A/N – Thanks for your comments and patience. I had a lovely vacation. Coming back was hard and work was so busy. Sorry, I'm late. Hope everyone is doing well.

Chapter 38

Sonny watched Sam as she stood outside with her eyes closed as the sun kissed her skin. Early this morning, he had heard her crying and held her until she fell asleep. The distance between them feels like a cavern and he doesn't know what to do about it.

She suddenly turned to face him, and their gaze locked. He isn't sure what her expression means, but he doesn't have a good feeling about it. Slowly, she opened the door and moved inside.

"Hungry?"

She shook her head. "But I know I need to eat."

"Come on."

Tossing the blanket, she had wrapped around her on the couch, she made her way into his favorite place other than their bedroom. Her body still aches, and she needs to get better to go after Carly. So, she'll eat and push her body until she can.

"Omelet?"

"That's fine."

He got busy chopping up an onion.

"The kids can come back if you want."

He stopped to look up. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Something is going on today, so we'll do it tomorrow." He has a feeling that having the kids there tonight will help Monica and Alan adjust regarding their daughter.

"Any news about Carly?"

"No, but I put more men on it." He knows that if he doesn't find Carly, Sam will do something drastic, and he doesn't want to lose her. Carly might do stupid things, but she's conniving and won't hesitate to finish what she started. While Sam can protect herself, she isn't rational right now for good reason, so Sonny doesn't trust her completely.

"Thank you." She has connections that he doesn't because of her salvage business. Carly will make a mistake at some point, she always does. When it happens, Sam will be waiting and her boyfriend will just have to deal with it.

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Jason hugged his sister, savoring her energy. When they parted, he was met with tears.

"Don't cry."

"I can't help it. I hope Cody can handle lots of tears."

His face morphed into a terrified expression. "That might bring him to his knees."

She wiped a tear away. "Is there anything good he has that I could get for not telling everyone he crumbled?"

Jason smiled. "He has a pretty big sports trading card collection."

"Duly noted…"

Her gaze went to Liz who was crying too.

"Hormones?"

Liz nodded as they embraced.

"Let me know how Sam is doing." She hates that she'll miss the funeral, but they couldn't wait another day.

"I will."

Liz's attention went to Jason. "Can we text?"

"Yes, but you'll be using a different phone."

"Okay." She'll take it.

One by one, Emily said goodbye and then pulled Johnny into the study where she laid a torrid kiss on him.

"Damn, baby."

She grinned. "Just remember, when I get back, we're doing it."

He groaned.

"So, you better keep in shape."

"Oh, I can bring it."

They kissed again.

"Any family suggestions?"

"Just don't blame me for anything they do."

"I will try not to, but there are no guarantees."

He playfully tickled her.

"I'm going to miss you so much," he said emotionally.

"I feel the same. How often can we talk?"

"Once a week, never at the same time."

"Not enough, but I get it."

"You ready?"

She nodded. "As I'll ever be…"

He gripped her hand and then led her to the basement.

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The plan was elaborate but effective. The wine cellar led to a tunnel; one that Edward had closed off when AJ had used it to sneak out of the house in his teens. A few of Jason's men had opened it back up and made sure it was architecturally still sound. Emily was led through it and then had to walk a short distance to an ATV which Cody drove until they reached a private road where a car was waiting.

Several vehicles left the house, which was followed by Helena's men. Emily's suitcases were already on the plane. Johnny headed back to his apartment with a decoy to make it look like things were normal, but they were anything but that. Jason and Elizabeth stayed put, which gave him time to spend with the kids.

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Cody watched as Emily wiped her face. She had been crying for the last hour.

"Killing me…" he mumbled before undoing his seatbelt which she heard.

A loud sob left her lips.

"Shit," he muttered as he scrounged around for a tissue, missing her devious expression. He rushed to her side. "Please don't cry. I just can't handle it and I don't want your brother to kill me, and if you haven't noticed, he's scary—like super ridiculously scary. We don't call him the terminator for nothing."

She almost lost it. "It will cost you."

He froze. "What?"

"If you don't want everyone to hear what you just said," she held up her phone which is recording, "then it will cost you."

"Son of a bitch, I've been played."

"Damn right."

He folded his arms in front of him. "What do you want from me?" If the guys heard that recording, he'd never live it down.

"I don't know, maybe a couple of your best baseball cards."

His eyes grew. "How did you—Johnny?"

"Nope. I'll never tell. Well?"

He turned around as he cursed under his breath, and then spun on his heel. "Fine."

She cracked up. "The look on your face was priceless."

He shook his head. "Were you punking me this whole time?"

"I was crying for real and then I heard you mutter and remembered my mission."

"Unbelievable…"

"That's me in a nutshell."

He sighed as he sat. "Played by a girl."

She laughed harder. "I may not look like much, but my brain is on point."

"I'll try to remember that if I don't feed you to the fishes first."

Her jaw dropped.

"Gotcha," he said before smiling. Johnny is a lucky man.

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Taggert wiped his face before gazing back at his computer screen. What he is seeing is unbelievable and he's pretty sure that the anonymous source is probably just as dangerous as the former DA.

Brian sat across from him. "You rang?"

"Take a look at this." He turned the laptop to face his colleague.

After a few minutes, Brian sat back. "Wow."

"I already sent some men out there."

"How?"

"Someone must have been following him."

"You think it was Jason?"

"No. He would have handed that over already. In the end, I think he wants Ric off the streets one way or another."

"But. he'd rather do it himself?"

"I'm sure, but he's not stupid. The only way he'd risk getting caught is if Rick does something over the top."

Brian cracked his neck. "I think it's coming."

"Me too…" Hopefully, they'll find the weapon. Ric probably wiped the prints off, but the video of him burying it will come in handy."

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At Windemere, Nikolas sipped some brandy. He had gotten a message to his uncle about the video and Stefan made sure it got to the police. Doing it this way protected Nikolas in case Helena found out and Stefan was on board with getting Ric out of the picture. He's too dangerous.

Stefan entered the room and nodded. As he sat on a small couch, Helena breezed into the room.

"Well, hello, Stefan. Are you bored with those droll Quartermaines and Morgans yet?"

"I don't hang out with the Quartermaines. That's probably your fault."

She grinned. "Maybe… Are you ready to leave, Nikolas?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'm not going. It's all on you."

Stefan and Nikolas clenched their jaws. With Nikolas gone, it would be one less distraction for her which means she can focus more on the task at hand. She is definitely up to something.

"Whatever you wish."

"You're so agreeable today." Her focus went to Stefan. "No bringing that girl here."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. She'll have to be dealt with at some point. You know that, right?"

When Stefan tensed, she smiled.

"You're in love with her, aren't you."

"My personal life is none of your business."

"Ah, but it is. She won't fit in. Once this is over, I'll find you a suitable mate."

Growing tired of the banter, she exited the room.

Stefan eyed Nikolas. Somehow, they need to make this happen sooner than later.

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Monica finished putting a necklace on Elizabeth, and their gaze locked, both looking determined.

Audrey watched them as she hoped nothing will go wrong with the plan.

"You know what to do if necessary?"

Liz nodded as she shifted Morgan on her lap so he would lose interest in it. The thought of it made her sick, but Jason can't be everywhere, and she will never underestimate the enemy again.

At this point, Monica has had it with people messing with her family.

Jason entered the room and then came to a halt. "What's going on?" They look way too serious.

There is no way that Monica is going to tell him the truth, at least not now. Besides, it might mentally break Jason if he finds out it was Lila's idea. People underestimate the cunningness of the matriarch.

"Nothing… We're fine," Audrey said.

He sat next to Elizabeth and then gripped her hand. "Stefan got word to Chloe that Helena is not leaving and she's sending Nikolas to Palermo."

"That doesn't sound good," Liz said.

"Oh dear," Audrey muttered.

"I'd prefer it if you stayed here," Lila said as she is pushed into the room.

"No," Jason said.

Their eyes locked.

"No?"

Audrey and Monica almost grinned at Jason's expression which is a mix of stubbornness and confusion.

"You heard me."

Jason's head tilted. "I love you, but I'm not going to endanger your life."

"We'll be fine because you have an army surrounding the house right now."

"And Helena probably has weapons that could deal with that. The answer is no."

"Don't get that tone with me."

Jason shifted exasperatedly. "Don't make me walk out and not come back until this is over." He'd do it to protect her. If Helena gets to Lila, he doesn't know if he can survive that.

Lila almost softened when Jason looks like what she is asking is torture.

"You never yell at me."

Monica bit her lip. She swore that Jason's voice had cracked.

"You don't usually make me. You will not withhold yourself or Elizabeth from us. That is letting that witch win. While I understand your hesitancy, Helena can get to you with or without you being here, and I feel safer with you here."

"Two words—emotional blackmail," Johnny said from the doorway. "I like you even more now," he said before winking which made Lila grin.

"Get out of my way, you scoundrel," Edward said from behind him.

"Now, you're in trouble," Audrey said.

Johnny chuckled. "He can't kill me with his scowl," he said before moving aside, happy when Morgan perked up at the sound of his voice.

"What is going on in here?"

"Lila is taking Jason to task," Audrey said.

"What did he do now?"

When Edward's arms crossed in front of him, and his lethal expression mirrored his grandson's, everyone in the room is beaming.

The men noticed and looked confused.

"Why are you all grinning?"

"Because you both are so much alike it's scary," Monica said.

Jason gagged.

"You can deny it all you want, but it's true. You are like twins," Alice said.

"You're fired!" Edward bellowed making Alice roll her eyes.

"Like I haven't heard that one before. As usual, I choose only to listen to your wife."

Edward muttered under his breath.

"It's settled, you're staying at least for tonight," Lila said.

Jason started to object, but Elizabeth squeezed his hand.

"It's okay. We shouldn't have the same routine, or she can develop a schedule."

He sighed heavily.

"Face it, you're outnumbered," Audrey said.

"If you want something specific for dinner, let me know and I'll have Cook go shopping," Lila said before motioning to Alice. "I need to go do some foundation work. Please don't kill each other before I return."

"There are no guarantees," Edward said.

"Then I hope you like the couch in your study."

Jason almost smiled. She is one of a kind.

Edward muttered as he followed behind her.

"I really like Lila," Liz said.

"Don't get any ideas," Jason said.

Her brow rose, making Monica and Audrey chuckle.

"Jesus, what is wrong with all of you today?"

"It's called gumption," Audrey said.

"Is that like gumbo?" Jason asked playing stupid.

She laughed. "Now, I know you are messing with me. You know exactly what it means and that you are in big trouble."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Johnny?"

"Yes, Jason."

Jason glared due to his tone. "Get me out of here."

Johnny laughed. "Come on, we can talk about some plans while we walk the perimeter."

Jason kissed Liz and then Morgan, who had reached for him, on the forehead and then followed Johnny into the hallway, as the women's gazes locked. For now, their secret is safe.

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When Emily finally arrived, she was relieved to get off the plane but stunned by the number of people waiting.

A short but pretty woman moved forward, "Welcome to the Emerald Isle. I'm Johnny's mother, Maggie."

Emily smiled. "HI, I'm Emily."

"At least my son has good taste. Frankly, I was scared."

Emily chuckled. "I don't blame you."

They laughed.

She gazed to her left and froze when she spotted Ryan who looked a lot like his brother.

"It's uncanny, isn't it? I swear they are not twins."

Ryan is more muscular and serious than his brother, but their eye color and most of their features are spot on. He slowly moved forward, already feeling that his brother had picked well.

"Ryan…" he said as he held out his hand.

"Emily…"

A short red-headed woman pushed around him and then sized Emily up. Satisfied, when Emily met her gaze and straightened her shoulders, she smiled. "Siobhan here, I keep him straight, but not honest. No one is capable of that."

Emily is surprised when she is pulled into a hug.

"You're probably too good for Johnny because God knows I'm too good for him."

Ryan groaned making Emily grin.

"I think we will get along fabulously."

Siobhan nodded. "Just don't mistake Ryan for Johnny and we're good."

Emily tried not to laugh but Johnny's expression popped into her mind, and she lost it.

"She thinks I'm joking?"

Cody finally cracked a smile. "It's not that. Johnny—let's just say he warned her." Emily had confided that on the plane.

Siobhan shook her head. "He is a nut case. I can't imagine what he must have said." She misses her crazy brother-in-law even though he drives her to madness with his teasing.

Emily will need some adjustment time to get used to her accent, but she loves the fire in Siobhan's eyes.

"Let's get her back to the house. Are you hungry?" Maggie asked.

"A little bit."

"Then you can have a snack before you retire."

They moved to some cars while a hoard of guards surrounded them, and then headed to the house.