46
When the couple returned to the states, they were both on cloud nine. They sat in the locker room in the Staples Center in LA, waiting for Jacob and the guys to arrive. Both still left with the feeling of euphoria from their romantic trip, they were constantly throwing loving looks at each other.
Isis had asked Gage to give her time to tell Cyrus and Wraith about their engagement and kept it to themselves for a while.
Jacob and Drake walked in, hyped up from the backstage promo they had just completed. Jacob sat back on the couch watching the couple, knowing Gage and Isis were hiding something. Every few seconds they would look at each other lovingly or kiss like two enamored teenagers.
“You both are up to something. It’s sweet that you two finally are getting your shit together, but this lovey-dovey crap is giving me a toothache. It’s just too sweet.”
Drake laughed. “At least they aren’t fighting. I’m happy for you guys. I knew you would work things out, eventually.”
Gage went over, patting Jacob on the shoulder. “You just don’t understand romance, old man.”
“I still say you’re hiding something.”
Gage went back to Isis and wrapped his arms around her, peppering her with kisses on her neck. Isis giggled and wriggled around, trying to get away from his beard against her skin. He looked over at Jacob, smiling from ear to ear. “Don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re just happy.”
“Sure, you don’t. Anyway, I'm glad the old Gage is back.”
Gage nodded, looking down at Isis with a smile. “It’s good to be back.”
Nick threw open the locker room door in a rush, panting and sweat beading down his forehead. “Gage! It’s bad. It’s really really bad.”
They all turned to the younger man, who looked like he had seen a ghost. Behind him, in walked a leggy blonde with an evil grin.
“I’m sorry, Gage. I wanted to warn you. She just barged in past security. Breaker let her in.” Nick swallowed hard, trying to catch his breath.
“Relax, Nick. Gage wants to see me. Hello, lover. It’s been a long time.”
Gage stopped in his tracks, looking as if the devil himself had entered the room. And she had.
“Summer?” He pulled Isis behind him protectively. “Gentlemen, why don’t you step out. My ex-husband and I have some things to discuss.”
Jacob stood, towering over the woman. “I thought they fired you. You don’t belong here.”
“I’m not staying. I just need a brief chat with my ex-husband.”
The tall, leggy bleached blonde, Summer, walked over to Gage smiling devilishly with a raised eyebrow. While biting the tip of her taloned fingernail, she looked over Gage like he was her prey.
Gage nodded to the guys. “It’s okay. Go grab a drink or something. This won’t take long.”
Isis peaked around Gage’s arm, and Summer finally noticed her.
Summer snarled. “Who’s this bitch?”
Isis stepped up to Summer, looking up at her with a scowl. Isis barely reached her chest but wasn’t standing down to the tall woman one bit. “What did you call me?”
Summer laughed, saying, “Oh, my gosh! How cute. Gage, I didn’t know you got yourself a little kitten. You always wanted a pet of your own. That’s sweet. I’m back now. No need for your little toys anymore.” She waved Isis away. “Shew. Go away, little kitten. The adults are talking.”
Gage pulled Isis to his chest. “She’s not going anywhere.”
Summer pulled her away by the arm, and Isis stumbled to the side in shock.
“G... Gage? What’s going on?” Isis stammered.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll handle this,” he said apologetically.
Gage seemed frozen in his spot as Summer turned her attention back to him. “That’s a good little pet. You’re so obedient.”
Gage’s jaw clenched, staring down at Summer. “She’s not a pet. We’re together. She’s my fiancé.”
Summer laughed and turned to Isis. “You’re free to go. I’m here now. Your duties here are done. Have the staff give you a parting gift on the way out.”
Isis shoved her. “Gage doesn’t want you. We’re together now.”
“Poor innocent girl. You are way out of your league here, doll. Gage, does she know about your dirty little secret?”
“She knows.” Gage lifted his chin as if trying to intimidate the woman.
Summer looked at Isis, sizing her up. “I can see that. She doesn’t look to be very threatening. Easy to train. She must be your sub. Unlike me. I trained you, my pet. Does she know everything?”
“Summer, don’t,” Gage dropped his head. “I’m begging you. Don’t do this.”
Summer smirked with a look that said she had something over Gage he didn’t want to be revealed. She walked up to him, pulling back her hand as if to strike him across the face. Gage winced, expecting the hit to come hard and fast.
Isis couldn’t believe what she saw. He just stood there, allowing it. Gage backed down and dropped his head.
“Gage?” Isis rushed to him, trying to help.
Something wasn’t right. Gage never backed down to anyone, not even Isis’s very intimidating cousins.
Summer pulled her away. “Don’t touch him.” She pointed to the floor. “Bow!”
Gage pleaded, “Summer, no. Please? Don’t do this.”
“BOW!”
Gage looked at Isis through his lashes, obviously not wanting her to see this.
Summer grabbed his chin, yanking his head in her direction. “Bow. To. Your. Master.”
Gage stepped back, and with a sigh, he kneeled at her feet. Raising his hands with wrist together as if he were waiting to be cuffed.
Bowing his head to her in shame, he replied, “Yes, Master.”
“Gage? Oh, God. No. Get up. What is going on?” Isis shrieked, trying to get to him.
Summer stepped in front of him, scowling. “He answers only to me. Where do you think he learned to be dominant, Isis? Did he tell you he learned online? That silly movie he loved. He truly learned the ways because I told him to. Once I released him as my sub, I wanted him to become a Dom. I didn’t want some other woman dominating him. So, I played his sick games to my benefit. Tell me, Isis? You like art. Isn’t that correct?”
Isis just stared at her, wanting to rip the woman to shreds. Something about Summer brought fear, and Isis felt like the bullied child she once was. Unable to react or fight, Isis looked over to Gage, wanting to protect him. Whatever hold this woman had over Gage, it made him bow to her like a slave.
“You will appreciate this, little one. Have you seen my art? My mark left behind that claims him as mine. I own him.”
“What are you talking about, you crazy bitch?”
Gage looked up, and Summer saw him move. She turned to Gage, slapping him hard across the face.
Gage looked to Isis as if he was trying to figure out how to take this all away. “I’m sorry, Isis.” He bowed his head again.
“Sorry? You’re not sorry, but you’re going to be.” Summer grabbed him by the chin and pulled his head up to look at her with his long hair. “Show her.”
“Please, no. Don’t do this to her. She doesn’t have to know.”
“SHOW HER!” Summer shoved him to the floor.
Leaning over his knees, Gage pulled back his shirt to expose his back. Isis quickly realized the scars she thought were from years in the ring were something more sinister.
