Chapter 34

Nova was standing in the hallway warming up her voice to go on stage when Liam stepped up adjusting his tie.

"I guess you were right. This may actually work out." He looked around the backstage area with a smug look of satisfaction. "Our friends are all here. They are set up in the skybox ready to watch your big performance. I expect you to be there to greet them by the end of the show."

"Uh-huh. I'll be ready. I have work to do after I sing. I'll be there like we agreed when I'm finished." Nova turned her head with a roll of her eyes as she fluffed her hair.

"Nova, I was thinking. You and I could get back on track after this is all over. You can come back to my place in LA and we can start over."

Nova tried to stay calm. "What exactly do you mean?"

"I think you know. We can discuss it later. You just get out there and make us that money." Liam slapped her on the butt as he walked away.

Standing in the corner, so not to be seen, Becket was ready to pummel the man for touching Nova.

Ace walked up to him and grabbed Becket's arm before he started toward Liam. "Not the time, bro. Wait until the main event."

"Fine. When this is done, I'm getting Nova out of here to someplace safe."

Ace agreed. "Claire has the car waiting. Don't worry. It's going to work."

Becket looked over at his friend with an angry scowl. "It's better. The fact I have to just sit back and watch it play out is killing me."

"You can't always be the hero, Beck. Some times it's better to let someone stand on their own two feet. Nova needs to feel like she has taken back control of her life. She doesn't need a hero. She needs something how loves her and she knows that's you."

"I really hate when you think you're right."

Ace chuckled. "Well, start taking it as a given that I am. We could save a lot of time. Get out there on the stage with your girl. She's waiting for you."

Becket went to find Nova, and after going over what they were going to do on stage. They were ready to perform and time was now to show the real Nova Quinn.

He went to the stage and sat on a stool with just him and his guitar. He looked around the arena, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. Wrestling was one thing, but singing was a whole different world. He had never been so nervous.

Becket started to strum his guitar and closed his eyes to focus on the music. As much as he loved wrestling, playing his guitar was the only thing that made him feel at ease.

Singing the song came easy, and once he saw Nova walking out from the curtain to meet him, he smiled when their eyes met. She was beautiful as she walked onto the stage singing the ballad that meant so much to them both. It was their own love story in words mixed in the perfect melody.

As Nova started to sing, the arena went dark, only the lights focused on them shone over the space. The audience lit up the room like fireflies with their cell phone lights, swaying to the music. As the song came to an end, Nova went to Becket, smiling up at him with loving pride.

Becket looked around the arena watching as the audience went silent. He took the engagement ring Nova had given back to him earlier that evening, kneeling before her. With a slight hesitation, he looked up at her for approval. Making this gesture in front of fans meant the whole world would know they were engaged. It also meant Liam would now know too. He asked her once more to marry him and felt a sense of accomplishment knowing the whole world would see she was his.

As Nova said yes in front of the cameras, the crowd went wild. The men in the skybox looked between each other not understanding what was happening. Liam told them she was back to the old Nova and they expected to be with her later that night. This would complicate things.

***

After the grand display ended, the couple headed backstage. This was just the start of the plan, and hoped it worked out to their advantage. If Nova knew anything about Liam, he never took losing to anyone lightly. He would find this as a loss. All she had to do was avoid him at all costs until the main event.

The rest of the night for the wrestling brand would consist of top contestants of the games to compete on live TV. The final winners of the wrestling events of the games would feature the main event.

The two top fighters were now being let on in the plan to take down Liam. Holt was in his makeshift office explaining the match would be interrupted. To no one's surprise, the two competitors agreed that they would finish their match on the next Powerbomb show. Kevin and his competitor, Blake Archer, agreed the most important thing was to help Nova. Winning the Olympics could wait.

"Okay, babe. Claire is waiting in the car. Head out of the arena and don't come back until you hear the word from Ace. Head to the VIP skybox when you get back. It's been set up with hidden cameras and sound."

"Got it. Do you have the video?"

"Yep. It's all ready to go. Once Kevin's match starts, we will break into the match."

"Beck, I'm scared." Nova's big eyes looked at him for help.

"Baby, I'll be right there. The security and police are already in place. Those men are not going to leave this arena before everyone in the world knows what those monsters have done. With the help of the other women who came forward, they'll be put away for a long time."

"You promise you'll be right outside the room?"

"I promise. I have to get to the weightlifting finals. Go with your security and get to the car. I love you. It's all going to be okay." Becket leaned in to kiss her goodbye.

"I love you too, Becket."