Chapter 4.

Metro Court Hotel.

Amelia sat at the bar, sipping her water as she waited for Claudia to arrive. She checked her hair and makeup for the 5th time just as Claudia stepped in front of her.

Claudia looked stunning in a sexy white dress, cut just above her knees, with just a hint of cleavage as it clung to her extremely fit body like glue. She looked Amelia over with an appreciative smile, enjoying her long legs that seemed to go on forever, finally being covered by a very short black dress, with a plunging neckline that showed off Amelia's ample cleavage.

"You look beautiful." Claudia said as she continued to enjoy the view.

"So do you. You look downright angelic in that dress." Amelia said as she stepped off her stool and followed Claudia to a table near the back of the room, sitting down opposite her, "Well, here we are."

"I made a couple phone calls today and learned that Sonny is actually considering getting out of the mob."

"You told me that wasn't possible."

"It's not, but Sonny tried it once before and I guess with what happened to Michael he's letting his emotions control him." Claudia said, calmly explaining Sonny's actions, "Nobody will ever believe he's out. Even if Jason gets control, they will assume Sonny is pulling strings behind the scenes. I think it's too late for him to get the peace he wants and sadly for him, his family will always be a possible target."

"I thought you said that mobsters didn't go after family, because they all have family." Amelia said, her head spinning as she tried to make sense of everything.

"Yes, it's an unwritten rule, but it's easily ignored when a takeover is attempted." Claudia added, spotting Jason walking into the hotel as she continued, "Not all mobsters have families, so those who don't, don't have to play by the same rules."

Jason walked right up to Claudia, ignored Amelia and got out his best tough guy stare for her, "I know you've been snooping around our business and I'm here to warn you to back off."

"Are you now?" Claudia said with a smirk, "What is it you 're so worked up about?"

"We had a shipment intercepted last night and all signs point to you. I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but maybe Sonny was right, killing you and your family might be the only way to preserve peace."

"Is that a threat, because it's hard to tell with you." Claudia smiled, taking a sip of wine as she watched Jason continue to glare at her, "You need to realize that my father is still a threat to you and everyone else around him. He would like nothing more than to start a war and watch his children get caught in the crossfire."

"I don't care which Zacchara is responsible, I want that shipment back or I'm going to have to retaliate and you should know, that your brother Johnny will be the target."

Claudia jumped to her feet and 4 men surrounded Jason in a flash, "That was a very big mistake. You can kill my dad, I'll give you the bullets, but if you even go near Johnny not only will you be dead, but everyone you hold dear to you will die first. That includes the baby you are passing off as Lucky's, Elizabeth, Carly, her kids and I'd add Monica to the list, but I just don't think you'd care if she died."

Jason struggled to get free, but was helpless against the four much larger men, "Don't threaten me."

"Hmm, I believe you just did that to me, so as they say, all's fair in love and war." Claudia said with a smile, gulping down the last of her wine, "For your information, I didn't take the shipment, so next time get your facts straight or you won't leave alive."

After motioning for her men to let Jason go, Claudia sat back down and turned her attention to Amelia, "I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for a nice long bath and then a night of wild sex, are you in?"

Amelia nodded and smiled, taking Claudia's hand and running out of the hotel in record time.

Left with nobody to glare at, Jason left the hotel, unhappy that Amelia had hooked up with his enemy.

Luke's yacht.

Elizabeth Webber walked up on the large yacht, called out Lulu's name a couple times and almost had a heart attack when Luke tapped her on the shoulder from behind. She jumped backwards, almost knocking him down, finally gathering herself enough to make sure he was okay, "I'm so sorry Luke. I don't know why I reacted like that."

"It's okay. I'm fine." Luke said with a smile, mostly because he didn't drop one bit of his drink, "I was hoping to talk to you, so I'm glad you're here."

"What did you want to talk to me about?" Elizabeth asked, not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

Luke walked over behind the bar, put his glass down and shook his head at Elizabeth, "Lulu told me about what happened with you two last night and she's pretty upset and I can't say I blame her."

Seeing and hearing Luke's disappointment in her hurt as much as if it were Audrey upset with her, "I don't blame her either. That's why I'm here. I need to make this right."

"I like you Elizabeth. In spite of the fact I don't agree with some of the decisions made, I felt you were very good for Lulu. From the moment you two started seeing each other I noticed a change in her. She seemed more confident and secure with herself. She seemed happy for the first time in I don't know how long. But, I have to wonder if this isn't the end of her happiness."

"No, it's not." Elizabeth protested, knowing she had very little to help make her case to Luke, "I'm not sure how much she told you, but I kissed Sam right here on the yacht at your party a couple months ago. As I explained to Lulu, this was instigated by Sam, not by me. I regret not pushing her away more than you know, but it's over. I want to be with your daughter more than anything. Sam is the past, Lulu is my future."

"I wish I could believe you, but as you probably know I'm very connected in city and when I need to find out something, there's nothing that will get in the way." Luke said, looking a bit too serious for Elizabeth's tastes, "I did a little checking into your past and I found that Sam isn't the only woman you've kissed since you started seeing Lulu. I can forgive one mistake, we're all entitled, but I think two is one too many. Now, as a courtesy, since I do care about you, I'm going to let explain about this second kiss."

Elizabeth's already pale face became corpse pale as soon she heard Luke mention the second kiss, "I don't know what to say. Nothing is going to justify what I did. With Sam there was a history, we had tried to become friends and then she wanted it to be more and she was trying convince me with her lips that we could be together, but with Maxie it was just anger turned into passion and I think we both regretted it as soon as it ended."

Luke studied Elizabeth closely, feeling her pain as she struggled to keep from breaking down completely, "I have to ask this and you don't have to answer because you don't owe me anything, but do you still have feelings for Sam McCall?"

"I care about her." Elizabeth said, knowing that would be the most honest answer she could give, "I was happy we were moving in a positive direction, but I didn't think it was possible to get past some of things she'd done to me and well to Jake, but we managed and maybe a part of me wanted to try it with her, but fear held me back. I'm not making any sense, but I don't think Sam is the reason Lulu and I are having problems."

"What do you think the reason is?"

Elizabeth continued to move around the large room, "I think she feels guilty being with me. Every time she sees Lucky she almost breaks down. She thinks she's betraying him somehow, even though Lucky and I were divorced before we got involved. I don't think she'll ever feel comfortable with me when guilt is making her so miserable."

Luke nodded, finally feeling like he was beginning to understand things a bit more, "She mentioned that last night actually, but I tried to tell her that Lucky is fine with you two. It took a while but he's happy for Lulu. I guess she doesn't want to believe that or can't believe it."

"I know I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I really thought Lulu and I were on the right track." Elizabeth said, wanting so much to believe it, "Deep down, I knew something was bothering her. We talked about Lucky many times and she tried to act like it was nothing, but I could tell it was affecting her relationship with him. She didn't even want to see him, because the guilt just ate away at her."

"If that's the case I don't know how you two are going to get past this."

"Maybe she'd be better off with someone else."

Lulu walked into the room and pushed a chair off one of the tables to get everyone's attention, "So, you are deciding my life without me. Why am I not surprised."

Elizabeth rushed over to Lulu, "That's not it at all. Before we get into this, I think you should know that I also kissed Maxie when we were together."

"What?" Lulu said, not wanting to believe what she'd just heard.

"It was before the Sam kiss." Elizabeth said, moving towards Lulu in an attempt to explain things, "I went to Kate's office to look for you and you were off doing something and Maxie was there and she had just broken up with Sam and we started talking and at first I was trying to make her feel better, but she was angry and wanted no part of that. So it soon turned into a fight like always and in the middle she just broke down in tears and I felt bad and I think I gave her a hug and she finally smiled at me and I don't know why I kissed her, but I did and we kissed for way longer we should've and stopped just before you came into the room."

"OMG." Lulu said as tears began to stream down her face, "Sam I could understand, but Maxie? That's just so wrong. You hate her and you know I hate her. You're such a slut. I can never trust you again. We are over. Now get out."

"Lulu, you're upset, you can't make a decision like that." Elizabeth said, trying to reason with her, which was probably not a good idea at the time, "I'm going, but I will call you later. Please just remember the good times we had. This kiss meant nothing."

"I said get out." Lulu said, giving Elizabeth a push towards the door, "Don't call me. Call Sam."

Elizabeth knew it wasn't the time to argue, so she walked towards the door and left the yacht.

Lulu rushed over to her dad and found a small comfort in his arms, but nothing eased the pain of her broken heart.

Sam's Home.

Maxie let out a loud moan, her body shaking the whole bed as Sam crawled up from between her legs, kissing her way up her stomach, finishing with a soft kiss on the lips. It took Maxie a long time to catch her breath, but the smile on her face showed how happy she was, "Well, that was amazing as always. You really outdid yourself this time."

Sam kissed Maxie again and again, before rolling onto her side, "I think it just shows how good we are together. I missed this so much. I think you did to."

"Yes, this part was always good." Maxie nodded, smiling down at the pretty brunette beside her, "I don't want to ruin the mood, but I really need to know what you see happening with us?"

"Oh Maxie, let's not even think of that." Sam said, leaning in and kissing the cute blonde again, this time much harder and deeper, wanting to enjoy the moment just a little longer before reality changed everything.

Maxie held Sam close, her hands wandering up and down her near perfect body, but as much as she wanted to enjoy things, her mind just wouldn't let her and she sat up in the bed, "I'm sorry, but I can't stop thinking of you and Elizabeth. I need to know if you want her."

"This is not the time for that." Sam said, trying to stay positive in spite of Maxie's bothersome questions, "Elizabeth is with Lulu and you and I are here, now, enjoying each other in the best possible way. It's still so early, I don't want to stop now, I want to kiss you all over, I want to make you scream with pleasure and you know I can, so please just get Elizabeth out of your head and get back down here and kiss me."

"Do you think that's going to change anything?" Maxie said with a shrug, "Well?"

"Oh god." Sam sighed, rolling over onto her other side, "Well, if you don't want to enjoy the night that's fine, but I'm not talking about this now. I think I'll have a shower and go find something to do."

"Sam. Sam." Maxie yelled to no avail as Sam ignored her and walked into the bathroom. Annoyed, yet still highly aroused, Maxie followed Sam into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her, "Okay, you win. No more talk of Elizabeth, but can I get you to agree to do it in the morning?"

"Why you want to ruin this perfect time I don't know, but if that's what it takes to get your mind focused on the fun we're going to have tonight, then fine, we can talk about relationship nonsense in the morning, but for now," Sam said with a sexy smile, holding out her hand to Maxie, "You are coming into the shower with me and we can continue where we left off."

Maxie nodded and took Sam's hand and the two of them hopped into the shower and were kissing passionately the second their feet hit solid ground.

Carly's Home.

Courtney waited for Carly to check on Morgan and took the time to reach into her suitcase, pull out her cell phone and hit the first number on her list. She waited through about 5 rings before someone answered, "I need to see you now. Meet me on docks in 30 minutes." She closed her cell phone and slid it into her tight white pants just before Carly walked into the room.

"Did I hear voices?"

"Actually you did." Courtney said with a smile, "I need to see Sonny and I might as well get it out of the way now. Wish me luck, because you know he's not going to like this one bit."

"I know, but he'll be happy you're alive and eventually that will sink in and he'll stop yelling, for a while." Carly said with a laugh, giving Courtney a hug and a wave as she left the house.

Carly grabbed her own cell phone and placed a call to Sonny, "I need to talk to you about Courtney. You better be nice to her when she comes over there. She's been through a lot these last two years."

Sonny stared into the phone like Carly was insane, "What the hell are you talking about? Courtney is dead. Have you lost your mind?"

Realizing her blunder, Carly knew she had no choice but to tell Sonny the truth, so she proceeded to tell him what Courtney had been through in the last two years, waiting patiently for him to say something when she was done.

"Sonny? Are you there? Did you hear anything I said?"

"Yes. I don't know what to say, I can't believe she couldn't have told her family about this. Something isn't right here. I have to go." Sonny said, hanging up the phone before Carly could respond.

Carly growled and slammed her cell phone onto the sofa, wondering why she even bothered giving Sonny a head's up. Just as quickly she began to wonder who Courtney was talking to and why she lied about it.

Elizabeth's Home.

Leyla and Nadine arrived at Elizabeth's house, coffee in hand, ringing her doorbell and chatting as they wanted for Elizabeth to answer.

Elizabeth opened the door, welcomed them inside and led them into her kitchen, "I'm glad you made it. I've been working on a new schedule and I'd like your input. I've tried to set things up so everyone has a balanced schedule, with ample time off to catch up on the rest we always seem to miss with all the overtime we put in. Why don't you have a look and let me know what you think."

The two women looked over the schedule Elizabeth had created, but before they could say anything the doorbell rang again.

Jason didn't wait for Elizabeth to open the door, deciding it would be okay to just walk inside, surprising Elizabeth as well as Leyla and Nadine, "I need to talk to you now."

"I'm in the middle of a meeting." Elizabeth said, more than a little annoyed at Jason's unusually rude behaviour.

"Have you had any contact with Claudia Zacchara?" Jason asked, focused only on Elizabeth's response.

"I don't think so." Elizabeth said softly, very aware of Leyla and Nadine's eyes on her, "I might've seen her talking to her brother once or twice, since they have been at the hospital checking on their father, but that's about it."

"She's becoming more of a threat than we anticipated and I'm not sure Jake is safe here anymore."

Elizabeth smiled at her two guests and then walked outside with Jason, "What? You said there was a truce. You said we'd be safe and you'd make sure of that. What's changed?"

"It's just business, but the Zacchara's have merged with another large organization and are getting ready to take over our territory. If they succeed you'll be fine, Sonny and I will be eliminated and they'll have no need to go after you, but if by chance we hold them off, you, Jake, Cameron and even Lulu are in serious danger."

"This was not supposed to happen." Elizabeth said, visibly angry at the situation, "I will not have Jake and Cameron growing up in fear their whole lives. Are you saying the only way we are safe is if you and Sonny die?"

"Yes." Jason said bluntly and with little emotion, "Sonny and I have been preparing for this day for a long time. We always knew there would come a time when a really large organization came in and took us out, but we thought by then we might be able to put up a bigger fight, but things have changed recently and if we can't keep the peace with Claudia and her family, they are going to eliminate us."

"Can't you join them or something?" Elizabeth asked, thinking she had come up with a solution, "Why not be part of a bigger organization? Maybe you'd actually have some free time or be able to enjoy life rather than just living that sad existence of being Sonny's hired help."

"Believe it or not we have talked about that, but Sonny isn't about to go from running an organization to taking orders." Jason added in his usual monotone style, "He feels he can leave the organization and he wants me take over, but I'm not sure I want to work for Claudia Zacchara or her family."

"You don't really a choice, it's either that or they kill you." Elizabeth explained what seemed like the obvious, "Even you can't want to die? Do you?"

"It's not that simple." Jason said, wishing he wasn't having this conversation, "I'd just feel better if you and the kids were somewhere safe until this sorts itself out."

"And then what? If you die what are we going to do then, be stuck on some island forever?"

"Why do you have to argue about this?" Jason asked, his temper showing for the first time in a long time around Elizabeth, "I know it's your choice, I'm so aware of how many times I've said that to people in my life, but it usually ends up with someone getting hurt or killed."

"That's too bad, because that's been your motto forever, so live with it." Elizabeth snapped right back, "In this case it's true, I have a choice and I choose not to leave. If I have to, I'll talk to Lucky or Mac and get them to protect me, but I'm done doing things your way, they never seem to work out for me."

"I wish you would reconsider, but I need to go." Jason said, accepting the fact he had no more control over Elizabeth. He stopped at the end of the steps, "Just be careful and stay away from Claudia and her family."

Elizabeth didn't reply, she just turned and walked back inside, closing the door and composing herself before she went back into her guests.

End of Chapter 4.