UPATED 9/6/18

A merger between Corinthos/Morgan and Willamson Inc. brings together an unlikely couple. Will they be able to do what it takes to make the businesses thrive, or will everything backfire? This is an Evangeline (OLTL) & Jason fic.

A/N - For now, I'm only posting this once or twice a week. Sorry. I know people have asked me for another one. I actually had one partially written and then this one came to mind and I went with it. Hopefully, you like it.

Chapter 1

Evangeline Williamson entered her father's office and left some papers on his already cluttered desk. It had been a long day and the last thing she wanted was to have dinner with him and another mobster. What she really wants is to soak in a tub and sip some wine, forgetting about all the work she still needs to do for a deadline ominously looming.

John poked his head in and she smiled. He is so sexy and she already wants him even though he hadn't uttered a single word.

"Hey gorgeous," he said.

"Hey yourself."

"Are we on tomorrow night?"

"Definitely."

Her father strode towards her. "Dinner is at 8:00, Evangeline, don't be late."

"I won't."

"And wear something pretty."

She rolled her eyes and left as John tried to sneak a look at her.

"I'm in the room," Clarence said.

"Sorry, boss."

The mobster is very much aware of their affair, but there will be no rings exchanged or promises spoken, because marriage with John is off the table. He has someone entirely different in mind.

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Sonny and Jason are in a stare down. "Why can't you just get a haircut?"

"Because it's my hair. If I want it long, it will be long."

"Fine. Wear a suit at least. We need to make a good impression and seal this deal."

Jason understands that they need a truce in order to secure their stronghold in the area, he just isn't sure what they will be agreeing too. Sonny had made him a partner in name only the prior year and while he benefited greatly monetarily, his former boss still is having problems wrapping his head around what the word equal means. The move had made them stronger and now, the fruits of their labor are about to pay off. With the Williamson shipping fleet and the Corinthos/Morgan docks, they stood to make a boatload of cash.

"What time again?"

"8:00."

Jason left in a huff and Sonny went online and started to make some plans to buy an island.

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When the Williamson family entered the room, you could have almost heard a pin drop. Evangeline looked gorgeous in a gold dress that hugged her figure and exposed her sexy back. Even Jason put his beer down and took her in.

"Her picture doesn't do her justice," Johnny said.

"You got that right," Jason added. He watched John pull out her chair before the couple exchanged a sexy look and he smirked. "He's so far gone over her, it's not even funny."

"I would be too."

Hannah sauntered up to Jason and slipped her arm around his waist. "Hey."

Jason turned to face her. "You look pretty."

"Thank you."

Hannah is a beautiful woman and Jason is enjoying her as of late. They are exclusive and she fits into his lifestyle. She gets along with Sonny's wife, Skye, which is also a bonus. "You ready?"

"Catch you later," he said to Johnny as he steered her away.

Evangeline's eyes shifted to Jason. He is a very handsome man but seems very serious too and she wonders if it is all a facade or is he as steely as his reputation suggests.

"Jason, this is Evangeline and Lisa. You've met Clarence."

"It's nice to meet you. This is Hannah."

They shook hands before getting situated.

Drinks were passed around and people started making small talk. Their room is separate from the main dining area for privacy.

"I'm John McBain."

Jason shook his hand. "Jason."

"You're a legend."

"I've heard some good things about you too."

John took a swig of his beer. "Tonight is a big night."

"Yeah. I'm looking forward to hearing all the details. Clarence and Sonny insisted on meeting in private."

"That makes me a little nervous."

"Hopefully, we'll all benefit from the changes."

John couldn't get a read on Jason which didn't surprise him considering his lethal reputation.

Sonny stood and gazed around the room, silently demanding everyone's attention. "Thank you for coming. Tonight, we're celebrating the joining of two organizations. I know you've all been curious as to what that means."

Clarence got up and cleared his throat. "I'll take it from here. I'm happy to announce that after much consideration, the Corinthos/Morgan and Williamson empires will be bound together by marriage."

Evangeline's jaw dropped open and Jason almost spits out his beer.

"You're marrying Layla to someone?"

"No, Evangeline. You are going to marry Jason."

The future couple's eyes locked as they processed what had just been said.

"Are you crazy?" she asked before standing and throwing down her napkin. "I am not some merchandise that you just hand off to the highest bidder." She turned to her mother. "Did you know about this?"

"Evangeline, don't be so dramatic. You have always been willing to do what is best for the family. This will be no different and once an heir is produced—"

Her speech is interrupted by Jason's glass breaking in his hand. Everyone stared at him as Hannah stood and tried to stop the flow of liquid with her napkin.

He stood and stalked out of the room and Evangeline did the same, both ending up on the balcony.

"I can't believe this is happening."

His eyes are closed as tries to calm himself.

"I mean, I love John. I can't marry you. This is insanity."

Jason slowly inhaled. "I know, but I'm not sure we have a choice."

"There is always a choice. We can say no if we just stand together as a united front."

He perused her for a moment. Her skin is perfectly smooth and she has the most beautiful almond shaped eyes. He could do worse. "I don't think they care about what we want."

Hannah moved towards them. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm sorry you got blindsided like that."

Evangeline watched them curiously. Jason had let down his guard a little and she realizes he probably isn't just a hunk of muscle.

"What are you going to do?" Hannah really didn't want to know the answer because she isn't ready to give him up.

Skye approached them. "Will you please come back into the room so we can finish the meeting? Please."

Jason sighed. "Fine."

Evangeline followed them and took her place next to John who is still in shock. Once everyone was settled, her father spoke again.

"Evangeline, you know what this means to our family." And she did. They are setting precedence. No other black crime family had achieved what her father is about to and he couldn't take the next step without marrying off one of his daughters. These types of opportunities weren't just handed out and it is typical to bind organizations by marriage.

Layla breezed into the room, late as usual and saw all the long faces. "What did I miss?" This is supposed to be a joyous occasion.

"Your sister is promised to Jason. They will marry soon and merge our families," Lisa said.

Layla plopped onto a chair as she gazed at her sister who looks like she is about to cry. "Holy—"

"Layla," her father said forcibly squelching the next word off her tongue.

She knew that she had dodged a bullet and now her sister will be forced to marry when she is in love with someone else. Layla is not in a committed relationship, so she is surprised that she wasn't chosen. Champagne is placed in front of everyone.

"A toast to Jason and Evangeline, may they live hard, love hard, and prosper."

Everyone waited anxiously as they watched the last four people, not holding up their glasses. Sonny's eyes locked with Jason's. This was it. If Jason didn't agree to this, they are screwed. They need that shipping fleet to edge out their competition. His enforcer's face is stone, but soon his jaw ticked and he slowly reached out and touched his glass and then lifted it. Tears sprang into Evangeline's eyes. If she doesn't do this, she will be letting down her family and she isn't sure that their relationship will recover. John held her hand under the table and squeezed. It is killing him, but he wants to support her if she needs to do this. With a shaky breath, she reached out to touch Jason's glass with hers and then John and Hannah reluctantly did the same. Sonny and Clarence breathed a sigh of relief when all the glasses created a joyous noise in their ears. It is now a done deal.

"Well, I think I need something stronger," Skye said.

A nervous chuckle sounded in response and Lisa ordered a bottle of Cognac.

Evangeline was barely holding it together.

"Evangeline, why don't you come with me to freshen up your makeup," Skye said breaking the silence again.

Eva stood and made her way around the table. Skye put her arm around her and they moved out of the room. When they finally made it, the dam broke and Evangeline burst into tears. She hated crying.

Skye rubbed her back and handed her some tissues. "You didn't by any chance wear waterproof makeup, did you?"

Eva shook her head no.

"I have a few things in my purse. We'll make it work."

Layla entered the room and immediately hugged her sister. "I'm sorry."

No words were spoken for a while until she calmed down.

Skye and Layla wiped at her face and then Layla pulled an eye pencil out of her purse and they put her back together.

"Thanks," Eva whispered.

"I know things seem overwhelming, but you'll grow to love him."

"Like you did with Sonny?" Evangeline asked. Skye and Sonny's marriage was arranged so he could run her father's business who had passed due to cancer. He had no sons and wanted it to be mob run. She made Sonny's life a living hell for a year before she finally realized it was doing more harm to her spirit than good. Her antics were legendary.

Skye moved Eva's hand and rested it on her slightly swollen belly. "You know I fought the good fight, but eventually I realized that I was breaking myself. I'm pregnant now and I can't wait to love on this baby. I love my husband and I never thought I'd ever say that."

Eva dropped her hand and sighed.

"I know Jason seems hard, but he can be very sweet and he has a big heart. It's just protected with very big walls. People have hurt him, thinking that he somehow felt less than everyone else because of the accident, but Jason loves as hard as anyone else. He'll be loyal and dote on you if you give him the chance."

"He is gorgeous," Layla said.

"I can't even go there right now. I need to say goodbye to John and I don't know how," Eva said tearfully.

Skye touched her face. "Rock his world one more night. Show him how you feel, so he has something to walk away with, knowing he has a piece of your heart and then gets to know Jason. He's a pretty fascinating subject, actually."

"Do you wish you had to marry him instead?"

"I never thought about it. I'm probably more suited for Sonny though. We need to get back out there, so put on your game face."

Evangeline let out a deep breath and then they went back into the other room. Everyone could tell the bride to be had been upset, but they ignored it, hoping that she would be okay.

Carly appeared and rushed to her side. "Evangeline, can you sing? Please?" Once a week they had live music in the main room and while the Williamson's were in town a few months prior, she sang when her family had encouraged her to.

"I don't know…"

"Please…"

She let out a shaky breath. "Okay."

Jason was surprised but followed everyone to the other room. Evangeline whispered to the pianist and he began to play.

She started singing, 'All is Fair in Love', and everyone stilled. John's eyes never left her as she poured her heart out. Her father looked down, of all the songs his daughter had to pick.

Halfway through, Skye, Hannah, and most of the females in the audience had tears in their eyes, seeing how deeply this was affecting Evangeline. Jason is mesmerized. Her voice is beautiful and the song is heartbreaking. By the end, tears were flowing down her face and then the music stopped and everyone jumped to their feet clapping and whistling. She wiped her face and tried to smile, the artist in her greatly appreciating the love, but her heart is broken, so she quickly got off the stage and went out to the balcony where John is already standing.

"That was outstanding," he whispered. "It felt like goodbye and God, I don't know how I'm going to let you go." His lips descended upon hers and his tongue filled her mouth as he took what he wanted. Her head is dizzy from his kisses and their faces are wet with tears. "I love you."

She gazed into his eyes. "I love you too. We're leaving."

"Okay." He wiped his face and so did she, but before they could take a step, Sonny, Clarence, Jason, and Hannah joined them.

"That was beautiful," Sonny said.

Clarence inhaled sharply. "There are two cars waiting for you downstairs. They'll take you to separate safe houses. Say goodbye, because, after tonight, everything changes."

Evangeline ran out with John following.

Jason glared at Clarence, finding him to be cruel, but what he didn't know is that Evangeline was breaking her father's heart. He loves her and it isn't just all about business. If he thought that Jason was wrong for his daughter, then he would have figured out some other way, but he felt quite the opposite. He had been around the former enforcer enough to know that he has layers. Jason is smart and formidable; a loyal person who is a leader and destined for something far greater than being a hired gun. Now, he just hopes that the soon to be couple can find a way to open their hearts to each other. It is going to be difficult at first because Evangeline is willful. He really wishes that Jason is up for the challenge. This is going to be out of his comfort zone because he is used to women coming to him and doing all the work. It will take some effort to win Evangeline's heart.

"Let's go," Jason said with his voice full of venom.

Sonny sighed once Jason was out of earshot. "That was rough."

"You're going to have to help him win her."

"Skye will help and Lila too."

Clarence smiled fondly. Lila Quartermaine is one of his favorite people. He gave to her charities and had lunch with her while he was in town prior. In fact, they have a date the next day because he wants to break the news about their families merging and hopes that she can help tame Jason's temper. Not many people could.

"Jason will do the right thing."

"Evangeline will too, in the end. It's the beginning I'm worried about."

"You have heard about Skye's antics, right?"

Clarence grinned. "Your wife was a hellion and it makes me respect her even more. She's a keeper. I hope you realize that."

Sonny nodded. "That she is…" God knows she made him work for it, but if he could go back, he'd do everything the same way because he never wanted to squelch her spirit.

A/N – Let me know what you think.