PART 48
Emily's stomach was tied up in knots. She wanted to go home. She wanted to go back to her own bed. She just didn't want to worry anymore, and the longer she stayed in Italy the more she worried. She sat at the cafe table, if that was what you could call it. It didn't really feel like a cafe, more of a roadside shack, and the table, an upended crate and rough-hewn stools. Still she had been enjoying her glass of wine until a fancy car pulled up beside their scooters and Lucky had jumped to his feet to go and see the woman in the back of the car.
She had no idea who the woman was, but she knew her type. Monica socialized with enough of them and the nurse's ball was filled to the brim with self-important women that had one focus in life, their own happiness.
She watched as the woman handed lucky a map and stack of money and with a withering glance in Emily's direction, the car drove off down the road.
When Lucky returned to the table he didn't even take his seat, he grabbed the cup and downed the remainder of his drink with a gasp and poured himself another. "Baby, I hope you're ready for the fun tomorrow... because this is where it gets interesting."
Looking at the rustic beauty that surrounded her, Emily resisted the urge to sigh. She thought it was interesting, already. Well, she liked it enough when Lucky could pay her some attention. She wasn't sure she was going to enjoy whatever it was he had in mind, especially if it involved Elizabeth.
"Sure, Lucky. I can't wait." She lifted her cup and he joined her in a toast. "We'll clear the air with Elizabeth and then we can go on with our lives." She immediately took a long sip of wine, her eyes drifting closed.
Lucky watched her down the wine and shook his head. She was just as self-centered as she claimed Elizabeth was. And come tomorrow, he was going to enjoy watching the truth dawn on her face. He wanted to see the moment she realized that she'd been played. It was going to be a good one.
Elizabeth was up at dawn, waiting in the entryway of the house. It wasn't long before Maximus descended the stairs and stopped at the bottom. "Elizabeth."
"Uncle." She looked up at him, a determined set to her jaw. "We need to talk."
He saw her eyes, the way they glittered with warning. And he couldn't help but smile. "You remind me so much of her."
The gentle endearment shook her resolve slightly. "I'm glad, if it makes you happy." She saw him nod and then she continued. "But I'm not happy, Uncle. I'm not happy here."
He gestured for her to walk down the hall and she did, with him following closely behind her. "I know, my dear. I understand more than I seem to. But you," he paused to open a door and hold it for her, "have to understand that things will change. We need to protect you right now, but soon... very soon," he watched her sit in a chair across from his desk, "but I must ask you for a little more patience."
"With everything going on right now," she began, "Sonny's death, the added pressure by police... I think I should go back. I can help Jason there. I can take care of him the way he was taking care of me."
"Elizabeth." She could hear the tension in his voice. She could see the way his jaw tightened. "You should know something before you ask me to send you back to Port Charles."
She nodded, slowly, watching him carefully.
"My attorney took annulment papers to Jason. He took them to Jason's office personally and put them in Jason's hands."
The words rushed over her like the tide, the rush of blood in her ears roared like waves crashing over her head. "You did what?"
"I felt you needed a fresh start away from all the crazy things in Port Charles. Here you can learn about your family heritage," he conceded, "BOTH sides of it. And here you will be part of a family who loves you. Not someone," his eyes softened when he looked at her, "who feels obligated to take care of you."
"Oh."
"My attorney is headed back to Italy now with the papers in his possession. When he returns, we'll have you sign them and finish up the remaining steps." He saw the impact his words had on her. The way her shoulders slumped, the way her lips pressed into a tight colorless line, and the indigo of her eyes flattened as though they'd lost their brilliance. It hurt him, like a punch to the gut, but he could only hope that this would all work out in the end. That she would shake her infatuation with Jason Morgan and find someone who made his home in Italy, somewhere close to him.
"Elizabeth, please understand-"
"Oh, I understand," she stood, her spine ramrod straight, "I am quite familiar with the idea of obligation."
He hear the wobble in her voice and rethought his words. He hadn't lied to her. Ric was on his way back, under his orders. Maximus just hadn't told Elizabeth that Ric had another set of the papers in his briefcase that were still completely unsigned. Jason, true to his word, hadn't changed his mind. But Maximus was sure he could get Elizabeth to sign them and that would convince Jason to do the same.
"I think you should get outside today, Elizabeth. You're far too pale for my liking. I've received an invitation from a farmer in the area, he's harvesting his olives and needs help in the orchard. When the harvest is finished there will be a picnic feast and music from local musicians. I believe you'll enjoy the activity."
Enjoying anything would prove difficult for Elizabeth, but she was willing to go if only to get away from the house... from the whole situation.
"Do you think..." she began but changed her mind. "Would you let Francis have the afternoon off? I think he has some sightseeing he'd like to do."
Maximus shrugged easily. Morgan's man was the least of his worries. "Has he done something to upset you?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "No... no. It's just that," she didn't want to tell her uncle that being around her guard and his developing romance with Antonia was like walking on shards of glass, "I see him and I think... and I think of Jason."
"Well then," Maximus gave her an enthusiastic nod, "we'll give him the day off and I'll send one of my men with you."
She excused herself to go to her room and change. She needed to pull herself together and find a way to get beyond the mess she'd made of her life... again.
