8

After changing into a more modest, but still sexy dress, a heartbroken Isis made her way back to the Justice locker room. She would have a promo again with Gage. Only this time scripted; assuming they both kept to the storyline. A stagehand had brought her bags to the women’s locker room, and she couldn’t wait to get changed.

Isis had pulled on a vintage-inspired black leather wiggle dress with long black gloves. She changed her hair and makeup to match the vintage look and checked the mirror. Covering herself as best she could in the short time she had, she didn’t need more comments from Gage to crush her spirits.

Going to his locker room, she knocked on the door and noticed a dent that wasn’t there before.

Gage stood from his seat and went to the door with ice on his jaw. Opening it, he saw Isis had changed outfits and was trying to not make eye contact.

“Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come in?” he barked in a demanding tone.

Isis walked past him and made her way to the farthest corner, away from Gage. Pulled out her phone, she pretended to look over something, not wanting to talk. What would she say to him, anyway?

“You changed outfits,” Gage said, sitting down on the big plush couch, fiddling with the ice pack.

“I was told I look like a whore. I tried to find something more fitting to avoid being insulted any further. How about we do each other a favor and not talk unless the cameras are rolling?”

She tried to not look at him. Afraid she would cry again if she did. Fidgeting with her dress, she gulped down the painful lump that was rising in her throat.

“Suit yourself,” Gage grumbled, turning up the television in the room to watch the rest of Nick and Drake’s match.

Isis pulled a folding chair over to her corner, sulking and wishing the night to be over. As he heard her whimpers, he felt the guilt flood his soul. Turning to look her way, Gage couldn’t help but feel deep regret for hurting her. He knew Wraith was right and what he did was inexcusable. Here was this stunningly angelic beauty, and the sadness in her eyes was all his fault. Some part of him hated that fact. A big part.

He wanted to apologize, but his overblown ego just wouldn’t let him. His mouth was something he could not control tonight, and against his better judgment, he had to open it once more. Maybe a few too much bourbon on the rocks earlier that night didn’t help matters much either.

“Are you always this rude?” he said bluntly.

She looked up from her phone with an eye roll. “Are you always such a dick?”

“I don’t like your attitude, queenie. You need to learn to respect authority.” He leaned up, putting his elbows on his knees, and folded his hands while glaring at her.

She laughed to herself. “My attitude reflects your leadership, Mister Stone. Come at me. I’ll come right back at ya.”

“Ya know, every woman in this company would die to be where you are right now. Don’t take it for granted. Just because your cousins are the Doom brothers, don’t expect special treatment. They may be legends here, but I’m the authority regarding Justice. Especially when it comes to you.”

Gage sat back, crossing his ankle over his opposite knee, watching her. Why he couldn’t just let it go was mind-boggling. Even he had to admit, his attitude was out of control.

“Oh, please. You’re not doing me any favors. I wouldn’t be here if Mr. Preston didn’t see I have genuine talent, and you know it. I know very well what being with Justice will do for my career. I also know Cyrus got me here with his pull. Are you going to throw that in my face every time you don’t get your way?” Isis said, turning to address him.

“Nope. I just need to say it once. Don’t forget why you’re here. Jacob begged me to give you a chance because he likes you. He thinks you have some actual skill in the ring. He’s my mentor and I respect his eye for talent. So, out of respect for Cyrus and Wraith, I agreed to this.”

Shaking her head, Isis just closed her eyes to calm herself. He really saw nothing wrong with his behavior, or he just didn’t care. It was all about the male ego at this point.

“So that’s it. You did this out of some male bonding thing for your wrestling brother’s approval? If you think I’m trash, then just fire me right now. I don’t need my cousins to stand up for me. I figure your little ice pack there results from Wraith hearing your comments to me. I can sign with any other company right now if I choose to. I would rather be here with my family. For me to stay, you must approve of everything. I know you’re my boss and over talent now. So, do it. Fire me. I could give a shit less. Won’t be the first time I lost everything.”

Isis felt her heart sink, knowing he could fire her. Her dream to be an IWX star would be over.

“I wouldn’t give those punks at Wrestle Masters the satisfaction. I know they are gunning for you. I think I rather have you here to torture a little. I’ll show you how to be more grateful.”

Gage smirked with the satisfaction of getting the last word in again. He knew he had her. She wouldn’t leave for fear of disappointing her family, and he knew it.

Isis shook her head in disbelief this was the man she used to dream of being in a relationship with. The man she fantasized about all those nights while alone in her bed. Even the night before the night’s encounter, she had fantasized about him. This was not the man she thought he was. He was the devil in an expensive Armani suit.