Chapter 23

Wyndemere

Skye and Gia stood off to the side, watching the guests have a wonderful time. "This is such a great place for a ball," Skye remarked. Gia nodded. "I was told that there was a ball held here a few years ago. Though I think it was called a bacchanalia, or something like that. It was definitely time for another one." Skye agreed. The two women had laughed when they first saw each other. They were both dressed as jungle cats. Gia was a tiger, and Skye was a black panther. Skye's dress was made of black velvet, and hugged her body all the way down to her toes. The sleeves were long, and the neckline high and extending out to her shoulders. She wore a headband featuring black velvet cat ears, and a feline mask. Gia was similarly attired, looking very exotic in tiger stripes. As soon as Nikolas had found out what his fiance was going to be wearing, he had decided to dress as a big game hunter.

AJ and Courtney were dressed as Cinderella and Prince Charming. Alan and Monica were a king and queen. Ned had brought Felicia, and they appeared to be dressed as Lucy and Ricky. Edward was at home attending to Lila, who was sick with a cold. Skye scanned the crowd for probably the tenth time, looking for Sonny. She didn't see him, and she knew she would recognize him even if he was disguised. She saw Jax and Carly dressed as a mermaid and fisherman. Skye rolled her eyes. Well at least he didn't have on a suit of armor. Mike and Bobbie were a gunslinger and dance hall girl. She scanned the crowd again. Skye spotted Alexis Davis and her date. The date was an old time judge, complete with curly white wig. She wasn't sure what Alexis was supposed to be, but then it came to her. She was Justice, the statue of the woman who is blindfolded and carrying a scale. Clever. Skye also spotted Zander with Kristina dressed as Romeo and Juliet. But Sonny was nowhere in sight.

Skye sighed, feeling like a silly adolescent with her first crush. This was ridiculous. She should be counting her blessings that she hadn't gotten involved with Sonny. If she had, her life would be terribly complicated, and she would have to constantly put up with people telling her that it was a mistake. Both her father and mother would be in an uproar and she'd never hear the end of it. The business community would scrutinize ELQ, wondering what influence the mobster would have on his lover's company. She and Sonny would probably be at each other's throats all the time because they were both so independent and stubborn. Skye sighed again. Who was she kidding? If Sonny loved her and wanted her by his side, she would tell the whole world to go to hell. But he didn't love her or want her by his side.

Gia giggled, breaking Skye's reverie. Gia leaned over to whisper to Skye, "Sonny Corinthos is certainly dressed appropriate tonight." She indicated the entrance. Skye looked over, feigning mild interest, and had to agree with Gia's assessment. Sonny was dressed like a pirate. He wore a a billowy white muslin shirt that was unbuttoned almost to his navel and tightfitting tan pants with knee high black boots. A long sword hung on his hip, and he had what looked like a gold earring in one ear. His only concession to a mask was a patch over one eye. He looked absolutely scrumptious. Skye was disgusted with herself for wanting to swoon all over him like the heroine in a paperback romance. "If you'll excuse me, Gia, I think I'm going to go get some punch." She turned and went in the opposite direction of where Sonny was standing. She grabbed a glass of punch and gulped it down. She was halfway through her second glass, when she heard a voice whisper in her ear. "Rowr." She shivered, knowing instantly who it was. She turned around slowly to face Sonny. He was checking her out. "I like your costume. Were you inspired by Mocha?" She tilted her head. "Actually, yes. We were at the vet's the other day, and Mocha took a swipe at him. Left a pretty deep scratch on his hand. I thought to myself, you know that's just like me when someone pisses me off." She held up one of her hands and wiggled her fingers, which had been fitted with long black nails.

Sonny laughed. "Well I guess I better be on my best behavior." She smiled dangerously in response. He cleared his throat. "Sounds like they're starting a waltz. Would you like to dance?" She stared at him, wondering what his game was. She tried to form the words "go to hell" in her mouth, but what finally came out between clenched teeth was "Fine!" He put a hand to his chest. "I'm so flattered by your enthusiasm." She shook her head. "Lets just get this over with," she said and strode out of the refreshment room. They took their places on the dance floor. Skye was very stiff and formal at first, but soon relaxed. She loved the waltz. The sensation of being held in a man's arms as he swept you across the dance floor was quite heady. "I'm sorry I wasn't very talkative at Interlude the other night. I had a lot on my mind, and didn't want any distractions." She raised one eyebrow. "The blonde chick wasn't a distraction?" He tilted his head. "No, not really. She made a nice dinner companion, but not very memorable." She made a face. "You are such a pig!" He smirked. "Actually, I'm dressed as a pirate." She sighed. "You really drive me nuts, Corinthos. I never know what you're going to say or do next." He sobered. "When people, especially enemies, start to find me predictable, that's when I get into trouble." She shook her head. "Well you're doing a good job of staying two moves ahead." He shrugged. "Yeah, but it's lonely out there in front of everyone." Skye tsked. "But you have your bimbos to keep you company." The music had ceased by this point, so she pulled out of his arms and walked off.

She slipped into side hallway, trying to find someplace private so she could compose herself. She tried the door at the end, and found that it was a sitting room of some sort. She closed the door and sank down on one of the overstuffed chairs, letting her head fall back. She was startled when the door opened and slammed. Her head came up and she saw Sonny standing there. "Why are you running away from me?" She stared at him, exasperated. "I didn't know there was anything to run away from. I mean, what are we to each other, Sonny? I don't think we're enemies anymore, but we're not exactly friends. We know each other too well to be acquaintances." Sonny laid his sword on a nearby table and sat down opposite her. "You think you know me?" She shrugged. "Maybe not as well as your family and friends, but I know more about you than I did even six months ago." Sonny gazed at her with unreadable eyes. "Like what for example?"

Skye thought a moment. "Do you remember that time in the parking garage when you're thugs pulled AJ out of the limo?" Sonny's lips quirked. "My memory is a bit fuzzy about that." Skye rolled her eyes. "Of course, I'm sure it is. Well, I remember that occasion clearly. I was very afraid that you were going to kill AJ and I. I thought you were fully capable of murdering us." Sonny raised one eyebrow. "And now you don't believe I'm capable of murder?" She shook her head. "I think you are, but you reserve such measures for the Dawsons of this world." Skye grimaced. "Actually, that's a bad example, since I was the one who murdered Dawson." Sonny nodded. "True. Do you think that makes us more alike than we realized?" Skye opened her mouth to reply when she was surprised by what sounded like a clapping noise. They both looked towards the door and saw a man standing there. "Well, well, well," he said in a broad southern drawl, "I want to thank you so much, Ms. Chandler-Quartermaine for clearing up that little mystery for me." Sonny and Skye both shot to their feet. "Who are you?" she exclaimed. The man looked chagrined. "I do apologize for my rudeness, ma'am. I should have introduced myself. My name is Roger Whitaker. Does that ring any bells?" Skye stared at him and shook her head. She looked over at Sonny, who's face was now grim. "Roger Whitaker," he said, "was Dawson's business partner and best friend." Skye paled. She had feared that she'd confessed to murder in front of a cop. But this was far worse.

"You got it, Mr. Corinthos. And 'was' is the operative word, since I suppose you can say that my business is now a sole proprietorship. Which has its benefits, since now all that money will be coming to little ole me alone. But then again, there's not as much cash flowing as there was before, since you, Ms. Chandler-Quartermaine, managed to destroy one of our largest money makers." Skye stared at him. "A company that makes chocolate covered espresso beans was a large money maker?" Whitaker smirked. "Its obvious you don't know beans about the business." He laughed at his own joke. "There was much more going on, but I won't bore you with the details, since its all gone now. You ruined it, Ms. Chandler- Quartermaine. Dawson tried to stop you, but then he disappeared. Now I know what happened to him. I'm glad you were the one who offed him, because I can get my revenge on one person for two different misdeeds." Skye swallowed. "Revenge?" Whitaker pulled out a gun and attached a silencer. "Of course. Mr. Corinthos could probably tell you that in our business, when someone murders one of your associates or interferes in your business, they must be made an example of. Wouldn't want folks to think I'd gotten soft."

A muscle worked in Sonny's jaw. "That sums it up pretty well. So I shouldn't have to tell you that if you harm one hair on her head, you will answer to me." Whitaker shook his head and tsked. "I was afraid you'd say something like that. I guess that means I'll have to eliminate you as well." Skye shouted, "No!" Whitaker pointed the gun at her. "Please keep it down, Ms. Chandler-Quartermaine. The lovely music can drown out only so much. Don't worry about mourning for Mr. Corinthos, here. You'll be too dead to care." Sonny took a step towards Whitaker, who swung his gun back towards him. "Now, now Mr. Corinthos, I hope you aren't so foolish as to try and play hero. You know, I think I will kill you first so that I can have time to enjoy making the little lady pay for her crimes." As soon as Whitaker focused on Sonny, Skye had remembered the sword sitting on the table behind her. She reached back, as subtly as she could, and felt the sheathed point in her hand. Bringing it around and swinging it over her head, she charged towards Whitaker. Sonny had seen her out of the corner of his eye, and as soon as she started charging, he moved in on an intercept course. When Whitaker saw Skye coming at him, he swung his gun back in her direction and fired. Because Sonny was closer to Whitaker, he reached him first and blocked the bullet. As Sonny crumpled into a heap, Skye brought the sword down on Whitaker, the ornate handle making contact with his head and knocking him unconscious.