Dangerous Liaisons
~*~Chapter 5~*~
"I guess I should have expected you soon or later." Ric stated in a repulsed tone. He looked his ex-employer's equally---if not more so--- devious brother over. With his expensive Italian suit and gelled hair, Ric could almost assume Lorenzo Alcazar was trying to steal his look. However, formal was not Lorenzo's style. That was Luis. Lorenzo was more laid- back. He was obviously out to impress.
And what in the hell was he doing anywhere near Elizabeth? He must know about her connection to Ric. He was here to avenge his brother's death, and he just figured hurting Ric would be a fun side activity. But there was no way Ric was going to let him hurt Elizabeth.
"Well, my brother was murdered here six months ago, Ric. I think it's safe to say I have a right to see where my brother spent his last days." Lorenzo gave a side-glance toward Elizabeth. He looked her up and down and smiled shyly at her.
She smiled back looking a little uncomfortable, then glanced at Ric, her eyes pleading for assistance with the creepy criminal.
"And get revenge on the people you blame for his fall, am I right?" Before Lorenzo could answer, Ric went into lawyer mode and continued. "Let's see. You have to go after Alexis Davis for actually pushing him. Nevermind the fact that she was declared mentally unstable, and your brother killed her sister and left her alone in the snow, pregnant and immobile.
"Then there's Sonny Corinthos and Jasper Jacks." Ric went on with false enthusiasm. "I mean they are the reason he was in Port Charles in the first place. He had to destroy the two men that held Ms. Barrett's heart.
"Speaking of Ms. Barrett, have you been to see Brenda? Yeah, she's out of the country now. No track to scout her out, either." Ric was ashamed to admit he'd tried to look her up. He thought she would be a great way to get at Sonny and Jason. But it was useless. Jason must have given her another identity so she'd be safe.
"And we can't forget Jason Morgan. He was married to Brenda! I'm sure Luis didn't like that. Plus, he kind of goes hand-in-hand with Sonny, doesn't he?" Ric laughed. He loved taunting this jackass.
"And last, but hopefully not least, there's me." Ric let out a humorous, exasperated sigh. "Can't forget the man who stole from you and your brother. The man who was in Port Charles to---among other things---kill Luis." He glanced at Elizabeth out of the corner of his eye to gage her reaction to this revelation. She seemed unfazed to figure out Ric had planned to kill Alcazar himself.
Ric crossed one arm across his chest and let the other tap on his chin. "Now, what I'm curious to know is, why would your brother let me out of prison? Did he think I would forget that he locked me in that hellhole? He thought I'd just help him pursue my brother with a vengeance and let him go? Bet you told him I couldn't be trusted, though. But Luis didn't listen, as usual. I mean, we all know how stubborn Luis can be, don't we Lorenzo?" Ric finally paused.
Lorenzo, who'd been standing with his arms crossed, wearing an amused smile, spoke. "Are you done, Ric?"
Ric pretended to really ponder his question. "Well, I think I am. I think I covered everyone you'd want to go after." He glanced at Elizabeth and Carly, who had been listen to the men's exchange. "I covered everyone right?" He noticed Elizabeth try and hold back a slight giggle. He smiled at her before turning back to his enemy. "Yeah. I think I'm done."
"As I informed the ladies..."
Ric cut him off. "Yeah, about the ladies. If you come anywhere near Elizabeth or Carly ever again, the police will need dental records to identify you." Ric smiled at him.
Lorenzo just smiled back. Lorenzo Alcazar was many things, but a chicken was not one of them. It's a good thing Ric wasn't either. He knew this fight was long from over.
"Well, I suppose I should get going." Lorenzo smiled at Elizabeth. "Good- bye Elizabeth. I'm sure I'll see you around."
"No, you won't if you know what's good for you." Ric followed a smiling Lorenzo to the exit and closed the door behind him. He went back at Elizabeth and Carly; his light mood gone. "Are you two all right?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Well, entertained actually. I haven't seen a closer outcome of the Whose-the-bigger-man? contest ever. I mean, at the end, I still don't know who can pee farther." Carly joined her in a loud round of giggles.
Ric smiled slightly then turned serious again. "Um...Lorenzo might seem like an okay guy, but he's ten times more dangerous than his brother."
Carly smiled at him. It was a warm, concerned, almost friendly smile. "I know. Sonny had him checked out. He actually knew about him, but never went to in-depth about him since he wasn't around. Guess he should have."
Elizabeth frowned. "I don't get it. He seems so kind. He actually apologized for his brother kidnapping me."
Ric wasn't sure if he had heard her right. "Luis did what?" He demanded.
"Oh, yeah. You weren't in town back then." Elizabeth smiled at him. It was like she was reminding him that she was okay now. "It was last summer. They were using Zander and I to get to Jason and Sonny."
Ric just stared at Elizabeth for a long moment. She was so brave, so strong. She kept all of her heartache and pain bottled up inside of her. He wanted so badly to pull her into his arms and block her from the rest of the world and all of its evil.
But he knew he couldn't. He had become part of that evil. He had become one of those things that Elizabeth dealt with and locked away. He couldn't hurt her anymore.
"I need to go."
Elizabeth looked upset. "Why, Ric? You just got here."
"Yeah, but I shouldn't have come." He tried to stop himself too, but he had to see her. He wanted to explain to her why he'd left the night before, but now that he was standing in front of her, he just wanted to spare her from having to see him.
And that's why he didn't stay with her through the whole night. He woke up in her arms so happy. Then he remembered why he had been there. What he had acted like the night before. He couldn't face her when he'd acted like such a fool. She deserved better.
"Then why did you come?" Elizabeth put her hand in his. He saw her look down at his arm and then quickly back to his face. She remembered the cuts and rashes that covered him, he realized. He saw pain in her eyes. He had to get out of there.
He pulled his hand from hers. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right, and to apologize, but I really have to go. I have some errands to run." Ric practically ran out of Kelly's.
When Ric rounded the corner by the docks, he spotted a familiar, annoying blonde. He slowly and quietly turned around and took the long way to his apartment.
~*~
Faith stood on the docks looking out into the water. She had her hands behind her back and her right leg twisted around her left, the front tip tapping forcefully against the ground.
This was her favorite spot in all of Port Charles. Ric Lansing made at least one trip past there everyday on his way to and from appointments and revenge plots. So she stood there waiting for him to come along.
She missed him leaving his apartment this morning because of his late night last night. He didn't get home until four thirty this morning. Then he stood at his window for an hour before retiring to his bedroom. It wasn't until then that she abandoned her place outside of his apartment window and returned to her hotel room. When she finally woke up this morning and reached his place, he was already gone.
Probably following after the little bobble-head. What he saw in the little twit was beyond her. She was like a child. So innocent, so pure, so boring!
Faith heard heavy, man-like footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Lorenzo approaching her. She couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Oh, it's you. You know, I'm not really..."
Lorenzo cut her off by crashing his lips to hers. He forced his tongue into her mouth and began an oral exploration.
"Come on." He said pulling her towards the stairs and no doubtedly back to her hotel room.
She thought about saying no. If she left with him, she would miss Ric again. But no self-respecting woman would ignore the itch down below Lorenzo's kiss provoked.
"Yes, sir." She smiled and followed him from her favorite spot.
TBC
~*~Chapter 5~*~
"I guess I should have expected you soon or later." Ric stated in a repulsed tone. He looked his ex-employer's equally---if not more so--- devious brother over. With his expensive Italian suit and gelled hair, Ric could almost assume Lorenzo Alcazar was trying to steal his look. However, formal was not Lorenzo's style. That was Luis. Lorenzo was more laid- back. He was obviously out to impress.
And what in the hell was he doing anywhere near Elizabeth? He must know about her connection to Ric. He was here to avenge his brother's death, and he just figured hurting Ric would be a fun side activity. But there was no way Ric was going to let him hurt Elizabeth.
"Well, my brother was murdered here six months ago, Ric. I think it's safe to say I have a right to see where my brother spent his last days." Lorenzo gave a side-glance toward Elizabeth. He looked her up and down and smiled shyly at her.
She smiled back looking a little uncomfortable, then glanced at Ric, her eyes pleading for assistance with the creepy criminal.
"And get revenge on the people you blame for his fall, am I right?" Before Lorenzo could answer, Ric went into lawyer mode and continued. "Let's see. You have to go after Alexis Davis for actually pushing him. Nevermind the fact that she was declared mentally unstable, and your brother killed her sister and left her alone in the snow, pregnant and immobile.
"Then there's Sonny Corinthos and Jasper Jacks." Ric went on with false enthusiasm. "I mean they are the reason he was in Port Charles in the first place. He had to destroy the two men that held Ms. Barrett's heart.
"Speaking of Ms. Barrett, have you been to see Brenda? Yeah, she's out of the country now. No track to scout her out, either." Ric was ashamed to admit he'd tried to look her up. He thought she would be a great way to get at Sonny and Jason. But it was useless. Jason must have given her another identity so she'd be safe.
"And we can't forget Jason Morgan. He was married to Brenda! I'm sure Luis didn't like that. Plus, he kind of goes hand-in-hand with Sonny, doesn't he?" Ric laughed. He loved taunting this jackass.
"And last, but hopefully not least, there's me." Ric let out a humorous, exasperated sigh. "Can't forget the man who stole from you and your brother. The man who was in Port Charles to---among other things---kill Luis." He glanced at Elizabeth out of the corner of his eye to gage her reaction to this revelation. She seemed unfazed to figure out Ric had planned to kill Alcazar himself.
Ric crossed one arm across his chest and let the other tap on his chin. "Now, what I'm curious to know is, why would your brother let me out of prison? Did he think I would forget that he locked me in that hellhole? He thought I'd just help him pursue my brother with a vengeance and let him go? Bet you told him I couldn't be trusted, though. But Luis didn't listen, as usual. I mean, we all know how stubborn Luis can be, don't we Lorenzo?" Ric finally paused.
Lorenzo, who'd been standing with his arms crossed, wearing an amused smile, spoke. "Are you done, Ric?"
Ric pretended to really ponder his question. "Well, I think I am. I think I covered everyone you'd want to go after." He glanced at Elizabeth and Carly, who had been listen to the men's exchange. "I covered everyone right?" He noticed Elizabeth try and hold back a slight giggle. He smiled at her before turning back to his enemy. "Yeah. I think I'm done."
"As I informed the ladies..."
Ric cut him off. "Yeah, about the ladies. If you come anywhere near Elizabeth or Carly ever again, the police will need dental records to identify you." Ric smiled at him.
Lorenzo just smiled back. Lorenzo Alcazar was many things, but a chicken was not one of them. It's a good thing Ric wasn't either. He knew this fight was long from over.
"Well, I suppose I should get going." Lorenzo smiled at Elizabeth. "Good- bye Elizabeth. I'm sure I'll see you around."
"No, you won't if you know what's good for you." Ric followed a smiling Lorenzo to the exit and closed the door behind him. He went back at Elizabeth and Carly; his light mood gone. "Are you two all right?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Well, entertained actually. I haven't seen a closer outcome of the Whose-the-bigger-man? contest ever. I mean, at the end, I still don't know who can pee farther." Carly joined her in a loud round of giggles.
Ric smiled slightly then turned serious again. "Um...Lorenzo might seem like an okay guy, but he's ten times more dangerous than his brother."
Carly smiled at him. It was a warm, concerned, almost friendly smile. "I know. Sonny had him checked out. He actually knew about him, but never went to in-depth about him since he wasn't around. Guess he should have."
Elizabeth frowned. "I don't get it. He seems so kind. He actually apologized for his brother kidnapping me."
Ric wasn't sure if he had heard her right. "Luis did what?" He demanded.
"Oh, yeah. You weren't in town back then." Elizabeth smiled at him. It was like she was reminding him that she was okay now. "It was last summer. They were using Zander and I to get to Jason and Sonny."
Ric just stared at Elizabeth for a long moment. She was so brave, so strong. She kept all of her heartache and pain bottled up inside of her. He wanted so badly to pull her into his arms and block her from the rest of the world and all of its evil.
But he knew he couldn't. He had become part of that evil. He had become one of those things that Elizabeth dealt with and locked away. He couldn't hurt her anymore.
"I need to go."
Elizabeth looked upset. "Why, Ric? You just got here."
"Yeah, but I shouldn't have come." He tried to stop himself too, but he had to see her. He wanted to explain to her why he'd left the night before, but now that he was standing in front of her, he just wanted to spare her from having to see him.
And that's why he didn't stay with her through the whole night. He woke up in her arms so happy. Then he remembered why he had been there. What he had acted like the night before. He couldn't face her when he'd acted like such a fool. She deserved better.
"Then why did you come?" Elizabeth put her hand in his. He saw her look down at his arm and then quickly back to his face. She remembered the cuts and rashes that covered him, he realized. He saw pain in her eyes. He had to get out of there.
He pulled his hand from hers. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right, and to apologize, but I really have to go. I have some errands to run." Ric practically ran out of Kelly's.
When Ric rounded the corner by the docks, he spotted a familiar, annoying blonde. He slowly and quietly turned around and took the long way to his apartment.
~*~
Faith stood on the docks looking out into the water. She had her hands behind her back and her right leg twisted around her left, the front tip tapping forcefully against the ground.
This was her favorite spot in all of Port Charles. Ric Lansing made at least one trip past there everyday on his way to and from appointments and revenge plots. So she stood there waiting for him to come along.
She missed him leaving his apartment this morning because of his late night last night. He didn't get home until four thirty this morning. Then he stood at his window for an hour before retiring to his bedroom. It wasn't until then that she abandoned her place outside of his apartment window and returned to her hotel room. When she finally woke up this morning and reached his place, he was already gone.
Probably following after the little bobble-head. What he saw in the little twit was beyond her. She was like a child. So innocent, so pure, so boring!
Faith heard heavy, man-like footsteps behind her. She turned around to see Lorenzo approaching her. She couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Oh, it's you. You know, I'm not really..."
Lorenzo cut her off by crashing his lips to hers. He forced his tongue into her mouth and began an oral exploration.
"Come on." He said pulling her towards the stairs and no doubtedly back to her hotel room.
She thought about saying no. If she left with him, she would miss Ric again. But no self-respecting woman would ignore the itch down below Lorenzo's kiss provoked.
"Yes, sir." She smiled and followed him from her favorite spot.
TBC