Chapter 46

The ocean breeze felt amazing against her skin as Tahlia stood there, staring out into the horizon as the sun came up. What kind of woman was she to beat on someone mercilessly? As good as it felt to do that to Sable, Tahlia knew she'd taken it a little too far. All she wanted was vengeance for what happened to her, for everything Vince had done, and by attacking Sable she got what she wanted.

But at what cost?

Would Gunner see her violent tendencies? Would Taker still want to introduce her to his son after witnessing what she'd done to Sable and Ryan? Ryan was her friend…and she'd betrayed her by attacking her and then sacrificing her brother. Granted, Kenny boy walked away still alive, but that wasn't the point. Not realizing it, tears had pooled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks freely. Darkness indeed had a price and the more she delved into it, the deeper she sank and the dimmer her light inside became.

She had opened up the house and then gone outside. Taker spotted Tahlia a ways down the beach, her shoes off, feet in the sand with the morning tide beginning to lap at her shoes. He bet it was cold but refreshing. Joining her, not minding the ankles of his jeans getting cold, Taker wrapped his arms around her, eyes fastened on the rising sun as well.

"This is beautiful." He murmured in her ear, kissing the side of her head. He frowned when he heard her sniffle and glanced down into her face. "What's the matter, Tahlia?" He asked softly.

"What?" Tahlia snapped out of her deep thoughts and felt something wet on her face, touching her cheek. "I'm crying…" She sounded shocked and hastily wiped her tears away, sighing heavily. "I'm a terrible person for what I just did. I did want revenge on her. But I keep thinking about meeting your son. Do you really want someone like me around him? Because I'm not a good person and, if it was my kid, I'd run for the damn hills. Look what I did to Ryan…and she was my friend. And the worst part is I enjoy hurting people. I get a sick thrill from tying people up and doing whatever the hell I want to them! From destroying them mentally and emotionally like we have been with Shane. I LIKE making people suffer and that's not normal. I'm sorry, I know you don't want to hear this bullshit."

The tears had finally stopped falling, even after she wiped them away more had fallen. Taker couldn't help it, he started laughing. She had just poured her heart out to him, told him what was weighing her down and he was laughing.

"Tahlia, darlin'," He forced himself to stop, turning her so she was facing him and cupped her face in his large hands. "Darlin', it's more normal than you'd think." He and the Ministry were proof of that one. "And it's normal to want vengeance on those who have hurt you, made you suffer. You didn't go out of your way to hurt Ryan, I was there. You used a nerve pinch to put her to sleep. All she suffered was a stiff neck." Which, the Corporation had made her suffer. "I will be proud to have you meet my son, Tahlia, because you do have a good heart." When she shook her head, he shook his. "Tahlia… do you think truly bad people worry that they're bad?" He asked gently but firmly. "Do you think they stop and worry about it?"

"No." Tahlia's eyes grew wide in realization at his words, her hands gripping his wrists gently. "We still went after Ryan's brother though and she won't forgive me for that." She didn't need Ryan's friendship, but what she'd done to Sable really bothered her for some reason. "Do you think I went too far with Sable? And be honest with me. Because if I did, you need to tell me. When I get like this, I need to know my limitations and I need someone, you, to tell me when I've gone too far. Promise me you'll do that, Taker. You have far more resolve and you know when enough is enough." That was one of the many reasons why she loved him so much and obeyed his every command…mostly.

"If you had gone too far, I'd let you know. I did let you know." He had stopped her after that last shot to Sable, knowing anything more would be pushing their already tentative line between revenge and vengeance and murder or intent to murder. "If they wouldn't have fucked with you in the beginning, you never would have made it to this point. That's what this is, teaching them that they can't keep doing this. That, and I like games." Taker shrugged, pulling her into him and wrapping his arms around her. "Tahlia, I will always tell you when you go too far, I promise."

"Thank you, Taker."

She snuggled into him, feeling somewhat of a weight lift from her shoulders and breathed him in. He had a way of calming her down, even when she was feeling her lowest. The man still wanted to introduce Gunner to her as well. So she hadn't delved too deep into the darkness…yet. And after Shane was dealt with once and for all, she would be done and the game would be over. Tahlia would never leave Taker's side, but she would focus solely on her career and building their relationship into something more.

"You're right, it is beautiful here." She murmured, turning her head while snuggling to look at the sunrise along with him.

This would be a moment in time with him she'd forever cherish. Long after the sun had risen, Taker lifted Tahlia up into his arms princess style and began spinning in circles with her, laughing at the smile on her face. Maybe instead of making her eventually come live in Texas, or trying to negotiate on the New York thing, they needed to get a beach house.

"Come on, let's go get some sleep and then we'll sort out the vacation thing." They would spend a few days here. He also had some videos of Sable to make, just so he could send them to McMahon and remind him: nobody can outrun or hide from the devil.

"Vacation thing?" Tahlia laughed as he hoisted her over his shoulder and carted her back inside up to the room she had designated for them. "You're incredible…and we're not going to sleep yet." She kissed him passionately, every other thought and doubt flying out of her mind. Anytime they were together like this, alone, Tahlia forgot about all of her problems and just focused on being with Taker.

Nightfall came as Tahlia's eyes slowly opened, her body half on Taker and half on the bed, a white sheet covering them. She turned her head to stare out the window at the spectacular view, which was a full lit moon lighting up the sky and streaming in their room. How could Sable not want this room? She smiled, looking back at Taker and admired the moonlight on his face. He was gorgeous from head to toe, everything about him was magnetic and attracted her like no other.

They had been in bed all day, not that he had overly minded. Making love with those open doors, the breeze from the ocean coming in, the smell of the salt water… it was like heaven. He didn't know how long she had been up, but he knew she was awake before he even opened his eyes.

"You're staring." Taker rumbled, popping a lid and a smile curved his lips as he seen her still laying on him, her hair tousled about. He ran his hands down her back, letting out a contented sigh before turning his head to look outside. "Enjoying the view, darlin'?" He asked softly, his voice still rough with sleep.

"You're a beautiful man, of course I'm staring. And yes I am." Tahlia replied softly, nuzzling his chest and felt tranquility flow over her. "We really are night owls." She chuckled softly, reaching up to brush a strand of black hair from his face and leaned up to brush her mouth against his. "Come on sleepyhead, time to get up. I'm famished and I sincerely hope that whore had this place stocked." She had concluded this was supposed to be Sable's hideout…another failure on Vince's part.

"Probably is." He yawned, gently nudging her off him so he could sit up and stretch his arms out over his head, the sheet pooling down around his hips. "Vince bought this place through an agent, just for her." Taker knew that because Paul could weasel information out of just about anyone. That man was irreplaceable. "It's not even on a map." Maybe he'd relieve Vince of the deed… he rather liked this house and the view was amazing. Pushing himself up, he got out of the bed, grunting. "Probably should go check on Sable." And give her a towel or something since she was probably covered in her own urine and excrement.

"Leave her be until after we eat. I'll lose my appetite if I have to look at her before then." Tahlia had also gotten out of bed, not bothered by her nudity and slipped some shorts and a tank top on, no bra or panties. There was no need since it was just the two of them. "We need to be careful what we talk about and make sure that whore can't eavesdrop." She pointed out, not putting it past Sable to have some kind of bug on all the rooms, or Vince for that matter.

Taker nodded at her, understanding what she was referring to and that was good enough for her as Tahlia made her way downstairs to sift through the kitchen.

He followed her downstairs, halting in the kitchen. "You stay up here, I'll go down and check on her." Because Tahlia didn't need to see the woman or vice versa. Seeing Sable might trigger the rage in Tahlia and she might try finishing what she had started or… she'd have another guilt trip. He wouldn't suffer from either of those. "Stay, Tahlia." He ordered flatly when it looked like she might protest, opening the door and heading down.

"Damn it." She grumbled, stalking to the fridge and opened it to see what could be made quickly.

There were chicken drumsticks in a bowl, covered, and marinated in some kind of sauce. Maybe teriyaki. Either way, it would do. She pulled them out, set the oven to 350 to bake and put them in a glass baking dish before popping them in. Then she sifted through the cabinets, looking for sides to make and trying to keep her mind off of Taker being alone with Sable.

"So, how's it going?" He asked conversationally, smiling sweetly when Sable shot him a baleful look, her mouth covered with a gag or else she'd probably be unloading on him right now. "So… if you're nice, and polite, I'll bring you a washcloth and fresh clothes. If you start screaming, or acting like the lady I know you aren't… well, you can sit and continue breathing in your own stench."

She started screaming the minute the gag was out.

The sounds of her screams was music to Tahlia's ears. She didn't bother turning the nearby radio on because that was a sweet sound. Sick in the head didn't even begin to cover the type of woman Tahlia was. She hummed happily while boiling some water on the stove for corn on the cob while cutting up red potatoes. Vince did have this place stocked. She also found some frozen vegetables in the freezer and currently had them steaming on the stove. When Sable's screaming stopped, she frowned, wanting to hear more of it and was tempted to shout downstairs to Taker to keep the torture up.

Taker hadn't touched her, at all. All he had done was speak to her and that had been enough. He had returned the gag, refusing to let her shrill screams ruin his evening. "I'll be back, sweetheart." He promised darkly, heading upstairs. Nodding at Tahlia before scavenging a large container from a cupboard, Taker filled it with cold water. Then he went back downstairs and doused the bitch. "Enjoy your bath, good night." He flipped off the light on his way back up, laughing.

"Really glad I'm not in her shoes." Tahlia commented once he returned, remembering her abduction and how she'd been doused with cold water her first night.

She hadn't fought back and screamed the way Sable was, though. Instead, she had remained calm and on her knees, being completely obedient. After that, she had been shown a proper room where she could shower and dress privately. Treated like a queen – the dark queen of the Ministry. She liked the sound of that title and, in a way, it was true.

"Dinner should be ready soon, handsome."

"Mmm." He nodded, sitting down at the table and procured a fine Cuban cigar from his pocket. Taker had spotted them in what was apparently Vince's little secret stash and helped himself. Eyeballing it for bugs, he didn't really think there would be one here. He did think there were camcorders, because he had seen some interestingly labelled VHS tapes. The idea of Sable and Vince making homemade pornos almost made him gag on that fine cigar.

"Don't mind, do you, darlin'?" He asked, after he had lit it.

"No…Cuban, right?" At his raised brow, Tahlia chuckled softly while cleaning up the mess she'd made while cutting up the potatoes, already popping them in the oven. "My Dad…he smoked them."

She didn't talk much about her family because…there really wasn't anything to say. Her mother was still alive and kicking, married to her 3rd husband and her father had died of lung cancer. Not that she would tell Taker that.

"It smells nice. Nostalgia." Sitting down in front of him, Tahlia began shuffling the deck of cards she'd found in a nearby drawer. "Wanna pass the time and play?"

"Sure, what's your game?" Taker was a poker man himself and liked playing for cash usually, but… he'd play for different stakes with her. He got up, spotting an ashtray on top of the refrigerator and set it down before helping himself to what looked like the only alcohol in the house. Bitch beers. "Hmph." He snorted, then uncapped it and sipped. It wasn't as sickening sweet as he thought it would be.

"Texas Hold'em." Bradshaw had taught her a thing or two and when Taker returned to his seat with the wine cooler, Tahlia leaned over to take the cigar out of his mouth, taking a puff of it and put it right back between his lips. "Mmm, tasty." She remembered showing Bradshaw she enjoyed smoking cigars their first night at the bar together. And she kicked his backside in pool too. "We'll bet whatever your heart desires, handsome." Setting them up and dealing the cards, Tahlia leaned back in the chair with a poker face, not giving anything away. "Well?"