Jason knows trouble when he sees it. After years of working –and now running – the Corinthos Organization, his senses are fine-tuned and on constant alert for trouble.
And Maxie Jones is trouble. He's known it for years. He's even tried to warn Spinelli a few times of that fact. Though even he will admit that they were half-hearted attempts at best. Nobody is ever going to convince Spinelli to turn his back on "Maximista" and Jason knows not to push him too hard when it comes to Maxie. Spinelli believes in her, there's just something about Maxie that inspires blind loyalty and devotion from the lovelorn hacker.
Jason's beginning to understand why. He's made the comparison countless times now, but there is so much Carly in Maxie that it worries him sometimes. Not just for Spinelli either. She's beginning to get to him too and it was beginning to piss him of just a little. There's only so much room in his heart, he's always known this. He'd had to shove Sam from his heart to make room for Elizabeth, and Sonny whom had been like family to him, had been replaced with Spinelli.
But Maxie, she's slowly made a spot for herself in Jason's home and makeshift family. She hasn't replaced anyone; she just seems to be making a brand new space for herself. And like he said, it was really beginning to piss him off. Until he'd caught Spinelli with his gun and his friend had explained why. Hearing that Maxie was in the hospital had shot a completely unexpected bolt of terror through him. And while part of it was because he knew losing Maxie would wreck Spinelli, it was mainly the realization that she belonged with the two of them. In that instant she became more than the annoying ever-present smart mouth shadow to his pseudo-brother, she became family.
Maybe it was because she more than anyone, understood the pain of losing a beloved sister. Maybe it was because she was so clearly loyal and devoted to someone who'd come to mean so much to him. Maybe it was because she reminded him so much of Carly, that it made him want to instinctively protect her. Whatever it was, she had become that part of Jason's world that his business was not allowed to touch – ever.
He'd been honest when he'd told Spinelli that he didn't want him to become that person that blindly avenging Maxie's attack would turn him into. But mainly, he just wanted to be the one to avenge her. The Russians had stepped over the line when they'd targeted her. His business, his shipments, even his people were one thing but Maxie Jones was one of those few things that Jason held as off-limits. Period.
Spinelli had told him of his ridiculous plan to sever his ties with Maxie to protect her. Though noble, it was a plan doomed to fail, mainly because Maxie had too much Carly in her to ever let go of something – someone – she'd deemed a necessity in her life. So he'd been unsurprised when his newly appointed guards at his door had announced her. Unsurprised because it was a classic Carly move and also because of the frequent updates from the two very experienced and highly trusted guards he had watching over her and following her every move since before she'd even left her hospital bed.
She'd come storming in, her startling blue eyes flashing fire and demanding if he'd had a hand in Spinelli's plan to "abandon" her. He'd almost rolled his eyes at her dramatics until he'd looked at her, really looked at her and saw the fear and uncertainty simmering beneath the bravado. Instead he'd sighed, pulled out his phone, asked her what she needed from Mac's and instructed her guards to bring her stuff to the penthouse immediately.
He'd expected a barrage of questions or complaints but instead she'd flashed him a look of complete relief and gratitude before tossing her purse on his desk and settling in on his couch looking for all the world like she owned the place. And just like that his family became even more complete; all that was missing was Elizabeth and his son. But that day would have to wait, maybe indefinitely. But for now he was content.
Spinelli worked harder and was far more productive knowing his beloved Maximista was safe, protected and would be waiting for them at home at the end of every day. As for Maxie, while the decision to have the Police Commissioner's daughter move into his most private sanctuary, his home, might seem like an ill-advised, if not completely stupid, one – he didn't regret it. She was loyal and he trusted her completely, as she did him. They were bound together by their mutual love of the brilliant hacker that was the glue that held their makeshift family together.
He hadn't asked her to, hadn't wanted her to, but she'd been his alibi when Lucky Spencer had shown up to question him about the shoot-out down at the docks. Even Diane had been impressed with the skill and ease in which Maxie had deflected all the questions and accusations from the cops.
And though no one would ever dare accuse him of being sappy, in his mind he can see the future stretching out before them. Can clearly see standing beside Spinelli, silently supporting him like the Best Man is supposed to do as they watch Mac escort his step-daughter down the aisle. Already pictures infants with mischievous blue eyes that shrewdly observe and miss nothing peering out from beneath a mop of unruly brown hair. Can already hear being summoned by the calls of "Uncle Jason" ringing through his penthouse by toddlers that have been taught by the best how to wrap everyone, including their "Uncle Jason", around their little fingers.
No, he's not a sentimental man by any stretch of the imagination. But he clearly sees the future for his two friends – his family – and he will do everything in his power to ensure it comes true for them. And if that means he has to permanently shut down Sonny's uncontrollable lust for power and revenge or kill every Russian that crosses his path, so be it.