Chapter 11

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March 2014

Jason fired another shot and once again hit the target in the head. He pulled the trigger again and again. The frustration didn't let up. He was beginning to think it never would.

After over a year of being held prisoner, after all that Elizabeth had been through, what Jason wanted more than anything was to punish his twin and tormentor. But Franco had killed himself. Jason's fury had no outlet.

The suicide note had taunted him.

Brother,

When I first heard of you, I was angry. You got the family, the money, the life I should have had. But your accident, well, that was poetic justice as you lost it all. While I struggled for respect and power, Sonny Corinthos handed it all back to you. Once again you had bested me. I tried taking your wife but that didn't destroy you as I had hoped. So I took your heart and gave her to your best friend. Never again will you call him brother.

I gave her back to you because the only thing that seemed to hurt you was losing her over and over and over. And I wanted to hurt you. Releasing you to face the consequences would not have been my first choice at this point but Corinthos is too close. I'm the one with power. I'm in control.

I've always admired the beautiful way you create death. I would have been your greatest masterpiece. However that would give you too much satisfaction. I'm taking one last thing from you—the revenge you need.

Franco

Jason set up a new target and starting shooting again. It would be hours before he was calm enough to return home to Elizabeth and their sons.

-gh-

Elizabeth fed the boys dinner and ran Jake's bath water. Cameron had declared himself too old to let Mom bathe him and starting taking showers like Jason. Jake was jealous but unable to wash his hair properly. She had at least a few more months of teaching him the right way to lather and rinse.

By that time, Emily Caroline would be here and she just might be happy to let Jake fend for himself more. She rubbed her belly and tried to imagine life with a little girl. Pigtails and baby dolls, tea parties and bows…she smiled. She always thought she'd only have her guys and, while that would have been enough, she wasn't going to pretend that she wasn't excited. Baby Emily was a miracle for so many reasons, including the fact that her existence led to Jason's homecoming.

Thoughts of Jason erased the smile. He was trying so hard not to worry her for the baby's sake. He failed to realize that as long as he was hurting she would too. And there was no easy way to rid themselves of the pain Franco had caused.

His suicide at her studio had completely floored her. There was absolutely no way she could ever return there. Giving it up was her only option and she hated Franco for that. The place she had fallen in love with Jason, the sanctuary he had needed when his world fell apart...it was now lost to them.

She told herself that Franco would not take anything else. She tried to believe it but her husband was pulling away from her. Franco might still win and she wasn't sure how to fight a dead man.

-gh-

Sonny picked at his dinner and tried to keep up with Carly's running commentary on the latest improvements to the MetroCourt. It wasn't that Carly was easily ignored. Even after all these years she was still the sexiest woman he knew.

His mind was on his former best friend. Jason was still his business partner but Sonny's marriage to Elizabeth had destroyed their friendship. Not the marriage exactly, as that was Franco's manipulations. What Jason couldn't forgive was that Sonny fell in love with Elizabeth, that Sonny still wanted her.

Carly paused. "Okay, so you really don't care that the business suites have been updated. Want to talk about her?"

"No."

She eyed him cautiously. "Have you talked to Lainey about it?"

"Yes."

Carly huffed. "Look, I'm trying to be your friend and it's hard enough when you're cooperating. So just drop this martyr thing and yell at me already!"

Sonny almost smiled. "If I yell, I'm gonna throw some glass around too. It's your restaurant. You really want that?"

She caught the teasing glint in his eye. "I'll charge you double for every tumbler you break. And then double that to cover the other customers' mental suffering."

With the tension broken, they finished their meal discussing their sons.

-gh-

Lying naked in a Singapore hotel room, Sam stretched and turned toward her new lover. Llanview had been a big mistake. John's ex-wife had all too quickly seduced him back and Sam let her. John had served his purpose and she was ready to move on. Perhaps moving back would be the better way to phrase it. Jason was alive and Sam was determined to take him from Elizabeth.

Michael watched her and tried to understand what game she was playing. He had willingly come to her bed. He was a man and she had a great figure. The fact that this was his father's former lover and his uncle's ex-wife made it all the more exciting. "What now?"

Sam ran a hand down his chest and between his legs. "I have a few ideas. Are you up for it?"

He couldn't help reacting. The woman was flexible and eagerly fulfilled his dirtiest fantasies. "Yes," he moaned.

She grinned. This was going to be too easy.

-gh-

Jason arrived home in time to tuck his sons into bed. Elizabeth softly smoothed her hand down his back as he kissed Jake's forehead. Her touch both shamed and excited him. He hated how he was avoiding her and loved how willing she was to welcome him when he did come back.

They went to their room and closed the door behind them. Without saying anything, Jason began undressing her. She reached for him but he gently rejected her touch. Tonight would be hers and he wouldn't take his own release until she had several times. It was the only way he could make up for his distance right now.

She knew what he was doing yet couldn't be angry. He needed this more than she did. Words would come. The guilt would slowly vanish. She could be patient because the only other option was losing him. She'd lost him too many times already and this time she would fight as hard as she could for their future.