Chapter 17

Lexi glanced at the monitor and then up at the clock. Hunter had yet to return with a game plan and now he was out of time. This ruse would end tonight come hell or high water.

"You ready?" Roman asked.

She nodded. "Let's do it." She stepped into the hallway with the men and noted the heavy security. "Do you always have this kind of an escort?"

"Since we supposedly kidnapped you, yes. Before that, it was only a few guards to keep the fans back."

The roar of the crowd grew louder and her heart began to beat faster with each step closer to the center of the action. She loved the feel of anticipation, but tonight it was tinged with apprehension. What she was about to do would piss off a number of people and most likely place her future with this company on the chopping block. Still, if sacrificing her career in the name of all that was right was the only way to get management to listen, then she'd do it willingly.

Sierra...Hotel...Indigo...Echo...Lima...Delta...Shield. The music kicked in and Roman gave her a tiny nudge. She stepped forward directly into the camera spotlight and the crowd exploded in cheers. Leading the way she descended the steps with Roman close enough she could almost feel his body heat. When she reached the bottom she waited for him to jump over the barrier, then he turned back and lifted her up and over.

"I'm going to the announcers table," she said close to his ear so he could hear her.

He gave a nod and as he joined Dean and Seth for the six-man tag match, she walked directly to the announce table and slid into the empty seat next to JBL.

Bradshaw and Michael Seth stared at her wide eyed. "Lexi Hart. You're alive and well," JBL finally said.

"We certainly weren't expecting you tonight. In fact we thought you'd been kidnapped by The Shield," Michael added.

Lexi slid the extra headset over her ears and adjusted the microphone. "I don't know who started that ridiculous rumor about my kidnapping, but as you can see, it's completely false."

JBL arched a brow. "Is it?"

"Of course it is."

"Then explain what happened to you after Roman Reigns carried you away two weeks ago on Raw," JBL replied.

"And what about the video of The Shield whisking you away from the hospital?" Michael added.

"Dean, Roman, and Seth felt bad about me getting injured and volunteered to take care of me until I was better. That's all."

The two announcers paused and stared at her as if she'd suddenly grown two heads. "You don't really expect us to believe that lame story, do you?" JBL asked.

"I have to agree with Bradshaw on this," Michael added. "The Shield does nothing that doesn't benefit them in some way. Taking care of you would not benefit them."

"I'm telling you it's true," Lexi argued. "There is more to The Shield than what you all see."

"I get the feeling that you're actually siding with them," JBL argued. "Have they brainwashed you?"

"Do you believe in their theory of justice?" Michael asked.

"The important thing is that they believe in it," she replied. "And no they haven't brainwashed me or kidnapped..." She let her sentence trail off as Randy appeared from around the side of the ring with Chris following close behind. They stormed toward where she sat, their faces a mask of relief and determination.

Randy reached for her and she pulled her arm away. "What are you doing?"

"We're getting you out of here while The Shield is busy with their match," Randy answered.

"Are you crazy?"

"Come on, Lexi," Chris urged as he glanced from her to the match and back. "Let's go."

"No." She folded her arms across her chest. "I'm not going anywhere."

Chris shot her a look of confusion. "What's wrong with you? Have they brainwashed you or something?"

Anger welled inside her. Why wasn't anyone listening to her? "That's the second time in less than five minutes that someone has accused me of being brainwashed and I don't appreciate it."

"We don't have time for this," Randy grumbled. He moved closer and pulled Lexi from her seat. "Let's go."

Chris stripped her of the headset and Randy wrapped her in a bear hug. "WHAT...ARE...YOU...DOING?" Lexi yelled as she fought to free herself from the Viper's grip. "PUT...ME...DOWN!"

"Not until we know you're safe." Chris replied.

"I am safe. Now, let go of me," Lexi screamed

"No," Randy nearly growled. "We're getting you away from those jackals."

"They're not jackals."

"They kidnapped you," Randy argued.

"The only one kidnapping me is you," she shot back. "Now let go!"

As Randy backed his way up the ramp Lexi's panic began to build. If they dragged her away without believing her, then no one would ever know the truth and The Shield would be forever branded.

While she didn't much care what the crowd thought, she desperately needed her friends and the other superstars to know the truth. What would happen to her relationship with Roman if her friends never allowed him to get close? Would they force her to choose between them and him? Fear welled inside her at the idea of having her relationship destroyed by this lie. She fought harder, trying to break free.

"Lexi, stop it."

"No!" she snapped. "Let me go."

"Not a chance," Chris shot back.

"Then you leave me no choice," she replied. "Roman, help!" she screamed and her heart jumped when his head snapped up from where he, Dean, and Seth were putting a beat down on the final member of the other team.

His eyes widened as events registered. "Lexi!" He slid from the ring and rushed toward them. Dean and Seth followed close behind.

Randy's grip tightened and he struggled to move faster, but in an attempt to deliberately slow him down Lexi went completely limp, becoming dead weight. It only took a moment for Roman and crew to close in and Randy had no choice but to release her.

The moment she felt freedom she raced for Roman, who immediately tucked her behind him as Seth and Dean moved in to attack. Chris and Randy stood their ground, but they weren't any match for The Shield.

She watched in horror the result of her decision play out. Guilt ridden, she snagged Roman by the arm. "Please. Enough. Let's go."

He glanced at her then gave a nod. "Let's go guys. They've learned their lesson."

With Roman on her heels, she raced back toward the ring, then climbed the same barrier they'd entered over. Sadness, anger and guilt swirled inside her like a black putrid stew. This hadn't gone at all as she'd envisioned and obviously Hunter hadn't bothered to do a damn thing he said he'd do. Between her decision to speak out, and his non-action all she'd managed to do was make the situation worse.