Sonny was pacing and when they arrived he scowled.
"Where is she?!"
"We had unexpected company," Max replied.
"Jason and Diego showed up right when we almost had her."
Sonny growled and turned away from them.
"Max, go watch the door for any unexpected visitors!"
The bodyguard bowed and left the room.
"What the hell happened, Javier?!"
"Sam was protecting her and if those two bloodhounds wouldn't have shown up we would've had the redhead."
"I didn't think Sam was that strong, but I guess you should never underestimate a woman of her caliber. Is that how you got injured?"
"No, that was from Jason. Sam wouldn't hit any of us because she was busy protecting Skye and knew if she moved that would give us a chance to grab her. Max almost had her at the point of unconsciousness, but that's when Jason and Diego interfered."
"Why didn't you chase after them?!"
"And risk Lorenzo awaiting them?! Sam put out a distress signal to the nearest vampire and if Lorenzo heard it he'd be waiting!"
"Damn him! We'll lay low for now, but when the opportunity presents itself you know what to do."
"I understand and I am warning you now to watch out for my little brother because I do not know whose side he's really on."
"Thank you, now get out of my sight!"
Javier bowed and left as Sonny paced trying to figure out how to lure Skye out or get into Wyndmere which then made him think of Caroline. Lorenzo would let Caroline into his home and now all he had to do was wait for her to go to him. He notified a few of his men to follow Caroline and to let him know when she went to visit Lorenzo. He grinned wickedly knowing that he'd not only get a new bride, but Helena's power after he vanquished Lorenzo. He'd have everything and no one would be able to touch him ever again, no one would question his authority, and soon he would not only take control over his kind, but mortals as well. He laughed as he awaited the news to move in on Lorenzo taking everything he held dear from him.
Lorenzo heard laughter coming from the recreation room and he entered as Skye sunk a striped ball into the corner pocket of the pool table. He noticed Sam smiling, feeling better seeing that there were two bite marks on Jason's neck that were healing quickly.
"Sam, you should be resting."
"I'm fine and besides I want to see Skye kick Jason's butt at pool."
"Yeah, Pops, this is a first Jason is losing badly."
"I am not losing, I'm waiting to make a comeback."
Skye sunk another ball in and Jason inwardly groaned because he was going to lose. She took another turn, but missed and Jason laughed taking his turn. She watched him take his shot and wasn't surprised when he sunk the ball.
"Impressive."
"Thank you."
He sunk another one and was trying to make a comeback, but missed and Diego laughed.
"I would mind your laughter or one day I'll embarrass you in front of Brooke."
"Ooo, I'm scared."
Skye chuckled as she sunk her last ball in and now concentrated on the eight ball.
"Eight ball in the corner pocket."
After she called it she took her shot and sunk the eight ball. Jason was impressed and shocked that he lost while the others through their laughter applauded Skye.
"All right, big bro, pay up."
He cursed and handed her twenty bucks.
"Thank you. Do you want a rematch?"
"You bet and this time I will win."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."
Lorenzo came up to Sam whispering in her ear and she followed him out into the hall.
"What is it?"
"Who attacked you?"
"Javier and Max, why?"
"Making sure it was just the two of them."
"I'm surprised Caroline didn't help."
"Do you know why her scent was at the lakehouse?"
"Probably to get back at Skye because she's jealous of your love for her or they planted her scent there to throw me off their trail."
"I want to thank you again."
"Not a problem because you'd do the same if the roles were reversed."
"I believe the only thing Sonny did right was make you a vampire."
"Yes, and I am still technically his until I have a child by Jason."
He smiled when Natasha came running towards them with Jax following.
"Have either of you seen Nikolas?"
"No, we've been in here most of the afternoon, why?" Sam asked.
"He's missing!"
"Did you scan the house with your mind for him?" Lorenzo asked.
"He's not here!"
She was getting hysterical and Jax was trying to calm her down as tears flowed from her eyes since he was the last mortal Cassadine as well as Lorenzo's guardian.
"We will find him, Natasha."
"I sense Caroline."
Natasha growled at Sam's statement and scanned the house for Caroline.
"She's not here, Natasha."
They all turned to Helena's voice and saw Manny escorting her.
"Where is she and what has she done with Nikolas?"
"Caroline did not take off with Nikolas, she was here to see Lorenzo, but when Nikolas went outside to take a ride on one of the horses Javier took off with him and Caroline followed hoping to rescue him to redeem herself in Lorenzo's eyes."
"Where did Javier take my nephew?"
"The abandoned warehouses."
She was getting ready to leave when Helena stopped her.
"Natasha, you must stay here."
"I am not a child!"
"You're acting like one and I know you're smarter than this. Let Caroline risk her neck because at this point I sense she is playing both sides which gives her the advantage for no one can touch her."
"I do not trust her with my nephew's life!"
"She will keep him alive or risk the wrath of not only us, but Lorenzo's."
She smiled as they heard Diego's laughter filter out into the hall and Helena entered requesting his presence. He immediately got up and followed her out into the hall while Lorenzo, Sam, and Jax went back into the room watching as Jason was losing again.
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Diego, I just wanted to thank you for risking your life for mine."
"You are my elder and I was taught to respect them as well as protect them."
"You are admirable and you will make your father proud."
He beamed and was going to join the others when she placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Diego, if there should come a time when Manny can no longer serve me I want you to be my personal bodyguard."
"I would proudly be of service to you."
He entered the room where he watched Jason get beaten for the second time.
"I give up!"
"Anyone else want to challenge me?"
"I'll be glad to dethrone you."
"Don't go easy on me, Lorenzo."
He chuckled as they started a game.
"Manny, why don't you join them."
He shook his head.
"I will be fine with my stepdaughter."
"If you insist."
He left the two alone.
"Natasha, there will come a day when you will be the eldest and if Manny has been vanquished you will need Diego."
"Please, do not speak of this now."
"If I don't how will you prepare?"
"I am always prepared."
"Not when it comes to your family, you lose all rationality and that's how you get yourself killed."
"I am still learning, I suppose."
"Natasha, there will always be something to learn, but you must understand you are my only heir whether I like it or not and I want you to be prepared to take over my role."
"Was there no way to bring back my brothers?"
"You know as well as I do that Vlad took their lives."
"Which in turn Sonny took his making him almost invincible."
"And if he takes my life he will be unstoppable."
"I won't let that happen."
"Starting to care?"
"No matter what we've been through you are still family and I will not let anyone hurt my family."
"Revenge for Ric and your children?"
"Sonny has been a plague upon my family, murdering my children as he finds them with the exception of one."
"Where is Kristina?"
"She's touring Europe now and I told her to keep an eye out for you."
"I haven't seen her in ages, how old is she?"
"She just turned four hundred and I've told her to stay away for a while."
"Smart move, but will she listen? Like all children do, they yearn for their parents just like you have missed me."
"You are my elder, you are mother to us all."
"Natasha, no one is eavesdropping I know how you really feel."
"You are not as heartless as you used to be."
"That's a start."
She laughed and the old woman smiled.
"Just be prepared, Natasha, that's all I ask of you and do not risk your life for mine if something should happen."
"You know I will protect my family no matter what."
"Natasha, what good would either of us be dead?"
She sighed and knew Helena was right.
"Go enjoy yourself and please tell Manny to escort me back to my room."
She nodded and went in to get the tattooed man.