Chapter 18
Her pacing stopped as Martina slowly turned her head to stare back at him, wondering briefly he was serious, and the look in his eyes telling her all she needed to know. "I'm damaged goods, Randy." She started shaking, the anger consuming her as she pulled her shirt off and tossed it to the side. "Look at me, LOOK! I have scars, my body is not perfect, and I'm NOWHERE near good enough for you. You're a famous celebrity, a wrestler, and you have women throwing themselves at you every which way. Why do you want to settle for less than what you deserve?" She was clad in a black bra with her pants on, the scars running across her abdomen, another one down her arm, tears flowing down her cheeks.
Was she for real? For a brief, insane moment, Randy was almost tempted to laugh at her, but squashed that quickly, seeing she was very serious. Trying not to smile, Randy crossed over to her.
"So I deserve better than you; that's what you're saying?" He asked softly, watching her nod. "Someone perfect?" Another nod. "Maybe a model with a beautiful body, gorgeous hair and eyes? A smile to die for?" When she kept on nodding, he shook his head. "Martina, I just described you. You ARE perfect and BEAUTIFUL to me. I've seen your scars." He reminded gently. "And they just make you all the more perfect, because you're a survivor."
"I'm far from a model; I honestly wouldn't want to be one either." Martina cracked a small smile, the joke temporarily easing the tension between them and felt his hand cup her face, placing hers over his. How could she fight him off when he was so adamant about being with her? "The only reason I feel beautiful and perfect right now is because of you. Without you, I don't feel anything good, anything true." Carefully, so she wouldn't hurt him, Martina wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him close, burying her face in his neck, his arm snaking around her waist to hold her tighter against him. "I want to be with you too; I don't want to say goodbye."
"Then don't." He whispered, nuzzling his face into her hair, inhaling. Strawberries. She always smelled of strawberries and the scent had become strangely comforting, familiar already in the short time they had known each other. "Don't say goodbye. Whatever you want to do, when this is all said and done, we'll do together."
"I don't think I could've walked away even if I had too, Randy." She whispered softly, slowly pulling back to stare into his blue eyes and leaned forward, brushing her lips against his, this time making the first move. "I didn't know how you felt about me, but I'm glad I do now." She gingerly touched his arm and pressed a soft kiss to it, his smile taking her breath away. "Now come on, you're exhausted and you need to rest." He was injured and Martina didn't want him moving around too much, guiding him by his good hand back to the bed, but Randy just pulled her in for another kiss, this time more passionate and soul searing.
Randy kissed her like he was a man dying from lack of oxygen and she was his air, kissing her like she deserved to be kissed. Like she was the most precious thing in this world and, to him, she was. When they both were way past the point of desperately needing air, only then did he break the kiss, panting heavily as he stared down at her.
"Now we can go to bed."
Martina head was spinning, mind reeling from that kiss and had to hold onto him to keep her balance, having gone weak in the knees. Her lips were swollen, heart pounding furiously in her chest. "I uh...ummm...okay."
She could not form a solid sentence to save her life, blinking and suddenly brought Randy's face down to hers, kissing him back just as breathlessly, if not more. Every feeling, every emotion, everything she felt for him was poured into that kiss as they slowly backed toward the bed. Knees buckling, her back connected with the soft bed and wrapped her arms around his neck, being careful not to hurt him. Martina loved him and that kiss clearly told him so, unless he didn't catch on.
He had caught on alright, the passion building in him until he felt like he was going to explode if it didn't come out, be expressed somehow. He braced himself over her with his good arm, keeping enough space between their bodies to avoid hurting his injured arm. Growling, Randy sat up and removed the damn sling. He'd just be careful not to pull anything, knowing damn well if he did, he'd feel it BEFORE the stitches came loose.
Martina slowly broke the kiss, both of them breathing heavily and pressed her forehead against his, running her hands up and down his chest. "Not until you're healed." She whispered, kissing him softer this time and gently pried herself from beneath him. Crawling up the bed, Martina didn't mind that she was just in her bra and pants at the moment. It would be the first time in years she'd slept without having her upper body covered. She reached over and took the sling that was strewn across the lamp, crooking her finger, smirking when he reluctantly let her put it back on him and kissed him again. "Come on, we need rest."
No, what he needed was another cold shower, his boxers tented, erection proudly making itself known. Groaning inwardly, Randy laid on the flat of his back, holding out his arm and smiled when Martina instantly took her place at his side. Contentment seared through him when she rested her head on his shoulder, hand on his chest over his heart.
Yawning softly, Martina snuggled further against him, feeling at peace for the first time in days, nuzzling his shoulder to get more comfortable, leg draped over his. Martina knew she'd made the right decision; Randy was the one for her, no matter if she felt she wasn't good enough for him. He made her feel beautiful, wanted, desired, cherished; all of that and much more.
'I love you.' She mouthed, when she knew he was asleep, before drifting off herself, sweet dreams plaguing her of them together, Roger nowhere in sight.
~!~
Oh that bitch was slick; yes she was. Her little friends thought they were slick too. Roger snorted, having punished his men thoroughly. Currently, they were all in the hospital, all suffering various degrees of injuries. They had been disarmed and taken down by UNARMED men. Wrestlers for Christ sakes and everyone knew wrestling was a fake 'sport'. The only thing that HAD put a half smile on his face -and even then, it'd only lasted for maybe a fraction of a second- was that he had been told the one he wanted dead, Orton, had been clipped, hopefully to the temple.
This wasn't over, not by a long shot.
~!~
It indeed wasn't.
Martina was a ball of nerves the day Vince and Linda McMahon were set to meet with them, or rather the other way around. If Roger was smart, he would lay low for awhile, especially when the press came out and got wind of what was happening. Martina's story would be put out front and center, publicly humiliating Roger Malcolm, and hopefully making the man scarce. The men who had attacked were identified and immediately taken to jail, injuries or not.
She wore a pinstriped midnight blue and silver pant suit with a silver shirt underneath the cardigan. Her hair hung down her back and over her shoulders in loose curls, midnight blue eyeliner bringing out her jade eyes with strawberry gloss and foundation, blue pumps on her feet. Randy was holding her hand tightly, Cody and Ted sleeping while the plane slowly descended into Greenich, Connecticut, where the WWE headquarters was located.
Randy was in a blue suit with a darker shade of blue undershirt, not too comfortable with being dressed up, but at the same time, this was not an informal meeting. He glanced at Martina, knowing she was probably on pins and needles, offering her a reassuring smile. "How are you holding up?" He asked softly to keep from waking up Ted and Cody, knowing the two were both as anxious as him and Martina were and not in the mood to deal with them, not just yet. Especially since Cody had finally seemed to pull himself together.
"No but I will be. We can do this together." She smiled up at him, squeezing his hand as their fingers laced, and felt her heart flutter when he brushed his lips against her knuckles. "Everything is going to be fine once we expose him for what he truly is." They had already been over the plan, though now all they had to do was run it by Vince and Linda, who would be a lot of help as far as the media went and whatnot. Martina trusted Randy's judgment and leaned over; kissing his lips softly and rubbed her nose against his own, sighing in contentment. "How's your arm?"
"Doesn't bother me." He lied, though truth be told, it felt like it was on fire, but that he credited to Ted thinking he was a doctor.
That morning Ted had examined the stitches and declared they were fine, if not a bit red and swollen. Well no kidding. Then Ted had ever so calmly proceeded to pour whiskey over it to 'sterilize' the stitches 'just in case'. Randy had NEVER wanted to hit someone as much as he had that morning.
"You're lying." Martina stated, pursing her lips tightly together, and frowned when he just waved her off. "Randy, don't hide it from me. I want to help you." She whispered, wishing he would go see a REAL doctor for it, having heard Randy scream earlier that day before they took the flight from New Mexico to Connecticut, having left around five in the morning. She sighed when he just kissed her hand and forehead before her lips, effectively shutting her up. "I hate it when you do that." She mumbled good-naturedly when he pulled back, rubbing her nose against his with a smile. "Have Larry look at it and I'll shut up, deal?"
"Larry won't be here, but I'm sure Linda will notice something is wrong and force me into seeing one of the trainers there." He said, sounding resigned, and then smiled. "I'm not used to be coddled." He explained then grinned. "I might grow to like it." He looked out the window, sighing. "We've landed." He got the pleasure of kicking a long leg out at Ted, catching him in the knee. "Wake up."
"WHAT? Ow..." Ted groaned, bending down to rub his kneecap. "What'd ya do that for?"
"Dude, I called your name three times and you didn't answer."
Martina stifled a laugh, knowing why Randy did that, and bit her bottom lip while Ted growled, Cody chuckling. It was good to see they still had their good natured humor intact. The plane descended and Martina walked off the plane hand in hand with Randy, Cody and Ted, along with security following suit, none of them taking chances. A limo was waiting outside, after they were checked through security and Martina stepped inside followed by the guys, Randy sitting beside her.
So far so good, there was no sign of Roger. It turned out Roger hadn't touched Randy's house or his property, especially with how famous he was. That was unwanted attention Roger didn't need or want. Martina just hoped this drove Roger out of her life forever so she could be happy and peaceful with Randy.
~!~
"Where the fuck are they going?" Roger demanded, not amused anymore.
He had flown coach just to avoid being spotted by those hulking men Martina had taken up with, wondering if she was screwing them for their protection, blood boiling at the thought. She was HIS, damn it, HIS. Not that Randy Orton's or his little friends Rhodes and DiBiase. He had done his research and scouted all of their homes, not touching them however. He didn't need any attention on his doorstep. His frown deepened, wondering just what in the hell she thought she was doing.
~!~
The limo pulled up about an hour later to WWE headquarters, a tall building with glass windows that looked like a corporate empire. Martina swallowed hard, jade eyes widened to size of saucers, and nudged Randy when he chuckled at her. "This place is..."
"Huge, we know. Come on then, out." Ted grumped, rubbing his eyes tiredly and stepped out along with Cody, Randy refusing to release Martina's hand.
Taking a deep breath, the four headed inside the building, not noticing the black car that pulled up or the angry, dangerous eyes of Roger's watching their every move.
Roger was FUMING. What the HELL was this place? Then it clicked, so this was the WWE office, some damn office, more like a castle of steel and glass. Now WHY were they here?
"Good afternoon, welcome to WWE headquarters, how may I help you?"
"We have an appointment with Mr. and Mrs. McMahon, I'm-"
"Right on time, come on up." A kind voice sounded from behind as she walked out of one of the secretary's offices, an envelope in her hand. Smiling at them, her piercing stare landed on Martina and strode forward, extending her hand. "I'm Linda McMahon."
Martina swallowed hard and took the woman's hand, shaking it gently but firmly, trying like hell not to show her nerves. "It is nice meeting you Mrs. McMahon, though I wish it were under better circumstances." She quietly said, the woman's eyes cool, calm and collected, before turning to Legacy, Randy never releasing her hand for a moment.
"Nice seeing you again, Linda."
Cody could only nod, knowing this wasn't going to be a pleasant meeting.
"Has Vince told you anything about why I called?" Randy asked as they all stepped onto the elevator.
"He mentioned something about a problem, but also said you were vague. Why is that?"
"We were having issues with our phones." At her quizzical look, he sighed. "I'd rather just explain it all at once; so if you don't mind, could we wait until I can tell both you and Vince?"
"Of course." Her eyes didn't miss the fact that his arm was in a sling, arching an eyebrow, curiosity more than aroused by this point.
This was all because of her as Martina lowered her head, trying to keep the tears at bay, but they were already stinging her eyes, taking a slow, deep breath. She nodded and closed her eyes when Randy whispered in her ear that everything was going to be fine, wondering why these people would even think about helping a strange woman from an abusive, dangerous relationship. She wasn't with Roger anymore; she'd left him, but now her life was in danger as well as their own. They would do it to help their own kind, not her, but Martina was grateful none the less.
Linda guided the way to Vince's office, striding purposefully down the hallway, nodding and smiling whenever someone greeted her; this was her element. "In here." She held open a door, letting them pass, refusing to allow them to wait on her.
"Now you can meet Satan." Cody whispered in Martina's ear, offering her a smile.
"Because Linda is the angel."
That really wasn't saying much, Randy thought, especially since Linda -who was generally a sweet natured woman- did possess a ruthless streak that rivaled her husband's.
That wasn't very comforting and Martina decided to let Randy do all the talking, swallowing hard as the man turned around that was sitting behind the desk, feeling Randy squeeze her hand. Oh man, she was in deep shit now; Martina just knew it as they walked over toward the desk. Randy shook hands with Vince before introducing her, jade fearful eyes meeting his.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. McMahon." She murmured quietly, shaking his hand, and took a seat along with Randy, Cody and Ted standing behind them; all on high alert, even though they were in the WWE Corporate Headquarters.
"Now what is this about, Randy?"