The Defender

Chapter 3

Mia laid her head againstthe pillow as the sun warmed her body. She could hear birds singingand the neighborhood around her. She wore a white bikini as sheshifted in the chair and reached over to grab her glass of wine andtook a sip of it. Her phone buzzing against the table and she pickedit up pulling the umbrella over her to shade her and also allowingher to read the text message to from Anna. She texted her back andclosed the phone placing it back on the table. She took another sipof her wine. She needed this time to just relax and de-stress herselfsince the end of the movie. She has yet to start the interviewing andthe promotion of the movie. She laid her head back once more underthe umbrella her legs sticking out in the sun.

Mark sat on thecouch as he watches the movie finishing on TV. Mark felt his phonevibrate in his pocket he picked it up and answered it. "Hello?"

"Heybuddy just checking in," Rodger said on the other side of thephone

"Things here are going good, and how aboutyou?"

"Fine, Fine. I just got the schedule from Dean. I amgoing to send it too you. It seems like in a few weeks you two willbe globe hopping everywhere for this movie. Give me a call ifanything comes up."

"I will do," Mark said and ended theconversation. He shook his head as he looked down at this phone. Hepulled up his email and started too look through his email and seethat there was one from Vince McMahon. He looked at the email it wasabout an autograph session and it would work out great if Mia wantedto get away from here a while. There would tons of fans and peoplebut it would give them time alone and possibly see what could happenbetween them. Mark got up and walked outside to Mia.

"HeyMia," He said and took a seat alongside her sliding his chair underthe umbrella so he could see her.

"Hi," She said andsmiled as he moved closer to her.

"So, Roger just sent meyour schedule from Dean for the interviews and promos. They do notstart for another two weeks, which is great. If you are up for it, Igot offered an autograph signing spot for Wrestlemania. The dates arenext week and I was thinking you want to get away from all of thismay be a new group of people might be what you need."

"Mark,you make it sound so easy. People will know who I am regardless ofwhat I do." She said to him as she tilted her head to the side andpulling her knees up to her.

"Well yes, but wrestling familyis different. There are privacy and rules... not like Hollywood."He paused and took a breath as Mia grabbed her glass of wine and tookanother sip and placed her glass back down. "Plus," he swallowedhard "I am not good at saying this type of stuff." He began tothink after all 2 divorces do speak volumes he thought "I figuredyou would want to have some time alone... like you and me alone."

Mia smiled her eyes beamed with joy as she looked at Mark"Yes, Yes" She kicked her feet and giggled with excitement. Marksmiled brightly as he could not have been more excited about how shereacted. He reached for her running his fingers against her cheek ashe continued to smile, and leaned in and kissed her forehead.

"Iwill email you the details so that you can let Dean know where youare going. I am sure he will need to know just because there will bepublic there that will know you."

"Not a problem. I haveto see Dean tomorrow anyway." She paused "I am going to go backhome in the next few days. I am sure Dean is going to have you staywith me since the intruder is still on the loose" She said androlled her eyes.

Mark smiled and leaned into her and gentlybushed her cheek "I wouldn't want it any other way." He smiledand kissed her forehead.

Mia woke up to the sun shining onher face. She smiled to her self and stretched out in her bed. Sheslowly got up and laid her feet on the floor as she gently moved hertoes in and out of the sunlight. She smiled as she thought aboutgoing away with Mark far away from this place and Hollywood's grasps.Mia got into the shower and then got herself ready to go see Dean.She wore a tank top that crossed in front of her breast along with apair of skinny jeans and black heels. She quietly made her way downthe steps as she tried not to wake up Mark. She started a pot ofcoffee and figured that Mark would want some when he wakes up. Shegrabbed her self a piece of paper from the notebook and wrote amessage to Mark, and headed out the door with a travel mug in hand.

Dean jumped as there was a knock on the door "Come in" Heyelled at the door irritated.

"Hi, Dean," Mia said as heopened the door.

"Damia!" Dean said and walked around hisdesk and hugged her tightly against him. He held her hand and thenpointed to the chairs in front of his desk. "How arethings?"

"Good," She paused "You know 'Hand Raised' isfinished so interviews and promotion are going to be happeningsoon."

"Yes, I heard the director is very happy with yourperformance. I have several other scripts here that I want you tootake a look over and let me know if you want to go for any of theroles." He stopped and laid a pile of scripts on the corner of hisdesk for her. "Also you had 3 more break-ins at your house. I spoketo Roger about Mark." He paused and took a deep breath "Mia, areyou and Mark in a relationship?"

"Not at this time" Shepaused "I wanted to talk to you about that. Mark invited me to goto Wrestlemania. He thinks that you should be informed about thissince there will be the public there."

"I see" He paused"Well Roger sent me a copy of the contract that your signed to haveMark on your security services. It seems you crossed off a bit ofit."

"Yes, I am not agreeing to all his 'childish' rules'"She paused "I believe both Mark and I are adults and there shouldbe no reason why we can not make the decision of our own if we wantto be a relationship or not."

"Yes, but do you understandthat you are famous and he is famous in his own circles"

"Iam sorry. What does that have to do with the relationship?" Shesquinted her eyes and looked at Dean.

"Its a lot of publicrelations that need to be done." He paused "Look, I get it youryoung your scared and someone like Mark makes you feel safe andwanted, but this is just a phase things will be over soon."

"Whatdoes that mean?"

"It means I don't want you to just jumpinto this relationship before you understand the whole situation."

"Well, at least that is a better response then Roger had."Mia smiled at Dean and looked down at her hands that were crossed onher lap. 'Why are people so worried about Mark and me?' Mia thoughtto her self and pushed her lips together.

"So, when youreturn from Wrestlemania. You will move back into your house. I willmake sure all your things are taken care of, and Mia" He paused "Iwill be having a security system put in and send you both your codesso hopefully the intruder will be put to rest before you gethome."

"Thank you" Mia smiled

"I sent you theschedule for the interviews and promotion for 'Raised Hand.' I wantyou to take Mark with you." He paused "You should not be out ofhis sight when doing these events. We are not sure what the intruderwants"

"Thank you"

"And Mia... If things getstrange and you want a break from Mark for any reason. You call meand I will deal with it." Mia smiled and looked at Dean her eyesbright "Now go enjoy your mini-vacation. I will get the scriptsover to your house."

Mia could have jumped for joy when sheleft Dean office that morning. She was excited she got a minivacation with a man that she so wanted to see if a future could be inthe cards. She pulled up to the house the radio blaring music as sheturned off the car. Mark opened the front door and stood there withhis arms crossed. Mia jumped out of the car.

"I can go!"She jumped up and down towards Mark.

"Well, that is greatnews, but you could have woke me before you leave." He paused andshe stops and stood in front of him as she crossed the door frame. "Iam not a 'Dear Mark' type of guy." His southern draw showingitself. Mia pushed her lips together as she walked into the housetrying not to smile as Mark following her.

"It was early.Dean wanted to make this meeting early and get it done and over with.So, He told me after this mini vacation we will return back to myhouse. Dean is having a security system installed." She walked overto the refrigerator and grabbed her self bottle water. "So, howmany days do I need to pack, and what shall I pack?" Mark sat atthe kitchen counter and just started to laugh at himself. Mia tiltedher head and had no idea what was going on "What is sofunny?"

"You have no idea what you are in for," Marksaid with a smile which made Mia smile her eyes shiningbrightly.

Mia and Mark got out of the car at the airport. Markwore a t-shirt and jeans a bandanna wrapped around his headsunglasses hiding his eyes as he walked to the back of the car andpulled out the bags from the trunk of the car. Mia walked over toMark in her black off the shoulder top and jeans with a pair ofheels. She pulled on her backpack and smiled at him as she leaned upagainst the car close to him.

"Thank you," She said as hepulled her two bags out of the trunk and put them on the ground forher to take them. Mark then pulled his bags out of the trunk andstacked them. He closed the trunk and then make sure to lock the carup.

"You ready?" He asked and looked at the airport as helooked around at the early morning crowd started to rush in.

"Iguess as much as I am going to be" She looked up at him and smiled.Mark smiled back at her. He was glad that she was coming with him andcould not wait to show her a fun relaxing time. The two walked intothe airport and started the check-in process for their bags and carryon bags. The two of them sat down in the waiting section and Miapulled out her phone and started to text Anna.

"Let's takea selfie" She giggled "After all we need to document all of this"

"Sure," Mark said and he leaned into her and smiled intothe camera. Mia took the picture "One more" She said and Marktook the opportunity and kissed her cheek right when the cameraflashed. Mia blushed and smiled at Mark as she looked at thepicture. She giggled a big and he chuckled with her as their flightwas now being called to board.

Mark and Mia sat in their seatsas the two of them talk softly to one another. Mark looked overacross the aisle and see two women excited as their eye made contactwith his. Mark nodded and waved and Mia noticed.

"Do youknow them?"

"Nope, but I am pretty sure one of them is afan and will in time come over." He said to her and Mia nodded herhead. Mark was used to this, but Mia was not Hollywood there were noboundaries and you either accepted the fame or hide from it.

"Mr.Taker can I please get a picture with you?'" She asked

"Sure,"He said and up out of his seat and took a picture with the fan. Shethanked Mark several more times and walked back to her seat. Mark satdown in his seat next to Mia and placed his hand on her knee. Mia andMark continued to talk while the flight was taking place. Mia noticedthe women still taking pictures of Mark and her.

"So, thosewomen are still taking pictures." Mia paused and looked up at Markto just smiled.

"Yes, that will happen and most likely thosephotos will be on the net in a matter of minutes." He paused "Thisis why I told you to talk to Dean about us since once a few photoscome up with you and me in a picture together. There will be a mediafrenzy."

"Oh goody," Mia said and took a deep breath."It is a bit different to not be recognized"

"Yeah, I amsure people will know who you are, but in the wrestling world. Theywill know me first. It might be a good thing." He smiled and rubbedher cheek softly "It will give you time to relax." Mia leaned herhead into his hand and closed her eyes. She wanted to be wrappedaround this feeling that she gave him.

"Ma'am," the oneflight attendant said to get her attention "Fasten your safety beltwe are going to be landing soon"

"Oh yes," Mia said andput her belt on and reached over and placed her hand on top of Mark'shand laying on the armrest. Mia smiled and pushed her lips togetheras she looked up at Mark.

Mark and Mia waited at the bagcarousel for their bags to come off the plane. Mia's bags made it outfirst and she grabbed both of them and put them down next to herfeet. "Are you hungry?" Mark asked Mia as he continued to watchfor his bags.

"Yeah, I could eat something."

"Iwill make a few quick calls and we will find some good food. Tonightis nothing besides everyone coming into town and getting stands allset up."

"Sounds like a plan" Mia smiled and Markwrapped an arm around her and kissed her forehead. He then quicklymoved his arm away from her and grabbed his bags. The two of themwalked over to the area to get a rental. Mia sat down with the bagsand Mark went up tot he counters to get the car. Mia took out herphone and began to text Anna again about what Mark and she weredoing. Mia looked up at Mark as she put her phone back into herpocket. Mia watched Mark at the counter as he waited for theinformation for the car. Mark took his phone out of his pocket andtexted a group of people that he landed and was hungry. The groupresponded in a matter of seconds and plans were in motion.

"Ready?"Mark said and Mia smiled and stood up and the two of them grabbed thebags and headed out to the car.

The two of them walked intothe hotel room and Mia smiled as she looked at the middle of the roomthere was a spot in which you could sit and enjoy the naturalsunlight. Mark walked up to the desk and got them registered in. Markwalked over to Mia and grabbed handed her a key. "I hope you don'tmind, but I figured it would be better if we share a room. I got asuite so there should be more than enough room."

"Oh,okay," Mia said and took the card from his hand. 'I wonder if hethinks that we are going to get it on here' She thought to herself.

"I am sure there are enough rooms open if you want meto get you one"

"No no, Your right you can protect mebetter if we share the room," Mia said and smiled as Mark thengrabbed his bags and the two of them started to walk towards theroom.

"OH MY GOD... I SWEAR MY EYES ARE PLAYING TRICKS ONME!" A deep voice yelled down the hall and Mark and Mia turnedaround. Mark began to walk back towards the board muscular man withlong dark curly hair. "It's about time you show up." He reachedout to Mark and hugged him.

"Nice to see you, Glenn. Itfeels good to be back for the week. Come let me introduce you tosomeone." Mark said and the two guys walked over to Mia. "Glennthis is Mia Reyes... you might recognize her."

"Oh my yes.Hello there Miss Mia" Glenn said and stuck out his hand and sheshook it

"Nice to meet you"

"Pleasure is allmine. I hope this hunk is treating you right."

"Oh yes, heis a gentleman," She said with a smile and her eyes sparkled as shelooked over at Mark.

"Well, How about I let you guys getyour things put away and meet in at the bar and I will treat you tosome good old cooking. I am sure your hungry."

"Yes very,"Mia said and giggled a bit and Mark placed his hand on hershoulder.

"Thanks, we will see you shortly," Mark said andthe two of them continued on their way down the hallway to the hotelroom. She opened the door and seen that there were two beds, akitchen area, a bathroom, and a small living area. Mia placed herbags down and walked over to the window. She stood at the window fora bit of time and stared out to see the sights. They could see thepool below them and the bay very close to them. There were peopledown at the pool and they play and floated around the pool. "Mia,come get your things out."

"Oh yes," She said and walkedover to her bags and started to unpack. She looked at her self in themirror as she placed the last of her clothes in the drawer. Shelooked at her hair that was a little messy as she took a few of thecurls and re-curled them in her fingers. "Should I change my outfitbefore dinner?"

"I wouldn't you look fine," Mark said ashis eyes glazed over her once more. Mia smiled and reached for herphone as she heard it vibrate against something in the backpack. Miatexted back with Anna and lock the phone and put it in her pocket.Mia sat on the bed and waited for Mark to finish up.

Sheleaned back on her elbows and kicked her legs "So are you goodfriends with Glenn?"

"Yeah, I would say that. He and I useto be road partners since the early 90s." Mark answered thequestion "Don't worry I am sure a lot of the people here will enjoyyour company and also understand your situation."

Miaflopped back on the bed "How would you describe my situation?"she asked and giggled as she looked at him. Mark walked over her andreached down and grabbed her hand pulled her up to her feet and upagainst him.

"Complicated," He said with a chuckle and Miacould hear it rubble in his chest "Come on let us get some food."He kissed her forehead and took her hand as he grabbed her backpackand the two headed out the hotel room.

Mark and Mia walkedinto the bar and then the excitement started "Oh my gosh look whojust walked in!" Trish screamed over the music and jumped off herbar stool and jumped right into Mark's arm into a big hug. "I am soglad you decided to make it."

"You can thank this prettylady here" Mark pointed to Mia "Mia this is Trish"

"Oh,my Mia Reyes" She shook her hand "I am so pleased to meet you."Trish wrapped her arms around "Let me introduce you to everyonehere." Trish walked Mia away from Mark who took a seat next toGlenn. "This is Stacy, John, and Glenn. Guys this is Mark'sgirl."

"Nice to meet you," Stacy said. John bowed hishead and Glenn smiled and turned to Mark.

"Seems like she isfitting in," Glenn said as he leaned into Mark who watches thebartender placing his beer down.

"Yes," He took a smallsip the taste enjoying it for a moment "She is very well rehearsedin public appearances."

"Yeah all those Hollywood typesare" Glen snorted to him.

"Your being closed minded" hepaused "I am really into her." He leaned over the bar a bit andlooked at Mia who already was chatting it up with the otherfemales.

"Ma' ma" Mark got the attention of the bartender"Can you please get the lady down there a Chardonnay."

"YesSir," She said and went to make the drink and handed to Mia. Who atfirst completely declined it and then she pointed over to Mark and hetilted his glass and took a drink and Mia smiled and said thank youfor tilting her glass and taking a drink too.

"So, pleasetell us about how you and Mark meet, Mia?" Stacy asked

"Well,Mark and I meet through my manager, Dean," She said, "Dean hastons of connection and needed someone to watch me while I wasfilming."

"Maybe Mark changed a bit since he has been outof the ring, but he is a wild child," Trish said to the girls.

"Ohreally?" Mia said and took a sip of her wine "He does not seemlike a wild child to me." Trish and Stacy started to tell Miastories about Mark in his hay day.

"So, let's hear it,"John said to Mark "Did you tap that?"

"You got to bekidding me," Glenn said to John that he would even ask that.

"No,I didn't" Mark took a sip of his beer "I am not saying that Idon't want too. I am saying I didn't yet." He paused "I have totell you both since I left the ring. I am noticing how much extratime I have on my hands, and tons of time to reflect on what I havedone. I called Roger and he got me in touch with Mia and we just hitit off."

"Shoot... You have more control then I do" Johnsaid as he leaned back in his chair. Now he was not so interested inMark's new friend.

"Mia, Are you good with some good homeyfood for dinner?" Glen asked her

"Yes please," She saidand smiled at him and the group finished their drinks and started tohead out. Mark held Mia's hand as they walked near the back of thegroup. They got into two cars Glen in the front John in the passengerseat and Mark and Mia in the back. While Stacy and Trish drove in theother car. Mark held on to Mia's hand while they were in the backseatand sweetly rubbed her hand. They pulled up to the restaurant parkingin the back so there was enough room for both cars.

Everyonegot out of the car and made their way into the restaurant. Mia leanedup against Mark their hands intertwine with each other as they waitedto be seated. Mia got Mark's attention as and he leaned down and shewhispered to him "I think I have been spotted there is a group nearthe bar chatting and pointing this direction."

"You neverknow they could be my fans," He said and smiled at her trying tokeep her mind off of it. He wrapped his arm around her pulling hercloser hoping that holding her will allow her to try to relax. Miatook a deep breath of Mark's scent and laid her head on his chest.The group began to get lead to a table near the back of the place.Mark kept hold of Mia's hand as they made their way. Mark put Mia onthe inside of the table and he sat on the outside. Then Stacy andTrish both did the same sitting closer to the middle of the table theguys filling around the outside. The group started to look at themenu and chat among themselves while they waited for the waitress tocome back for the orders. The waitress returned and took all theorders as she gave each one of them their drinks.

Mia sippedon her beer as the group continued to talk as her attention was takenback to the group near the bar. She kicked Mark as she watched onemale and one female walk towards the groups' direction. Mia sat backagainst the chair as she thought that these people must have somekind of guts as she sat between some very big men and strongwomen.

"Excuse me. Are you Mia Reyes" The female asked heras she looked up at her almost questioning if she should confess tothis. The conversations have stopped and everyone was looking ather.

"Yes," She said and was a bit embarrassed thatsomeone was going to stop her here.

"Would you mind if weget a picture?" She asked

"Um, Sure," Mia said andwalked over to the two and the guy handed Mark his phone

"Wouldyou mind?" He asked

"Not a problem," Mark said and Stacyand Trish started to whisper between the two. Mark took severalpictures of Mia between the fans.

"How about you take apicture of us?" Trish finally said to the male.

"Sure!"He was excited and Mark handed his phone to the guy as he pushed hisway out of the table and patted his leg to have Mia sit on his lap.Stacy, John, Glenn, and Trish along with the female fan stood in thepicture and they all posed for both pictures for Mark and picturesfor the fans. "I am sorry, but are all of you famous?" The guyfinally asked and the girls started to laugh.

"Yeah man,"Glenn said as he walked behind him and took a seat "Look up Kane,Undertaker, Bradshaw, Trish, and Stacy" Each person waved as hesaid their name.

"Totally," the man said and took hisfemale's hand "Thank you again," He said and the two walkedaway.

Mia sat back down next to Mark and her cheeks were red."I am sorry, guys," She said "It happens a lot of time"

"Thereis no reason to be sorry, hunnie. We all live that life" Trish saidgrabbed her arm and shook it and Mia smiled a little and Mark rubbedher back a bit. The girls went right in to talk with the group againlike nothing happened.

"See, you fit in right here with me"Mark whispered with Mia and she smiled.

"I would like that"She smiled and looked up at him. Mark reached up and brushed histhumb against her cheek and cupped her chin and right there and themtheir two lips touched with a burning fire. Mark hand slide behindher head holding her as they both kiss the world seemed to stoparound them as they meet each other with passion and purpose.

Stacyand Trish noticed the two of them and the two of them started tocheer them on, and Glenn watched them two of them part and Mia blushfive shades of red and Mark rolling his eyes and shaking his head atthe girls as he hugged Mia to his chest.