017

The Woodhouse Day Spa in Denver had come highly recommended to the lovely brunette who was currently wrapped in a towel, lying on a massage table. Their full services had sounded so enticing that she'd shared that knowledge with her best friend— the four-handed massage sounded especially wonderful. Letting out a sigh of pure contentment, she looked over at her companion and grinned. "I'm glad you twisted my arm today. This is definitely the sort of thing I need right now." She twisted her hair around her hand, securing it into a messy bun before wrapping the elastic on her wrist around it.

On the adjacent table laying on her stomach with a towel also wrapped around her body was the owner of FFW, Samantha Star. With her hair pulled up into a fiery red ponytail high on her head, perched her head in her hands with a very content expression on her face. "It's always good to pamper yourself whenever you can. After all, we deserve it, don't we? I've never even heard of this place till you mentioned it, but it got very good reviews on a couple of websites that I read earlier. Thank you for inviting me."

"We do deserve it," Kaitlynn replied with a laugh that turned into a happy purr as the pair of masseuses working on her back worked on relieving the tension she'd been carrying around for months. "I can't help but feel somewhat elated right now, knowing what's coming."

"So am I, dear. I was very disappointed to see the A-List crumble as it did, and those were supposed to be my best and brightest. How sad it was to see them prove me wrong more often than not. Especially when my 'franchise' turns out to be nothing more than a pill popping junkie." It was obvious that Samantha was still carrying a bit of a grudge against the fired Colleen Harmon. "I should have seen the signs on the wall when you beat her, and then Shane beat her. And then Desirae Kain of all people did...."

"It is sad," Kitty remarked, "some people simply can't cope with the pressure of this business. Some are pathetic liars," she paused on that word, the venom in her tone making it clear who she meant, "and fakes." Cocking her head, she considered the woman in question, "she had promise, at first. I have to admit, her little microphone stunt was amusing."

"I won't argue with that. But sadly, the A-List was not meant to be. It was a failure on my part, putting those women together. Few of them were ready for the spotlight, the only one whom really was consistently brilliant was Starla. And that's why she will most assuredly be part of what is to come. If anyone, she's earned it by proving just how good she is." Samantha let out a bit of a low moan as the two men standing over her were pressing their fingers deeply into her flesh, causing her eyes to close in enjoyment briefly.

"You're human, darling," Kitty assured her, "even you can make mistakes..." her voice trailed off as she closed her eyes, almost melting as those expert hands worked the kinks from her lower back. "I'm sure what's to come will be the most brilliant thing you've ever done. I have complete faith in that, just like I know without a shadow of a doubt that Jennifer's career will be ending tomorrow."

"I must admit I was a little surprised that your husband asked for another match, because quite frankly, I was of the mind that you had successfully shown up that woman twice now. But then it occurred to me. If he's asking for it, then you and he must be moving closer to reconciliation. Because he certainly wasn't asking for anything for you since January." Samantha placed her face over the opening at the top of the massage table, a low groan coming from her as they were now working on her lower back. "And when I learned she had brought Anthony Gambini to a FFW show, that was when I decided that if you two met again, it would be time to close the book on this, so to speak. I don't want him at any show of mine for any reason whatsoever."

Kaitlynn felt that familiar nausea in the pit of her stomach at Gambini's name, ignoring it with effort. Instead of commenting on that, she let her thoughts drift back to the night of her last match against Jennifer. "I have to end this, Samantha. By any means necessary, Jennifer needs to be punished." She paused, falling silent for a few moments before she spoke again, whispering as though confiding a secret. "That night, did you notice he was still wearing his wedding ring?" Her eyes were closed as she gave herself over to those wonderful fingers. "Seeing that... it gives me hope."

"Kaitlynn, I told you. Men are very easy creatures to keep, if that is your choice." A smile began to form upon her face as she started to lift her head. "Of course, they get angry. And yes, they can be very stubborn at times. But at heart, most of them are all the same. You appeal to them through emotional means, and if all else fails, you do so on a physical level. They aren't very complicated. I am glad you have him back, or are in the process. Have you taken my advice yet? All it requires is one seduction, sweetie."

That familiar smirk of hers was on her lips as she turned her head to look at Samantha. "Remember that black dress I bought when we went shopping together? I paired that with this incredible pair of Louboutins." She giggled, sounding almost as though she was back to her old self, "let's just say, I have a wonderful celebration planned to follow Jennifer's funeral."

"I'll go you one better, sweetie. You end Jennifer as you promised, and I'll make sure that you get.....unyielding support to ensure the job is complete." She let the words hang in the air after she said them, glancing back to one of the masseuses whom returned her gaze. A bit of a smile formed on her face as she turned back. "What good is a funeral without a few guests, right?"

"Perhaps we should invite her brother," Kitty said with a sarcastic little laugh, "seems a pity that nobody will mourn that demented little bitch."

"You have my word, Kaitlynn. Jennifer, when she leaves Denver, she won't do it under her own power." She let out a rather contented sigh at that, feeling the fingers of her masseuses doing their magic. "And I already have your reward lined up and waiting for you. Unstoppable 3. Main event. Scramble for the FFW Championship. Consider it my early gift in celebration for both your victory...and your reconciliation with Alex."

Kaitlynn blinked in surprise at her friend's words and then let out a jubilant little squeal, "thank you, darling!" If she hadn't been in the process of being kneaded into a sexy lump of putty, she would have hugged Samantha. As it was, the smile on her face and the glow in her eyes was enough to show her appreciation. "I guess that means I need to succeed," she said the words flippantly, "as if there was any doubt there. I beat that sad little bitch twice. Third one will definitely be the charm."

"I like to reward good behavior. And besides, there are many tasks ahead for what is to come. I'm tired of this insurgency that seems to be forming. But before we deal with that, I need everyone over their own personal issues. I want closure at Conviction as much as you do, Kaitlynn." Her eyes rolled into her head in abject pleasure, causing her to stop what she was saying for a moment as she lost her train of thought. It quickly returned though.

"At Conviction, there's only one way to get rid of a sitting monarch, be it a king or a queen." She turned her head towards Kitty, smiling at her as she closed her eyes. "You stage a coup d'état..."