Chapter 2
By,
Rose Warrington
misschaos98
Seth Rollins stared at his phone. His Twitter was blowing up with talk of Dean being the new 'Champion'. He snorted. He shouldn't have been surprised by Ambrose. After all, this was the second time he'd stolen a title this year. First it was Barrett's Intercontinental Championship, which then turned into an asinine game of hot potato among the members of the locker room. Tonight, it was Seth's own WWE Heavyweight Championship the self-professed Lunatic Fringe had ripped-off. He still didn't understand how his former 'brothers' had gotten out of the building with HIS property. As for the WWE Universe & their thoughts on the situation...it was something best left alone. No use engaging the trolls; not even if said trolls technically pay his salary. Suddenly, a newly retweeted picture caught his eye. Ambrose at some club with a beer in one hand and the title around his waist!
"Answer the damn phone," Seth grumbled as he paced the length of his hotel room. Finally, on the fifth call & right before Seth was ready to throw the phone at the wall, he heard a familiar Southern drawl come over the line.
"Hey, boss," Jamie Noble said. "Joey & me are-"
"I don't care," Seth interrupted. "That thief Ambrose is at a bar called..," he paused a moment to look at the photo again. "Called Rebel somewhere downtown. I need to get there & get my title back."
"In public? Seth, I really don't think-," Noble began only to be interrupted by Rollins. Again.
"Since when do I pay you to THINK?," the younger man demanded. "Just get your asses back here so I can get my title back. NOW." With that, Seth ended the call.
He exited Club Rebel & promptly punched the wall. With his adrenaline pumping, the pain of his split knuckles barely registered. He got in the car with a slam of the car door.
"Boss, your hand," Jamie Noble began.
"I'm fine! Just drive," Seth snapped, glaring out the window. His head of security sighed, starting the car to head back to the hotel.
"I can't believe they're pulling this juvenile bullshit!," he suddenly exploded in the backseat. Jamie eyed him in the rearview mirror while Joey Mercury turned to face their boss over the front seat. Before either could speak he went on, "I should've expected something like this from Ambrose. He's out of his damn mind. But, Reigns... He's supposed to be the 'responsible' one." He shook his head in disgust.
"Don't worry, Seth, we'll take care of it," Joey assured.
"Yeah, I'm sure you will. I suppose they didn't just waltz right out of the damn arena on your watch, right? My crack security team; what a fucking joke!" Jamie opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it when he saw the younger man's expression. He returned his attention to the road. Joey, a man of few words, simply sighed.
Early the next morning...
Arianna sat in the hotel's cafe, coffee in hand, laptop open on the table in front of her. She'd hated leaving a sleeping Roman alone in the room. However, she decided to get some writing done since her body found it impossible to sleep in. Given the early hour, the place was nearly empty, save for one or two wrestlers who were grabbing their morning caffeine fix before heading to the gym. She gave Brie Bella a quick wave before slipping in her earbuds & turning her attention to her current work-in-progress. Before she could lose herself in the story or the music, someone slipped into the seat across from her. Startled, she looked up.
"Seth," was all she said, adjusting the volume on her phone. Reaching across the table, he yanked the cord of her earbuds, causing them to fall out. "What the hell-?"
"We need to talk," he said, returning her icy glare with one of his own.
"What the hell could we possibly have to talk about? We've never even been formally introduced. I really need to get back to work."
"Busy posting more pics to Roman's twitter?," he asked, turning her laptop to face him.
"Excuse me?" She grabbed for the computer, snatching it out of his hand.
"Like you don't know," he smirked. "Sweetheart, I saw you in the photos from the bar; cozied up to Roman & that asshole Ambrose while he was wearing MY title."
"You mean DEAN'S title? Face it, Seth; he had your ass BEAT. But, if you want the title back...," she let her voice trail off with a shrug.
"That, I do. Where the hell is it?," he demanded.
"Talk to Dean. I'm sure he'll be willing to grant you a rematch." Ari couldn't hide her grin as his eyes narrowed with rage.
"A rematch?! Listen, bitch-"
"Bitch? Really? Is that supposed to be an insult?" Arianna laughed. "Surely, a champion such as yourself can do better than that." Her dark eyes narrowed, studying him. "On second thought, maybe you can't. Either way, it's too early to be matching wits with an unarmed opponent. So, if you'll excuse me-" Ari closed her laptop & gathered her things to leave. Seth reached out to snag her arm.
"We're not done," he declared.
"Yes, we are," she said, trying to shake free of his grasp. He merely tightened his hold. Ari wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch. Nor was she about to cause a scene.
"I want my title." His touch became softer, his thumb caressing the inside of her wrist.
"Good for you. That's my problem...HOW? Seriously, though, if you don't get your Goddamn hands off me...you'll be missing more than your title," Ari said, her voice soft but carrying a firm note of warning. Seth released her hand & put his up in a gesture of supplication.
"Oh, right. You're supposed to be some kind of badass biker chick, right?," he smirked. "Wouldn't want to piss you off."
"Let's just say I could do things to you that would make you wish you were never born and leave it at that," she replied, sweetly. He chuckled.
"Sweetheart," he began, his eyes traveling over her 5'2" frame from head to toe & back again, stopping to linger on her breasts. "I'm sure you could have me thanking God for the day I was born, but as for regretting it...I'm much BIGGER than...you." As he placed the emphasis on 'bigger' Ari rolled her eyes.
"In case you haven't heard, Sweetheart, the bigger they are...," her voice trailed off as her gaze briefly took him in. He rose from his half seated position to his full height of 6'2". When their eyes met again, she grinned. "The harder they fall." He took a step toward her.
"Is there a problem here?," Roman demanded. His deep voice boomed in the nearly empty room. Ari turned as he strode over to them, her grin widening.
"Hey, sexy," she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. He gave her a quick smile before he turned his attention to Seth. His grey eyes turned icy, his face hardened.
"Is there a problem here?," he repeated.
"No problem at all," Seth replied, smoothly. "I was just asking Arianna about last night's little adventure. I saw the pics from Rebel & headed right over there to...uh, join you all for a drink. Imagine my surprise when I found out I missed you by 2 hours." Ari barely held back her laughter at the realization he'd actually fallen for her ruse. Roman, on the other hand, didn't even try to hide his amusement. His laugh was rich, deep, & music to her ears. The sound sent a shiver down Ari's spine.
"Well," Roman coughed, choking back his laughter after a minute. "You wanted to join us for a drink? Yeah, that's funny. I'll let Dean know you wanted to come celebrate with him. I'm sure he'll be touched."
"Good. You can also tell him I want MY title back. I expect his thieving ass to show up at RAW tonight & hand it over. Or else," Seth ordered. Roman smirked.
"Oh, this should be good," Ari murmured.
"Or else...what?," Roman demanded, folding his muscular arms across his chest.
"Well, I guess you'll have to wait until tonight to find out," the Champion said, walking away.
"Oh, Seth. One more thing." At the sound of his former friend voice, he turned with a long-suffering sigh.
"What do you want, Reigns? An autograph?" The other man closed the short distance between them in two strides.
"If you ever," Roman began, his voice low. "Come near Arianna again you'll regret it."
"Somehow, I doubt that." Seth smirked. Catching the look directed at his girlfriend Roman growled. He grabbed a handful of Seth's black t-shirt.
"Listen, you little shit-" Roman began.
"Gentleman," came a voice from across the cafe. Ari turned to see Randy Orton walking over. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?" Seth used the split-second distraction to wrench out of Roman's grasp.
"See you later, 'brother'," he said, offering a mock salute. As he walked away, he called back over his shoulder, "Remember what I said; Tonight, Reigns." Roman rounded on Randy.
"Why the hell'd YOU of all people stop me from kicking his ass?," he demanded.
"I just saved your ass," Randy replied, just as Triple H walked in. "You can thank me later." Randy turned and headed for a table near the back. He flashed Ari a grin as he passed.
"The last thing I expected was to get here & find you talking to Seth." Roman watched Ari as they sat drinking their coffee.
"Yeah...that wasn't exactly how I planned to start my day. He just plopped his little weaselly ass down at my table like he owned the place," she replied, shaking her head.
"Knowing him, he thinks he does," her boyfriend smirked. "I don't like that he approached YOU, though. Coming after me & Dean...that's to be expected. But, this..." He gestured to her & threw up his hands.
"I can handle him, Rome," she said, watching as the muscle in his jaw ticked.
"Never said you couldn't, Mac. The point is, he needs to grow a pair & deal with the situation HE created." Ari nodded.
"True," she agreed. Before the conversation could proceed, her phone vibrated, nearly jumping off the table.
"Okay...we just stopped by your room & you're clearly not there. Or you're too busy to answer the door. In which case...EW! Where the hell are you?," came Anna's voice, as soon as Ari answered. Ari rolled her eyes, making Roman chuckle.
"Good morning to you, too," she said, dryly. "Who the hell is 'we'? Did you sneak a cat into your bag, or are you speaking in the royal sense?" The other woman muttered something in Russian.
"Anna, could you at least tell me to 'fuck off' in English next time?" Hearing her question, Roman burst into laughter.
"Who, me? I'd never- I was only saying how much I LOVE that we're best friends," Anna replied, innocently.
"Uh-huh, sure you were.
Seriously, though. Who's we?"
"Dean & I, genius."
"Ahh. 'Dean & I', hm? You work fast," she teased.
"Arianna! You're impossible. You know exactly what I mean." Ari giggled.
"Mmm-hmm. Maybe. I know you & I know HIM, so...I want DETAILS."
"I give up!" Anna snorted. "Are you gonna tell me where the hell you are, or do I need to send out a search party?"
"We're in the cafe. For the next 20 minutes or so. Then, Rome's heading to the gym. He wants to know if Dean's joining him?" Ari listened as Anna posed the question & barely caught Dean's muffled reply. She nodded the affirmative to Roman, who arched a brow & gestured for her to hand him the phone. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Can you put Dean on for a sec? Apparently, the Samoan Superman is too damn lazy to take out his own damn phone & make a call." She could hear the other woman laughing as she passed the phone to Roman, all while making a face at him. He merely chuckled & shook his head.
"Dean?," he asked.
"Yo, Rome. What's up?," the other man asked.
"We've had an interesting morning. Just wanted to make sure that new hardware of yours is still in its safe place."
"Yeah, it's still there. I was planning to pick it up after the gym. Why?"
"Our mutual friend is looking for it." Ambrose laughed.
"Oh, really? Hmm. That IS interesting. You think I should bring it TO the gym? I mean, I'm sure we can find the closest CrossFit spot & uh- a little extra weight never hurt anyone, right?"
"Depends on what you plan to do with the 'extra weight'," Roman smirked. "Considering he confronted Ari this morning, I have a few ideas."
"As if the little weasel could actually DO anything to me," she grumbled, earning her a LOOK.
"Anyway, just thought I'd give you the heads up. You're on your way down?"
"Yeah, just had to stop back at Anna's room. Apparently, she had a change of plans after hearing Ari would be free for a few hours. But, we'll be there in like 5." Roman hung up.
"Hate to break it to you, Princess," he said, returning Ari's phone. "But, I'm pretty sure you're going shopping." She arched a questioning brow.
"I'm doing what now?"
"Shopping. Since you told Anna that you're free..." He let his voice trail off as she groaned.
"Which part of that says 'shopping' to you?"
"You're women," he replied simply. Arianna snorted rudely.
"Sexist, much?"
"Observant," he corrected.
"Jackass," was her retort, with a roll of her eyes. Their playful bickering was interrupted by the arrival of Dean & Anna.