80
Kevin walked into the arena, looking around in awe. Candy looked over at her father’s expression, seeing how amazed he was.
“It’s pretty spectacular, isn’t it, Daddy?”
With a quiet nod, Kevin started walking to the ring, and Slade and Candy followed. He looked up at the empty stadium as if he were reminiscing. “I remember the first time I saw a wrestling show. My father and I used to go to the local indies to watch Jackknife Clyde and Jacob Justice go head to head. Jacob was just a rookie then, but everyone knew he was going to be a star. I knew the first time I saw a wrestling match it was what I wanted to do. When Candy was five when I took her to her first show. You remember, Pumpkin?”
“Yep. The first time I saw Jacob Justice. He was always your favorite. I thought Jacob was so cool when I was a kid too.”
Kevin turned to look at her, smiling. “Remember what you said to me?”
Candy reached to take his hand reciting, “I’m going to grow up and be a wrestler, just like my daddy.”
“Pink Lightning.” Kevin chuckled.
Slade asked, “What’s that?”
“My alter ego. I was addicted to pink, so I made up a wrestling name.”
Slade tickled her rib, loving seeing her smiling again. “You still are.”
Kevin watched with pride at Slade and Candy’s playful banter, back and forth. He never thought he would one day be celebrating her sixth birthday, and the next time he saw her, she would be a grown woman. So many lost years they could never get back.
Kevin turned away and leaned over the ring mat, shaking his head in frustration. Candy, hearing the sobs, looked back to find her father crying.
Slade took her hand and walked over to the man and patted his back. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I hope you’re right,” he said, looking back at Slade with a fake smile, wiping his eyes.
Squeezing his shoulder, Slade asked, “You’re telling the truth about all this, aren’t you?”
“You believe me?”
“I do.” Slade looked up at the Summer Mayhem sign in lights over the ring. “When this is over, maybe you can get some of your dreams back too.”
Kevin looked at the sign, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Past my prime, Son.”
“Never say never. That doesn’t sound like the Kevin Smith I know.” A voice came from behind them and Davis was standing there, smiling, with his hands crossed in front of him. “Long time no see, old friend.”
Kevin wiped his eyes once more and chuckled. “Your old ass is still alive?”
“I should ask you that?” Davis headed down to the ring and shook Kevin’s hand. “You should have come to me, Kevin. I would have helped you. You know that.”
Kevin looked away, ashamed to look the man in the eyes. “Too much pride, I guess? Didn’t want my old tag partner thinking I was a criminal.”
Candy and Slade gasped. “Partner?”
Davis nodded. “Yep. This old fart was my tag partner when we were rookies.”
Candy looked around like she was being punked. “What the hell? You knew my dad too?”
“The wrestling world is a tight-knit group. We trained together. Candy, you and Slade are just as much trouble as Kevin and I used to be.”
“You didn’t know he was my dad?”
“Smith is a common name. I didn’t figure it out until all this drama started. I was going to talk to you about it after Mayhem.” Davis turned back to Kevin. “I have my lawyers on this. We’re going to fix this, brother. If it takes every dime I have, I’ll clear your name and get your record cleared. Gage told me everything.”
“Thanks, Davis. I appreciate the help.”
“Now. Let’s head backstage. We have a show to put on!”
***
Candy and Slade made their way to the stage, and the crowd was on their feet cheering.
Quickly, Davis went and removed the cuffs and exited backstage. Gage was already waiting in the ring, and Isis was standing by his side. As they made their way to the ring, Candy instinctively took Slade’s hand. She was so used to being tethered; it just felt natural.
Once in the ring, she turned to Slade. “Good luck.”
Slade winked at her. “I don’t need luck. I have you.”
Isis and Candy stepped from the ring and stood ringside, cheering on their men as the match got underway. After a while of back-and-forth, Isis took her heel roll and tripped Slade, making him fall to the mat.
Candy went for her best friend, chasing her around the ring. Isis ran up the ramp to the backstage, away from Candy.
Seconds later the whole Justice faction rushed the ring, causing the referee to call the match. In the end, the interference made Slade the winner by default.
As planned, Gage and his team attacked Slade, and Candy tried to stop them.
In response, Retribution ran out to save Slade as he lay in a bloody heap on the ring floor, from the blows to the head given to his friend Gage, who hit him with the belt. Once Retribution got in the ring, a brawl ensued. Finally, the referees pulled the men apart and Gage was fuming.
They all left the arena, and Candy helped Slade to the back.
Once backstage, he celebrated his win with other wrestlers. A few minutes later, Gage walked up to him and slapped in playfully on the cut Slade made with a razor blade to cause the bleeding.
“Ouch! Fucker. That hurts!” Slade shoved Gage playfully.
“Good match, bro. I’ll have you at the next pay-per-view. That belt is going to be mine again. Cage match?” Gage shook his hand.
Slade smiled in agreement. “You’re on. I look forward to it.”
Slade looked around for Candy. Everyone was celebrating his win. But where was she? Kevin walked up to Slade with a worried look.
“Slade, have you seen Candy?”
Slade looked around. “She was here just a minute ago.”
Sahara ran up with her face pale from panic. “Slade, she’s gone. She took Wraith’s bike. He’s furious. I tried to stop her. She’s going after James.”
Kevin turned to Slade saying, “We have to go.”
Gage asked, “What can I do?”
Kevin looked at Isis and Sahara, who was stricken with fear. “Watch over the girls. He knows they’re her friends. I’ll call as soon as we find her.”
Gage agreed. “Okay. Go. If I don’t hear from you in an hour, I’m coming to find you.”
Slade looked over and saw the handcuffs laying on top of a box by the stage. He grabbed them with a determined look on his face. Looking back to Gage with anger in his eyes, he said, “Keep these for me. I’ll be back.”
Slade and Kevin rushed out of the arena to Kevin’s car. Turning to Kevin, who was speeding out of the parking garage, Slade said, “I want to marry your daughter.”
Kevin looked over at the sacred Slade like he was crazy. “You choose this time to tell me this?”
“I may not get another chance. I would die for her. If I have to tonight, I will.”
Kevin took a deep breath, watching the road ahead. “If you’re asking for my blessing, you had that as soon as I saw how protective you are of her. No one is dying tonight unless it’s James Marco. Grab my phone and call Matteo. Tell him you’re with me. I know where she’s heading.”
“Where?”
“Strip club. That’s where he gets his girls. If I’m right, Candy will head there first to find him. I know someone there.”
