A/N – Thanks for the comments and your patience. It's just a very hectic time for me.
Chapter 41
Sonny sipped on some brandy to try and calm his anxiety. The kids slept over at the Quartermaines, but they might as well have come home. Sam had barely spoken to him and is packing.
"Don't be mad."
He spun around and watched as they moved down the stairs. "I'm more sad than mad."
"This is so hard and I'm dealing with it the best that I can."
"I know. I just—I need you to come back."
"I will. I'm scared that if I stay, we won't have any chance at all."
He gets it. She's emotional and doesn't want to hurt him even though leaving hurts as well. He let out a deep breath.
"Do you think we can recover from this?"
She nodded. "I just need some time. I also need to deal with Carly. I'm more worried that you won't want me if I do."
He pulled her close. "Carly deserves everything that is coming to her, and I hate that she hurt us so badly."
"Thank you." She's not completely sure that in the end, Sonny won't feel differently. Carly was a huge part of his life and the mother of his children, but she can't let this go because Sam's survival depends on making sure that Carly pays.
"I'm on our side, Sam."
"I'll call you when I get there."
"You better."
She retreated and then took a moment to caress his cheek. "We've come a long way."
"I know."
"Just hang in there, okay?"
His eyes shut as he savored her touch. "Okay."
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Jason sighed as he looked out the window. Elizabeth hadn't slept well and was having nightmares about losing the baby. He's worried. She has been under way too much stress. The vibration of his phone in his pocket made him jerk. It's early, so he's surprised.
"Hello?"
"I figured you'd be awake."
"Taggert?"
"Yes."
All kinds of thoughts are flickering through his mind. "Did you lose him?"
"Not exactly."
"What does that mean?" he said from the confines of the bathroom where he had rushed into so Elizabeth would hopefully stay asleep.
"We startled him, and he took a shot at an officer."
Jason is not seeing that as bad news. "Okay."
"He got shot in the side and is at Mercy hospital."
"I see."
"He's going to live." When Jason didn't respond, Taggert continued. "You know the drill after that."
"Is that all?"
"No."
Jason muttered something Taggert couldn't catch.
"The girl that he was with is dead."
"He killed her?"
"We think it was some kind of kinky sex gone bad. She suffocated." Doesn't matter how at this point. Even if it's accidental, there's no proof. Ric is going down for the attempted murder of an officer and yet another homicide. It's ironic that the man who is responsible for putting criminals away has become one, and worse, he's a killer just like the man he despises the most.
Jason can't believe Ric is so stupid. "If you locate the family, I can help with the funeral."
Taggert is surprised. "I'll have Brian let you know."
"Thanks."
"Later."
Jason slipped the phone back into his pocket. "One down, and Helena to go."
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Nikolas made his way to the study. He had just flown in and is tired, but his work never ends.
"It appears that they tricked us," Helena said as she sat across from him. "We can't let that happen again."
"What do you propose?"
"I think it's time to start the next phase."
He nodded.
"Don't fail me this time, Nikolas. If you do, you'll live to regret it."
"I won't."
"We need Jason out of the way. Find a way in."
"It won't be easy."
"Nothing worthwhile ever is."
"I got a message that Jason wants to speak to me."
Helena smirked. "About the trip?"
"I'm assuming."
"What are you going to do?"
"Let him take me."
"I see."
"I didn't respond to his request, so I know he'll come looking for me."
"We can't wire you. I'm sure those neanderthals will check."
He nodded.
"Report back to me. You know what to do." The thrill of the game is almost more fun than eliminating them.
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Emily looked up and is shocked to see Sam. "What are you doing here? Did something happen?" She got up and they embraced.
"I came here for you." She handed her two bags. "These are for you."
"Wow." They sat on the bed.
"Cook and Alice packed some of your favorite snacks and the other is some letters and gifts."
Emily's eyes teared. "I think this is just what I needed. How long are you staying?"
"For a while… I needed to get away."
"The funeral was bad, wasn't it?"
Sam nodded. "It was. I thought it might be helpful if I visited. Helena would notice if someone in your family came, but everyone is worried about you."
"I'll be okay. I'm just sad. It's like everything with Nikolas failed so badly."
"But you were blessed with someone even better."
"I know, and I'm grateful. I miss him so much."
"If it makes you feel better, he looked miserable the last time I saw him." She grabbed her burner phone and then bought up a video and pressed play.
"Hey, baby. I miss you so much. I'm also scared because I don't know if that family is ready for you scheming with Sam."
They smiled.
"I love you, Emily. I'm always with you. Just know that. Make sure Sam eats. She needs her strength to keep Sonny and Michael in line. Thank god, Morgan is still at the drooling stage."
Emily chuckled.
"If you need me, tell Ryan. I don't care what it takes, I'll find a way. I'll call you in a few days."
Emily wiped a tear away. "I think it hurts worse because everything failed. That, and I wasn't sure if I would be able to or should have a child."
"I understand."
"I know you do. Hell, your situation was even worse."
"We'll be okay. It will just take time, at least everyone keeps saying that."
"I don't want to eat anything right now."
Sam stood. "I'm going to run you a bath and then ask Maggie if she can make us something fabulous. Is that okay?"
Emily sighed. "I guess."
"We both need to eat. Our bodies are healing."
"She made some homemade bread earlier and I'd eat that with fruit." It had smelled so good.
"Deal…"
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Jason watched from another room as Nikolas was patted down and then checked for bugs. He was surprised when Johnny told him that the prince wanted to meet. While he'd like nothing better than to snap Nikolas's neck, if he wants a face-to-face, then it's probably bad news and knowledge is power.
"I don't trust him, so be alert," Francis said.
"If he breathes wrong, he dies," Jason said with a hint of annoyance as he walked away.
Nikolas's attention shot to him. Even though he can't stand Jason, he exudes strength which is probably the only thing that Nikolas admires about him. Against all odds, he skirted death, applied himself and is rich. He's just too uncouth for Nikolas's taste. Violence just seems to swirl around him. He's not sure why Elizabeth would want to be with him.
"Nikolas…"
"Helena wants you out of the picture."
"She knows that you're here?"
"Yes."
"So why should I trust you?"
Nikolas shrugged. "You can either ignore my warning or we can sit here and figure out how to beat her at her game. It's your call."
Jason sat across from him. "She'll have to kill me."
"I don't think she'll have a problem with that. She wants what she wants."
"I'm used to getting what I want too, and I want her dead."
"She's mine."
"Fuck that. You could have already taken her out but you're too busy loving the game. You should have killed her the minute she targeted my sister. Instead, you came up with some bullshit plan instead of handling business, so excuse me if I don't trust you."
"Unlike you, I'm not a murderer by nature."
A smirk eased onto Jason's face. "I think you are capable of just about anything because that tainted blood runs through you. It's probably pulsing stronger every day that you're around her. I hate you and I'm pretty sure you feel the same way. You're even hurting my sister now because she's suffering, probably divided by her feelings because on one hand she dodged a fucking bullet and on the other, she wanted a child. I hope someday she can have one but thank God it won't have the Cassadine blood."
Nikolas started to lunge toward him but Francis held a gun against his temple.
"You should have let him go so I could kick his ass."
Nikolas eased back onto his seat with his hands raised. "I might not be a thug like you, but I can do some damage. I don't give a shit what you think about me. We agree that Helena needs to die, but don't underestimate her because she has people who are very loyal to her and will do her bidding even after death.
"Then I'll take them all out."
Nikolas chuckled. Jason has no idea how far Helena's reach is. "So, now what?"
"My team will come up with a plan."
"Will it involve me?"
"I don't know yet. Is Stefan still seeing Chloe?"
"Yes, but Helena wants her gone too."
Jason rolled his eyes. "Tell him to have dinner with Chloe on Sunday. I'll let him know if we need you then." He stood. "You can go."
"You need to hit me first."
Jason's head tilted. "What?"
"Just hit me so she thinks I was roughed up. If I go back with no visible signs, she'll think you're weak and end the game early. You won't know what hit you."
Jason shook his head.
"She's twisted."
Just as the word left Nikolas's mouth, Jason's arm lashed out and his fist snapped Nikolas's head back and he almost toppled backward on the chair.
Jason's eyes lit up. Nikolas looks dazed. "Remember how that felt if you backstab me. I can guarantee, you'll be in a lot more pain if you do."
As he walked away, a rattled Nikolas wiped some blood away. His lips are already starting to swell. Helena will be pleased.
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Monica eyed Ric from the doorway of his room.
"Why are you here?"
"I guess I had to see what you've turned into myself. You've brought nothing but drama to my family."
"Elizabeth is not your family."
"Oh yes, she is because she is married to my son."
"Don't remind me."
"Was it worth ruining your life over it? Honestly, Ric, I thought you were smarter than this."
"So did I," he muttered.
She walked away shaking her head as Ric wondered if Helena will help him escape. If he goes to jail, Jason will find a way to kill him.
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Elizabeth's eyes are glued to Jason as he walks into the house and put his gun away. When their gaze finally locked, his eyes raked up and down her body making sure that she was okay.
"I'm fine, Jason. Are you?" She knows that he was meeting Nikolas.
"Yes."
"Is he?"
Jason smirked. "You're worried about Nikolas?"
Her eyes shifted to gaze at his right hand.
"I used the other one."
Their eyes battle again before she moves forward and grabs his left hand.
"I'm fine. If I had used my other hand, it would have been much worse for him."
She shook her head. "I'm surprised you showed him mercy. Ice?"
"No."
"How about if I need you to use it?"
"Yes."
"Come on."
They moved to the kitchen, where he sat at a small table and observed her. She's upset. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that.
When she cursed under her breath as she wrapped the ice in a dishtowel, he began to wonder if she was mad at him. Bullets flying—not afraid, but the short pregnant woman is unnerving him.
She pulled a chair around and then grabbed his hand and put the ice on it.
"You could at least pretend it hurts."
He is dumbfounded. "Elizabeth…"
"What?"
The sauciness of her tone shut him up and he wonders if he needs backup.
"I've had it with these assholes. I want to speak with Ric."
"Hell no."
"He's probably handcuffed to a bed."
"That's beside the point."
"I need to tell him off."
"While I understand your feelings, you have to consider Helena. You'd be playing right into her hands." When her eyes welled, his stomach turned.
"Hormones and frustration…"
He pulled her onto his lap and held her while she cried. When she finally quieted, she sighed heavily.
"I think I needed that."
She broke out in a grin when she saw Jason's confused expression. "What?"
"I don't get it."
She laid against his shoulder again. "Why because you'd rather break things when you're frustrated?"
"Yeah."
She chuckled. "I could do that too."
"Not with our baby in there. I'll take you to the gym when it's safe after and you can pretend that he's the bag. It helps."
"I'll take your word for it."
"I love you."
Her eyes closed as she savored his energy. "I love you too. Now tell me what happened with Nikolas."
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When the door to her room burst open, a startled woman bolted out of bed.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
A stunned Carly stared into Helena's cold eyes before her hand retreated from the gun on her nightstand.
"What? Surprised to realize that you are not that hard to track?"
A few men moved past her and secured the area.
"What do you want?" She can't help but be afraid. The old woman is the last person she thought she'd run into.
"You have to know that they are going to kill you, right?"
"Sonny won't hurt me."
Helena's laughter filled the room. "While I never thought you were intellectually stable, I didn't realize you were delusional. They are looking for you and are close. Come with me, and you'll live."
Carly folded her arms in front of her. "What are the consequences?"
"That is an interesting question, isn't it?"
"I might decide to take my chances."
Helena grinned. "You are going to lure Jason out while I take Elizabeth."
"Are you going to hurt him?"
"I have no plans to eternally incapacitate him. He's too useful." What she has in mind is diabolical, but Jason would make an outstanding minion. It could be her ace in the hole, especially if Nikolas disappoints."
"I'm not even sure what that means."
"No one does. So, I'm sure there would be no love lost between you and Elizabeth."
"Correct." She hates her more than she hates Sam.
"Then come with me. You'll get rid of Elizabeth, and I'll give you some protection in return."
Jason probably already hates her anyway. For some reason, he has a soft spot for Sam as well.
"Fine. Let me pack." With Ric out of the picture, she doesn't have a lot of options.
Helena smirked. Her plans are finally moving along. If she plays her cards right, she won't have to deal with Carly for very long because her betrayal of Sonny and Jason will be her downfall.
