20

Later that night, Isis and Gage with the Justice crew joined Retribution for dinner. Things had been so stressful it was a much-needed break from the chaos. Gage had always been one to look over the roster like his extended family. With the wedding planning, he didn’t realize how much drama had been going on until now.

Isis watched her cousin cooing over Colt across the table. She had never seen Holly look at anyone so lovingly.

She leaned into Gage, whispering, “You know? They remind me of us. How we used to fight and make up. Do you think he loves her?”

Gage put his arm around his fiancé’s shoulder, looking at the couple across the table. “I do.”

“How can you tell?” Isis smiled up at him.

“Remember that painting we saw when I kissed you the first time? The Mona Lisa. She has that look in her eyes. He has the same look I had when I first realized I loved you.” Gage kissed her temple.

Holly looked over at her cousin, seeing how much in love Isis was with Gage. She wanted that closeness. She glanced at Colt, who was watching them too and smiling peacefully. He looked back at Holly and reached over, taking her hand, and kissed it. Looking deeply into his loving eyes, she felt more connected than she had ever been with anyone. She wasn’t seeing the man she was fighting with before. He was so different from any man she ever dated.

Colt had this overwhelming sense of respect for others. He was nothing like she thought in the beginning. How could she not see this loving man for who he truly was all along? Sure, he was a jokester, but deep down he was the most grounded person she knew. He hadn’t changed since the day they met. She had. He was cocky and a little sure of himself, but he was always kind to everyone around him. She always thought wrestlers were Neanderthals with overwhelming egos, except her brothers. Looking around the table, she was looking at them all in a different light.

All IWX seemed to be close. Even Davis with his crazy shenanigans. They would fight and bicker and the next day best friends. They all would do anything to care for and protect each other. Here, in this group of misfits, she had found something she missed since her parents’ death. She had been searching for years to find her place, and here Holly found what she had always cherished most. Family.

***

A week later, Davis stood in the ring with Sam and members of The Alliance ready to let Holly announce the new commissioner. Holly had convinced Davis this person was perfect to complete his plan to have Retribution under his thumb. Still, he had no idea who she had chosen. Davis figured it was Wraith, but he couldn’t have been more wrong.

“As you all know, I recently gave Retribution a big surprise by giving them a chaperone. Since then, Retribution seems to have settled down. They have come to my way of thinking. They also have continued to be an enormous pain in my side. So, Miss Holly decided we need something bigger to set them completely on the straight and narrow.”

Sam stepped up. “Colt still thinks he is in charge. We have ways to make people comply with The Alliance. Right, Uncle Davis?”

“That’s correct, Sam. Recently I had a meeting with the lovely Holly Bordeaux. She came up with a plan to set things right in the IWX. I gave her full reign, and she chose a person on her own to help direct things in the right direction.”

“Don’t you think Holly has a little more control than she should? Can we trust her judgment?” Sam asked.

“I trust her. I gave over the reins regarding Retribution. So far she has done exactly as she promised. I have had no say in her decisions.” Davis paced to ring speaking to the crowd. “Her thoughts are that Retribution doesn’t respect the current authority. I agree. So, we are allowing her to make changes. Our own, Sam Preston, has agreed to step down as IWX commissioner to allow a new authority to take over. He will take some time off.”

Sam looked over at his uncle in shock. He knew they would punish him for the Holly debacle, but he didn’t expect a suspension for it. Davis looked at him with a knowing look. He would punish him for his actions. Davis wouldn't allow his staff to harass a woman and not have repercussions. Regardless of his weakness for a beautiful lady, he was an honorable man who expected the same of his family and staff.

The crowd cheered. Sam had been a horrible commissioner, and even the fans were seeing how he was no leader. The fans didn’t know what he had done backstage, but Sam knew this was his punishment for stepping over the line.

Davis continued. “The things we do, we do for the fans and the betterment of our IWX talent. The person Holly has assigned, will not answer to me. They will have full control to lead our superstars with equality and respect. So, without further ado, I welcome Holly Bordeaux! Holly, come on out here and tell us who will take over as commissioner.”

Holly strutted out onto the stage and she flaunted around in her red PVC body shaping red dress. Little did Davis know he unleashed the devil in that red dress by manipulating her. She was going to make life as miserable as possible for him.

“If you don’t mind, Mr. Preston, I think I will stay up on the stage so I can be the first to greet our new commissioner. First things first. Is it one hundred percent true that this person will not have to answer to you or The Alliance in any way? That you have agreed on our first meeting that I will do whatever I see fit for the betterment of IWX?”

Davis and Sam agreed. “That’s true. I also stated that I would allow you to do whatever you felt best with Retribution. Do what was best for the business. Whatever that was would be for you to decide.”

“That’s true. I just wanted fans to hear it with their ears. I did a lot of thinking about what is best for all involved at IWX. I think this new commissioner will be just that. Someone who has the company’s best interest at heart. Someone who loves the business and respects the empire you have built here. “

“What I think is best for the IWX is taking the authority away from The Alliance. You are what stands in the way of the superstars, Davis. A thorn in their side that rules with deceit and manipulation for your entertainment. The one person who stands in the way at IWX is... You. Davis Preston. So, I decided what is best for business is beat you at your own game.”

Davis’s eyes grew wide and looked over to Sam with disbelief. They had no idea what she was planning.

“I introduce to you the new IWX commissioner… SLADE LOGAN!”