Prologue
Powerbomb: Colt and Holly's Story
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“Sam. I don’t know what to do with Colt. I should’ve never allowed him to continue with Retribution in Slade’s absence. It was bad enough they were out of control when Slade was in charge. Colt is on a huge ego trip since Slade’s been out injured and he took over. Since Slade is out, we have no one to keep them in line,” Davis ranted as he rubbed his temples from the tremendous headache that was coming on.
Sam chuckled. “He may piss people off, but it’s making good ratings, and fans are loving it. Slade and Gage think Colt is going to be the next big superstar and I believe the fans agree.”
Davis huffed. “Fans. What do they know? Do you have any ideas on how to get these guys under control? Colt never listens to me anymore.”
“I know he’s stressed over Slade getting hurt and I think that’s part of the problem. Colt’s just acting out to blow off steam.”
“Humm? Maybe. I just know they need a damn babysitter. They are making my IWX Alliance crew, and everyone else, look like damn fools. Even Candy can’t talk any sense into them, and they’re close friends. Candy is a great general manager, but she’s pregnant and doesn’t need to have to deal with all this. It’s not just on the show. It’s behind the scenes too.”
Sam shrugged. “Uncle Davis, it’s not entirely a bad idea.”
“What?”
“A babysitter. What if I can find someone to be our watchdog? Have them under our watch 24/7.”
Davis sat and thought, tapping his thumb on his lip. “Humm. Could work.”
He stood to walk around the room as he rubbed his salt and pepper clean-cut beard. In his prime, Davis Preston was a handsome man. Now in his late fifties, women still swooned over the grey fox and his pristine masculinity.
Sam, his nephew, was as nerdy as they come. No one could believe they even came from the same bloodline just by looking at them. He and his sister Gwen had dreams of being wrestlers, and Davis had yet allowed them the opportunity because of Sam’s lack of dedication and his sister’s anger issues.
Everyone thought Davis to be the tyrannical dictator of wrestling but, he knew what it took to be great and his brother’s children didn’t have what it took. To his better judgment, Davis still allowed Sam a spot behind the scenes to learn the family business.
“All right, Sam. It must be someone tough. A real hardass. Someone who will take none of their shit. Someone who can give Colt a run for his money. They will be their manager and keep them in line.” Davis smiled his maniacal mad wrestling scientist grin. “Get on it. I want someone by next Monday night.”
“On it, Uncle D.” Sam headed out. “You can count on me.”
Davis sat in his office chair, grinning. He may get some control over the group of degenerate playboys once and for all.
***
Sam worked hard to find the perfect person to watch over Retribution. After consulting with some top talent on the roster, he thought he had found someone perfect for the job and may even impress his uncle.
Wraith Evan’s, the oldest Doom Brother, was behind finding the right person for the plan. He knew someone as tough as he was to put Colt in line. Wraith and his brother Cyrus were the most well respected and intimidating of all the IWX roster. If they knew someone to do the job, it would have to work. The person they had chosen could hold their own in the ring, too. A win-win for Davis and perfect for keeping Retribution on their toes.
Wraith walked into Davis’s office before the house show, almost darkening the doorway with his massive size. The handsome man, with a dark sculpted beard, gave off a biker bay-boy image that few dared to approach.
He greeted Sam and sat down in the chair across from Davis with a cool, yet threatening calmness. He rumbled, “Needed to see me, boss?”
The tall, tattooed Doom brothers’ dark, intimidating voice gave Sam a shiver. Davis noticed a new tattoo and shuttered as well. He hated needles and didn’t see how Wraith could cover his entire body in tats.
“Sam told me you may know someone who can help me with this Retribution situation. You know, I’ve always respected your opinion on these matters. I finally got Gage and Isis straightened out, and Slade and Candy are doing great. Now I have to deal with Colt, and his new faction is out of control. I don’t know what the hell is going on with the men in this company. It’s like every damn single man in IWX has too much testosterone for their own damn good.”
“Isn’t that Candy’s job to keep tabs on the roster now?”
“She’s pregnant and has dealt with so much already. You know that. After the issues with her ex-stepfather and her family. Now she needs to focus on Slade’s recovery and having a healthy baby. I don’t want to give her more to worry about. She tells me the doctors say she may not carry full term.”
Wraith nodded. “I agree. Isis tells me Candy’s worried about the pregnancy. She’s a good kid. She and Slade are going to be great parents. Okay... what can I do to help?”
“Tell me you have an answer to this. I need someone good to step in. I have too much on my plate right now. Wrestling Masters are killing us in ratings right now.
“They aren’t even close to our ratings.” Wraith chuckled. “Stop worrying so much. They are new. Once the new wears off that company, the fans will be back.”
“Well, then I need to bring in someone to boost fans’ interest that can get a handle on Retribution. You know Colt doesn’t back down from anyone. I need this crew of deviants under control.” Davis sat back in his chair, rubbing his temple to ease his ongoing headache.
Wraith said with a sly smirk, “I know the perfect person. But I’ll be honest. You won’t be able to tame this one. They will want to work alone. No micromanaging from you or the boy wonder over there.”
Sam rolled his eyes. He was always the nerdy fanboy backstage that got on everyone’s nerves. He just got his job because his uncle wanted to show him some responsibility and he annoyed Wraith to his very core.
“Real hardass, huh?”
“You could say that.” Wraith crossed his leg over his knee with a teasing grin. “Twenty-four years, I haven’t been able to get any control over them. The only person in my life that is more badass than I am. Well… at least they think they are, anyway.”
“I like it, Uncle D. So, who’s the guy?” Sam was excited, rubbing his hands together and almost bouncing in his seat.
Wraith scowled, looking over at the boss’s irritating nephew. “Who said it’s a guy, pencil neck?”
“A girl?” Davis snickered. “Wraith, no disrespect, but we both know that Colt is a ladies’ man. I don’t think a girl could do what I need to be done here.”
“You want someone to get them in line, right? Get them focused and do what’s best for business,” Wraith admonished.
“Right. But what girl can get those idiots in line? Colt thinks he’s invincible.” Davis was skeptical.
Wraith frowned saying, “My sister. Holly.”
Davis instantly dropped his smile and swallowed hard. An icy shiver crept over him. “Oh… um… well. That’s different.”
Sam blurted out, “Wait? Is that the same girl the cops arrested for beating the shit out of five guys in a bar, just because she thought they looked at her funny? The same one that Cyrus says he is a little afraid of. And he’s one of the scariest guys I know. I thought she was a firebreather in a slideshow.”
“One and the same. She is a wrestler too. Mostly hardcore and deathmatches. Holly just didn’t want to be a part of IWX because she doesn’t want to be treated like some bimbo traipsing around in bikinis and underwear. She’s only fought men in the ring and never does that bra and panties shit Davis tried to bring back. This isn’t the 90s old man. It’s time you realize that women are not Barbie dolls in this industry. They’re as tough as the guys. Look at Isis, Tomi, Sahara, and Candy. Those girls kick ass. Our female roster isn’t meek little princesses anymore.”
“It was one time, Wraith,” Davis grunted. “It was a beauty contest. The girls who entered had fun and made good money that night.”
“Money isn’t everything. It was a shit show, and you know it. Anyway, Holly dresses sexy, but she is not some Tinkerbell. Davis, if I allowed you to bring her in, I better never see her doing that shit. Thank God I have Gage watching over Isis. I don’t have to worry about you putting her in shit like that because Gage will kill you.”
“Oh. No. No. Of course not. Bring Holly in. I would love to meet her.”
Davis was a little unsure of himself. What woman beats up five men alone? More-less intimidates people as much as Wraith and his brother, Cyrus. He realized that he may be in over his head.
