If Tomorrow Never Comes
Chapter 11
The night breeze ruffled the collar of his coat as he leaned into the shadows watching as her blond hair swept across her face. /Carly./ His eyes followed her movements as she stopped waiting for Johnny to join her. She laughed as Johnny tripped on a stone and she held her hand out to steady him. His stomach tightened in desire as her laughter reached him. He shook his head in disgust. He knew better. He had a job to do.
He watched her smile up at Johnny before linking her arm through his. He scowled as he watched their closeness. He should have known better. The little slut was fucking her bodyguard. No. He wasn't that lucky. She loved Sonny too much to do that. He wondered if Sonny realized it, though. A slow smile spread across his face as he moved out from the shadows. Maybe this was exactly what he needed. He scrunched deeper into his coat as he walked in the opposite direction the other two had gone. Time to set the plan in motion and he knew exactly how to do it.
Luke sat on his couch, his battered wig in his left hand and a glass of scotch in his right. He looked pitifully at his wig before taking a sip of his drink. He really loved that wig. He looked around the room feeling so suddenly very old and very alone.
Luke stood up and walked to his record player, picking a record from the nearest stack. He pulled the LP out gently, wiping it with a cloth before putting it on the record player. The mindless task stopped him from thinking about how pitiful and lonely he felt. His eyes scanned the room slowly, thinking it seemed too dark he reached over to turn on the overhead light. It didn't seem to help.
He knew what the problem was and he had Carly to blame for it. She'd sucked him into her nutty plan and made him feel useful for two minutes. He hated to admit it but Barbara had been right about the girl. She brightened up a room whenever she walked in and made you take notice of her. /Kind of like me./ He chuckled to himself at that thought. Carly was a lot like him in many ways. Before he could think much more about it he heard a soft knock on his door. Luke glanced at his wall clock seeing that it was a little before nine. He smiled a little figuring it was Carly. /She probably forgot to tell me something./
He opened the door with a flourish. " You missed me already did you?" He stopped when his eyes met a pair of clear blue ones.
Laura laughed at Luke's greeting. "Just like you to open the door like that."
Luke stood at the door, staring at her. His heart hammered in his chest like it always did when he saw her. Laura stared back at him not quite sure what was wrong. They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity. Laura looked away first, breaking the contact. "I'm sorry to interrupt your evening, Luke. I can come back later-" She started to walk away when she felt Luke's hand on her shoulder. She turned her head to look at him.
"I'm the one who's sorry. I thought you were someone else. Please come in."
Laura stepped through the threshold, looking around her curiously. She smiled at the knickknacks that covered every available space. "You never change, do you?" She said as she turned to face him.
Luke didn't answer, walking to his small bar, he poured himself some more scotch. He had a feeling he would need it. "Would you like some?" he offered. Laura shook her head, taking her coat off she sat down on the couch. She looked at the mangled wig that lay in the coffee table. She picked it up, holding it in front of her. "What the heck happened to this?"
Luke took a seat next to Laura, reaching over to take his abused wig from her hand. "Let's just say it meant an unhappy demise."
They sat in awkward silence for a minute. Luke looked down at his glass not sure where this was leading.
"Where you expecting Felicia?"
Luke looked up from his glass at Laura's question. "Huh?"
"I just thought that you were expecting Felicia that's all."
"Why would you think I was-" Luke thought back to his comment when he opened the door. "No. I wasn't expecting Felicia. I thought you were my niece."
Laura looked at him, surprised that he had mentioned Carly. "Really? That's funny because I was coming here to ask your opinion on something that has to do with Sonny and Carly." She saw she had gotten Luke's attention with that. "See I'm starting a new company, well, actually I'm restarting an old company and I needed backing so I went to Edward but he's conditions were a little steep."
"How steep?"
"Sixty-five percent too steep."
Luke shook his head in disgust. "Leave it to Eddie to try to swindle a lady. That old man wouldn't know the meaning of the word generosity if it got up and bite him in the butt." Laura laughed softly causing Luke to smile. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing. It's just, Bobbie said pretty much the same thing when I told her."
"You told Bobbie?"
Laura nodded, getting up from the couch and pacing the floor. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. See, she suggested that I ask Carly to go into the business with me." Luke eyebrows raised in surprise as he looked up at his soon to be ex. Laura ignored him and continued her pacing. "It seems Carly been looking to start working but everywhere she turns she's turned down. Bobbie told me that Sonny doesn't want her anywhere near his business-"
"Damn straight!"
"I meant the coffee business."
"Well, that too. Those two are pretty explosive together to put it nicely. I don't see them working together too well. She hates it that he tries to tell he what to do already. If they worked together I'd be visiting one of them up at Pentonville."
"What are you saying Luke? Carly isn't capable of handling the business."
Luke heard the tone of her voice and he knew that this was somewhere he needed to thread lightly. "No."
"Then, what are you saying? We worked together pretty well, Luke. I think Carly can handle anything Sonny throws at her. I did."
"You did handle it. However, it's a little different with those too."
"Come on, Luke. Sonny is exactly the same way you were when it comes to business."
"Yes, but Carly isn't like you. She's a lot like me."
Laura voice softened, " I know."
There was a loud silence in the room. The kind you get when things are left unsaid. Luke and Laura stood on that silence, each wanting to break up but neither wanting to be the first. The phone rang and Luke walked to pick it up. "Hello? Yeah. I'll be right down." He slammed the phone down and stood still a moment. He needed to steady himself before he did something really dumb. "So, you came to see me because you wanted to tell me about the business."
Laura hid her disappointment at his words. "No. I wanted to ask your opinion and to give you a heads up of sorts that I was thinking of working with Carly which means Sonny might get involved. I know how you feel about them."
Luke managed to look a bit chagrined. "Well, I think that it's a good idea."
"You do?"
"Yes. I know you and Carly as partners would work. Besides, Spencers should stick together."
Laura watched him through narrowed eyes. "What did I miss, Luke?"
"What?"
"You. You're not usually a fan of Sonny or Carly's so I figured…" Laura stopped, a smile spreading across her face. "You've got some sort of scheme going with Sonny or Carly. Or both."
"Woman, what are you babbling about?"
"Don't give me that, Luke. I've been your wife for 20 years. I know you." Laura smiled, her face lighting up. "You made up with Sonny, didn't you?"
"I did no such thing." Luke muttered avoiding her eyes, moving around her to get his coat. "And besides made up is too strong a word." He finished lamely.
"Ha. I knew it. So, now you and Carly are on speaking terms."
"We've always been on speaking terms, darling."
"Insults aren't exactly what I was thinking."
Luke stopped as he helped her put her coat on. "Look, let's just say I'm seeing a new side to my niece and Sonny." His fingers brushed the silky hair at her shoulders. "Come on, I've got to get down to the club before Claude sends me into bankruptcy." He opened the door, letting her step through it before he closed it soundly behind him. He put his hand at the small of her back and moved her down the stairs. They reached the inside of Luke's and he turned her to look at him. "How's sweet pea doing?"
"Really good. Why don't you stop by soon and see her. She'd love that."
"I will."
"Anytime." Laura looked at her watch. "Wow. I have to go." She stood on her toes and gave Luke a quick peck on the cheek. She stopped when she realized what she had done. Old habits died hard. "Take care, Luke." She moved away and headed to the door. She stopped and turned when she heard Luke call her.
"I think it's a great idea, Laura."
She smiled at him and sent him a wave as she stepped out the door.
"Everything okay, Boss?" Claude asked when he noticed Luke staring at the club's entrance.
Luke gaze never faltered. "Yeah, Claude. Everything's okay."
Nikolas' cottage
"But everything turned out okay, right? I mean Luke had Zander at his place?" Juan asked Emily, reaching to grab a piece of cheese from her plate.
"Yes. Everything worked out but you don't know how scared I was there for a minute. I thought that the worst had happened and the police or Sorel had taken him but Carly went to Luke to ask him to get Zander out. She figures that Taggert or Mac are having her followed. So, she sent Luke instead of Johnny or one of the guards. Problem was Zander freaked out and Luke accidentally knocked him out." She hit Juan on the shoulder when he choked on a laugh. "It's not funny. I mean he really thought he was in trouble. He was really scared."
"I don't blame him. I'd still be scared if I was him." Juan stated, picking up his plate and walking to the kitchen with Emily right behind him.
"Why?" She asked him feeling a little nervous that he was still worried.
"Well, Em, come on. Everyone knows how Luke feels about his wigs."
"Oh, you." She laughed, throwing her napkin at him as they disappeared behind the kitchen's swinging door.
Lucky sat on the couch, his eyes following Emily into the kitchen. He'd been trying to find a time to talk to her alone but every time she either found an excuse or someone interrupted them. He was started to think that she was avoiding him. She'd been avoiding him every since the scene with Zander at the park had gone down. At first, he'd thought that she was angry but she'd told him she couldn't stay angry with him. She was holding something back from him. He could tell she was.
He felt the couch move and turned his head to see Gia sitting next to him. He smiled at her before he glanced back into the direction of the kitchen. Realizing Emily wasn't coming out anytime soon he brought his attention back to Gia who was looking at him with an amused expression on her face. He couldn't help but smile at her.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"You are." Gia looked at him intently, her eyes searching his face. "You don't even know, do you?"
"Know what, Gia?" Lucky squirmed a little under her gaze. He felt like he was missing the punch line.
Gia shook her head her eyes looking away to stare into the fire. "Nothing. You'll figure it out on you own. Just do me one favor?"
Lucky shrugged in agreement. "Okay?"
"Tell her." Gia leaned in to give his cheek a small peck. "You never know until you try." She stood up and went to join Nik and Shari by the radio, leaving Lucky to stare after her. He reached up to touch his face where her lips had been. The skin tingled under his fingers. /What the hell was all that about?/
Juan came to sit next to him and offered him some newly popped popcorn. Lucky reached for it absently. Juan leaned in to stare at Lucky. "You okay, man?"
"You ever get the feeling like you missed a few pages in the book you're reading?" Lucky asked Juan, turning to look at him.
"Well, Lucky, I personally think you might be missing whole chapters."
"Shut up." Lucky laughed, throwing some popcorn at Juan. Lucky heard Emily come out of the kitchen and his eyes met hers. She sent him a wink and blew him a kiss. His breath caught in his throat and he met Gia's amused eyes as understanding dawned.
"Well… damn."
Harborview Towers
The ding of the elevator sounded and the doors opened softly. Carly and Johnny stepped out each looking in opposite directions. Johnny wondered briefly what Alexis was up to. He turned to look at Carly and found her watching him closely.
"What?" he asked, the word escaping on an exasperated sigh.
"Nothing. I just thing you should be careful, that's all."
"Thanks, Mom. I'll remember that." He laughed at Carly when she gave him her famous look and he moved to walk with her to the door. "You need me to come in with you?"
"No. I'm sure hubby is waiting for me."
"I bet he is. Okay I'll see you tomorrow." Johnny walked back to the elevators, his thoughts on a nice hot shower followed by a good meal. That's all he wanted. "Johnny?" He stopped and turned to face Carly.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for everything."
Johnny smiled at her and waved her on, waiting to make sure she made it inside the PH before he got on the elevator.
Carly closed the door softly behind her when she saw Sonny's sleeping from on the couch. She moved to stand over him, her hand reaching out to push his hair out of his face. His face broke into a slow smile as his eyes opened to meet hers.
"Hey."
"Hey yourself."
"So, where were you?" Sonny asked impatiently. He watched Carly hide a smile as she shrugged out of her jacket . He watched as her shirt tightened across her chest giving him a great view. He bit back a groan trying to hide it with a cough. He still couldn't understand how she made simple things seems so sexy. Sonny watched her come to stand back in the front of him, her arms crossing her chest, hiding it from his view.
"Out."
Sonny lunged for her, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her down on top of him. "Out, huh?" He felt the rumble of her laughter on his chest, the sound of it making him hard. Damn but she was beautiful. His hands stroked her head, the silky blond hair shifting through his fingers. They sat in silence listening to the other breath, not caring about anything else at the moment.
Carly head moved and her chin came to rest on the dip in his chest. His eyes met hers and he pulled her face into his hands. He brought his lips to hers, taking her lip in between his teeth and scraping it lighting. Carly pressed closer to him her hands reaching to touch his face. Her mouth opened and Sonny thrust his tongue inside, finding hers. His hands moved down her back slowly finding his way under her shirt, he undid the clasp at her back.
Carly groaned when she felt his fingers on her skin. Suddenly, he flipped her over and she found herself lying under him. He smiled down at her and unbuttoned her blouse quickly. She pulled up and he slipped her hands out of it, flicking it over his shoulder. Carly laughed at the look of mischief on his face. The laugh turned into a groan when his fingers moved over her bare stomach in small circles. His lips followed the pattern, moving up until he reached her hard nipple. He brought his lips to it, hearing her sharp intake.
Carly squirmed under him, her hands delved into his dark hair and held him while he bathed her hard peak with his tongue. The ringing of the phone reached her ears and she cursed silently. Sonny continued his adulation not hearing the phone through the haze of his desire. He felt Carly pulling his head up and he stopped to look in her eyes.
"The phone is ringing off the hook, sweetie."
Sonny turned to the phone than back at her. "So?" He started to make his way back to finish his job but Carly stopped him laughing as she pushed him to a sitting position. "Would you get it? Come on, I promise I'll stay right here." She sat back and arched her eyebrows up and down comically. His eyes roamed her half naked body and he groaned as white-hot desire shot through him. He stood up quickly, making his way to the phone. He was going to kill Benny. He was going to kill him.
"This had better be good." He growled into the phone. Carly laughed at the strained sound of his voice and he sent her a look. She stuck her tongue out at him and he smiled, his dimples showing in full bloom. She loved when he did that. Suddenly the smile left his face and Carly saw his eyes turn hard and cold. He gave her his back and spoke into the phone.
"Then, he's back? Well, Benny did you find him or not?" Sonny ran his hands through his hair. Carly watched his shoulders tense as he listened to Benny. "Then, keep looking." Sonny slammed the phone down in the cradle and leaned his hands on the table trying to steady himself. His father was missing and he cared. Damn it. Carly's voice broke through his thoughts.
"I saw Mike, Sonny."
Sonny's head snapped to look at her. "What?" He noticed she'd gotten up from the couch and put her shirt back on. She stood facing him, the couch in between them.
"I saw Mike."
"You saw Mike?" he repeated.
"Actually, I know where he is right now." Carly watched Sonny closely hoping he wouldn't react the way she knew he would.
Sonny felt the walls start to rise and he turned his face from her taking a moment to collect his thoughts. She knew where Mike was. Why wasn't he surprised at this? "So, you've known where Mike was?" He didn't wait for her response. He turned cold eyes to her and spoke in a quietly dangerous voice. "When the hell where you going to tell me? Or where you just going to wait to spring it at me when it suited you best?"
Carly closed her eyes at the little jab. She knew he'd feel like this. "Sonny…"
"Forget it! I don't want to hear your excuses, Carly. You know what my father… why didn't you tell me? Damn it, I should have known. Nothing ever changes between us." He picked up a glass and poured some scotch in it. He took a long sip before turning to look at her. "Well?"
"Sonny, I'm not doing this. I know we're past this bullshit of you not being able to trust me. I saw your Dad yesterday. He was in pretty bad shape, still is, so I followed him to where his staying. Some rat hole on…" she stopped suddenly and Sonny looked at her.
"Oh boy. This is going to piss you off but just remember I'm alright."
"What?"
"Well, I followed him to this motel he's been staying in on, um, on Cortland Street." Carly looked up at him and moved back a step when he turned furious eyes to her.
"You went to Cortland Street alone! Damn it, Carly!"
"Honey, I didn't think about it which was really stupid I realize but I wanted to make sure he was okay." She moved to stand next to him. She reached out to touch his face making him meet her eyes. "Mike, asked me to keep quiet. He made me promise and I said I would for a little while. He's in a really bad place, Sonny. I've never seen him like that." She moved away from him and paced the floor. Sonny's eyes followed her every move. "I didn't know what to do, you know? He's family and I couldn't walk away. I was going to tell you but I wanted to make sure he was okay first."
Carly felt the tears come and she held back knowing they wouldn't do any good at the moment. She'd cry later when she was alone. She felt hands on her and looked up into Sonny's red-rimmed eyes. He pulled her to him and held her close. "I'm sorry, baby." He whispered in her hair, kissing it softly. He pulled away and held her face in his hands. "Is he …okay?"
Carly reached up to touch his face softly. "He's… better. I've got someone watching him now." Sonny looked at her and she looked back at him innocently. He shook his head and leaned it against hers. Laughter started rumbling in his chest. "God, you're a too much, babe. How do I put up with you?" Carly slapped him on the shoulder. "Hey."
He pulled back from her, his hands going to her waist. She wound her arms around his neck leaning back to look up at him. "So, you're okay?"
"Just don't do it again. I'm letting you get away with the Zander thing but that's about it."
"Yeah." Carly snorted, "Letting me get away, my ass. You've got spies everywhere."
"That's not true."
"Suuuure."
He leaned forward to kiss her sweetly. "Carly, I…"
Carly looked up at him expectantly. Sonny's eyes bore into hers and she saw it all there. Tears sprang to her eyes as she leaned up to kiss him back. She understood what he meant without him saying it. Like she understood that he wasn't ready to say it out loud but she was. Opening her mouth she drew a breath… Ring.
"Oh man."
Carly laughed at his groan, pulling away to walk up the stairs. "I'm going to bed. You can join me whenever you're finished with that."
She reached the stairs but stopped when he called out.
"Yes?"
"Zander is going to be okay with him, right?"
Carly simply smiled and continued making her way to their room. Damn he was good.
Zander stared out of the second floor window watching the streets lined with prostitutes and drug dealers. Drug dealers. He still couldn't believe he'd gotten himself involved in that stuff. He regretted it even if it had helped him find Emily. That was almost worth it.
He turned his head at a sound and watched Mike walk into the kitchen. The old guy didn't say much but Carly had warned him that he wasn't altogether. That's why she needed him here so that there was someone to keep an eye out for him. He seemed a decent enough guy so Zander had agreed mainly because he couldn't seem to say no to Carly. He wondered if anyone ever could.
Mike stood at the door of the kitchen watching the young man staring out into the street. He reminded him so much of Michael when he was younger. Michael. He knew his son hated him and with every right. Thinking of his son made his mind drift to Adella. He remembered her beautiful dark eyes and lovely voice, the lilt of the Cuban accent, and her sultry laugh. He closed his eyes against the pain and concentrated in the now. His son was lucky. He had a wife who loved him more that anything. A hell of a woman and she'd asked him for a favor. She needed him to take care of the boy. To make sure he stayed out of trouble. He would that for her. He moved away from the door and headed to bed. "Good night, Zander."
Zander turned to Mike and waved, "Good night, Mike." The door to the bedroom closed and Zander looked back out into the street. His eyes drifted beyond the building and he wondered where she was right then. Was she thinking about him, too? He closed his eyes and Emily's face appeared. He smiled, opening his eyes to stare up at the moon. He'd get out of this thing and when he did he'd find a way to be with her. No matter what happened.
I don't need a lot of things
I can get by with nothing
Of all the blessings life can bring
I've always needed something
Luke stared at the picture in his hand. His family. He traced his fingers lightly across the picture, letting it linger on Laura's face. Something had happened tonight. He wasn't sure what but he knew that it was different between them. He put the picture back on the table and headed to his room.
But I've got all I want
When it comes to loving you
You're my only reason
You're my only truth
Laura checked the front door one last time before turning off the lights. She headed toward the stairs and paused when she came to the picture of Luke. He looked so handsome there. He always did even without his hair. She chuckled as she leaned forward to trace her finger along the picture. She felt a change in her when she saw him tonight. She shook her head not wanting to dwell on it and headed up the stairs.
I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you
Zander got up from his chair. He went through the rooms slowly, turning off any lights and headed to his make shift bed on the sofa. He closed his eyes and his mind drifted to Emily. He knew he'd told her they couldn't be. He was wrong. He'd prove that to her and to everyone.
You're the hope that moves me
To courage again
You're the love that rescues me
When the cold winds, rage
And it's so amazing
'Cause that's just how you are
And I can't turn back now
Sonny looked down at a sleeping Carly. His fingers traced the line of her cheek. She smiled softly and turned to face him, her arms coming around his waist. He lay back in bed pulling her firmly to his side. He kissed her hair softly, taking in the scent of roses that was so her. She'd been about to say she loved him earlier. He'd seen it in her eyes. His heart swelled at the thought. He needed her more than anything. God, he loved her so much it hurt. He had for a long time. His fingers found hers in the dark and he wound them together. He sighed deeply as he closed his eyes knowing he was were he wanted to be.
Cause you've brought me too far
I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
I need you
Lucky watched Emily walk into the house. She turned to wave to him before closing the door. He couldn't believe what he'd figured out today. He needed Emily. He wanted Emily. When it happened was beyond him but it had happened. He knew what he needed to do. He gave the mansion one last glance before heading home.
Emily opened the door slightly making sure that Lucky went his way safely. She worried about him especially since the whole thing with Liz had happened. She'd talk to him later. She headed up the stairs and into her room. Closing the door, she flopped on her bed. A smile on her face she thought of Zander. He was safe and he'd get out of this situation and once he did she'd show him how right they were.
Oh yes I do
I need you like water
Like breath, like rain
I need you like mercy
From heaven's gate
There's a freedom in your arms
That carries me through
Carly opened her eyes slowly listening to Sonny's soft breathing. He'd fallen into a quiet sleep, which was rare for him. She traced her finger along his chest looking at the scar of the bullet. They were old. Years old but they still scared her. She couldn't lose him. She hugged him tighter and felt him respond in kind. His legs intertwined with hers and his fingers found her hand. She closed her eyes, relishing the feeling she got when she was with him.
"I love you." Her whispered declaration hung in the air.
She smiled and closed her eyes as she fell into a dream filled sleep sometime later. When her breathing became even Sonny's eyes opened slightly, a smile coming to his lips. "I love you, too."
I need you
Oh yes I do
I need you
I need you
Lyrics: "I need you" by Leeann Rimes