After the tragic first meeting with Gage, Isis felt like she would rather be home with her spunky calico cat, Cello. Isis looked up at the clock on the wall seeing it was almost time for her next segment. Knowing she would have to return to the Justice locker room soon she felt her stomach turn. She picked herself off the floor dusting off her outfit. The colorful girl from earlier, that Gage was harassing, came over to her sucking on a lollipop.

“Sweetheart? Are you ok? He’s normally not like that. Just lately he’s been an ass. Gage is my friend but he has had a stuck up his butt.”

Isis looked at the girl clearing the tears from her cheek. “I’m fine. Where is the lady’s dressing room, please? I need to change and fix my makeup.” One of Isis favorite wrestlers was standing in front of her. The perky girl dressed in candy-inspired rave wear. Candy motioned for her to follow.

“Hi. I’m Candace. You can call me Candy. I’m sort of the new girl here too. Some of the guys here can be real creeps. Especially the faction guys. They are like a pack of wolves when the guys team up together. I have my own problems with a jerk here too. Slade Logan. Do you know who he is?"

"Yes. Retribution faction, right?"

"That's him. Usually, Gage is one of the nicer ones. He is just all caught up in this new Justice crap. He was one of the few guys who helped me when I started. He just has had a huge ego since his divorce was final,” Candy smiled at Isis licking a lollipop.

Isis couldn’t help but smile back. Candy was like a ray of sunshine.

“Well, could have fooled me. He seems like a total dick.” Isis noticed Cyrus heading her way. “Oh crap. Just what I need now. Nice to meet you, Candy. I have to go. Maybe we can chat again soon.”

“Sure sweet cheeks. See ya!”

Candy skipped away as a group of men passed. Candy stuck her tongue out at the leader of the crew and he flipped her off. Isis knew that was the guy Candy had problems with. She actually liked the Retribution faction's in-ring skill, but they seemed pretty cocky. Wraith always warned her how egos were raging with men in this industry. She was seeing it first-hand tonight.

Cyrus reached her looking down over her small frame. He hovered over her in anger.

“ISIS! WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT? I got you this job and you insult the guy who is basically is your boss. You do know he is part of Davis’s main talent coordinating team right? He could fire you for that stunt you pulled. Not to mention this outfit. Is this what Davis told you to wear?” Cyrus was so mad he was shaking.

“Just stop. STOP!” She broke down again and shoved his chest. “I know how I look. It’s a ballroom dance costume, you jerk. Not a fucking stripper outfit. I thought I looked pretty. Your buddy Gage made me feel like a damn whore. Not to mention called me one. Mr. Preston loved the look and even found a car to match it for my big entrance. Why didn’t you warn me Gage was so mean?”

She pushed him out of her way and headed to where she saw Candy heading to the girls' locker room.

Wraith was standing just out of sight and heard Isis say Gage called her a whore. His own protective side hit hard. Cyrus was always the overprotective one, but when someone messed with Wraith's family, he only saw red. Wraith went straight for the Justice locker room. Reaching the door the big man kicked it in. All of the Justice crew stood up from the sudden intrusion. The dangerous monster Wraith took over and he hit Gage straight in the face, knocking him over the leather couch. He jumped over the couch punching Gage again and again. The other members pulled Wraith off of Gage.

“What is going on, Wraith? What was that for?” Gage got up rubbing his jaw.

“That girl you just insulted and humiliated. I look out for her. I trusted your ass and you fucking made her cry. You called my cousin a whore! What the hell were you thinking?” Wraith rubbed his hand and shook off the pain.

Gage rubbed his sore jaw. “Who are you talking about you crazy bastard?”

“ISIS, Gage! I just saw her in the hallway and she is a fucking wreck. Her first day here and you treat her like that? What the hell is going on with you?” Wraith looked mad and Gage knew better than to provoke him.

“I was out of line. I’ll apologize, ok? But, your little protege needs to learn some respect.” Gage said annoyed but calmer.

“Respect? Yeah. I remember that. That’s what you use to have for women. Maybe when you get past this womanizing thing you’re into you can give her little of that respect you seem to know so much about.” Wraith walked out and slammed the door back shut causing everyone in the room to jump.

Gage looked around at the others who were trying to avoid eye contact.

“What the hell are you three standing around for? You should be getting down to the ring. Drake. Nick. You have a tag match tonight. Well, GO!”

They left and Gage sat with his head in his hands. What was he becoming? He never disrespects a woman like that. He had said things scripted on the show as a heel, but never after the cameras were off. He had never called a woman a whore. Those other girls on the show always knew it was for the promo work. What had become?

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 it was scripted. A stagehand had brought her bags to the girls' locker room. She couldn’t wait to get changed. She wore a vintage-inspired black leather wiggle dress with long black gloves and changed her hair and makeup to match the vintage look. Covering herself as best she could. She didn’t need any more comments from Gage.

She knocked on the door and noticed a dent in the door that wasn’t there before.

Gage got up and went to the door with ice on his jaw. Opening it he saw Isis had changed her outfit and she was looking down trying to not make eye contact.

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

Isis walked past him and made her way to the farthest corner from Gage. She pulled out her phone pretending to look over something. She didn’t want to talk. What would she say to him anyway?

“You changed?” Gage sat down on the big plush couch fiddling with the ice pack.

“I was told I look like a whore. So I tried to find something more fitting so not to be insulted any further. How about we do each other a favor and just 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 lump that was rising in her throat.

“Suit yourself.”

He turned up the TV in the room to watch the rest of Nick and Drake’s match.

Isis pulled a folding chair over to her corner. Gage couldn’t help but find himself looking at her. She was stunning and the sadness in her eyes was all his fault. Some part of him hated that fact. He wanted to apologize but his 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.

“You always this rude?” He said bluntly.

She looked up from her phone.

“You always such a dick?” rolling her eyes.

“I really don’t like your attitude, queeny? 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, Mr. Stone. Come at me. I’ll come right back.”

“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 when it comes to Justice. Especially when it comes to you.” Gage sat back, crossing his leg over his knee.

“Please. You are not doing me any favors. I wouldn’t be here if Davis Preston didn’t see that I have real talent and you know it. I know very well what being with Justice will do for my career. I 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 sat looking intently at Gage.

“Nope. I just need to say it once. Don’t forget why you are here. Jerrod begged me to give you a chance. He likes you. Thinks you have skills in the ring. He is my mentor and I respect his eye for talent. Out of respect for Cyrus and Wraith, I agreed to this,” Gage grumbled.

“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 is a result of Wraith hearing your comments to me. I can go to sign with any other company right now if I choose to. I would rather be here with my family. In order for me to stay, you have to approve 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 full well could fire her. Her dream to be at IWX would be over.

“I wouldn’t give those punks at Wrestle Masters the satisfaction. I think I rather have you here to torcher a little. Show you how to be more grateful.”Gage smirked with the satisfaction of getting the last word again.

He knew he had her. She wasn’t going to leave 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 this encounter she had found herself fantasizing about him. This was not the man she thought he was. This was the devil in an expensive Armani suit.

The camera crew hustled in the room to set up the cameras and the producer looked over Isis.

“Wait. Did you change? That other outfit was cool. Everyone loved it, even Mr. Preston. You looked like a star. Why did you change?”

She looked over at Gage with hurt in her eyes and looked away trying her best not to cry again.

Gage spoke up, ”She’s fine. She is going to be known as a fashionista, right? She’ll have a lot of costume changes. Just set up the cameras.”

She looked up with a nod to Gage, who helped her out of the awkward conversation, even though he caused it.

The camera rolled and Isis was set to come back into the room again and have words with Gage. She walked in swaying her hips and headed straight to face him.

“Well Isis, we meet again.” Gage went on script.

“We need to talk, Mr. Stone. If we plan on making this work. I have ground rules. As I am sure you do as well.” Isis got back into being the queen of her power driven character. A stint of courage hit her and she went completely off-script. “You will learn to respect me. We don’t have to like each other, but we do have to have some sense of respect for each other. We can be a very powerful team, you and I. I am here to be of service to Justice as the only woman in the group. I want to be treated like a lady. I may dress sexy but I am first and foremost a lady. I am not one of your little tramps that hang around here. I ask that those women do not come into the Justice dressing room at any time. I am the only woman who will be allowed in this area. Since this is where we will conduct a lot of business, I think that’s not too much to ask. What do you say, Mr. Stone?”

He agreed with caution. ”Fair. I have some demands of my own. You will be by my side at all times unless I instruct you otherwise. You will not question me. You will do as I say when I say it. Regarding when you will get a title shot. Until you prove to me you can be trusted you won't get that shot. You’ll have to work for it. I’ll give you…three weeks to prove yourself. Then I will decide if it is worth my time to keep you around. Don’t screw it up or you’ll be out on your ass as fast as you came.”

“Agreed.” They shook hands and the cameras went off.

Gage gripped her hand and pulled her closer to him.

“I meant that. Don’t cross me. Right now, until I say so... I. Own. You.”

His look said it all. A shiver of fear came over her. The man was pure evil in her eyes. She knew she had to submit to Gage's demands if she wanted to live out her dream of being a wrestler. Even more so, to become the women’s champion. Isis shivered at the fear he instilled in her. No one ever made her feel this way.

Jerrod and the other men strutted in the room. Jerrod was boosting the guys up for their upcoming match. He was their hype man to a degree and played the part well.

Drake was the first to walk over to her. ”Hey baby girl. Been a long time. How are you? We didn’t get to talk earlier.” Looking questioningly at Gage who was glaring at her. “Something wrong?”

“Fine. Glad to see you again, Drake.” She smiled and rushed to give him a hug.

“Hi, I’m Nick. I saw your magazine cover. Mannnnn... girl, you are smokin’ hot! Hotter in person.”

Nick the smaller handsome one kissed her hand. His big toothy smile made Isis blush. He ran his hand over his short blonde hair looking her over. Isis couldn’t help but feel weird with his comment. She never felt comfortable with compliments.

Jerrod nudged Nick.

“Not the time kid. Sorry, Isis.” Jerrod looked apologetic.

“No. It’s fine. Thank you, Nick. Jerrod, I don’t mind. I think you all should know more about my modeling career. Since you saw that I‘m sure you looked me up online. I worked really hard to get on that magazine cover. I’m proud of it. No one ever made me feel like a whore there.” Looking back to Gage to see if he picked up on the snarking comment.

He looked up quickly at her with a disapproving glare as he rummaged through his gym bag.

”I was treated like a princess and my family and friends were very supportive. Even though Cyrus hated that the photos were so seductive. Some people assume because I dress sexy for photo shoots or on stage that’s who I am. Honestly, I’m very modest in real life. I was a dancer before I became a wrestler.”

She heard a slight snicker from Gage.

”I see that look. I get it all the time. No, Mr. Stone. I was not a stripper. I was a real dancer. Ballet and ballroom. I was a competitor in the ballroom circuit and I fell in love with the costumes. So I used it to develop my character while wrestling. That’s where most of the outfits I have came from. The sexy photo shoots were something I did because I was self-conscious about my body. I still am. It was a way for me to gain more confidence in myself and not be ashamed of who I am,” she looked away embarrassed.

Nick smiled and put his arm around her shoulder. ”Sweety. You should never be ashamed of your body. Anyone who makes you feel that way needs to take a good look at themselves. Everyone out there is talking about how amazing you looked tonight. Old Cyrus is livid because his little cousin is a grown woman now. But, he’ll get over it.”

Not knowing what Gage had said to her earlier Nick was speaking from the heart. He was a little immature but his huge heart made up for it. Gage looked down at the floor trying to not look guilty. He realized he must have made her feel embarrassed.

“Thanks, Nick.” She hugged him.

“I hope I didn’t come off too forward? I just really think you're pretty, I tend to not have a filter when it comes to beautiful women.” Nick winked at her.

She just smiled back at him shyly and nodded.

“Enough of this sappy shit. Let’s go out tonight! I need a drink and some female companionship.”

Gage's cocky attitude came back quickly when he looked up seeing Nick flirting with her. Her comments about him calling her a whore hit deep. His way of dealing with his emotions lately was being combative.

Jerrod perked up. ”Hell yes! Isis! You in? We need to welcome our new member properly.”

Isis hesitated and Gage stood up and straightened his shoulders. He walked over in front of her, crossing his arms. He was blatantly taking advantage of her weaknesses. He found hers and he was going to use it.

”Well? Answer the man?”

Looking at Gage she felt uncomfortable with the seductive yet controlling expression in his eyes. Scared even. She couldn’t understand it. How was she letting this guy dominate her this way?

“Umm. Yes. I...guess so.”

The guys started to grab their bags to head to the showers. Jerrod went to get the Limo ready and find a few girls to join them. They were known for being party boys and even with Isis in tow they were going to enjoy their evening. Isis had no idea what she was getting herself into.

Gage stepped closer to Isis and cupped her chin in his hand.

“Good girl. You learn fast who’s the boss. Stay close tonight.” She pulled her head away. “Ooop! Nope. None of that now. I let you get by with that little comment about people treating you like a whore. That’s one strike. Next time I won’t be so nice.”

Isis just looked at him as terror washed over her. Was this really the guy she felt something for? That feeling she thought was love once was surely fading fast.