A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad I could surprise you. It gets harder to do lol. Sorry I'm late. The smoke here is really bad today from the fires and we're about 85 miles away. We're in the unhealthy range and even though I'm at work, my eyes are burning and it smells in here. If you pray, keep those affected by this and all the other disasters we've had lately and say a few prayers.
Chapter 51
Isabella closed her eyes as the plane leveled off. It was hard saying goodbye to the kids and she hated lying to them even if it was the right thing to do. She is unrecognizable in a pair of sweats, slip on sneakers, and a baggy t-shirt. Her blonde short wig gripped her scalp and she decides she hates contacts. Getting them in quickly had been a chore, but Riley had walked her through it. This is the hardest thing that she has done since coming to the U.S. There are too many errant thoughts clouding her mind and she just wishes they'd stop. If this woman is really Ari, there will be so much heartbreak. How can you even reconcile losing so many years and the love of your life? Helena had gotten the ultimate revenge on Paul and telling him will be excruciating, but she refuses to tell him about the baby beforehand because he will have to choose and that can't be a consideration.
Riley curiously observes her, wondering how the usual stoic woman is holding up under the circumstances. It is like a soap opera plot and he would never want to be in her place. He wasn't around for the Ari years and is very fond of Paul's family. First and foremost, he will protect Isabella just in case the other woman is a fraud. From what he knows about Helena, it could be the case. Rex had been very cryptic, but Riley understood the importance of keeping Paul's family safe. If it's really Ari, then he'll do the same for her. It is just the nature of his role in the business and the honor Paul demands from his employees.
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Jason wakes again, disappointed to find that he's still in the hell hole of a house with no way to get out. Some of the wood must have shifted, because the pressure on his legs seems a little heavier. His breathing is rapid and shallow, letting him know that something is seriously wrong, especially when he coughs and he realizes the liquid that sprays out is red. "Fuck," he mutters. A sharp pain permeates the back of his head and he sees stars for several minutes before he can focus again. "Elizabeth," he whimpers. She won't give up and will know that he'd never leave without letting her know, right? What if—. All thoughts stop when he hears a noise and then a thump and realizes that he's not alone. Looking to his right, he tries to locate a weapon and decides on a small piece of wood before his nemesis finally comes into view.
He looks at the cat incredulously as the animal stares him down. "Why can't you be a dog?" A coughing fit follows and after he calms down, reeling from the pain, the cat moves a hair closer and then plops on the floor. A meow follows and then silence fills the air. Jason isn't sure if he's happy for the company or if it just makes him even more frustrated.
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Carly strolls into Sonny's office.
His pen hits the desk as he looks at her warily.
"What are you doing to find Jason?"
"He isn't answering his phone and I stopped by the penthouse and Francis filled me in."
"Then he told you that Jason is with Courtney protecting her?"
"He did, but that doesn't mean she's safe. She's not use to this violence, Sonny. How long are you willing to wait before you look for them?"
After taking a sip from his coffee, his eyes rake her up and down before answering. It's a shame she's such a pain in the ass because she certainly looks great naked. "The more you don't know the better. You know how the game is played. Jason can take care of himself and doesn't need you poking around where you shouldn't."
Her hands find her hips as she gets ready to rail at him. "Just remember that despite our transgressions, Jason has always been loyal. He has taken bullets for you."
"You think I need a reminder of that? I'm aware of what Jason has done for the business, but I also know that he brought a major player here and didn't even bother to tell me. How am I supposed to take that? We don't know what Paul's true motives are. He may be playing Jason just to sit right here," he said as he smacked the arms of his chair. "So, excuse me if I have come to question Jason's loyalty."
Carly is stunned. "Wow! What the hell is wrong with you? Are you serious right now? If Jason doesn't make contact by tomorrow and you don't do anything about it, then I guess I know where you stand. You need to think really hard about this, because you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. He wouldn't betray you like that."
"Carly… You just don't get the business. This is all about loyalty and putting the company first. Jason hasn't been doing that for a long time. He let a woman grab him by the balls and he ran away like a little pussy!" Spittle flies out of his mouth as his fist connects with the table.
While Carly is disturbed by his mood, she still has a game to play, so she takes the bait. "You won't get any argument from me regarding Elizabeth. She is the worst thing that has ever happened to Jason, but you have to ask yourself, how much do you expect Jason to take before he feels he has to leave? We pushed him out the door just as much as she did with the constant drama and I know I played a big part in that. You can't expect Jason to just jump every time you bark a command and not get tired of it. He's too smart for that. He is not trying to hurt you, Sonny, but can you say the same?"
She held his gaze for a moment longer and then strode out of the office, not surprised at all when she heard a glass shatter against the wall. The man is just a shadow of himself and she's glad she got out when she did.
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Later that night, Jason woke up and coughed a few times before opening his eyes. It is pitch black in the room except for a glowing pair of eyes.
"Are you still here?"
"Meow."
He sighed. "Kill some mice instead of just laying around."
The eyes moved closer and soon, the cat sat beside him, and Jason could feel it's tail hit his arm sporadically.
"Can I touch you?"
He slowly lifted his hand and cat shrunk back a little, but then allowed Jason to touch her. He scratched the back of her head and then felt the collar, indicating that she isn't a feral cat. "I hope someone is looking for you."
He dropped his hand, unable to hold it up any longer and the cat settled by his side. Thinking nothing of it, he shut his eyes again. At least the rats won't get him.
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The next morning, Paul got settled in a small apartment that Vinny had rented for him. It wasn't much, but he needed to fly under the radar as much as possible. His trusted guard had left him some clothes, mainly jeans and t-shirts and some boots. A cap sat on the bed and a small suitcase, which he careful opened to find some guns, a disposable phone, and an ear piece so they can communicate. There is a knock on the door and lets Vinny in.
"Hey, boss."
"Hey. How is Kelly?"
Vinny smirks. "She's healing nicely. How was the flight?" Kelly is turning out to be one of his favorite pastimes.
"Too long, but I slept. What do you have for me?"
Vinny briefed him on what Johnny had told him since the Sarducci guard will be the go between.
"That's not much to go on."
"No, it's not." He handed him a picture. "That's Carlos. We haven't been asking around too much because we don't want him to run, but we have people all over the place and no one has seen him. The one good thing about him going out with Carly, is that we can say we're just trying to feel him out to protect her and Sonny will be none the wiser."
"Is Carly going to be a problem?"
"No. She went over to speak with Sonny and thinks he's losing it, acting as though Jason has betrayed him. Sonny even mentioned you."
"Of course, he did—the lunatic. He better hope that Jason is okay. This is all because of that idiot sister of his."
"Maybe Jason got sick of her and put her out of her misery."
Paul smirked. "That would be too easy. Now, we need to find Carlos's last name. What are the names of the crime families Sonny is watching?"
Vinny walked over to the dresser and grabbed a file. "There are two he's focusing in on and one is new. They are young and a little reckless."
Carlos read the paper carefully. "Mariano huh?"
Vinny smirked. "Yeah."
Their reputation is deadly, but so is Paul's and they are banking on that to try to figure out who is behind all the mayhem and put a stop to it. If Sonny wasn't such a pompous ass, he wouldn't have so many people going after his organization.
"I'll handle Tony as soon as we get Carlos's last name. It will throw him off guard."
"We're looking everywhere."
"I don't think he's nearby. Sonny wouldn't take the chance."
Vinny almost felt sorry for Sonny because he knows his boss is out for blood since Paul considers Jason family now and you don't mess with family.
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Isabella stretched and then tightened her seat belt. It is time to land and face the woman who could take everything away from her. If she is Ari, then who knows what her mental state is after all these years. "Are we going straight there?"
Riley nods. "Yes. I figured you wouldn't want to put it off."
"I want to change before seeing her."
"It's already arranged. There are two houses on the property. You can change in the other one and then, we'll go see her."
"Okay."
She absentmindedly rubs her belly when she feels a slight twinge.
"Are you hungry?" It is lunch time.
She jerks her hand away. "No, I'm just a little nauseous. I'll be fine."
He accepts her explanation and then goes back to studying a file on the property. As the wheels touch down, Isabella knows things will never be the same again.
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Liz walked past the couch where Carly is sleeping. It had been a long night and surprisingly, the blonde had been on her best behavior and was rather quiet. She wondered if something more had gone down with Sonny that had upset her, but then realized that she really didn't care. After having breakfast with Cam at Grams, she had quickly made her way back to the penthouse, not wanting to miss anything should Jason be found.
Last night, she had a nightmare that he was lying somewhere hurt and they couldn't get to him in time and it was niggling at her; as vivid in her mind as if it had really happened.
"I got it!" Spinelli yelled, waking Carly up and garnering the attention of everyone in the room.
"What?" Francis said.
"Yeah, spit it out," Johnny added.
"Rivera—Carlos's last name is Rivera."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. After taking his picture from the Metro Court surveillance, I was able to match the heinous one in a central crime data base. He has been arrested before on suspicion of assault and battery and did two years as a juvenile for stealing a car and robbing the receiver of his nefariousness."
Francis moved to his side. "Good job, Spinelli."
"I will do anything to get Stone Cold back."
Francis patted him on the shoulder. "Take a break."
Spinelli got up and then went into the corner and laid on a twin mattress and covered up.
Johnny already had Paul on the phone. "His name is Carlos Rivera. He's small time, which means he's being bankrolled by someone else. Spinelli needs some sleep, but as soon as he wakes up, I'll have him try to follow the bank trail."
"I can get my people on it too. Time is urgent."
"You think he's in trouble?"
"Yes. How is Elizabeth?"
"You want to ask her yourself?"
"Okay."
He handed her the phone and Elizabeth retreated to the kitchen. "Hey."
"Elizabeth, I just wanted to check on you."
"I'm fine, but I don't think Jason is and we need to find him fast."
"I know. I'm doing everything I can to locate him. Finding Carlos's last name is going to help us greatly."
"I believe in you and thank you so much for having his back."
"He'd do the same for me."
"You're right. Be safe."
Paul slightly smiled at her worry. "I will."
The call ended and she moved back into the other room and handed the phone to Johnny.
"Alright, there are two computers on the coffee table. Each has some video surveillance of the area and I need you and Carly to pour through the files the last few days and see if you spot her boyfriend."
Carly glared at Johnny as Elizabeth fought a smirk.
"We didn't even kiss and he's not my boyfriend."
"If you say so…"
"Don't make me hurt you, Johnny."
He grinned and moved away.
They each grabbed a computer.
"You're just loving this, aren't you?"
Liz shrugged. "I really don't care who you sleep with as long as it's not Jason."
Carly rolled her eyes. "Been there, done that."
"And you'd do it again if he let you," Johnny added.
"Can it, Shaggy."
"If he's Shaggy, does that mean I'm Fred?" Francis asked.
"More like Scrappy Doo."
Liz shook her head. "Nope. Nobody likes Scrappy and everyone loves Francis."
Carly chuckled when Johnny groaned. For hours, the girls looked at the video files until Carly gasped. "You know that dive out on route seventy-two?"
"The motorcycle joint?" Francis asked.
"Yeah. He was there three nights ago. He parked on the corner and the traffic camera caught him."
Johnny sat next to her and zoomed in. "Carly, I could kiss you right now."
"You'd probably turn me into a frog."
He grinned. "In that case..."
She smacked his arm. "Idiot…"
"Now you know Arianna would kick your ass," Liz said.
"You don't really think that I'd go through with it…"
Liz gave him a look and Johnny's face contorted.
"What the hell is wrong with kissing me?" Carly said.
"Sonny—you're tainted."
"Idiot…"
Johnny texted Paul the information. They are finally catching a break.
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Isabella took a deep breath and entered the house.
"Hello?" a voice called out. "Who's there?" She didn't get many visitors. Usually, Helena stopped by long enough to taunt her about her family, but the old hag hadn't visited in quite a while. Secretly, she hopes the woman is dead, but she'd never admit that to the guards. They usually kept to themselves, so she didn't have much social interaction. To keep herself busy, she baked a lot and the men would take the goodies home to their families while she stayed in isolation.
Isabella stepped into the kitchen and their gazes locked.
