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The two superkicks connected at precisely the same time, sending Sami sprawling onto the ring floor once again. The Uso twins’ kicks had been brutal tonight, and it didn’t seem like relief was coming anytime soon.
Kevin had just been knocked back out of the ring. Sami knew he was laid out somewhere nearby; he knew he wouldn’t get up.
His heart was pounding, blood rushing through his ears. Jey’s hand grabbed his jaw, then his shoulders, yanking him up to his knees. Sami could barely keep himself upright, but he managed as first Jimmy and then Jey hit him with yet another round of superkicks. They gave him another double dose, and he collapsed again.
Sami’s brain was buzzing and he could hardly see straight. Jimmy was sliding out of the ring, going to look for Kevin.
Another superkick to the jaw sent Sami reeling as everything went black.
They’d handcuffed Kevin to the ring ropes. Wasn’t this overkill?
The Royal Rumble had been a downright exhausting night for everyone involved, including Sami. They’d all sat and watched the men’s Rumble from the locker room. There was a certain tension in the air when Cody won. It hit Sami so hard he’d gotten up to leave, but the large, strong hand of the Tribal Chief had gripped his shoulder and forced him back down. Firmly.
Of course he couldn’t leave. His final test was tonight.
His final test was staring him in the face as the Bloodline took turns decimating Owens with a series of superkicks and stomps and blows.
Hadn’t he already passed his final test? Hadn’t that been what Survivor Series was all about? He’d stopped the ref’s count. Low-blowed Kevin to save Jimmy. Even Helluva-kicked him at Roman’s express orders.
Wasn’t that enough?
Now there was a steel chair. Roman was gripping it firmly, looking over Owens with a sort of sadistic satisfaction. He raised it, and Sami felt something tighten in his chest.
No.
Suddenly Sami was in front of Kevin, shielding him from the inevitable chair shot. The crowd was going crazy, but he barely registered them. His attention was on the Tribal Chief, and the look that he gave Sami as he slowly lowered the chair.
He stumbled back, pleading with him. Hadn’t it been enough? He’d beaten Owens, and then he’d beaten Owens, and clearly they would never have any issues with him again.
Roman’s tone was harsh, but his words were harsher.
“This is my family on the line, you understand that?” he snapped, getting into Sami’s face. “This is my whole damn life!” He shoved Sami’s face, barking at him. He slapped him. His eyes were darker than an oncoming storm. He’d never spoken to Sami like this.
That wasn't true.
Sami could feel the tears welling in his eyes. Heyman was mocking him from ringside. Roman grabbed Sami’s beard, yanking him closer as he continued to yell at him, to break him down.
And then the chair was forced into his hands.
That stupid chair. Those decisions, everything that had led to this, rushed through Sami’s mind. He was slumped in the corner of the ring, half supported by the turnbuckle and half supported by Jey.
The younger Uso twin was slapping him, grabbing his beard and pinning him in the corner as he yelled. He was trying to make Sami feel small. He was shouting about his family.
Sami heard everything that was said. He felt the sting of the slaps, the concerned crowd noise rising over it all. But he did nothing.
He took the words, and he took the slaps, and he let himself absorb it all without worry. His eyes were dull and unfocused, swimming with sweat and perhaps some tears as his vision of Jey blurred.
It hurt. It all hurt. But Sami had long since grown numb to the pain.