Port Charles
Jason entered Sonny's penthouse.
"Did Kellie and the kids get back alright?" Sonny asked.
Jason nodded, "They're home. Johnny and Francis are tightening up the security."
"Good," Sonny said, "I'll try to stop by later and see how they're doing….See if….What's that look for?"."
"Kellie doesn't want to see you," Jason said, quietly.
"You can't be serious," Sonny said, "I know she was upset about me not trying to figure out who I was right away in Nixon Falls. But after what just happened to Charles, we should be pulling together as family."
"Kellie wasn't done being angry about Nixon Falls," Jason said, "and considering that Charles was likely killed because our enemies targeted Kellie…"
"She knows the risk same as you or I do," Sonny said, "Don't get me wrong, it's awful what happened. Kellie's always said she knew those closest to her were at risk…"
"Risks that increased due to the fall out from Nixon Falls," Jason said, "You were gone and I stepped up. Kellie did in the background. No matter how much she stayed in the background, her past, her proximity to the business, not to mention the rumors Cyrus started led to speculation she was more involved than she was. Since you've been back, the risk to her, to the kids has gotten worse. The kids and her have been on the island for months now because we haven't taken care of business like we should."
"I can't do anything about the free fall created by Buscema's and Novak's death," Sonny said, "If we'd tried to take over both territories….I can't believe Buscema didn't have a clear successor."
"We don't have to take over both territories," Jason said, "There were other ways to stabilize that. Not mention, the measures we needed to take to secure the Novak territory would have helped."
"So if you'd been in totally in charge, none of this would have happened," Sonny replied.
"No," Jason replied, "What I'm saying is we should have been more aware of how much the changes in leadership for the business meant we couldn't take for granted that expanding the territory wouldn't provide opportunities for our competitors to horn in. Our leadership wasn't just accepted without question as we thought. We should have done more, especially where Novak's employee's were concerned. Selina Wu was successful in getting the ones relevant to her half of the territory on her side, but we lost more than we should have."
"I've had a lot to deal with getting back into managing the business, adding the new territory, and fending off Cyrus and whoever else thinks they can take what's mine," Sonny replied, "It wasn't going to happen overnight."
"No, it wasn't, Sonny," Jason said, "We were sloppy. And Kellie knows that and attributes that to Charles's death."
"What do you want me to do?" Sonny yelled, "I can't change what happened."
"Do what actually needs to be done," Jason said, "And stop using adjusting after what happened in Nixon Falls as an excuse."
"Or what?" Sonny asked.
"You know that whoever's coming for us will try again," Jason said, "I don't know how much longer Kellie's willing to wait and hope the danger passes."
"Are you implying that Kellie might be planning her own moves?" Sonny replied.
"All I know is she's considering what her options are if this continues," Jason said, "I honestly don't know what that means."
"Have you asked her?" Sonny asked.
"No," Jason said, "If she wants to tell me she will."
"You need to find what she thinks she's going to do," Sonny replied, "It's bad enough Michael's going after the coffee business."
"Wait, Michael's doing what?" Jason asked.
"That's why I didn't want to leave town," Sonny said, "I'd just found out a competitor had wooed some of our customers. After you left, I found our contact at the harbor master office had been fired. Turns out it was Michael getting back at me for Nina."
"The harbor master situation isn't great," Jason said, "But we can deal with it along with the coffee business. It's not like other companies haven't tried get in on the coffee market here before."
"But's it my son," Sonny said, "And if Kellie decides to make a move against me and everyone knows about it, that certainly makes our position look worse."
"You think Kellie doesn't know that," Jason said, "If she makes any kind of move, it will be something to secure our position. Not to mention if we fix it, she won't feel like she has to make any kind of moves."
"Tell Kellie she needs to back off and we'll handle it," Sonny said.
"Do you really think that will work?" Jason asked.
Sonny huffed in response.
"I promised Monica I'd stop by," Jason said, "Tomorrow, let's strategize about what we need to do next. We do need to do something."
"I agree," Sonny said, "But we have to play it smart."
"And Sonny, leave Kellie alone," Jason said, as he was leaving, "At least until we can sort this out."
"I'm not going to antagonize my own daughter," Sonny said.
"I mean it, Sonny," Jason replied.
Self-Defense Studio
Kellie was working in her office when Johnny escorted Selina Wu in.
"Welcome back, Mrs. Morgan," Selina said, "Though I'm sorry it's under such tragic circumstances. Please allow me to express my condolences regarding the loss of your father-in-law."
"Accepted," Kellie said, "Now I assume you have other reasons for seeking me out."
"Given the precariousness of your father's position," Selina replied, "I was wondering if you were aware of the latest developments."
"I'm not exactly privy to the details of Sonny's business regardless of what some may think," Kellie replied.
"But you are not as unaware as you pretend to be," Selina said.
"What is it that you think I should be aware of?" Kellie asked.
"For starters, Sonny doesn't have quite the hold on the coffee market he thinks he does," Selena said, "I've heard someone has taken some of your father's regular clients away."
"I'm sure it happens," Kellie said, "It's just business right."
"When it's affects my business partners," Selena said, "It becomes my business. Not to mention, a long standing employee at the harbor masters office was just replaced."
"I should be concerned about the goings on at the harbor masters office because?" Kellie asked, "Last I checked all my business that might require shipping is legal."
"And yet you rely on your father and husband's less than legal enterprises for protection," Selina said, "I'd say a shake up like that does affect you, when the protection is less than stable."
"I handle my own protection," Kellie said, "It certainly wouldn't be wise to rely solely on any perceived protection from my father. Now what is it you hope to accomplish by visiting me?"
"Simply to inform you," Selina said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Have a good day, Mrs. Morgan."
Kellie rolled her eyes as Selina Wu marched out.
Outside the building, she ran into Sonny who she noted was already agitated.
"Mrs. Wu," Sonny asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I was in the area," Selina replied, "I thought I'd express my condolences to your daughter on the passing of her father-in-law. Such a tragedy."
"You wouldn't happen to have any information to share about that," Sonny asked.
"Sadly, no," Selina said, "But be assured if my people turn up anything, I will ensure you're informed."
"Cyrus certainly had to have had help," Sonny said, "Setting that up."
"Any word on who took over the west coast," Selina asked.
"Nothing," Sonny replied, "They certainly don't want to be found."
"What about your other problem with the challenges to your coffee business," Selina asked.
"It's handled," Sonny said.
"It better be," Selina replied, "Good day, Mr. Corinthos."
"What was Selina Wu doing here?" Sonny asked when he came into Kellie's office.
"Seriously," Kelliie said.
"Can't a father stop by and see his daughter," Sonny asked, "Especially after what you've just been through."
"The only conversation I want to have with you is about what are you actually doing to make our lives safer again," Kellie said, "Even the island wasn't safe this time for my children and I. I'd really like to know what the hell you've been doing all these months since you got your memory back and took over again."
"You don't get to come back to Port Charles and stick your nose where it has no business being," Sonny said, "You need to trust that Jason and I have things under control. Now what was Selina Wu doing here?"
"Expressing her condolences," Kellie said, "It's kind of hard to say the business isn't my business when your associates seek me out or try to kill me. So yes, I'm going to ask questions, especially when my family is caught in the crossfire. So what have you done to stabilize the situation. Do you have any idea who besides Cyrus Renault is trying to take advantage of the lack of leadership from the Buscema organization and the recent changes in leadership between you and Jason due to your stay in Nixon Falls and subsequent return to Port Charles?"
"I lost my memory, I didn't choose to stay in Nixon Falls," Sonny said, "I didn't even know who I was at all. You know that the Nixon Falls police chief was paid off to not identify me. What did you expect me to do?"
"Did you forget the part where you didn't even try to figure out who you were or where you came from?" Kellie said.
"You and Michael really can't let my relationship with Nina go," Sonny said.
"I said nothing about Nina," Kellie said, "To be honest, I could care less about your latest girlfriend. What I do care about is that because you have been unable to demonstrate that Sonny Corinthos is really back and in charge, the danger to me and my family is worse. From everything I can see, you seem to think if you just wait it out, it will work itself out."
"My people are looking into every lead they have, we know someone on the west coast grabbed Cyrus's holdings out there," Sonny said, "We can't seem to figure out who they are."
"Probably because Cyrus has been their front man until now," Kellie said, "They helped Cyrus stay on the run."
"And we're stretched thin with the new territory and managing things locally," Sonny continued.
"Do you even have a plan or is it just more excuses?" Kellie asked, "Rumor has it your legitimate business is being targeted now too. You know how this looks right."
"It'll look a lot worse if you start getting involved," Sonny said, "Jason mentioned your considering options."
"Nothing that currently concerns you," Kellie replied, I will do whatever I need to do in order to protect my children and ensure that Port Charles is less of battlefield. If you were up to the task, I wouldn't have to. But from what I can tell, you lost some of your edge in Nixon Falls."
"You're out of line," Sonny yelled.
"I think I hit a nerve," Kellie replied, "You've changed and maybe understandably so from your ordeal in Nixon Falls. But I can't afford to wait around for you to figure it. Not when it's part of the reason, I have a bigger target on my back than usual. You don't like it, too bad. Now as far as I'm concerned this conversation is over. There's the door, you can leave."
"I think we're just getting started," Sonny said, "You need to tell me what it is you think you're going to do."
"Yell for Johnny to escort you out," Kellie said as Lorenzo came in.
"I believe Kellie asked you to leave, Corinthos," Lorenzo said.
"Just stay out of this, Alcazar," Sonny said, "It doesn't concern you."
"How did you really think you showing up, I'm assuming uninvited, to see Kellie was going to go?" Lorenzo said, grabbing Sonny by the arm and dragging him out of Kellie's office.
Sonny yanked his arm away, "That's not necessary. Kellie, just stay out of well all of it. We will discuss that more when you've had a chance to calm down."
"Come on," Lorenzo said, pushing Sonny's shoulder towards the door
"Don't touch me," Sonny growled and stormed off.