Sorry about the lengthy delay between the first chapter and this update. I changed jobs, which involved relocating to a different state as well. Since I am all settled in now there should be an update every other day unless something unforeseeable occurs. Thank you for taking the time to read, as well as reviewing. All comments are appreciated and encouraged.

Disclaimer: I do not own GH. (Sure wish I did!)

Chapter Two

Georgie followed behind Johnny as they disembarked from the jet, still mentally berating herself. Getting caught up in this nightmare was like a slap in the face after the last year. It looked like trying to follow all the rules drilled into her head for so long didn't do anything to prevent life from kicking you when already down, she darkly thought. Yeah, Mac was going to love the newest mess she'd managed to get caught up in. Two marriages before even celebrating her twenty-first birthday, yep, he was going to be majorly pissed. He was still taking pleasure in telling Georgie 'I told you so' over the mistake she made by marrying Dillon when they thought he was dying. Marrying a Zacchara just might push him over the edge. He'd probably want to commit her in Shadybrook for a psych eval! And honestly she couldn't blame him if he disowned her after learning about this latest debacle. He expected better and she'd failed miserably, again.

Concerned about the vacant look dominating her features Johnny cleared his throat, careful to maintain enough distance between them to keep her from tensing. Georgie tended to scramble quickly away any time he moved too close. "Um, my uncle sent a driver." He pointed in the direction of a black Escalade SUV parked across the lot. "He owns the casino where we're going to be staying."

"Great," she muttered under her breath. "Is he as crazy as your father?"

Lips twisting wryly at the question dripping with sarcasm, Johnny started toward the waiting vehicle. "No. Uncle Rudy is completely sane. I'm not sure if he's in the States or not though. He lives in Italy but visits his properties a couple times a year."

A man dressed in an expensive, dark suit exited the SUV, nodding in welcome at the twosome before opening the back door. "Mr. Zacchara, welcome back. Miss," he greeted Georgie politely, curious about the young woman with the man who normally visited alone. "Any stops along the way?"

Johnny captured Georgie's hand, relief shooting through him when she didn't make a scene in front of the other man, before helping her into the back seat then sliding in beside her. "Thank you but no, Colton."

The second the man closed the door Georgie attempted to withdraw her hand from his grasp. She shot him a glare when he lightly squeezed her fingers, keeping a firm hold.

"Stop," he commanded softly. "Georgie, if I come under investigation we need for our relationship to be perceived as real. Colton is not a higher ranking employee. Please, just relax and follow my lead for now. Okay?"

Letting out a long breath she stopped trying to free her hand. Instead she leaned her head back on the plush seat, closing her eyes when the front door opened and closed.

The ride to the hotel was brief since traffic was light in the wee early morning hours. As they pulled to stop at the private entrance Johnny spotted his uncle waiting just inside the glass doors. He had hoped the older man had been at his home in Italy. He suspected Rudy's presence would only increase Georgie's nervousness. At least Claudia was in the tropics on vacation. His sister tended to be unpredictable during the best of circumstances and Georgie didn't deserve having to deal with her attitude.

"Georgie, we're here."

Her lashes fluttered open, allowing him to glimpse the turmoil swirling in the depths of her eyes before she blinked, effectively shuttering those emotions when she met his eyes. He wanted comfort her somehow but knew nothing he could say would reassure her. He was a stranger, one who was willingly sacrificing life as she knew it to save his own ass. Both their lives were speeding out of control at the moment with all the blame resting solely on his shoulders. Johnny gave a silent prayer she didn't end up collateral damage in the end before helping her out the SUV, making sure to keep their fingers intertwined.

Rudy Zacchara opened the door, closely studying the young woman entering alongside his nephew. When Anthony relayed the situation he'd been filled with doubts about the plan his brother immediately set into motion after freaking out. Now he wondered how Anthony came up with such a brilliant solution. Oh, he expected some problems to crop up, but Rudy clearly saw exactly what Anthony had. Georgianna Jones possessed the potential to be so much more than the alibi John now needed to stay out of prison.

"Welcome to Las Vegas, Miss Jones," he greeted with a warm smile before clapping a hand over his nephew's shoulder. "John, I've spoken with your father and took the liberty of having the suite you usually stay in prepared. My staff also arranged for clothes and other personal items for you both. Let me know if they forgot anything."

Johnny nodded, appreciating the gesture. "Thanks. Georgie, this is Rudy Zacchara, my uncle."

Politely acknowledging the introduction, Georgie forced a small smile but didn't speak. Nothing she said would change anything any way.

Leading the twosome through the maze of corridors in the back of the building, Rudy continued to talk, filling the oppressive silence. "I have everything set up for later this evening. You both look exhausted after the flight. This way you have time to rest and become more comfortable around one another."

Johnny's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the last comment. "What aren't you saying? Something's up."

Ushering the couple into the elevator, he waited until the door slid shut before sighing. "The timing of your visit is unfortunate. Several other families are here negotiating a dispute. I'm mediating since we aren't involved in anyway. Once word spreads of the reason for your visit, you and Miss Jones will be expected to make an appearance, John, so congratulations can be bestowed upon your marriage. You two can't be so weary of each other because it will create attention you do not need."

"Fuck!" he growled. He'd seen Georgie blanch at the announcement. No way in hell was she ready to be dropped kicked into dealing with associates from his world. Hell! She still tensed noticeably when he was too close. "Make an excuse of some sort! Just get us out of dealing with them."

"I can't, John. You know how this works, why you both need to make a brief appearance. Otherwise questions will start being asked. Not everyone here is on the best terms with your father."

"Surprise, surprise!" Georgie mumbled.

Rudy chuckled, having heard the lightly spoken words. "My brother isn't exactly patient or reasonable." Gesturing them out first when the door slid open on the correct floor, he then handed John a keycard. "Get some sleep then meet me for lunch in the restaurant at one."

Georgie waited until they were alone in the suite before letting out a shuddering breath. "This is a huge mess, Johnny! I can't do this, pull this charade off!"

"I truly am sorry, Georgie. You have no idea how sorry I am." His eyes locked with hers. "And you can do this. You have to. There's no other choice."

"We don't even know each other!"

"It'll be okay. Trust me."

"Trust you," she scoffed. "How do you expect me to do that? You murdered Marco in front of me!"

"He shot at me first! I defended myself!"

"And now I'm stuck in a lie, Johnny! I hate lying!" Tears slid unnoticed down her pale cheeks.

Guilt ate at him. "Hopefully it won't be for long. I know you're scared, and the sacrifice you're making is huge. I get that! But I promise to make this as easy as possible." Wrapping a hand around her wrist to stop her from turning when she rolled her eyes, Johnny felt the way she trembled. His eyes widened. Underneath all the sarcasm and anger for how everything was happening, Georgie was terrified. He quickly dropped her arm. "My father threatened you, I know that, but I'd never hurt you. Or let him hurt you, Georgie. No matter what happens."

"If you say so. Right now all I want is to forget about what a screwed up nightmare my life is turning into. I'm too tired to argue anymore."

Chest aching he gave up. In time she might be convinced he meant what he said. "Okay. The staff will have placed clothes and such in the bedroom. I'll crash on sofa. You take the bed."

"No, I can sleep on the couch. It's your room so…"

"I insist, Georgie. Just remember we are meeting my uncle for lunch at one." After a long look she nodded. Johnny shut his eyes while listening to the door closed with a soft click.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

She refused to cry. Instead she flopped on the enormous bed, attempting to force all thoughts of the past twenty-four hours from her mind. Too bad the image of watching Marco collapse on the docks played over and over again when she shut her eyes. The horrifying memory interchanged with Mac's lecturing voice and condemning eyes.

"Please let me wake up and this have been a weird dream," she prayed aloud to the empty room. "I can't do this! Oh God!"

The last year of her life flashed through her head. Diego stalking and drugging her and her friends. How terrified they had all been before learning the truth. The fact Dillon, Maxie, Brooklyn, and Lucas couldn't accept her befriending their tormentor after he was taken into custody for his past crimes and kidnapping her at gunpoint from Kelly's. Then there was the viral epidemic that nearly decimated all of Port Charles. Her fear when Dillon and Maxie fell ill. The huge mistake of agreeing to marry Dillon since they all believed he'd die. What a joke that had turned out to be! Seventeen and married!

Georgie buried her face into the pillow. She should never have ignored Mac's pleas to end the marriage after Dillon recovered. But she hadn't wanted to admit defeat. From the beginning a feeling of forbidding overwhelmed her. Fights with their families, constantly arguing, being forced to live above Kelly's, and struggling to make the ill-advised marriage work was bad enough. But then Diego obtained early release from Pentonville. And that's when it really went downhill. Jealousy, miscommunication, and trusting the wrong people helped speed up the destruction. But Georgie wanted to make their relationship work. She'd loved Dillon and foolishly believed their feelings for one another would triumph over the negative. Then Lulu happened.

The fact her husband broke his vows, cheating on her with his stepsister, still astounded her. Georgie wasn't as naïve as everyone believed. Their marriage slowly crumbled due to her attraction and inability to stay away from Diego, as well as Dillon's controlling attitude he'd adopted. But it still stung to know the man who supposedly loved her slept with Lulu without even listening to her after Lulu falsely accused her of sleeping with Diego. But finding out about Diego's part in the whole fiasco left her numb, killing the part of her heart that trusted others blindly. Never again, she had swore, would she place her trust in another individual. The pain began to lessen over time even if she felt more alone than ever. She filed for divorce, kept her head high, and forced herself to move on. But no matter how hard she tried Georgie couldn't help but feel somehow she wasn't adequate enough, that she'd failed. Dillon wanted to remain friends but every time she saw him with a pregnant Lulu a part of her soul died. She forgave them both but couldn't quite bring herself to pretend the betrayal hadn't happened. Especially since Diego started stalking her after she'd broke off all contact with the man who'd lied so effortlessly to her face.

Time passed, allowing Georgie to slowly rebuild the confidence shattered by the failure of her marriage. She settled into a routine of school, work, and spending her free time doing things she enjoyed. She also made new friends who accepted she wasn't perfect and didn't wear a halo. Learning to live for herself and not anyone else. Until tonight. The universe had a cruel sense of humor. After finally putting her life back on track it hurt to know deciding to take a walk near the water ruined what peace she'd achieved.

Unable to contain all the emotions hitting her all at once Georgie broke. Sobs wracked her body as she clung to the pillow, trying to muffle the sounds. Why me? Why am I being punished? kept repeating over and over in her mind.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Returning the new, more detailed background report on his soon to be wife to the safe Johnny felt a chill run down his spine. Life hadn't been easy for the eighteen year old. And now he'd complicated it more than she'd ever imagined. Damn! Right now he loathed himself more than words could describe.

Georgie now had to learn to walk a tightrope. Maintaining the outward appearance as suddenly falling in love and marrying into the Zacchara family, keeping her friendships with those she considered friends that worked for or was involved with the Corinthos & Morgan Organization, and distancing the Alcazar family. A frown tugged at his mouth as he rubbed the back of his neck. The report was thorough but he'd bet every dollar he had that it lacked quite a bit of information on Diego Alcazar's interactions with Georgie. Protesting wouldn't sway his decision, she would have guards when they returned back to her hometown. But his main concern laid with how her adoptive father may react to the fact his new son-in-law was heir to a criminal empire. Somehow he didn't think Mac Scorpio would be offering them his blessing.

He also now faced whether or not to tell Georgie exactly what Marco had been doing on the piers. It was obvious by her reaction to the situation she hadn't a clue the man had been shadowing her from a distance. The mystery of why Corinthos or Morgan felt it necessary to assign the police commissioner's daughter a guard without alerting her of their presence begged to be answered. Johnny also was confused to why the man fired at him. He hadn't even known Georgie had been near him until she'd screamed when gunfire erupted.

Another problematic discussion centered around her job. Kelly's Diner linked firmly back to Corinthos' family. While he felt like pointing out she wouldn't need to work at all, Johnny figured that might earn him a smack to the back of the head. Her ex had offered quite a generous settlement after knocking some other chick up but Georgie adamantly refused anything from the man, only her freedom. Absently pacing back and forth he sent up a prayer she would consider going to school full time instead. After learning how extremely bright she was, especially with her major, Johnny felt compelled to make sure she continued on the path she'd already begun. If he could prevent it, his lifestyle wouldn't ruin her future. Not with the sacrifices she was being forced to make in the present.

Passing by the closed door to the bedroom he felt his chest tighten. Although the sounds were muffled, Johnny could tell she was sobbing. Cursing the smart idea of exploring the next town over from his father's new residence he fought back the urge to punch something. Everything he learned about Georgianna Jones only reinforced his first impression. She didn't deserve the hell he was putting her through. Johnny knew he was selfish. Most people were to some degree he reasoned. But forcing a marriage between them to save his own ass set new records to how far he'd fell.

Unable to listen to the heart wrenching cries, Johnny quietly eased the door open. As he crossed the large room he wondered if she would even accept his support but he couldn't just stand there and do nothing while she cried. He wasn't that jaded by the world yet. Surprisingly she clung to him when he embraced her. Johnny held her tight while murmuring promises that she'd be okay, that they would be okay. Vowing to make it so, he closed his eyes before she could spot the doubts he couldn't seem to shake.