Taker and Jaden continued to watch on the monitor while Kane and Skyler made their way down to the ring. The crowd had gone wild when they saw this woman with Kane. As they entered the ring, Jaden’s mouth again dropped open when she saw that the Godfather had a microphone in his hand, and knew what was coming. She heard Taker laugh behind her as he wrapped his arms around her.
“This is going to be good….” He said as he looked down at her and then they both turned their attention back to the monitor.
*****
Skyler and Kane positioned themselves in the middle of the ring. Skyler’s heart was pounding with excitement as she stood in front of Kane as he raised his arms and then quickly brought them back down to set off another thunderous round of pyro that brought the lights back into the darkened arena.
Skyler turned, looking up at Kane as he looked back down at her, his head tilted to the side. They continued to gaze into each other’s eyes until the Godfather interrupted them.
“Hey, Kane!” The Godfather said to him, an amused smile on his face. “What do you say we make this a special challenge match?” Kane only stared back at the Godfather and after a few minutes he continued.
“What do you say, if you win this match you can take all these Ho’s home with you tonight.” The Godfather said, gesturing to the 6 Ho’s that stood at both of his sides as he laid out the stipulations.
“BUT….if I win this match, your little lady there becomes one of my Ho’s.”
Skyler gasped and looked up at Kane, hoping like hell he would not accept the challenge. A horrified expression darkened her eyes when she saw Kane nod his head and accept the match, thinking there was no way the Godfather could ever beat him. Little did he know, he was in for one hell of a surprise by the end of the match..
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Chapter Sixty Nine
Taker threw his head back and roared with laughter. “I knew it!”
“What if Kane looses? Skyler will be a Ho?” Jaden asked, wondering what Skyler or Vince would think of that.
“Kane won’t loose…if he does, I do believe by the look on her face, he will have hell to pay from Skyler.” Taker answered, amused.
“BUT what if Kane does loose?” Jaden asked again, looking at the monitor.
Taker didn’t answer as he continued to watch the screen, his big body shaking with laughter.
***
Skyler walked over ducked under the second rope, and stepped out of the ring. She glanced back at Kane, who had walked over with her.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” She whispered, her lips barley moving incase the cameras were on her.
Kane gave a little nod then turned to face the Godfather. Skyler climbed down the steps and stood by the ring, watching the action. She sighed with relief as Kane quickly dominated the Godfather. Skyler smiled to herself, wondering what she was so worried about.
Kane went up on the turnbuckle and flew through the air, catching the Godfather, sending him sprawling on the mat. Kane quickly covered him, the referee counting. Godfather got his shoulder up a split second before the three-count was called.
Godfather managed to get to his feet. He caught Kane off guard with a kick to the gut, then followed it up with a few good jabs. The Godfather became frustrated when he was unable to get the big man off his feet. He shoved Kane with all his might into the corner, accidentally catching the ref between the post and Kane’s big body. The ref crumpled to the mat, out cold.
Skyler spun around when she heard the crowd booing. She saw X-Pac running down the ramp and jump into the ring with a steel chair. She gasped as he brought the chair down hard on Kane’s head. X-Pac quickly exited the ring, smiling at Skyler who glared back at him. She turned her attention back to the ring just in time to see the Godfather pinning Kane, and the ref, who had finally come around count…ONE…TWO…THREE!
Skyler stood with her mouth hanging open for a few seconds, not quite able to believe what had just happened. All her attention focused on Kane who was still lying in the middle of the ring. She rushed up the steps and into the ring, dropping to her knees beside him.
“Kane?” she said softly.
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Chapter Seventy
“Oh My God!” Jaden exclaimed, her eyes glued to the monitor in front of her, unable to believe what she had just seen take place. She turned and looked back at Taker and saw the shock in his eyes as well.
“Well,” Taker said, looking back down at Jaden. “I guess this means that Skyler is now officially a Ho.” Jaden could see him fighting the laughter that was threatening to break through. Just watching him was too much and Jaden burst out laughing. Taker immediately roared with laughter, but stopped when he turned back to the monitor, seeing that Kane had not yet moved after the chair shot from X-Pac.
Jaden saw concern for his brother fill Taker’s eyes, and turned back, seeing Kane lying motionless in the center of the ring. Her medical instincts quickly took over and she rushed toward the arena entrance, nearly running over all of the other officials who were racing toward the ring.
Jaden ran down the ramp and quickly entered the ring, kneeling down beside Kane, hearing Skyler sigh in relief by the sudden appearance of her friend.
“Kane?” Jaden as she leaned down by his ear so he could hear her. Jaden frowned when she got no response and tried again. “Kane?” She repeated, louder this time and was relieved when he moaned softly and tried to open his eyes.
Jaden placed her hands behind his neck, making sure none of the vertebrae had been damaged from the chair shot. She smiled up at Skyler when she found all was still in place.
“He’ll be fine.” She said to Skyler and saw some of the tension leave her worried eyes.
Kane slowly sat up, shaking his head slightly to clear it. Then he carefully got to his feet and took Skyler’s hand, leading her out of the ring, not realizing that he had lost the match to the Godfather.
“Whoa, whoa…wait a minute there, big man.” The Godfather said when he saw his newly acquired Ho trying to leave the ring. “I believe that Ho belongs to me now.”
Kane stopped dead in his tracks, looking down at Skyler, a questioning look in his eyes. When he saw he nod her head slightly, telling him that he had lost the match, he lost it. Kane jumped out of the ring, running up the ramp in search of X-Pac, feeling that if he did get his hands on the little punk, he’d snap him in half.
Jaden’s eyes grew wide as she climbed out of the ring and headed back up the ramp, watching as the Godfather walk over to Skyler and take her arm, leading her and the rest of his Ho’s up the ramp and through the curtain.
Taker was waiting for Jaden when she came back into the locker room area of the arena. “Well,” Jaden said to him. “I wonder if Skyler is having second thoughts right about now.” Although she tried, she could not prevent the smile, or the laughter that followed afterwards.
“I don’t know about Skyler, but I know for sure Kane is. He is not too happy with this little turn of events.” Taker replied as he began laughing himself.
Both Jaden and Taker suddenly stopped laughing when Taker pulled her into his arms, looking over her shoulder. His eyes narrowed in anger when he saw Austin standing behind Jaden, again watching her every move. Jaden felt his body tense up and pulled back out of his arms, looking up at him. She saw that he was looking at something, or someone behind her and slowly turned around to see what it was. She saw Austin standing back a ways, his eyes never leaving her. Jaden didn’t get a chance to say or do anything before Taker took her arm, leading her to the exit of the arena.
Jaden tried to keep up with Taker’s quick steps, but soon found herself becoming short of breath and light headed.
“Taker, slow down!” She said as she pulled back on his arm, trying to get him to stop before she ended up flat on her face.
“TAKER!” She said again when he didn’t hear her the first time. This time he did stop and turned around just in time to see all the color drain from her face as her body went completely limp…
_________________
Chapter Seventy One
Jaden heard someone calling her name and slowly opened her eyes. When her vision cleared, she found Taker gazing down at her. She smiled softly up at him, then frowned at the worried look on his face.
"Thank god." he said as he took her in his arms, holding her close to him. Jaden could feel Taker shaking. She looked around, realizing she was lying on a couch in Vince's office, and surrounded by a number of people.
Taker pulled back and looked deep into her eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Jaden nodded, still not fully realizing what had happened. "Yeah." she answered.
She jumped when Skyler burst into the room and rushed over to her friend.
"Jaden! What happened?" she asked, the concern for her friend written all over her face. Before she could answer, Taker did for her.
"She fainted." he said, never taking his eyes off Jaden.
"Well, I'm feeling better now." she stated as she stood up slowly, thankful when she didn't experience any dizziness.
"Jaden," Vince stepped forward. "I'd like you, Taker, Skyler and Kane to take my limo back to the hotel, and you get a good nights rest. If there is anything you need let me know. We will talk in the morning." he said, worried about his niece's friend.
She nodded, thanking Vince. Jaden sighed to herself as she look at Taker, knowing their talk was not going to wait until the morning. She also knew she had given him quite a scare and he deserved an explanation.
Jaden looked around, changing the subject. "Where is Kane, by the way?"
Skyler shook her head, her lips twitching with amusement. "Um, I think he is still on the hunt for X-Pac."
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Chapter Seventy Two
“Speak of the devil…” Taker said, when Kane walked through the door just then. “Did you find him?” Taker asked, an amused look slowly replaced the worry that had been in his eyes just moments ago.
“No…that little shit ducked out of the arena right after he sabotaged my match.” Kane answered, not seeing the amusement in the situation that his brother, Skyler, and Jaden apparently did. “What’s going on here anyway?” He asked, not wanting to think of X-Pac anymore that night.
No one said anything for a few moments until Vince finally stepped forward. “Jaden gave us all a good scare. Speaking of which, my limo is waiting at the back of the arena. You all should head back to the hotel now and get some rest. We have a big show tomorrow night in Orlando. Jade, we’ll talk in the morning.” He said and after everyone said their good-nights, they left, going back tot he hotel.
Taker and Jaden were barely in their room when he sat her down in one of the chairs. “Alright, Jaden. No more excuses. I want to know what is going on.” Taker said to her as he settled himself in another chair across from her.
“It’s nothing really. It’s just the side-effects of this medication that I take.” Jaden said lightly, hoping Taker would accept the explanation and not press it any further.
“Why do you have to take the medication?” Taker said, finally asking the question he should have asked long before.
Jaden sighed as she looked at him, not wanting to tell him about the illness that she had kept hidden for so long, but also knowing she really didn’t have much choice.
“Alright, if you really must know..” She stopped and took a cigarette out of her purse and lit it, knowing she was going to need it. After taking a long drag off of it, she continued.
“I have a bad heart…plain and simple. The doctors think I was born with it, but it was never detected until after I was in college. It’s been steadily getting worse and that is why I am taking this medication.” Jaden said as she sat back and saw the look of complete shock enter Taker’s eyes.
“But the medication will make you better, right?” He asked in a voice that was barely a whisper.
Jaden shook her head. “No, the medication only slow down the progress of the disease. There is no cure.”
Taker opened his mouth to say something, but was unable to find the words. He could only sit there in shocked silence.
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Chapter Seventy Three
"No cure?" Taker asked quietly, finally finding his voice.
Jaden shook her head, "No, not as of yet anyway. There is a surgery that could possibly be done, but it's only been performed a couple times." she stated.
"Are you thinking of doing it?" Taker asked, still unable to believe what she had just told him.
"No."
"Why not?" he asked confused.
"Because although it has been performed, it's never been successful." she answered.
Taker sighed, running his hands through his hair. He stood up and pulled her to her feet, then sat back down, sitting her on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close, not wanting to ever let go.
"Listen, Taker, I know this comes as quite a shock, trust me it was for me when I found out. But I've learned to deal and live with it. I just haven't told anyone...until you. I'd like to keep it that way for a little while." Jaden's eyes pleaded with him to understand.
"I do understand where you are coming from." Taker said, his eyes filled with compassion. "But Skyler is going to want to know. I think you should tell her."
Jaden sighed and looked down at her hands before looking back up and meeting his gaze. "I will...when I'm ready."
*****
Instead of going to their rooms, Skyler and Kane went to the hotel restaurant to get something to eat. They were just finishing their meal when Skyler noticed X-Pac walking in with the Godfather. She looked at Kane, who hadn't seen them come in yet, and tried to think of a way to get him out of there without him seeing them...the last thing she wanted was a fight here in the hotel.
"Uh, Kane, you want to go for a walk?" she asked.
Kane smiled at her, nodding his in approval. He threw some money on the table, stood up and walked with Skyler to the door. His hand was on the door when he heard a familiar laugh from behind him.
Kane's big body froze and tensed up as he slowly turned around. His eyes narrowed in anger as he saw Godfather and X-Pac standing by the bar.
Skyler turned around after walking out of the restaurant, thinking Kane was right behind her, and was surprised when he wasn't there. She quickly walked back through the door looking around for Kane. She easily spotted him walking towards the bar...and the two men standing there with their backs to him.
"Shit." she muttered as she took off after Kane, hoping she could prevent what she knew was coming.
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Chapter Seventy Four
X-Pac slowly turned around when he sensed that someone was behind him. His eyes became wide when he saw Kane standing there, his eyes filled with anger.
X-Pac tried to back up a step from Kane, but was unable to with the bar against his back. The next thing X-Pac knew was that Kane’s huge hand was wrapped around his throat, his grip becoming tighter with each passing second.
Kane picked X-Pac up by the neck, holding the much smaller man over his head as he looked into the eyes of his former friend.
Skyler rushed up behind Kane, gently placing a hand on his back. Kane froze, immediately recognizing Skyler’s touch. He loosened his grip on X-Pac’s neck, letting him fall down to the floor. Slowly Kane turner around, facing Skyler, realizing that this wasn’t the time or the place to settle the situation.
Skyler took his hand, leading him from the bar. “How about that walk now?” She asked, smiling when Kane nodded his head in agreement.
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Chapter Seventy Five
Skyler, Kane, Taker and Jaden all met for breakfast the next morning. Taker decided to postpone going back to Houston for a few days, wanting to spend as much time with Jaden as possible.
"So, Skyler, what do you think of being one of the Godfather's Ho's?" Jaden teased her friend.
Skyler looked up from her menu and grinned at her friend. "Very funny." she commented good naturedly.
"Yeah Kane, did you ever get a hold of X-Pac?" Taker asked, having kept an eye out for the smaller man himself.
Kane looked at Skyler with a smile before turning his attention to his brother. "Yeah, saw him last night at the bar." he answered.
"And? What happened?" Taker demanded to know.
"I was, uh, persuaded not to start anything...for now." Kane grinned.
****
Later that afternoon, the four were walking around Miami, when Skyler pulled Jaden aside.
"What happened yesterday?" Skyler wanted to know.
"What are you talking about?" Jaden asked, although she knew what her friend was getting at.
"You know what I'm talking about. You've lost so much weight, your pale, you get dizzy and now your fainting. Jaden, what is going on?"