Chapter 17

The phone was ringing in penthouse 4 as Sonny was coming down from his shower. He hurried to pick it up.

"Corinthos."

"It is Diego, señor."

"What have you got?"

"We have them both. What do you wish for us to do?"

"Hold them. Bring them here to me at noon."

"This man, he is astuto, evil. He should not be allowed to share our air. Mi compadres, they would count it a pleasure to see he is no more."

"Diego, he remains alive for now. Do not harm either of them in any way. Not until I give the order. Comprende, mi amigo?"

"Si, señor. It is as you say."

Turning from the phone Sonny dragged his hand across his face. He was treading on thin ice here. Accidents tended to happen when Diego lost patience. Personally he didn't care whether Helena and Stavros ever saw the light of day again. But, he had to make sure Alexis didn't get hurt in all of this. She was adamant that no violence was perpetrated against them. Right now, he could see no way around it. Maybe if he could sit them all down together, Alexis would see there was no other recourse. He did not want to put her in the same room again with Stavros, but he needed her to know, she would never be safe from him as long as he remained alive. Walking toward the secret door that would lead him into Michael's quarters he entered the area looking for Alexis.

"Kristina, where is Alexis? She still in bed or something?"

"No, Sonny. Johnny called a little while ago and asked her to meet him somewhere."

"Did there appear to be anything wrong? I mean was she upset when she left."

"No, she said she would be back in a little while and we would all have lunch together. Is there something wrong, Sonny?"

"No, I was just looking for a companion for a late breakfast. I'll see her when she returns."

"You know, you could stay and have breakfast with me. I don't bite and I can control my tongue when I have to. Please stay, Sonny. It gets pretty lonesome around here."

"Ok, Kristina. How about I cook you some breakfast. Since I've not had the pleasure of anything you've cooked before, I would feel much safer if you would allow me to treat you this morning."

"You're teasing me, right?"

"How'd you guess?"

As Sonny and Kristina were finishing up their breakfast, Johnny, Alexis and Dixon were just stepping off the elevator. Johnny stepped forward to lead Alexis and Dixon to penthouse 4 when he realized that Dixon had stepped over to the farthest wall and was reaching for the hidden switch to Michaels rooms.

"Hey, man. What are you doing?"

Johnny reacted swiftly, catching Dixon's arm and bending it behind his back cruelly and very painfully.

He heard Dixon expel a low groan from the pain he immediately felt. As they had exited the elevator, Johnny signaled to the guards that everything was ok, but as soon Johnny grabbed hold of Dixon, both guards stepped forward, one to aid Johnny and the other to protect Alexis.

Dixon, looked over toward Alexis.

"Please, Alexis, trust me. I'm not a threat to you or anyone you love. You have my word."

"Johnny, let him go."

"No, Alexis. Something is not right here."

Dixon needed to get Johnny's attention quickly. "Johnny, Helena told me about the rooms a month ago. She knows they are here. She's known all along." Dixon was trying to get Johnny to realize that nothing escaped Helena's notice.

Johnny roughly let go of Dixon's arm, waved the guards back and spun Dixon around to face him.

"What do you mean she knows?"

"Johnny, Max told her. Please believe me. You don't have anything to fear from me anymore. I am on your side. Please, let me finish this. Let me make up for what I've done. Let me settle my debt to your sister."

Johnny heard the plea in Dixon's voice. He also heard the sincerity. Nodding once, he allowed Dixon to open the hidden panel to reveal the door to Michael's rooms, which now housed his sister Kristina.

Dixon entered the suite and looked around expectantly. As his eyes searched the room, his gaze finally fell on the two occupants in the room who had quickly risen when they heard the door open.

Sonny, took a step in front of Kristina to protect her. There was no reason for that particular door to be opening and was instantly alerted that something was wrong. His first priority was to protect Alexis' sister.

Kristina took in the appearance of the three who just entered the door. Her face registered her immediate fear of the unknown, then happiness when she sighted her brother and sister. It was her response to the third man that completely shocked the rest of the occupants in the room.

"Dicky? Dicky!"

Kristina literally ran to Dixon and flew into his waiting arms laughing excitedly as the jaws of Sonny, Johnny and Alexis dropped in shock.