Chapter 59
It took some convincing, but Stephanie managed to get Vince to agree to swapping Jon Moxley and Dean Ambrose on the shows.
After talking extensively with her brother and then calling Jecina to make sure the story matched up with Shane's, Stephanie immediately got to work on the swap. She would keep her word not to say anything to Jon Moxley regarding Jecina's rape, but…she had to tell her father. It was the ONLY thing that swayed him to what she and Shane wanted to do. Vince trusted his children wholeheartedly, but sometimes he was stubborn and set in his ways about how he wanted the shows to be. It also helped when she told him Jecina would quit, which would make them lose their top EXCLUSIVE caterer, if he didn't comply with this request due to being raped by one of his employees. Stephanie also told him Jecina would have no problem involving the police in this matter, if he didn't allow this to happen.
Vince was onboard after that.
Now all that was left was to break the news to both Jon and Dean. Of course, Stephanie would tell Jon, now that the Raw brand was back from their yearly Australian tour, and Shane would take care of Dean on his end. Neither man would know the reasoning behind this, but all would become clear once Summerslam came around…and Jecina told Jon what happened. It was none of Stephanie's business how that turned out since it was private, but she secretly hoped they could work things out since it wasn't Jecina's fault she'd been deceived by Jon's twin.
Jon had no idea what the hell was going on or why he was being summoned to the Princess's office. He'd been on his way outside for a smoke and text break when Stephanie's gopher, Sam, had jogged up to inform him Stephanie wanted to see him in her office immediately. It couldn't wait. He was slightly annoyed since he hadn't texted Jecina yet tonight, hoping this news was worth it or else he might have to choke out the Princess. Pushing open the door, not bothering to knock, Stephanie looked up with a gentle smile and gestured to the chair in front of her.
"Take a seat, Jon."
"Sure…" Jon opted to stand and folded his arms in front of his chest, a hint of defiance in his electric blues. "What's this about, Princess?"
She smirked at his insolence and leaned back against her chair, pursing her lips tightly together. "You will be dropping the United States championship tonight on Raw."
His eyes narrowed at her, not liking at all where this was going. "To who?"
"Roman Reigns."
Just as he thought, Jon did NOT like this and curled his upper lip, knowing damn well that Samoan bastard didn't deserve the title, or any gold for that matter. "So, you're going to give a potential drug addict a title." He didn't mince words, never had and never would, raising a slow brow. "Am I not a good enough United States champion for Raw, Princess, or what?"
Stephanie chuckled, waving him off and stood from her desk to walk around to lean against it, folding her arms in front of her chest. "Jon, we would never take the title off you without having another plan for you. You should know that by now. We've taken care of you throughout your career so far, so why would you start distrusting now?"
"All right, I'll play ball. What's the plan for me then?"
He even asked it with a little bit of respect in his tone. Stephanie commended him silently for that. "Shane called and we want to do something…different for Summerslam regarding the WWE World Heavyweight championship. As you know, your brother and former tag partner, Dean Ambrose, is currently their champion. Now he was SUPPOSED to face Dolph Ziggler, but…things have changed. Now it's going to be…You."
Jon mocked cleaning his ears out, wanting to make sure he heard her right and actually blinked when Stephanie affirmed with a nod. "Whoa…" What the hell was going on? Why was the company suddenly sending him to Smackdown! Live? "Wait, so we'll be on the same show again?"
"No. Dean is coming to Raw, which means you will become the new Smackdown! Live World Heavyweight champion at Summerslam." Stephanie informed him, keeping her voice carefully neutral. "Now, this change won't go into effect until AFTER Summerslam. We want this kept under wraps, away from the fans and social media. We want it to be a complete surprise. Shane wants you to 'attack' Dolph backstage, beat him down and take his place in the title match against Dean."
All Jon could do was stare at her, wondering if this was a joke and actually felt his stomach tighten, Stephanie's words washing over him. She just told him he'd be reaching the top of the mountain in WWE, on one of the brands, and he didn't know how to respond. Saying 'thank you' wasn't enough. This was all Jon had worked for and towards his entire career. The only question he had was why? Why did they want him to be the face of Smackdown! Live suddenly and take the title away from his brother? This would also mean he'd be on the same show as his precious Jecina, another plus. Maybe she was responsible for this somehow and he immediately dismissed that assumption, knowing she would not get involved in his career. No matter what they were going through, she would not demand a title shot on his behalf or anything of that nature.
"All will be explained to you soon, Jon." That was all Stephanie could say without breaking her promise. "Just know Ambrose has this coming and he deserves what he gets." Her eyes iced over slightly before returning to normal again. "Now, you have no house shows this week because of the Australian tour and Summerslam madness coming up next week. I want you to go home after tonight's show, rest up and prepare for the match."
All Jon could do was nod, trying not to be bothered by Stephanie's ominous words regarding Ambrose and walked out to go have his smoke and to text Jecina. What the hell had the moron done now to deserve having his title ripped away from him? He was telling Jecina the great news he just received, wondering what her reception would be finding out he'd now be on the same show as her in less than 2 weeks.
Her response was a phone call.
Jon swallowed hard, slowly exhaling the smoke from his mouth and nostrils and answered on the third ring. "You're calling me, precious…"
His voice forced tears to instantly burn her eyes. "Jon…" She covered her mouth with her hand, tears trekking down her cheeks.
He was on high alert instantly. "Jina, what's wrong? What is it?"
Pull it together, Jecina reprimanded herself in thought and took a deep shaky breath, trying to calm down. It was so good to hear his voice again. "Y-You're gonna be here…with me on the same show?" Shane had actually pulled this off and Jecina owed Stephanie a great deal, along with Vince, knowing without their consent, this never would've happened.
He smiled, thinking that was the reason she was crying. She was happy, not sad. "Yeah precious, I will be. And I've missed you so damn much. When I see you, I'm not letting you go again."
Jecina shut her eyes, not sure about that because she hadn't told him what happened with Dean yet. "I want to see you before Summerslam, Jon. There's…something I need to tell you and it needs to be done in person, face to face." She wiped her tears away, wrapping her arms around herself while staring outside at the current rain falling. "Do you mind if I…come to Colorado to talk on your days off this week?"
Once again, the words were ominous and Jon could suddenly see some kind of connection between the company's decision to send him to Smackdown! Live suddenly and Jecina. There was a reason for it. Instead of demanding her to tell him what the hell was going on, Jon took another long drag from his cigarette and looked up at the sky, keeping himself calm. He could hear her breathing on the other end from crying not to cry and felt his heart twinge painfully, taking another drag.
"No. I don't mind, Jina. Whatever is going on…I hope you're honest with me about it. No more lies and no more keeping shit from me, you got it?" He hadn't meant it to come out a command, but Jon was over secrets. This has nearly destroyed both of them and they would finally be back together again. "You still have your key and shit, so let yourself in whenever you get there. My flight leaves at noon and I should be home sometime in the late afternoon."
"Okay." Jecina chewed her bottom lip, shutting her eyes. "Jon?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you. I love you so much. Please remember that. I'll see you tomorrow evening sometime."
Another slow exhale had him once again remaining calm. "I love you too, Jina."
"Wait a minute, what do you mean I'm losing the title to Ziggler at Summerslam?"
Shane smiled coldly at the current champion, a cup of coffee in hand and shrugged. "Time for a new champion to lead the way on Smackdown! Live and we believe he's the right man for the job." He was surprised how smoothly the lie flew out of his mouth.
This was not what Dean expected to hear upon coming to have a private meeting with Shane. "Shane, with all due respect, I don't think he's deserving…"
"Well, it really doesn't matter what you think, Ambrose. This is the direction we're taking and besides, I have some other news for you." Shane watched the man's brow raise almost to his hairline and took pleasure in making this rapist's life a living hell. "Effectively immediately, you are being transferred to Raw after Summerslam. That is another reason why Dolph will become champion."
Dean shot up to his feet, his eyes nothing more than blue fire and he clenched his teeth. "Why the fuck am I being sent there?" All of his hard work with Jecina would have been for nothing if this happened! He couldn't leave Smackdown! Live, not when he'd just gotten her back! At least in his mind, he had.
"Vince decided it was the right thing to do."
"But my brother…"
"You'll have to deal with being on the same show together." Another lie. Shane remained smiling, though it didn't touch his eyes. "Also, I'm going to give you some advice when your transfer goes through."
It was hard not to roll his eyes at this pipsqueak, but Dean had to remain professional and squared his shoulders. "What is it, boss?" That term was full of condescension.
It didn't faze Shane in the slightest as his hands planted on his desk, his dark eyes growing harder. "I wouldn't be sneaking into anyone's hotel room again, if I were you." Now Dean's eyes were narrowed, his dander up and Shane didn't care. "You've been reported to the company for what you did to Miss Shaw. You are to stay away from her from this day forward and, if you engage in any kind of…activity or speak to her, you will be fired on the spot by WWE. We do not take kindly to sexual assault around here, Mr. Ambrose. Miss Shaw has very graciously accepted these terms and all you have to do is toe the line and stay away from her. Otherwise, we will involve the authorities and I really don't think you want that, do you?"
Dean swallowed hard, not believing Jecina reported him to Shane McMahon and had a feeling that was the real reasoning behind sending him to Raw. "No sir, I don't." He had changed his tune instantly, clutching the WWE title on his shoulder a little tighter. "I really think this is all a misunderstanding though…"
"You're dismissed, Dean."
There was one more person Jecina had to tell about Dean's rape and it was almost as hard as her phone call with Jon. The first phone call they shared in a month. Lilianna cried and screamed on the phone, calling Dean every name in the book and then some. Jecina actually started laughing humorlessly at how pissed off the woman was. It was better than crying again, which is all Jecina had done since the rape happened. She couldn't sleep either; every time she shut her eyes and dozed off, the nightmare would transpire all over again. Her thinking Dean was Jon and the way she'd completely given herself to him…it was enough to make her physically, mentally and emotionally sick.
The one thing Jecina COULDN'T tell Lilianna was what would happen at Summerslam. That was the only stipulation from both Shane and Stephanie. It killed her to keep this secret from Lilianna, but if she wanted Jon on Smackdown! Live with her, and she did, there was no other choice. Dean would be sent to Raw, far away from her, and she'd only have to tolerate him on major pay-per-view events that had both brands, which only happened 4 times a year. The Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, Summerslam and Survivor Series. The main four. Gabriella was sworn to secrecy, which wouldn't be a problem and she hadn't even told Baron, surprisingly. Nobody else besides the select people involved, not including Dean, was to know what would happen at Summerslam.
Waking up Wednesday morning, Jecina was packed and ready to go, eager to see Jon. She'd barely slept and would have to rely on copious amounts of coffee to get through the day. Hopefully, she wouldn't pass out before Jon arrived home or else they wouldn't be able to talk until she woke up or the next day. The flight took longer than expected, so Jecina didn't land until sometime in the early afternoon. She was shocked to find Jon waiting for her on the steps when she pulled up in her rental, wondering how he managed to get her before her. His flight must've been a straight shot instead of with layovers. Jecina hoped she'd have at least an hour or more to get her bearings in order before he arrived, but that wasn't meant to be.
He didn't move toward the vehicle or move from the step, bare from the waist up in just a pair of jeans with holes ripped in the knees. They hung low on his hips, his hair haphazard as always and his feet were bare, a cigarette dangling out of his mouth. Jecina felt her mouth go dry at the sight of him as she took the key out of the ignition and mentally counted to three before opening the door to step out. His eyes met hers the moment she shut the driver's door and tears instantly slid down Jecina's cheeks.
It was the first time they'd seen each other in a month.