring Bradshaw to finish whatever he was about to say, seeing the shock on the other man's face. No doubt an odd sight, but he wasn't about to move just yet, pulling July against him.
"Uh...Christian is awake." Bradshaw seen 'Taker's eyebrow rise slowly and swallowed hard, being a terrible liar.
July simply snuggled back against him, sighing gently, closing her eyes. He was comforting, she couldn't help it. Her tear streaked face and blackish blue cheek showing to the rest of the Ministry.
"That mother fucker..." Farooq growled, seeing the bruise and clenched his fists tightly. "Is she okay?"
"I'm fine Farooq." She quietly replied, feeling 'Taker running his fingers through her black tresses, sighing in content, her eyes drifting shut again.
"We heard Shane was here."
July shivered against 'Taker no matter how hard she tried not to.
"He was." He said slowly, glancing at Paul. "Any word?"
"They were almost there when Edge called."
"Good."
"You're really-"
"Ask me again Paul and I will lose my temper."
"'Taker, why don't ya take her back to the hotel? She looks exhausted, we can watch over Christian if you want." Bradshaw offered, seeing July was fighting to sleep.
Farooq nodded in agreement, standing beside his best friend. "Go on boss, you look exhausted too. Paul will keep you informed on what's goin' on."
July didn't say a word, it was completely up to 'Taker, though she was worried about leaving Christian alone in the hospital. Shane was capable of anything right now.
"No." He said, refusing to leave Christian. "He'll be released as soon as he wakes and then we're leaving. I'll sleep on the drive."
"I'll drive." Bradshaw offered with a sigh. "I got a nap in at the county lock-up."
"You can sleep here little one." 'Taker murmured in July's ear. "I'll hold you while you nap." He knew she was exhausted, but he adamantly refused to make any of them weak by lessening their numbers. Unless he had too.
"I don't want to leave Christian." She murmured softly, snuggling further against him, sighing with relief. Within moments she was fast asleep, her chest rising and falling slowly, her breathing even. A strand of black hair fell over her face when she moved, making her look even more angelic.
Farooq sat down beside 'Taker, Bradshaw on his other side, both men watching over their boss along with the rest of the Ministry. He'd heard what 'Taker was going to do to the McMahon women and knew they had it coming, especially after what they heard from Vince regarding July. "'Taker, she's been through a hell of a ordeal," He began slowly. "Do ya think what you're plannin' is going to help with that?"
"Unless I've misread her and the situation, I doubt it. If anything, she'll enjoy it thoroughly." 'Taker said calmly, meeting Farooq's gaze evenly. "Why? Don't tell me you're going soft..." His voice was a mere whisper now.
Bradshaw recognized that deadly tone and cleared his throat. He was almost tempted to speak up on his partner's behalf, but knew Farooq would have to dig himself out of this grave on his own.
"No, no not at all." Farooq shook his head repeatedly, clearing his throat. "I was simply making sure you were going through with it cause I can't wait to see those bitches scream." He looked away when 'Taker just narrowed his eyes, knowing he'd better shut up now.
"Gentlemen?" The doctor called out, causing all of them to turn, seeing Christian in a wheelchair, looking like he wanted to clock the doctor right in the face. "He's free to go as soon as these papers are signed."
"Thank god." Farooq muttered under his breath.
As soon as Paul had signed the necessary papers, Christian all, but leaped out of the wheelchair, looking around. "Where's Edge?" He sighed, shaking his head, remembering what 'Taker had told him. He grinned broadly, looking down at July. "She sure is pretty, isn't she?"
"That's the pain killers talking, be gentle." Paul said, watching as 'Taker stood up, July in his arms.
This was going to be a long drive.
Bradshaw chuckled and slapped Christian gently on the shoulder, knowing he didn't know what he was saying at the moment. "Yeah, but she's taken." He stated, glancing at the boss, who simply brushed a strand of black hair back from her face.
"We gotta long drive ahead of us." Farooq stated as he tossed the keys to his partner, not having slept in the jail cell like he had.
July slowly fluttered her eyes open when she felt 'Taker stand up, looking over at Christian and smiled softly before snuggling back against 'Taker's chest, falling right back to sleep.
"Taken?" Christian echoed, smiling like a kid at Christmas. He felt GOOD. "Nuh uh, she's not taken. She's July. She's like my sister or something and the Deadman isn't-" He frowned when Paul clapped a hand over his mouth, talking right through it.
"Would you like me to ether him?"
"Tempting, but probably not conductive to recovery. Gag him if you need too though." He said, slipping into the backseat with July.
"Boy, if you know what's good for you, don't talk." Bradshaw cautioned Christian before the man slipped in the backseat with 'Taker, Farooq next to him and Paul had taken the passenger seat. He had no choice considering how big he was.
Farooq was in the back to make sure 'Taker didn't kill Christian for whatever he might say. He wasn't going to stop the kid, wanting to sleep before they arrived. He wasn't Christian's babysitter damn it!
"Why?" Christian babbled innocently. "I'm not doing anything. It's just so nice to be out of that hospital. Shane really whacked me hard with that chair, ya know? I couldn't believe he even had the balls to do it. He was like there one minute and the next I was like, in the hospital going WHOA and like-" His head drooped as 'Taker snapped and applied a pressure point.
"Thank the Lord. He said 'like' one more time and I was going to pull this SUV over and beat the shit out of him."
"You're not the only one." Farooq muttered before leaning his head against the glass window, yawning, and closed his eyes as the sleep overtook his body.
"'Taker, they arrived." Paul said about an hour later, looking in the rearview mirror, and immediately shut his mouth at what he saw.
'Taker was stroking July's hair while admiring her, seemingly in his own little world, and Paul sighed gently. That precious angel was going to be the death of his master, he could feel it, and glanced back out the window. He closed his eyes and was asleep in no time flat.
'Taker had heard Paul, but was too absorbed in July to offer a response, not that one was needed. He had memorized her face, taking in the small worry lines that already marred the delicate skin around her eyes. His heart breaking at how hard her life must have been for a mere twenty-two year old woman to look the way she did. He could see the faint circles that showed the lack of sleep she had suffered, her make-up having been worn down from her crying. He gently twirled a strand of her black hair around a finger, closing his eyes briefly. Everything about July screamed at him for help, for love and affection, for someone to be kind to her. He vowed to show her all those things and more.
He had no idea just how hard July's life had been. From the time she was an infant till recently, she spent every birthday, every Christmas, every day in isolation, cut off from the world. It was ridiculous to most people, seeing how excited she was over getting clothes and a mere book, but to July it was everything. She'd been in rages, only having three ragged dresses that couldn't even be considered ordeal to wear in the past four years, the McMahons refusing to buy her new clothes or anything. They didn't take care of her and Vince had destroyed her soul, her spirit, the fire that burned deep within her heart.
Eventually he had nodded off, resting his head on top of July's, unaware that both Bradshaw and Paul had been watching them.
"What do ya think about that?"
"I think McMahon is going to regret anything and everything he's ever done to that girl."
Bradshaw nodded in agreement. "He's probably regretting handing her over to 'Taker now."
"If not then he soon will."
Farooq had awoken and noticed the sight as well, shaking his head with a smile on his face. "I don't think I've ever seen the boss that happy." He whispered, seeing Christian was leaning against him, and rolled his eyes, deciding he'd grit and bare through it since the man had been through a horrible ordeal.
For the first time in twenty-two years, July slept soundly in 'Taker's arms, not waking up once from a night terror about her parents or a nightmare about Shane. Instead, her dreams were filled of 'Taker, the man who had taken care of her. She was actually smiling and snuggled against him while deep in her sleep, her arms resting in front of her.