Chapter 25
For the remainder of the night, she stayed in Edge and Christian's dressing room. Edge had been hesitant, but Christian was all for her and she was glad for him. She loved him like a brother after all and leaned against him, telling Edge what 'Taker had done, since Christian already knew. All Christian had said was that's who 'Taker was. July didn't want to believe that, but that all flew out the window when she seen him tombstone The Rock on the outside before choke slamming him through an announcer's table. July swallowed hard, her blue eyes widened as she began to slightly tremble, the match being No Holds Barred. She wasn't surprised when 'Taker won his match and became the number one contender. She'd done the right thing, it wasn't her fault what the wrestlers did.
He stared down at Rock, his blood pumping from their match, frowning when the young fool tried to get to his feet. "Stay down." He ordered gravely, not amused by this show of insolence. When The Rock ignored that, he planted a boot against the other man's head, watching as the rookie slipped into unconsciousness, smirking. Just because he had been gone two months did not mean people should forget who he was. Tossing his hair back from his face, he rolled his eyes into the back of his head.
"And that is why I should have kept my mouth shut." Paul groaned, turning off the monitor he had been watching.
Cruel. That's the only word that went through her mind as July slowly stood, kissing Christian's cheek, thanking him for letting her stay in here before walking out. She wasn't going to cry, she wasn't going to yell at him. Nope. It wouldn't do any good. July simply walked back in the dressing room, knowing the EMT's were on their way out to carry The Rock back on a stretcher and take him to the hospital. She mutely walked around the room, picking up her things and packed them in her bag, knowing they were going to be leaving shortly.
He walked backstage, wiping sweat from his face, ignoring the distrustful looks he received and stood back to watch as EMT's carefully wheeled Rocky through the curtain, green eyes narrowed. That was one less peon in his way. Cracking his neck and rolling his shoulders, he headed for the dressing room, walking in to see July ready to leave already. He didn't bother with changing, just picked up his bag and stared at her. "Ready?"
She nodded and walked out in front of him, not holding his hand like normal. She sighed when they were in the car and stared out the window, pressing her forehead to the cool glass, looking at the city lights as they passed by. She didn't speak a word to him when they arrived at the hotel room, letting him take a shower first, knowing he needed one after his massacre. She changed into a lavender nightgown and walked out on the balcony, letting the breeze blow through her hair, sadness in her blue eyes. Where was the 'Taker that made sweet passionate love to her in Houston? Where was he? Why did he have such drastic changes in his moods? 'That's who he is' Christian's words echoed in her mind, causing her eyes to fill with tears. She blinked them away though, knowing she loved 'Taker and he loved her.
After his relaxing hot shower and changing into black pajama bottoms, all 'Taker wanted to do was crawl in bed and hold her. Maybe rouse her enough for some love making, his way of apologizing for whatever he had apparently done, but...July wasn't in bed. Raking a hand through his hair, he spotted her out on the balcony, walking out behind her. He looped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against him.
"What's on your mind, July?" He whispered, kissing the side of her neck.
Did she tell him or did she just turn around and let him carry her to the bed? She didn't want anymore confrontation tonight and turned around, bringing his face down to hers. She was so angry at him for what he'd done, but she'd have to get used to it. She sighed when he kissed her back, wrapping her arms around his neck, feeling him lift her up and carry her back into the hotel room. Her back connected with the bed as 'Taker hovered over her, their lips never leaving one another's, a soft moan escaping her lips. This was how he apologized to her and she didn't mind it. She knew from now on whatever she did when it came to him, he would take it out on his opponent. July hated that, but there was nothing she could do to stop it.
Taker caught July's wrists in his hand, pinning them over her head and pulled back to stare down at her. He would make love to her, he would apologize to her. AFTER he knew what the hell he had done to piss her off in the first place. "Why were you ignoring me?" He asked softly, reading the desire in her eyes and knew this had been the perfect time to ask, leaning down to kiss her again. "Hmm?"
This was not fair!! He played dirty and she hated it, kissing him back, knowing he wouldn't quench her thirst until she came clean. "I told you about Michael Cole..." When he shook his head, she bit her bottom lip, trying to free her wrists from his grasp. That wasn't happening. "'Taker, I don't want to fight tonight, please." Her blue eyes were pleading with him to just forget about it, knowing that wouldn't happen either. Why did he have to be so damn stubborn? "You let your temper get the better of you tonight. Just because I put you in a number one contender's match instead of giving you what you wanted." She finally decided to come clean. "Steve Austin came to the dressing room earlier in the night and said some things that made sense." She knew he would NOT like hearing that, especially since he HATED that man, but he wanted her to come clean so she was.
"He WHAT?" 'Taker roared, letting go of her wrists and sitting up, astride her now. His green eyes were back to that dangerous acid color again. "Why didn't you tell me, July?" He demanded angrily, glaring down at her. "Why the hell would you NOT tell me? Is that why the doorknob was broken?" He clenched his fists when she nodded. "What exactly happened, hmm?"
She was trembling against him, seeing just how angry he was, and knew she should've kept her mouth shut. "Nothing." She whispered softly. "H-He just told me that...that if I wanted to gain respect that I shouldn't be...thinking with my heart." She wouldn't look at him, no way, she could FEEL how pissed off he was and swallowed hard. "He told me that...you had to earn your...spot as the number one contender, that's it. I was rather rude to him when he first came to the door, which is why he kicked it in, he talked to me, that's it. I swear."
"He told you not to think with your heart?" He snarled, rolling his eyes. "And you LISTENED to him? Knowing how much I detest this man, you LISTENED to him?" 'Taker could simply not believe this. His love, his life…had gone against him simply because Stone Cold Steve Austin told her too? "Earn a spot? That belt is MINE, I shouldn't have to earn a damn thing July. Do you have any idea how long I've been in the WWF?" He snorted, pushing away from her and getting off the bed.
"That's not the only reason, 'Taker!" She shouted, backing up with wide blue eyes when his head snapped to stare at her with those dangerous green pools. "He was right, 'Taker. I can't think with my heart, I can't favor you. Do you have any idea of the backlash I would receive from the other Superstars if I just HANDED you a title shot after you being gone for two months?" She was using Paul's words, refusing to bring him into this conversation. She made him a promise, she would deal with the backlash. "I'm not going to favor you like Vince!" She spat shakily, tears welled in her eyes. "If you want to be the champion, fine, but you're going to EARN it like everyone else in the company."
"Favor me? Vince didn't favor me, my dear, or didn't you notice?" 'Taker roared, running his arm across the table, sending it's contents to the floor angrily. "I have worked for EVERYTHING I've gotten from that company and I proved it tonight when I defeated that BOY you put me in the ring against. If you wish me to EARN my title, then so be it. But do NOT ever keep something from me again, July. Do you understand me?"
"I meant I wasn't going to be like Vince, not that he favored you!" She blinked, seeing everything sprawled on the floor, slowly sliding from the bed as her knees shook. She was scared to death and it showed, but she had to stay strong. "You destroyed that man simply because you were mad at me! Is that how it's going to be 'Taker? Every time I defy you or do something that angers you, you're going to hurt innocent people?" She was no longer in the mood for sex, in fact, she didn't even want to be in the same room as him. "I didn't tell you because you were too busy BURNING Michael Cole's back with a light on the catwalk!"
"Given that the man apparently had the balls to insult me on national television, IN FRONT of me, I'd say he needed a reminder of just who I am." He said, no remorse in his eyes. Folding his arms over his chest, he stared impassively down at July. "You know me and you know how I am. I have maimed and killed for you. I have no regret for anything I have ever done and I will not start now. This is who I am July."
"He didn't insult you. He said you were obsessed with the WWF title, which you are." She stated matter-of-factly, dropping her head, raking a hand through her black hair. "Please stop reminding me of what you've done for me." She whispered painfully, not wanting to hear about them. He threw that at her every time they fought and she was tired of it. "I know what you've done and I know who you are." She walked away from him and went back on the balcony, needing a minute to herself, closing her eyes to keep the tears in.
But 'Taker wasn't going to give her a minute. He followed her out there, whipping July around and forcing her to meet his eyes. "Then knowing all that, why are you angry with me?" He whispered, anguish in his green orbs. "You know me better than anyone else does and you punish me for it by refusing to acknowledge my presence?"
"I'm sorry." She whispered, hating to see the anguish in his green eyes, knowing what kind of man he was. She knew. She wasn't stupid. He was a monster, but he never treated her badly. "I won't...do it again." She sniffled, a few tears falling down her cheeks, knowing she'd been in the wrong. Sighing, July wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing herself against him. "I can't be like him, 'Taker." She murmured softly. "So...I just hope you don't hate me for some of the things I may do. I have to be fair, I can't favor you all the time."
"That's fine July, I do understand that." He whispered, kissing the top of her head, rubbing his hands up and down her back soothingly. "I just can't stand the thought of you hating me for..." He trailed off. 'Taker was well aware his temper was terrifying and his mood swings left everyone around him on pins and needles, but that was just who he was. He was a volatile man. "Forget it, let's go to bed, July. I want to hold you, if you'll allow it."
"I could never hate you." She whispered, pulling back to look him in the eyes when she said that, running her thumb across his soft lips. "I love you, 'Taker, regardless of your tempers and mood swings. I love you for who you are in here..." She pressed her hand over his heart, which was beating furious against her palm. "I've learned to accept it, I just get angry at times so you're going to have to deal with that too. Just promise me one thing..." When he encouraged her to continue, July took a deep breath. "Whatever happens in the WWF, whatever I happen to do, you won't hate me for." She bit her bottom lip.
That was a bit ominous and he gathered July would probably being doing a lot of things in the federation that he wasn't going to like. But her asking him not to hate her because of it made warning bells fire off in his head. "I could never hate you, July." He whispered, raising her hand to his lips and kissing her fingertips slowly, trying to reassure her. He had seen the fear in her eyes earlier and that had hurt him more than anything else. No matter how angry he got he had never laid a hand on July, ever. And he never would.
She smiled softly back at him and took his hand, guiding him back inside their room. She crawled in bed under the comforter and waited for him to join her before spooning up against him. She knew neither of them were in the mood now, especially after their fight, and she didn't mind. Though she couldn't help worrying how many more fights they were going to have now that she was the CEO of the WWF. Linda had a funny way of showing her love and July wondered if this was going to destroy their relationship. Was that Linda's motive all along? July couldn't fathom her aunt betraying her as her eyes slowly closed, feeling his warm body pressed against her, holding her tight against him.
He buried his face in her hair, feeling his body relaxing though his mind was running a mile a minute. He'd deal with Stone Cold on his own time. This way July wasn't held liable for anything, rage flaring for an instant at how ballsy that mother fucker had been, kicking in a door to talk to her? He knew more then what July had said had happened, doors did not get kicked in over nothing.