Reckless Surrender :: Chapter Thirty Forty

Hope stared at the front door of the Kiriakis mansion. Bo stood quietly next to her. Both of them couldn't help but think about how different things were between them since the last time they stood in the very same spot. Bo admired Hope quietly as the front door swung open revealing Victor himself.

"Since when do you answer the door?" Bo joked as he greeted his biological father.

"Since Maggie wants me to be more active and approachable," Victor huffed, "I'm getting more steps. Greeting people. That sort of thing." He stared at them both for a moment, "What are you two doing here?"

"We have some more questions about that gun shipment," Hope announced.

Victor looked around, "Well, we certainly shouldn't discuss that out here. Come in."

Bo shuffled through the door behind Hope. He followed her to the couch in the living room. Victor joined them and sat in the chair across from them.

"You two seem different," Victor observed. The tension between them was gone. They sat close together on the couch, "Did you stop lying to yourselves?"

Hope's hands twisted together in her lap. Bo lifted his arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, "You could say that."

"I'm happy to hear it," Victor smiled pleasantly, "It's about damn time."

Hope smiled, "Victor, your support towards us has always been appreciated."

"You make my son very happy Hope," Victor shrugged, "I would never offer anything less."

"I'm all about this love fest, but unfortunately we're here for business," Bo sighed, "You've got to help us here Victor."

"When will you two stop by for pleasure?" Victor avoided the question, "Maggie and I would love to have you. Ciara too."

"We'd love to," Hope replied, "But first, we know Dimera is dirty on this gun deal."

Victor sighed. His demeanor changed. He looked frustrated. He nodded once, "I know."

"How long have you known?" Bo questioned, "What happened to no man's land?"

Victor paused a moment in thought, "Not long after Hope was shot…"

Bo and Hope looked at each other. Bo's blood almost boiled.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Bo questioned. He successfully maintained an even tone.

"I was doing my own investigation," Victor defended, "A member of my family was shot in Dimera territory. I don't take things of that nature very lightly."

Hope swallowed once, "Victor, I appreciate your protection, but you can't get your hands dirty on this."

"We all know my hands have been dirty for quite some time," Victor mumbled and looked away from both of them, "It's too late to clean them up now."

"Let us handle this," Bo begged, "What do you know?"

Victor sighed, "The organization running the guns are very powerful. Their connections run deep. They have people far and wide. A cross country venture of this sort is not a far fetched move for them. Dimera wanted in. He's always been one to make a deal. He didn't want me as competition, so he made a deal behind my back. He's making quite a chunk of change going into business with them."

"How do you know all this?" Hope questioned.

"I planted one of my men at the motel," Victor replied, "He was killed in the shoot out."

"I'm sorry," Hope replied, "We didn't know."

"Better him, than you," Victor shrugged. He looked distant. Quiet.

"So if he's dead, how did you get all this information from him?" Bo replied.

"He was wired," Victor replied, "Something the two of you should be familiar with."

"How do we prove Dimera is dirty?" Hope asked, "Is this information recorded?"

Victor shook his head, "I know better than that. I don't like evidence just lying around."

"Then what else do you have?" Bo asked, "This case is going cold. Abe is on my ass."

"There's no way you're connected to this?" Hope asked, "You could take Dimera down."

Victor shook his head, "I don't know if I can. I don't want any part of it."

"Victor, come on," Bo replied, "Do the right thing here."

"I know there is another meeting. At the park." Victor revealed, "I don't want any credit for the tip off."

Hope smiled, "When?"

"Tomorrow night," Victor sighed.

Hope jumped up, "Thank you, Victor."

Victor couldn't deny the smile she wore. He smiled back at her, "I expect the two of you for dinner very soon."

Bo smiled, "I'm going to pretend that none of this sounds like a bribe."

"Of course not," Victor shook his head, "My son doesn't do anything illegal."

"We'll see you soon," Hope replied. She followed Bo out the front door.

Victor waved to both of them and closed the door behind them.

"This could be our big break," Bo sighed in anticipation.

Hope nodded, "I feel good about it."

"So we need to get you off the bench," Bo winked. He reached for her hand. She settled into step beside him. She tossed the idea around in her mind. Today excited her. She thought she finally just might be ready to come off the bench.