La Arquitecta

Chapter 69

"This whole thing is insane, muñeca."

Zelina looked up at Seth as they walked along a hallway, hand in hand. It was only nine in the morning, but they were backstage prior to the Survivor Series pay per view, having been given a special early call time of eight AM for the event. For the first time, the roster were about to hear from the woman who was apparently going to be their new boss.

"I know it is, baby," Zelina replied. "Who would have ever imagined a McMahon family member not being in charge of WWE?"

"Not me."

During the few days since the news of the takeover had leaked online, precious little else had been discussed on the tour bus. The prospect of a new owner brought excitement and concern for everyone at WWE. For the cartel group, there was more of the latter. They'd had it great for the better part of a year, both on-screen and off it. Changes being made were far more likely to effect them negatively than positively.

"I think a breath of fresh air might be just what we need," Roman Reigns said, walking along just behind them, with Dean Ambrose next to him.

"Yeah, we need to get this chick to put The Shield back together, properly this time," Dean said.

Seth turned around and gave him a fist bump. "I hear you on that, brother."

With a crafty grin on her face, Zelina also looked back. "Need a manager, guys?"

"Hell no," Dean said, stone-faced. His humour was hard to distinguish from seriousness sometimes.

"Well, good. I wouldn't manage you idiots anyway."

All three men laughed, then Dean spoke to Seth. "Bro, you need to get your bitch under control."

"Oohhh, shit!" Roman exclaimed as Zelina glared at Dean, only half acting. She hadn't had all that many interactions with Dean, and she wasn't quite sure what to make of him as yet.

A big grin appeared on his face. "Relax, shorty. If you did end up managing us, you'd have to learn fast that we don't hold back with each other."

She raised her eyebrows. "Shorty? I think you'd have to realise what it would feel like to have me stick my foot up your ass."

"How much do you charge for that kind of thing?" Dean quipped.

Zelina looked at Seth and had to laugh. "These guys are worse than Bobby and Joe."

Roman also laughed. "And what's the common factor between both groups?" He pointed at Seth. "It's that idiot. He's a bad influence on people."

The group were all chuckling as they filed into the large conference room that they had been summoned to.

Zelina saw that steel chairs had been arranged for everyone on the roster to sit down, facing a metal and glass lectern with a microphone on it. The chairs were already about two thirds occupied. Vince, Stephanie and Hunter were standing at the back of the room, engaged in conversation. There was an open door in the back left corner, leading into another room.

"No sign of this Thorne chick," Dean observed as they walked over to fill in the last four seats on a row. Zelina went in first, finding herself sitting next to Ruby Riott.

"Hey, Zel," Ruby greeted her. "Crazy times, huh?"

"Yeah. The question is, how crazy?"

"Yeah, exactly."

With that, Zelina linked her hand with Seth's and looked at him. "We already know one change. I'm mad that they took A Queen is Born from me. I liked having that as my song."