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Chapter 7

Scarlett was silent as she debated her options. She could spend three weeks with AJ and Randy in Chicago or she could spend three weeks in Vegas with Donovan, the boys' bodyguard and now hers thanks to Dean. The thought of returning to Chicago made her sick to the stomach and she ran a hand across her face, sighing deeply. At least in Vegas she's have Esme and Vitani to keep her company along with Don.

"I'll head back to Vegas. I need to continue house hunting and hopefully I'll be able to spend time with Vitani," she explained. She saw Dean open his mouth to say something but then he shut it promptly, once more making her sigh.

"Dean, I know what you're going to say and believe me while I want nothing more than to move in with you, I still want a place of my own," she said gently, glad that there was no one around to hear their conversation. Standing in a secluded area of catering, the two had been conversing in low tones, not wanting to attract unwanted attention while Don stood a few feet away with his back to them.

"You're practically living there already, why is it so important to have a place of your own?" He asked, his tone held no trace of anger so she was glad that he was willing to discuss this with her rather than explode altogether.

"It's important because what if this-" she gestured between the two "-doesn't last? Where am I supposed to go after that?"

His jaw clenched and Scarlett braced herself by placing a gentle hand against his chest, her eyes looking deep into his blue ones and hoping he'd listen to her rationally.

"Why do you have to be so negative?"

"I'm being practical," she replied, now placing both hands against his chest and trying to soothe him. He responded by looping an arm around her waist but nothing more.

"I'm not saying it has to happen, but if it does, it's better to be prepared," she said, trying to make him see her point. Her protests seemed to be falling on deaf ears for she was awarded with his signature glare.

"From now on, we don't ever discuss this topic again. It's on the 'Banned Topics' list starting now," he said, giving her waist a little squeeze before stepping away and turning on his heel, walking away with her nose held high in the air. She watched him go and the corners of her mouth lifted up in amusement. Who knew Dean "Lunatic Fringe" Ambrose wouldn't like talking about break ups?

"Shall we head to the seat, Miss?" Don asked as he moved closer to where she was standing. She took a look at the raven haired man as he waited for her, eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to remember where she had seen him before she met him at WWE. He cleared his throat and Scarlett shook herself out of it.

"Lead the way," she said. The two began walking towards her seat in the arena and Scarlett paused right outside of the arena doors. She'd been able to walk through the doors of the dining hall with Dean by her side the night before, but tonight it would be different. She would be in attendance with hundreds of people and she didn't know whether or not she had the strength to do this. A gentle hand rested on her shoulder and Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief. He was here.

"I ca-," her words were cut short when she turned and was met with not the striking blue she was used to but rather a pair of brown eyes that looked at her warmly.

"Disappointed?" Seth asked, chuckling as he removed his hand and fiddled with the straps around his wrist. She shook her head immediately and smiled at him.

"I have you, don't I?" She asked him, missing the way his face fell and the way he swallowed tightly.

"Always," he responded before looking at Don.

"Keep her safe," he told Don, the man giving him a small bow of understanding before Seth turned his attention to her again.

"Don't think about what's happening around you. Focus on what's happening in the ring. Focus on me," he said. When she looked at him, there was something different in his eyes and Scarlett felt confusion ripple through her as she watched him, trying to make sense of what it was he meant by that statement.

"Focus on Roman. Most importantly, focus on Dean," he continued and just like that Scarlett realized her mind had been going down the wrong road. She smiled at him and he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Enjoy yourself," he said before he turned and left her alone with Don once more.

"Ms. Rayer, this way please," the young man said politely, gesturing through the door. Tonight the attention wouldn't be on her, after all, no one paid so much money to come see her. They came to see their favorite superstars wrestle and she was just a part of the audience. It was time for her to take the step towards freedom, freedom from the confines of her scarf. Tonight, she would be one with the crowd. No negativity, no second guesses.

It's not life that's rejecting you, Scar. It's you that's rejecting life.

Dean's words from all those months ago rang in her head and she took a deep breath. No more rejection. It was time for acceptance.

~oOo~

She was completely absorbed in the action taking place inside the ring and Dean smiled as he watched her from where he was hidden behind the black curtains. He could see her perfectly as she jumped onto her feet, cheering enthusiastically as AJ lifted her newly won championship belt up in the air. He saw no sign of discomfort nor did he see her trying to hide as the camera turned towards the brawl between AJ and Nikki that was taking place right in front of her seat. Don stood next to her and he considered giving the man a raise when he firmly shoved a young man as he was making his way towards Scarlett while she was too engrossed in the fight. He was following Dean's instructions to the 'T'.

"Make sure no stranger makes contact with her," Dean said to Don as he explained the young bodyguard his duties.

"He shouldn't touch, talk, or look her way whatsoever."

"How am I supposed to make sure they don't look her way, Sir?" Don asked, puzzled.

"I don't know. Wear a chicken suit or something. I can't risk anyone being attracted to her," Dean snapped. A deep chuckle made him glare towards Roman and the Samoan just shook his head.

"Does Scarlett know that you've handed Don the reins to chase away any prospective suitors?" He asked. Dean's glared only hardened and he turned his glare towards Don when he heard him snicker.

"She's my girlfriend," he said sharply.

"And you're one jealous boyfriend," Roman responded. He opened his mouth to say two choice words but he held his tongue as a small hand came to a rest on his back and she appeared next to him, a soft smile on her face. He'd have to save telling Roman to fuck off for later because the only thing that mattered right now was that she was wearing his shirt.

"You're up next, you know," Roman said, tapping him on the shoulder. Dean sighed and looked over at him.

"I don't want to go. I rarely get to see this side of her," he said quietly, his eyes returning to Scarlett.

When he didn't get an immediate response, he turned to find steel grey eyes watching him with a guarded expression on his face.

"What?"

"Nothing. You're up next. She'll have eyes for no one but you," Roman said before he turned on his heel and strode off. Dean's chest swelled with pride and he flexed before cracking his knuckles and heading to Gorilla. Roman's words had sent a fresh wave of confidence through him and he was ready to take on the world…but for now he'd have to settle with taking on The Miz.

~oOo~

"As promised, I'm leaving Don with her when I leave for tour," Roman spoke into the phone in a hushed tone. The line was silent for a few seconds before the gruff voice spoke.

"Her kidnapping has begun to raise questions, Roman. The security cameras Franco installed at your friend's house has shown us evidence that there are people that are interested in her."

"What the hell does that mean?" Roman asked, perplexed and the newfound information.

"The street in front of the house has had a black sedan visit a few times. It parks on the opposite side and spends the entire day there. Nobody goes in, nobody comes out."

"What numbers is she running?" Roman asked.

"That's the thing. She isn't running any," the man replied. A chill went down his spine and Roman gripped his phone tighter.

"Boss, you know I can't skip this tour," he said, exasperation evident in his voice. Cheers burst in the arena behind him and he knew it was because Dean had just made his entrance. He could imagine her face as it lit up to see Dean wrestling but then an image of her battered body surfaced in his mind and he growled.

"I'll have a few men posted around the house when she reaches Vegas. No one will dare make a move on the house with the tight security," he grumbled, a sharp edge to his voice.

"I would hope not. Any harm that comes to her means you're going to be the one that will have to take the brunt of it and I don't like punishing you, Roman," his Boss said. Roman's back burned and he rolled his shoulders back as the memory came flashing back.

"You're telling me she was kidnapped, beaten, and on the verge of dying again?" The man asked as he surveyed Roman from where he sat on the black wingback chair. A book was placed carefully across his lap and his fingers were threaded together above it as his elbows rested on the armrests.

"Yes, sir," Roman responded.

"Angelo, you know what to do," was the only response and he went back to reading.

"Yes, Boss."

Roman felt both his arms being grabbed and he was pushed down to his knees as his shirt was ripped to expose his back; a thick piece of rolled gauze being shoved between his teeth. Roman steeled himself from the oncoming pain.

"Five lashes should do it," his Boss said as he flipped a page in his book.

He heard the sound of metal dragging on the floor and Roman bowed his head. The first blow of the blade whip landed on his back and he his nails into his palm from crying out as the blades cut through the skin on his back. Another blow and he bit down hard on the gauze, his jaw clenching tightly as the pain registered. He felt few trickles of blood slide down his back as his body wailed in agony. The next two lashes were a nightmare for the blades struck in the same pattern as the first two, cutting deeper into his back from the previous blows. His back was wet with his blood and there was sweat pouring down his forehead and chest as he pushed through the pain. The last lash was always the hardest to take and his body tensed as the blades sliced the air and struck him straight in the middle of his back, the pain registering in a blistering heat through his entire body.

The hands holding him down hoisted him up to his feet and his knees shook but he managed to remain on his feet as he was released. His back was wet with his blood and his could feel the red liquid staining his jeans from behind as it ran down from the wounds. He met his Boss' gaze and saw the displeasure in his eyes.

"You made a vow to protect her, Roman."

"It was my choice to make, Boss. The pain of your punishment is still less compared to the pain I have to live through every day," Roman responded.

"You're one of my most trusted men and the last thing I want to do is harm one of the few people I trust with my life."

Roman said nothing to those words for his mind had taken a trip down memory lane. It took him a few seconds to pull himself back to his surroundings and he ran a hand through his hair.

"No harm will come to her," he finished before he ended the call and tightened his fingers around the phone. He looked up at the ceiling, taking a few deep breaths and his mind already working up strategies to protect the woman who was slowly beginning to become more meaningful to the world around her.

~oOo~

His heart broke a little every time he saw her look at his best friend with so much affection and just like always, he painted his face with the most cheerful of masks and pretended it didn't affect him. Seth Rollins was breaking slowly on the inside and he was a masochistic bastard who wanted nothing more than to let himself crumble. He was many things but a traitor he was not. It was why he had a stupid grin plastered onto his face as his best friend strode into catering with an arm looped around the shoulders of the woman he was in love with as she talked animatedly about the live show she'd just watched.

"You were great!" Scarlett said to him excitedly as she stepped away from Dean and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a tight hug. He relished the short amount of contact and then moved away when she pulled back.

"I told you you'd enjoy yourself if you just focused on Dean," he said. Her smile faltered and she glanced at Dean, who had a shit eating grin painted on his face.

"Actually, I was focused on all three of you as well as AJ," she said, her voice dropping as she leaned forward.

"I heard that," Dean said, though he didn't look offended at all. Seth chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Good job tonight," he said to Dean and the man returned his compliment with a thumbs up before he tugged Scarlett back to his side, a sign that it was time for him to leave them alone. But he was stopped by a hand encircling his wrist and upon looking back, he found himself face to face with Scarlett.

"Aren't you going to stick around?" She asked him and his entire plan of escaping the arena and barricading himself in his hotel room came crashing down as he heard the hope hidden behind those words. He'd superglue himself to her side if she asked him to. Denying her was something he knew he could never do.

"I was going to get some water," he backtracked. The answering smile was all he needed from her.

"Great, then we'll head to the hotel together once you guys get your stuff!" She said, her smile shifting to Roman who had just joined them, a towel around his neck. Roman glanced at him curiously but Seth just gave him a grin and shook his head, letting the big man know everything was cool. He couldn't let the mask slip, not until he got over her.

~oOo~

"Where is their locker room?" Scarlett asked Don as they idled in the hallway.

"Not too far from here. They will be joini-."

"Could you please take me there?" She asked him, cutting across him and Scarlett threw him a sheepish grin as she ran a hand through her hair when he looked at her perplexed. Dean had told her to wait near their private locker room while he was whisked away by Cesaro and Kevin Owens at the beck and call of Hunter. As Don lead her through the hallways towards her destination, Scarlett mentally hummed an old tune that she remembered from her childhood.

"Here we are," Don said coming to a halt in front of a white door on which a piece of paper was taped with their names scribbled on. Scarlett chuckled as she identified the writing as Seth's due to the uneven scrawl of letters and after a quick knock on the door, she pushed it open and stepped inside while Don remained outside. The first sight she witnessed made her freeze as her lips parted and a gasp made its way through.

Roman glanced over his shoulder, grey eyes widening when he noticed her arrival and the way her eyes trained on his back. As he reached to don his shirt, Scarlett stepped forward and grasped his wrist, making him pause. Her eyes were glued to the crisscrossed patterns on his back that still looked to be very tender.

"How…" She couldn't even bring herself to complete the question as her eyes shifted to him. Like always, she was unable to read anything on his face and it frustrated her how little she could get from this man. Her displeasure evident on her face, she carefully studied the wounds, trying to discern what could've caused such wounds.

"Just a show that didn't go as planned," Roman said with a light chuckled as he freed himself from her grasp and picked up his shirt. Scarlett intervened once more by snatching the shirt away and giving him a hard look.

"I've seen wounds from wrestling shows," she said, frowning when he chose to lie to her about sustaining an injury. "These look nothing like anything I've seen before."

He shrugged her hand off himself and stepped away, out of her reach and shielding his injuries from her. Her concern grew but so did her confusion. Roman wasn't the type that turned her away so casually and here he was, refusing to let her even look at his injuries.

"There's nothing for you to worry about, Babygirl," he said, his trademark grin sliding in place as he gave her a lazy grin. Arms crossing in front of her chest, she fixed him with one of her own trademark stares that said, I'm not buying it. He sighed in response and then fished out a muscle shirt and pulled it on. When he didn't offer any other words, Scarlett shook her head and set the shirt she was holding atop his bags.

"Fine. Can you at least get it checked out by the medic? I can go find som-"

"Enough!" The word was sharp and Scarlett fell silent immediately when she spotted the hard look in his eyes and the way his body had tensed. His face was set and while there was no anger, she clearly saw the displeasure written all over it. Was he…was he upset with her? The feeling felt new and Scarlett bit her lip feeling like a kid ready to be chastised.

"I just wanted to help," she muttered before turning to head for the door, her instinct to run kicking in once more. A hand went around her wrist and she was tugged back against his chest as his strong arms wrapped around her. Stunned, Scarlett stood there for a few seconds, unsure of what was happening while his grip tightened around her and one of his hands cradled her head against him.

"I'm not used to being cared about like this. I'm sorry," he said to her. Knowing how foreign it could feel to have someone care for you, Scarlett visibly relaxed and gently rested her hands against his waist, mindful of his sore back.

"It's okay," she said softly. Even though she accepted his explanation, a voice at the back of her head told her that there was something she was missing.

~oOo~

He couldn't risk her going out there and saying something when she was upset with him. It was the last thing he needed at this point, a full blown investigation of the extent of his injuries and more importantly the cause. He'd have to get Hunter's personal medic to take a look at him later but as of right now, he had to make sure the woman in his arms didn't go out and say anything.

When he felt her shift, Roman pulled away just enough to look down at her while keeping her firmly in place. He could see the questions floating in her eyes and he realized he'd have to be extra careful around her. His assignment was to protect her and so far he'd been doing a stellar job. As she looked up at him, Roman wondered if it was a good idea to keep her near him like this. Had he made a mistake? Was being around him proving more dangerous than the isolated life she used to live? Letting out a breath, he pulled her forward and tucked her away in his arms.

He'd failed protecting someone before. He wasn't going to fail again.

So we're getting some more insight into Roman's head and could it be that the seeds of doubt are finally being planted in Scarlett's head? What is going to happen while the boys head off to the European tour? And who exactly is posing to be such a big threat to Scarlett? So many questions that will be answered in due time! As always, reviews are much appreciated!