Chapter 2
"Change of location Morgan" said the smooth voice Johnny Rochio, the young son of the late crime lord Emilio Rochio.
"What?" Jason tightened his grip on the phone "That's not what we agreed to Johnny!" he shouted.
"Well you don't have much choice, I've got something you want and I'm willing to give it to you at minimal cost" the young man responded smugly.
Jason took a deep breath. It was true, John did come into some valuable information when his old man past away. It was something that had long bothered Jason's longtime friend and partner Sonny Corinthos. And John was willing to hand it over as a sign of good will between the two organizations, and also charges for some petty crime Jason's men were pressing on Johnny's. It didn't really make sense why John was willing to hand over such a huge game changer in exchange for so little. Maybe, Jason thought, as the new boss he wanted his men to see that he could protect them by keeping them from facing charges. It was well known that Emilio's lawyer had just abruptly walked out on the organization. Ric Lansing had successfully represented the Rochio empire since their move into Port Charles, their were rumors that his exit was the result of his girlfriends pressure to "leave the business".
"Fine" Jason agreed reluctantly "Then give me some time"
"No!" Johnny shouted in a tone that seemed both angry and nervous to Jason "You show up in five minutes or I hand this over to the police" Then he hung up.
"Crap!" Jason shouted slamming the phone down, and grabbing his coat off the couch. Johnny was a little too young for his taste, a little too arrogant; something that in the life they lived would shortly be remedied. He stopped suddenly as he was picking his phone off the table. Then he flipped open his phone and speed dialed Max.
"Yeah Boss?"
"Are you and Milo still stationed at the docks?" Jason asked as he locked the door behind him.
"Yeah, why? do you need us at the loading station for the meeting?"
"No, stay there, don't let anyone see you. Call the other guys and have them meet us there- they are NOT to be seen either and you can be sure there will be others watching"
"Got it."
"I'll be there in a few" Jason hung up as he passed his motorcycle and fished his car keys out of his jacket. This thing had ambush written all over it.
It was dark as Jason entered the docks from the side. He could barely see two feet in front of him. You're an idiot Johnny Jason thought as he fingered the cold steel gun in his left hand. This was the worst time and place for any sort of ambush, and for either side. Unless all Johnny's men came in neon green shirts and Jason's in day-glo orange ones, then they were all likely to shoot each other and themselves to death. There was the loud sound of thunder, and lightning flashed overhead far too quickly for Jason to make out much. He felt like the murderer going after James Stewart in a wheel chair in Rear Window. Hitchcock was one of his sister Georgie's favorite directors, and years ago he was forced to watch Rear Window enough times to repeat the script line for line. But he hadn't seen Georgie for years, it was too dangerous, and right now letting his mind wander to family was also dangerous. Focus. He told himself; now try to find someplace to put your back to. He backed up silently to a where he was sure there was a dark corner, when suddenly someone grabbed his arm. Jason quickly whipped around; loosing the persons grasp, and grabbing them by the neck he shoved his gun under their jaw.
"Jeeze Jason do ya think you could take it a little easy I don't like showing up to my dates bruised up" Max shoved Jason as he let him go.
"Yeah well if you don't be careful you won't be showing up to your date at all" Jason said as he straightened out his coat. "Where are Milo and the boys?"
"Oh, they're around" Max said grinning at his boss. Jason knew that his men were proud of their ambush capabilities. For a while they insisted on being called "The Shadows", until Jason told them they sounded like some goth girl band.
Lightning again, followed by the rolling sound of thunder. But where was the rain? In the brief light Jason saw something by the stairs leading out. But before he could go investigate he heard footsteps and then "Jason where are you?"
It was Johnny, and judging from the sound of his approach he was not alone. Jason bounded out of the shadows and left Max behind.
"Are you alone?" Johnny asked. This was standard procedure; of course Jason would answer "no". If Johnny was as seasoned at this as his old man, he would have checked out the place earlier and ordered a man at every available nook and cranny. But he didn't, and Jason was prepared.
"No. So let's get on with this thing."
At first Johnny stepped forward, a move that was echoed by the guards at his side. They were close enough to see each other now and Jason saw that John signaled for his guards to stay back. He leaned in towards Jason, handing him an envelope, while whispering something into his ear.
"I'm sorry. He made me do it. He says 'to the death'" Just then lightning, gun shots and thunder roared in his ear as a torrent of rain fell on his head. The shots were coming from all sides, it seemed as Jason whipped out his gun and shot in the direction of John and his men. He headed towards them then for the stairs, for cover, and stumbled. He glanced down just as lightning broke and saw the body of a girl at his feet. Just then Max, bumped into Jason "I got your back! Go man! I think they're leaving!" he shouted as two shots rang from his gun. Jason shoved the gun into his coat and picked up the body, making a mad dash for the alleyway. He saw his car and tossed the girl in the back as Max followed. They both jumped in the front and hit the gas.
