Chapter 13

"Before you blow up, I need you to calm down and listen to the rest of this. Please, Sonny."

She saw Sonny force himself to let go of some of the rage that was building in him. Alexis had no idea what she was asking of him and what it was costing him to keep still. The one thing that kept him from releasing his rage was he knew Michael's life was at stake. So he calmed enough to listen to her tell the rest of the story.

"After I saw you in the park with Michael yesterday, I knew I made the right decision. But, I also knew that it would take an awful lot of explaining on my part to get you to realize that I handled the problem in the only way it could have been for Michael's sake. If you had gotten wind of what was going down, instead of you putting Michael to bed each night, it would have been Carly or whoever she could find at a moments notice regardless of his safety and well-being. I'm not entirely sure if you know it or not, but Carly was making a habit of putting him to bed and then leaving him alone while she went out partying all night. Michael needs you to protect him and the only way you can is if you stay out of jail. Are you getting the picture here?"

Alexis couldn't bear to see his face. It was torn apart by guilt and anger. She didn't know how to help him other than to continue relating to him what she had done.

"Jason and Zander were picked up by the police day before yesterday with a list of charges as long as your arm. No one knows who tipped off the police. Carly does not know they have been picked up yet. She has been trying all day to locate them. She will be served tomorrow with new divorce papers. According to the new contract of divorce she has no right to Michael whatsoever. A clause has been added relinquishing her rights as a parent to Michael. And another contract will be filed in the morning that will require the signature of Jason that in effect hands sole custody of Michael over to you permanently as his father."

"I spoke with Judge Jay Greene this morning regarding these contracts. I have been in contact with him throughout the past two weeks keeping him updated on the information I was getting from my people. He was willing to continue to listen as long as you stayed out of the fray and clean. The DA's office upon his recommendation will offer Jason a reduced sentence if he signs the contract. We have no reason to believe he wont sign it. As for Carly, I wasn't willing to make decisions regarding her without first speaking to you. What happens to Carly, is in your hands as long as it is legal. You do need to know that I have enough physical evidence of her illegal activities to put her away for a long time. I also have physical evidence of the mental abuse she has put her child through. I know I have sprung a lot on you in a very short time. If you would like Johnny and I can wait in the other room to give you time to process it all." She stood glanced at Johnny and was just about to exit the room when Sonny spoke.

"Alexis?"

"Yes?"

"We can discuss the way you handled this later. But, right now, I need a couple of friends I can trust to discuss this with. Would you and Johnny mind?"

Johnny sat back down and simply said, "Right, boss."

"How can I help, Sonny?"

Sonny had been holding his breathe and released it so quickly he became dizzy. Alexis noticed and signaled Johnny to get a glass of water for him. Johnny left and returned momentarily with what she requested. He was amazed that he had been able to see what she wanted without her opening her mouth. Johnny was going to love having her for a sister. But, right now, Sonny was his main concern.

Sonny accepted the water and drank thirstily from the glass. When Alexis saw he had regained his equilibrium she sat back and waited for him to tell her what he needed.

"Alexis, I know what I want done to all three of them, but for Michael I need to reign in this temper of mine and listen to a little reason. I've always handled my own affairs and it is really tearing me up that someone on the outside was able to infiltrate my organization and stop a takeover that I was not even aware of. Johnny, did you or Benny know anything about this?"

"No, boss. This is the first I've heard of it and I know if Benny had known anything about it he would have come directly to you."

"Yea, that's what I figured. Do you see where I'm coming from, Alexis?"

"Yes, Sonny, I do. But, you are going to have to come to terms with what has happened and fast. Michael has no one but you now. I don' want him to have to deal with his mother again until he is old enough to take care of himself."

"If I have anything to say about it, he'll never see that woman again. I want her put away for good. Can you do that, Alexis?"

"Yes, Sonny, I can. But, I have to ask you; are you sure that's what you want to do?"

Sonny looked at Alexis as if she had just grown two heads.

"What do you mean, am I sure that's what I want?" Sonny was yelling now and he didn't care. How could Alexis not see that by putting Carly in prison, she would be out of their lives. She wouldn't be able to hurt Michael anymore. No, he didn't know a lot of what Carly had put Michael through and it would haunt him the rest of his life. But, he had a chance now to put her away. He wanted that chance, needed it!

"Sonny, do you want her put away for your peace of mind, or for Michael's?"