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Scheming
Topic Started: May 18 2016, 11:07 AM (36 Views)
Gates
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He sat in the darkened room of his condo on the south side of Boston, watching the clock. He didn't sleep much these days. Too much to do - too much scheming, too much plotting. He made a habit of being three steps ahead of his adversaries - it was the thing he'd missed the most about the business.

Battlelines XII had been a rousing success. Grace had become the #1 contender for the EWA Network Championship. Azrael Goeren had failed - as he always did, in one manner or another - at becoming the EWA World Heavyweight Champion.

He'd went into Monday evening with no apprehension about the night, despite what some would believe in his situation. Grace hadn't returned home over the weekend. He'd offered his bedroom to her to stay in, whenever she liked, to shield her from falling back in with vermin such as James T. Slynt. She'd graciously accepted. He wasn't her keeper, though - she could come and go as she pleased.

As a result, he hadn't seen her over the weekend, when the rumors began to circulate that she'd met up with Alexander Haven and Chris Kage at a bar.

In another world, this would be an extremely appealing situation for Grace, if the rumors indeed held true. Haven, of course, would see the value in recruiting the daughter of one of Kage's most prominent challengers. Offering her a spot in The Youth - if that's indeed what had happened - would cement the faction as the force they were perceived as...and twist the knife into Azrael Goeren's back a little deeper.

They'd met at the Combat Zone. He'd greeted her with the customary hug, and they'd sat down to discuss the plans for the evening.

There was nothing to fear, in the mind of Duane Gates. Grace Goeren would be sticking with him.

He was a far more appealing option for Azrael Goeren's daughter.

He chuckled to himself, thinking of Grace's face as she watched her father hold the World Heavyweight Championship high above his head. Rage such as that which burned inside her was a rare commodity. If bottled properly, it was a tremendous advantage to have in this business when the time came to unleash it.

And then - the satisfaction, the smile, the gleam in her eye as Goeren's victory was overturned, his hopes and dreams of being champion crushed before her very eyes. She'd described the feeling inside as orgasmic.

Later that night, when they'd convened at his home, laughing over the misfortune and failures of Azrael Goeren, he'd known right then that they'd made the correct decisions. That this venture, this arrangement, would work out perfectly.

He'd left to go pick up pizza, giving Grace some much needed privacy. The young college student running the cash register had nearly pissed himself in excitement, being an EWA fan and recognizing Gates. Even he had tried to get Gates to reveal the nature of his relationship with Grace.

"That's none of your business, kid. All will be revealed in time, when we're ready. Until then, don't worry about what's going on behind closed doors - we're two individuals who deserve privacy."

Gates had laughed inside at the frantic backpedaling the kid had done, stumbling over himself to apologize. Pathetic.

Dinner had followed. Now, Grace slept, while Gates remained awake, already thinking ahead to the next plan of action.

He sighed, letting his thoughts drift to Osbourne Kilminster. He hadn't spoken to Ozzy since his return, something he needed to change. While Kilminster certainly wouldn't be involved in his present business, he still considered the Viking a friend. Gates could not deny the glee he felt, knowing that Kilminster would likely beat his ex-wife to within an inch of her pathetic life inside the steel cage in Cleveland, and send her out of this industry forever...but he could also appreciate the difficulty Oz would likely have, in doing so.

He grabbed his phone, sending off a quick email. Ozzy would likely be awake.

Oz,

'In this business, you do what you have to to survive.' Those are the words you said to me when we first met to plan our takeover of the EWA. Those are the same words I impart upon Grace now. While our joint venture didn't end as we'd planned, I want you to know that I respect you as a leader, a businessman, and as a friend. I know your upcoming trial will be your most difficult yet. Keep those words in mind during it, just as I have over the past six months since you first uttered them to me. Good luck, my friend.

-D'


He rose from the chair, walking quietly down the hallway toward the room at the end. His room. Currently occupied.

He opened the door a crack - just enough to see her form at the edge of the bed. Sleeping.

He quickly closed the door, smiling.

Everything was going according to plan.
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