Chapter 21

It was a perfect evening, cool, calm, and relaxing. The night breeze washing away the stale smells that loomed in the air of the previous bombings and gun battles. In weeks that had passed since the night Courtney hated to remember she had stepped up her actions, burying herself in work, and protecting the life she had. Sure she had nearly forgotten what she had come to do, but Jason's words had reminded her, she was there to work, to give a dying man his final wish.

She realized now that she had been distracted by a man, something she swore would never happen again, not since Steven, and certainly not since Cali had been born. She couldn't, and wouldn't change anything in the past. She loved her time with Steven, and all he did for her. She loved her little girl even more, and that one night she had spent with him wouldn't be changed for anything. Her past couldn't be changed, but her future, she was going to get out, live her life without guns and violence and she was going to do it soon, she had too.

Looking up at the night sky she hoped that someone arrived soon, waiting was driving her crazy. She had other things to do that night and one of them wasn't waiting around for a dumb blonde to show up. She smiled as she heard the almost non-existent creaking of stairs as she stood and looked at the base of the stairs.

"Court, It's been a long time."

"About four years."

"And here you are, in Port Charles. Trying to get the money Alcazar has on Durant's head."

"If I was an idiot maybe, but I'm smart enough to know that you never sleep with a target." Courtney's voice was even and level as she spoke with no emotion in her voice.

"I wish I could believe that one. Course that daughter of yours could always be that Webber mans kid, and not the man you were sent to kill all those years ago."

"You never were that smart."

"Courtney, I really hope you haven't forgotten who I work for."

"How could I forget? I mean you betrayed Johnson for some easy cash from Alcazar."

"So no more idle chit chat I see. Down to business then."

"What did you expect tonight was Lana? Two old friends getting reacquainted?"

"I had hopes, but I guess I was wrong."

"Guess so."

Silence ensued as the two women stared each other down. Neither wanting to make the first move, both knowing where the conversation would most likely end.

"I guess I'm starting," Lana spoke, a smirk gracing her face. "Leave Port Charles. There's nothing here for you."

"So naive. If I was going somewhere I would have left already."

"Instead you stay to have your little lackey girl set up explosions all throughout town. How is Neen these days."

"She's none of your concern," Courtney spoke through gritted teeth.

"Seems I hit a sore spot. The little orphan girl still under the watchful eye of that boss of yours?"

"You should watch who you speak of. I'm not likely to play easy for long."

"Is that all you have to say Court? Pitiful."

"Lana you have always thought so highly of yourself, part of the reason Johnson stopped using your services. Realize now that this is no joke. Your games won't work. If I was here for Durant he would be dead, but that is not my plan. I'll tell you once, stay out of my way. I won't think twice about removing you from the scenario."

"Big words for such a small girl."

"Well when you have the power to back them."

"What you call power I call weakness. How long will you take his orders, doing what he says when he says it."

"Until the job is done."

"You'll never have power because you'll never take it." Lana spoke her last words as she walked towards the stairs once again. "Goodnight Court, may you remember my warning."

With one last smirk Lana walked off, leaving a cold and annoyed Courtney on the docks. She had won, things were finally turning around for her and she couldn't feel any better. Lana knew there was nothing anyone could do to take her down, she was on top of the world, and with Alcazar backing her no one would ever stop her.

-.-

Darkness consumed the room. The night only made it darker. He couldn't understand where, or how he had gone so wrong. He thought it was perfect, he had his wife, his sons, and he would have a little girl in a matter of months. Yet there he sat, alone in the darkened penthouse.

His wife had left weeks ago, taking his boys with her and he couldn't bring himself to go after her. Things had changed. Not only had his wife become instant friends with some blonde but life had also become increasingly more dangerous since the arrival of said blonde.

He wasn't sure he could deal with it all. Could he deal with the continual threat of Lorenzo Alcazar, John Durant, and whomever it was blowing up all mob related properties in town. It didn't matter whose they were, but over the last few weeks everything had gone up in flames, and all sources were pointing towards Johnson, his son, and the illusive enforcer that no one seemed to be able to identify.

Sighing loudly he stood from his position on the sofa and walked to the phone. If he was ever going to settle this he needed to take action. He would find this mystery enforcer and settle this war that was brewing. He was going to make his world safe again, settle this battle, and then he would rebuild his family, but only after he knew that everything was safe.

-

Riding up the elevator he knew it was a mistake. He had no clue what he was walking into, but he had received the call and was in no position to turn down the meeting, and truth be told he was rather interested in finding out what Sonny Corinthos wanted.

Walking off the elevator he came face to face with one of the many guards he knew the mob man kept in his company. He could only imagine how paranoid the man was to have that many guards around at all times. Smirking at the guard he couldn't help but laugh, as he looked into the stone solid mans face.

"I'm here to speak with Mr. Corinthos," Kyle spoke no emotion visible in his voice.

The guard looked him up and down for all of two minutes before he turned and opened the door. Kyle saw the man speak to someone inside and could only imagine the conversation. Turning around he watched as the man held the door open for him fully expecting Kyle to walk in. Not one to disappoint he slowly walked in only to be met by another guard who went about frisking him. The guard soon stood up empty handed and went to stand by his boss.

"Expecting me to come armed," Kyle questioned with a smirk.

"With the way my docs have been exploding I wouldn't put it past you." Sonny replied solemnly.

"And you assume it was me."

"I know it was you."

Kyle's head whipped to the corner to look at the man he had not seen. He silently scolded himself for not taking a closer look. Of course Alcazar would be there. He let the moment of shock was h over his face as he turned back to face Sonny, and his stone cold enforcer Jason Morgan.

"So you've decided to play mediator then."

"I want answers Johnson, that's all."

"So would I." Pausing he turned his body to face Alcazar, "Care to share any with us Alcazar?"

"Corinthos, you called this meeting, if you have something to say then say it."

"One of you is responsible for the explosions on the docks, I want to know who."

"Why would I blow up my own warehouses," Alcazar asked as if it would exonerate himself.

"To shift the blame off yourself." Jason spoke his first words of the night.

"You give him too much credit Morgan. After all, you did let us find her. How long do you think you can keep her. She will remember how you took her from her father, from her mother. She won't always believe that it was the Davis woman who killed him. Eventually she will remember it all."

"You assume too much." Alcazar said as he made his way to stand.

"I don't need to assume anything. I know for a fact that if you don't give back what you've taken Alcazar my associate will be forced to do things neither of us would like to see."

"Ah yes. The illusive little girl your Father keeps as an enforcer. I could eat her for breakfast."

"Now that is a joke. Many have tried to put her away, even your wife's Father Corinthos. Yet none have succeeded."

"I wouldn't go after the enforcer herself, but rather that little girl you call a niece."

Kyle had heard enough, lunging at Lorenzo he had the man by the collar before anyone could draw their guns. Staring into the eyes of the dumbest man Kyle had ever seen he saw no fear, no anger, only stupidity. He truly thought he could get away with it.

"Threaten me all you want. Threaten my Father. I could care less, but the second you bring my niece into the picture you're a dead man." Releasing Alcazar Kyle once again turned to face Sonny and Jason, "I have no problem with you Corinthos. No problem with Morgan either, but if you get in my way I will not hesitate to take you out. Alcazar is mine, and will be dealt with in time."

"Stop attacking my property."

"What my associate does in order to complete her goals is completely up to her. I will tell you that when she is done, when we have what Alcazar took we will leave you to your life."

"I'm not that easy to make disappear. I get what I want when I want it." Alcazar eyed Kyle as he walked towards Alcazar once more.

"Like many of the men in our world you believe that. It however, has never been the men that we watch for. It's the women. Stay away from my niece, my enforcer, and Corinthos wife." Kyle was now right next to Alcazars ear as he whispered, "Stay away from Carly. Anything happens to her and you won't be dealing with anyone but me."

"Why are you interested in the safety of my wife."

"I'm not." Kyle emotionlessly replied. "Have a wonderful night, keep your families safe and stay out of my way."

The men left in the room watched questioningly as Kyle left the room. No one was sure what exactly had happened. Threats had flown every way possible and that where any of them stood was unsure. All that was certain was that life in Port Charles had just gotten more dangerous with the open threats looming in the air.