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Chapter 2

By the time Scarlett had calmed down and narrated the full situation to Dean, night had fallen. He'd felt his blood run cold when she'd shown him the words on the back of her family photo, the words she'd sworn had never been there before. The thought that someone had been inside his home and in this very room twisted his gut. He'd really need to find someone to install some security systems in his house as soon as possible.

Currently, Scarlett was wrapped up in his arms with her head on his chest as they sat quietly, lost in their thoughts. The newfound information was bothering Dean to his wit's end and he was trying his hardest to keep calm. He debated whether or not he should call the cops but he had a feeling that Scarlett didn't want, or need, that extra attention. But he had to do something.

"From now on, you stay in my room with me," he said. Scarlett lifted her head to look up at him and sighed. "I'm leaving for Grand Rapids and I'm bringing you with me."

"But the doct-."

"Fuck whatever the doctor said. I'm not letting you out of my sight. You're not needed back at work so rest in the hotel rooms," he cut across her, his voice had a very sharp edge to it. It left no room for argument and Scarlett settled her head back against his chest. There was a knock at the door and when Dean shouted a 'come in', Esme entered the room carrying a tray.

"I thought you might like to have dinner with Ms. Rayer, Mr. Ambrose," Esme said as she set the tray down on the table near the wall. Scarlett sat up and scooted back to lean against the headboard, taking the plate filled with baked chicken and vegetables from Esme. Dean took his own plate and thanked Esme.

"Thanks for the hard work, Esme. We'll see you tomorrow afternoon," Dean told her.

"Of course. Take care, Ms. Rayer," Esme said before she departed the room. A few minutes later the front door open and shut.

"Dean, you don't think…whoever did this…do you think they'll come back?" Scarlett asked. He set down his plate and reached for hers, filling up her fork, he held it to her lips and waited for her to open her mouth and eat.

"Stop thinking, Scar. I'm here with you and I won't let anyone do anything to you or take you away from me," he told her as he fed her. Dean knew that if he let her eat on her own, she would push the food around her plate. He didn't let her speak until she'd finished everything then finally set her plate down to eat his own dinner.

"Can I?" She asked, hesitantly reaching for his plate. Hiding the pleasure that he felt, Dean let her feed him. But she was methodical and with the way her eyes seemed to be trained on her task, he knew that she was simply trying to get her mind off of things. Dean heaved a sigh and took his plate back. Scarlett asked him what was wrong but he simply ignored her as he finished off his food and set it back on the tray.

"It would be much more pleasing to have my girlfriend feed me rather than someone who is forcing her mind off of things," he replied to her. Dean mentally patted himself on the back when he noticed the alarmed look on her face. She really had no idea just how easily he could read her now that he'd been spending much more time with her.

Maneuvering his way onto his back, he settled down with his head in Scarlett's lap and looked up at her. Silence fell over them as Dean watched her while she played with his hair, lost deep in thought. She'd arrange his hair in one style then ruffle it and repeat the process. It was amusing and strangely comforting to be in this position with her, such familiarity and a sense of peace surrounding them.

Reaching up, he took her hand pressed his fingers to her lips, drawing her attention to him. Scarlett looked at him and smiled softly before she bent down and slanted her lips over his. Her hair fell like a curtain around them, shielding them even within the privacy of her own bedroom. His fingers locked behind her head, keeping her still while he took what she gave him.

Dean reveled in the moments Scarlett took charge and took what she wanted from him. It had always been him initiating any contact with her but slowly, she'd began making the first move and while it was still rare, it was progress. He looked forward to the day she would welcome his touch more freely and even though he tried not to think about it, Dean waited for the day she'd allow him to have her body. He'd treasure every bit of her just like she deserved, he'd worship her just like she'd been made to, and he'd love her just like he'd wanted to.

She pecked his lips a few times before kissing his forehead and just holding onto him. He traced the seams of her lips, marvelling at their softness, before following one of the scars that lead down to her jaw. He'd lost the number of times he'd nipped and teased the skin and his eyes wandered back up to connect with hers.

"What?" Scarlett whispered. Craning his head to kiss her once more, Dean tugged her bottom lip into his mouth and suckled gently before letting go. She trembled against him and soft sighs cascaded from her parted lips when he followed the path his fingers had taken earlier. Finding that spot behind her ear, Dean nibbled at the skin and tightened his grip on her hair slightly when she let out a whimper.

"Fucking hell, you will be the death of me," he said hoarsely. He saw the lust in her eyes that reflected his and knew that he needed to stop before they both got too far ahead of themselves. Threading his fingers with hers, he cradled her hand against his chest and watched her as she resumed playing with his hair. This time, there was a small smile playing at her lips; that was the last image he saw before he was slowly lulled into sleep with her smile and her sparkling eyes.

~oOo~

"Fuck!" Seth groaned as the woman between his legs took his length into her mouth. Fucking hell, the woman was doing just fine, swirling her tongue around the head just like he liked it, keeping the pace slow. This was supposed to feel good, not make him want to retch in disgust. It was pure frustration and Seth just couldn't take it anymore. Growling, he pulled away from her.

"What? What's the matter? I thought you'd like it," she purred, looking up at him. Seth looked at her and cringed, she was kneeling on his bed with her dress almost completely off and staring at him with a coquettish look on her face. What the hell had he been thinking? Going to a bar and picking up a woman that resembled Scarlett? What the fuck was wrong with him?

"Get out," he snapped. Startled, she stood up and reached for him; but Seth turned away from her touch.

"I said get out! This was a mistake," he snapped. An ugly expression came over her face and she scoffed before she fixed herself up. Grabbing her bag, she stormed out of his hotel room, slamming the door shut along the way. Seth sighed and headed for the shower, he hadn't even bothered asking her for her name, had he?

As the water ran down his back, Seth's muscles were tense. Day by day, the stress was getting to him and the last thing he wanted was to hurt Scarlett or Dean (or even both). He remembered the sheer fear he'd felt when he'd heard her screams through the phone and the way his heart had leapt to his throat when he'd seen her battered body. Seth shuddered at the memory and shut the water off. Maybe he just needed to distract himself more, focus on his career; he was the World Heavyweight Champion after all, there was no way he could let his mind wander off.

Seth phone was ringing when he exited the bathroom and he answered it without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Seth?"

Seth froze as his heart fluttered happily, sinking down onto the bed he gripped his phone tightly in his hand.

"Hey," he responded, his voice hoarse and thick with emotion.

"You okay?" Scarlett asked. Damn, he could hear the worry in her voice. He could picture her in his mind, looking at him with that little crease between her brows and the corners of her mouth tilting downwards.

"Yeah. How come you're not asleep yet?" He asked, looking at the clock that read 11:00 PM.

"I couldn't sleep," she replied. Even though she sounded completely normal, Seth couldn't help the worry that began to nag at him.

"You should get some sleep, sweetheart. Use Dean as a pillow," he told her, forcing his voice to sound teasing. The relief that came when he heard her chuckle softly was unimaginable, but it was cut short with her next words.

"Your best friend's using me as a pillow," she replied. His gut twisted as he heard the smile and adoration in her voice and Seth shut his eyes tightly, repeating the mantra in his head.

Ignore the feelings. Shut them away.

"That's a good sign that you should be resting too," he told her. She heaved a sigh and Seth opened his eyes.

"What?"

"I wish Roman and you were here," she said in a small voice. The urge to pack up his things and fulfill her wish was maddening and it took everything in him to hold himself back.

"I don't know why but you two have become such an important part of my life. You're the friends I never had and I really enjoy talking to you both," she told him.

Friends.

Seth almost ripped his hair out of his head when he ran a hand through it. Hell, he was used to women flaunting themselves at him. He was used to taking them up on their offers, so it made sense that fate was screwing him over like this. What better way than to have the woman he'd fallen for friend zone him in a way that even he couldn't refute?

"I know," was all he could say.

"Dean wants me with him on the road now so I can-."

"WHAT?" He exclaimed. "You need rest!"

"Right now, a part of me wants to be with him more than anything," she explained and with that, Seth was once again reminded of why he had no say in what she did and didn't do.

"I just want you to be safe," he breathed, then flinched. That had sounded way too obvious, hadn't it?

"That's the one line I've been hearing from the three of you since I was released from the hospital," she said, laughing softly. She went silent for a few seconds and Seth heard rustling on the other side. He heard Dean groan and she shushed him.

"It's okay, just sleep," she said to him. The emotion in her voice was clear; this was a woman who was besotted with her man. An image of himself laying with his head in her lap and opening his eyes to see her smile down at him, telling him to sleep, flashed across Seth's mind and he dismissed it harshly.

"Listen, I love talking to you. You know I do, but uhh, I'm going to have some company in a bit so…," he trailed off.

"Oh!" She gasped and Seth had mentally reprimanded himself for one, not being present to witness her face turn that cute shade of pink when she understood the meaning of his words; and two, for being a lying jackass.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow," he promised. She mumbled a hasty goodbye and once he ended the call, Seth flopped onto the bed on his stomach, his face burying into the pillows.

Another day down of keeping his feelings to himself, only the rest of his life to go.

~oOo~

Roman was glad that Seth had interrupted them when he'd had that morning. His mood had been sour and he'd come very close to hitting his best friend. Once again, Roman had been forced to lie that he was arguing with his father. Hell, it wasn't a complete lie considering his father and him hadn't spoken in just over eight years, but everyone knew better than to bring up the subject of family around him. So it was the ultimate excuse for whenever his Boss called him.

Suffice to say, as much as he enjoyed doing what he did, Roman hated the times when he would be delivered news that made him want to tear someone's head off. Considering the man whose head he wanted to tear off was now dead, Roman had resorted to using the punching bag as a replacement. Not only had Punk beaten Scarlett to an inch of her life, but he'd let something slip that until recently, Roman had thought to be completely meaningless.

The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.

He'd taken those words very lightly but now that he knew what those words meant, Roman realised just how hard he'd have to work to keep Scarlett from finding out the truth. If Punk knew about those words, then it meant there were others who knew about it. The question wasn't who else knew, the question was how long had it been since a target had been painted on Scarlett's back?

Roman had sworn to protect Scarlet, he'd taken an oath to give his life if it meant saving her and he had no intentions of dying anytime soon. Whoever was meddling into this, they'd have hell to pay. There was a reason why his anger was infamous within the company, but only Hunter knew just how bad things could get if Roman let the rage get the best of him.

Right now however, his focus had to be on Scarlett. She'd lost her mother and if there was any hope left in her, he knew that she'd be restless until she got her answers. The problem would be keeping her away from those answers without exposing himself or letting her hurt herself.

"Damn it," Roman hissed, leaning against the rails of the balcony in his room. He needed to talk to Dean and get him to bring her where he could keep an eye on her. She'd just gotten rid of Punk and the late superstar had left one hell of an impression on her with the stunt he pulled. It would be hard to get her mind off of it but he'd do it.

And it would have to start with him making a visit to Vegas and analyzing the situation himself. Things were going to get rough.

Here we have the much awaited Chapter 2. Enjoy and let me know what you thought by leaving me a Review!

Cheers!

- K.