The Chambers Chronicles I.II

[Lara Chambers]

The Chambers Chronicles
By Lara Chambers

Losing yourself in search forever. That was what LARA CHAMBERS felt most of her life. Not even sure what she was looking for. Honestly life had gotten to a point where the search itself was interesting. Sometimes the things you would find had the power to destroy. But not always.

What can destroy you, can also give you higher power.

The past was the past. There was no way to erase it, even if the papers said different. But on the inside it was living on. Memories. Flashbacks. Déjà vu. If you didn't fight on a daily base, you would become a slave. Funny thought. The human race knew all about slavery. To one thing or the other. Drugs. A rich lifestyle. Sex. It was all there and one way or another flourishing. Youth was no excuse for poor decisions. Lara knew that. Living with a rollercoaster of emotions was a good reminder.

Adapt or perish?!

That's what people said without ever thinking of thethird option. Raising your middle finger higher than ever before. This was no fairytale. There was no happy ending promised. At points it wouldn't be fun. So what made life worth living? A little thrill here and there. A pat on the back every now and then. Not satisfying enough. In general it was never enough. It was the mentality of a fighter to dive into uneasy situations. Looking for the advantage in disadvantage. Growing out of the pain that was only temporary.  Finding their smile when the world was on fire, knowing you added your bit to the pot.

Who Am I? What is my purpose?

I am Lara fucking Chambers. Ready to unleash the beast that resides on the inside.

G R O W I N G  P A I N S
Queens, New York [Bar Ragnarok]
10th of February 2017

Ever met one of those people that screamed trouble without ever saying a word. They made you feel uneasy. Not scared. But giving you an urge to scratch your skin off. Made you feel dirty with their eyes falling onto you. She had been there. She had seen people trying to tear her down with their sheer presence. It hardly worked. These days it was hard to get under this pretty, coloured skin. Her facial expression never giving away what kind of storm was battling on the inside.

Maybe I should play poker with the gang?!

The thought amused her when serving another drink to a regular customer. It was then that the door kicked open. The noise from the street was almost overlapping the music from inside. Her eyes wandered to the 'intruder' and remained there. He didn't fit. And that although he wore a rather expensive suit. His hair ends having a flashy look with some blonde highlights. Pretty sure he was grey underneath. The wrinkles on his face telling a story that wouldn't fit the youngster look.

Look closer

A small shudder ran through her body, her eyes remaining focused. It was hard to say what threw her off, but something about this guy was not right. It made her feel itchy but at the same time peeked her interest. Knowing that Devon was in the background doing the shopping list, there was no way out. He took a seat a few inches away from her, lazily looking through the card. Putting on her professional face before strolling over.

"Good day. Have you found something already, or you need a little more time?"

There was an odd grin on his face when he looked up. Going as far as licking over his lips. Briefly but still viewable. He would put the card aside and started at her.

"You are prettier than they said... ."

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind. I will take a cold beer and some of your company."

She was used to being hit on. That had nothing to do with arrogance, just a fact. Every second waitress was used to it. The charme of the business maybe, or maybe not. Lara didn't think too much of it when filling his order. Returning to put the glass in front of him, his hand reached out. Faster than expected. His hand unnatural soft.

Like the one of a doll.

"I would advice you don't touch me."

Her voice was calm. Speaking every word rather carefully. This was not the time to cause a scene.

"Relax kotik. I seen your claws but there is no need to fight Lara Chambers. I am here to make you an offer you can not refuse. And when I say can't, that is exactly what I mean."

Russian. Maybe not full blooded. His accent was thick but here and there it didn't fit. She ignored the fact he held onto her hand, leave alone the petname. Instead she leaned over the bar, her face getting close enough to whisper.

"You can shove that offer up your arse, darling. I ain't doing this shit anymore. I am sorry you came all the way... from wherever. But you will leave empty handed."

"It was expected you react that way." His tone was somewhat amused. He fumbled with his jacket before laying a folder on the table. "Take a look. A close one. And then we start that talk once again. I don't want to start off on the wrong foot."

He would finally let go off her hand and nudging the papers into her direction. She opened it slowly not sure what to expect. And while the first page had a short rerun of her life, basic facts the second was something else. The headline was there. Bold, red letters.

Deathcore Wrestling owner Dick Fusco and his security Axel Kincaid missing. Mike Bell, Senator of Tennessee retires without public explanation.

A pounding headache was forming in the back of her head. A certain sickness that she had not felt in a very long time. She looked from the folder back to the man. His facial expression now fitting the tone of his voice. Sleazy.

"What do you want?"

"Cutting to the core directly, they will like that... ."

"Who are they?" She interrupted him. Her voice emotionless combined with an ice cold stare.

He took his time to taste the beer. Making it look like he hadn't been having a drink in years. Obviously testing her patience. The one thing that seemed to be wearing thing.

"I am pretty sure you know who sends me. Smart little girl I hear. You will understand that revealing their names isn't necessary. I am here to deliver a message."

"And you are? Or is that a secret too... let me rephrase this. You do not look important enough to hide your name."

"Danilo." He didn't seem offended in the slightest. Thinking about his kind of business, he was probably used to worse.

Lara ran a little scan inside of her head. Wondering if that name did sound familiar, although in all honesty it didn't matter. She poured herself a drink and leaned against the counter. Not for once letting go of the man.

"Well Dani, what do you want then? Knowing that i left that world a long time ago."

"And here I thought you are a clever girl." He sipped from the beer again. "No one ever leaves that life. Unless you leave this life completely. I have shown you the folder kotik. Wouldn't it be a shame if all of those informations came to light. Destroy your little, perfect life." Another pause. "You willing to listen now... or was the message in any way unclear?"

Tactics. She had learned all about them from Shawna back in the days. But the truth was that in this very moment they were useless. They had informations that and she didn't. It was like fighting windmills. Never ending satisfying. She nudged into his direction, signalising him to talk.

"That is a good girl. I have been sent here to recruit you for a new project. Unleashed. MMA fighting company based in Russia. And Miss Chambers you are wanted there. See this as your personal invite." Once again that sleazy grin.

"Invitation, right. You mean your attempt to to blackmail me."

"Is it really an attempt if it is successful? You know time is short and so are lives. Make the right decision here today. You are a fighter after all, dah."

There was no sharp reply to that. She emptied her drink and stared at him for quite some time. Weighing up his words. An inner monologue started that was close to tearing her apart. There was no easy solution. At least not at this very moment. Pushing herself from the counter she stood in front of him again. One of her hands resting on her hip.

"Where do I sign?"

"No beating around the bush. Such a rare quality with females." He put a hundred dollar bill on the wooden bar. "You will find your contract in your apartment. It was a pleasure doing business with you Lara."

I am sure bitchface. He was quick to get up from the stool but not without winking at her. It took every ounce of her self control to not jump on him. Ripping out his lungs just because she could. Not tonight. Instead she gave him her best fake smile. Watching him leave the bar right in the moment when she felt a soft hand approaching her waist. Followed by a small kiss to her head.

"You look like you have seen a ghost sweet tush."

"Nah. There was just a cockroach on the floor. We might have to get that checked." She replied with her thoughts being far away.

That night Lara became Unleashed. Not exactly on the terms she would have wished for, but facts remain the same. She was not ready for another dance with the devil, but she always wore her dancing shoes.

Human beings, we have dark sides; we have dark issues in our lives. To progress anywhere in life, you have to face your demons. ~ John Noble

S H A P E  O F  Y O U
Queens, New York [Bar Ragnarok]
15th of February 2017

It had been a long week. If she was honest, it had been a long year. Yeah. It is was only the middle of February, but that did not change anything. Lots of ups and downs. Seeing people come and go. Losing what she thought was the most important thing in her life. That was till her husband entered her life. DEVON RIVERA.

I never saw him coming.

She loved working in this bar. It was becoming one of her favourite things. Maybe it had to do with him. He made it look so easy. Like it was his one true passion. Apart from her. There was never a night they didn't spend together. And what was the difference to previous relationships? For the first time, Lara Chambers, didn't feel the urge to vanish. There was nothing inside of her that screamed for distance.

Lara Chambers. The girl that stopped running.

It was no special night. A regular Wednesday with the usual customers. Every Jack and Jill that had found a liking in this place. Hardly any time people would step out of line. And if so? Devon just as much as Lara knew how to handle it.

They had just finished filling the dishwasher when she leaned against the counter, doing a playful cough. The one that made sure he gave her the attention she was looking for. With that innocent smile, which hardly anyone had seen, she focused on him.

"Babe?" Her voice was full of sweetness. "I know it has been a long night... but I got a little something we should talk about."

Devon grabbed the bar towel, wiping his hands, that wolfish grin on his face as he looked over at her. "Yeah? Vertical or horizontal conversation?"

"Both, but in the order that you just named. Few days ago I had a visitor. One I didn't expect nor wasn't sure I should welcome." She hopped on the counter letting out a sigh. "You know how I told you about my past. Dishing out everything that has been and could have been. I believe truth matters more than most things in life. I have had an offer to wrestle again... ."

He cocked a hip against the dishwasher, tapping the button to turn it on as though needing the mute their conversation even though the bar was empty. "See, there's something more to it, isn't there?" Devon studied her for a few seconds, "is this one of those talks I'm not gonna like much?"

She couldn't help but laugh. It was almost scary how well he know her by now. Without a direct verbal response she waved him over. Opening her legs slightly so he could slide right between. Lara pulled him close and placed a kiss on his lips. A few moments passed before she broke contact.

"It is exactly that. But I better get it out before I wuss out. It is a place called Unleashed located in Russia. Which probably isn't the bad part." A small pause. "But the truth is... there is MOB business involved. Yeah. The one thing I did step away from."

He laughed. What else could he do, really? "What like they're fixin' the fights or something? Is this place a front?" He'd watched every episode of The Sopranos. Seen The Godfather movies. He knew enough about the whole organized crime thing in theory.

"I don't have very many details. The person that approached obviously was sent by higher people. You remember how I used to work for the Italians for a few years." She did not lower her voice in the slightest. "I would assume that is how they noticed me in the first place. But the details are still very unclear... for now. Thing is, it does interest me."

She was putting up a strong front. Not mentioning that the offer wasn't that much of an offer. It was an ultimatum just as much as a threat. One of those 'You better or..." situations. The strange thing though, she wasn't scared.

Had you seen what I have seen... fear holds very small value.

Devon nodded. "Russia? Or getting back into the ring?" He was teasing, trying to make light of the heavy subject as his hands slid up her thighs. "Because if I'm being honest here, babe? I definitely wanna see you in some skimpy number, rolling around and kicking ass." A chuckle and a wink. "Foreplay."

She laughed. It was that typical soprano like laughter that he seemed to enjoy. Her big, blue eyes falling onto his when she moved closer. Their bodies rubbing against each other. "That is one way to see it. Foreplay. I like your way of thinking. To tell you my side of the story, I don't know. I am curious about Russia itself, although they might send me to jail for my outfits alone. But the other thing, maybe the bigger part, I am feeling the itch. I love to fight."

"So, do it. Luke's back. We've got Sofia working the same nights he does. We've got the coverage if we need to pick up and go." His eyes were on her lips, telegraphing that kiss before he moved in, his lips as hot as his hands as they roamed over her body. "Do it," he whispered, breaking the kiss. "I'll follow you wherever you wanna go."

For a moment it was impossible to concentrate. Feeling his hands running over her body with just enough pressure. Never too hard. Never too soft. It was their thing. Lara just like Devon were rather passionate creatures. They loved to express their feelings for each other.

No matter when, where or around who.

"Everywhere? Even if I said let's move to Kansas?" It was an insider joke, causing him to chuckle again. "But seriously, I wouldn't leave without you. I am not ready to be apart. Not even for a few days. So Mister Rivera, would you honor me with your presence. Watch me destroy fake bitches and carve smiles into old men's faces?"

"Oh yeah." He grinned, those green eyes of his lighting up with gleeful lust, "wouldn't miss that for the world."

"This might explains why I have been training like a squirrel on ecstasy." She giggled, her British accent pushing through. "You know for a moment I expected you to talk me out of it. Like being all worried and not ready for that chapter."

"Would trying to talk you out of it work?" Devon shook his head. He knew her better than that. Talking to him about this was more her just setting the pieces right in her mind. The decision had all but been made already and he didn't mind. Her independence and her stubbornness were part of her charm - his favorite part, to be fair. "I'll be there. I know how to handle guns," he said it like a joke but there was a kernel of truth there, "you wanna hire me to guard this body, Missus Chambers-Rivera?"

"Actually I had it changed the other week. It is only Misses Rivera. But this is a business thing." She looked into his eyes wondering if it made him proud. She slowly licked over her lips. "Shannon is gonna tag along too. But I would love to get you involved. Because honestly, who would want to protect this body more than you?"

"If there's anybody out there who does," he paused, licking his own lips, "I'll fuckin' fight them to the death."

Lara pulled him closed once again, this time way more forceful. Her hands running under his shirt, sharp nails almost tearing his flesh apart. His breathing increasing along with their bodies heating up. They would spend many more moments in this bar before calling it a night. Doing what lovers do.

Probably preparing for cold russian nights.

F I X  Y O U R S E L F  B I T C H
Queens, New York [The apartment of Devon & Lara Rivera]
16th of February 2017

He was asleep. And although it was dark she could picture that goofy smile. Maybe prettier than most things in this world. Satisfying. A heavy stone had been taken off of her chest after tonight. Hiding shit from him was not her style.

Lara Chambers was a bitch.

BUT she never had been a liar. It was hard to say if she really had been surprised by his reaction. Different than most guys Devon didn't try to own a female. No mistake about it, he was possessive like a madman. Ready to slit someone's throat that approached her in the wrong way. But not jealous. There was a huge amount of trust between them. Like this blind faith you would put in the person that was meant for you. The one that made you feel that you literally could do anything in this world.

If you wanna be a unicorn, I will get you a horn.

She giggled. Covering her mouth immediately when he moved, rolling over to the other side. The blanket fell loosely over her curvy body when she got up. Making her way to the kitchen to get a drink, she noticed the vibrating noise.

Out of the gutter.

Her phone had been resting on the kitchen counter. She wasn't even certain how it got there in the first place. Shrugging her shoulders before walking towards it. It was fucking 3AM in the morning.

"You gotta be kidding me." She mumbled when seeing the Callers ID. The day of surprises so it seemed. Lara moved one of the chairs and let herself almost fall on it. Clearing her throat before answering.

"Hello Shawna... ."

Silence.

"Hello?!"

"I am here. Connection was a little shady." That dark laughter. It made her shiver. "I assume they found you."

Of course. It hit her right in the face. Lara almost was ashamed that she hadn't thought of it when Danilo appeared at her door. She had been living underneath the radar for so long. Once again SHAWNA MARTINEZ was a factor in her life. They hadn't split on bad terms, yet you couldn't really ever run from the MOB. There was always a connection. Always some kind of dirt sticking to you. It was a little something that Shannon once told her. And you listen when a schizophrenic tells you to pay attention.

The MOB does not forget. Good or Bad.

"You still there?" Shawna didn't sound impatient. Maybe motherhood had done her good after all.

"I am here. Just a little fuzzy in the head... considering the time."

"I had planned to call earlier. But the news just got to me."

Lara laughed. It was dry laughter. The word just was a joke. It had been less than a week since she gave in. Less than seven days that she agreed to step back in a ring. Cage. Hell. Whatever you wanted to call it.

"Yeah. You had a total delay there Shawna."

"Word still travels fast." Her voice still carried that Italian accent. Thick and somewhat alluring. "You really thought we have stopped watching you? Not for one day. I kept your secrets as you kept mine."

"So you haven't told... ."

"Of course not. The only way I can explain this... you became soft. And didn't clean your mess. If I would have wanted to share that information, I could have done it a year ago." Lara looked over her shoulder to see Devon moving, but still asleep. "Just like you could have reached out and get that mess fixed. When did Lara Chambers turn into an idiot."

OUCH.

There was no real answer to that. She could have gotten in contact after Deathcore, yes. Could have them take care of it. But she didn't. Maybe it was false pride. Or the fact that she didn't wanna owe anything to anyone again. Either way the dilemma was the same. And it was massive.

"It was all under control... or so I thought. There were no bodies. No evidence."

"That is all correct. You just forget one small detail. There was another person in the room. One you did not finish that night. Instead you let him get away. Was it your ego? Was it the bloodrush that had gotten to your pretty head?" Her voice was cold. Like this was a regular business meeting. "But the past is the past. They could have asked for worse Lara Chambers. And chances are there... that they will. But for now, try to fulfill your duties."

"You sound like my mother. No wait, you really don't."

She almost could picture the half amused face of Shawna in that very moment. In the background she heard the voice of a kid. Her son.] She was almost thankful for that interruption.

"What's done is done. Try to not get killed, yeah? I will have an eye on you."

"Like always."

Both females hung up. She did not expect to hear from her in the near future. But knowing she was there held a strange comfort. In the past she had no problem being fearless. Being reckless even. Everything changed with... him. Her tired eyes falling back on the sleeping creature in their simple bed. Trying to erase every bit of worry that clouded her mind she turned off the lights. Sliding back under the covers. Cuddling close.

"You okay baby?"

"Just had a bad dream. But now I am awake."

And she was. This was no movie. This was no fancy book. No one would write a song about her life. But, this was no scripted drama either. The audience was holding their breath. Waiting for the next chapter of the Chambers Chronicles.

Lady of Chambers