Chapter Two

She had been sitting in the parlor typing away on her laptop when he entered the room. "Morning," A male's voice called out in greeting and she snapped her head in his direction.

"John I swear you really need to learn how to knock." Claudia stated as she then closed the laptop, sat it atop the table and gave her btoher her full attention.

"Sorry," He said with a smile. "I just came to check on you I was worried, that was a pretty bad storm last night. Sorry I couldn't be here with you." He said sincerely.

"That's all right, I'm fine Sonny took care of me." She answered with a wide grin. "In fact I think last night really changed our relationship for the better." She replied and John groaned as he rolled his eyes upward. "I'm serious, listen." She then grasped his arm and pulled him down beside her on the sofa. "After you called last night,"

"Oh so you did get the message why didn't you call me back, I stayed up for hours worried about you." Johnny interrupted her.

"Sorry, I wasn't going to call you back on a phone line while an electrical storm was raging outside, John, do you want to get electrocuted."

"That's urban legend,"

"No it's physical science, now will you listen?" she asked growing a bit irritated with him. "Last night after you called Sonny came to my room, he found me in the closet,"

"In the closet?" John interrupted again in concern.

"The lights went out," She answered knowing it wouldn't need further explanation, and Johnny simply nodded and she continued. "He found me and saw how terrified I was and he invited me to stay with him in his bedroom. We spent the entire night making love, and it was incredi..."

"Ok," Johnny said throwing up a hand to stop her ranting, "We're close, I trust you and love you more than anyone else in this world, and I know we tell each other everything, but now I think we need to add some guidelines to that. Like I do not want to hear about you having sex with some guy." He said with a disgusted look on his face.

"He's my husband John." She said amused by his brotherly bravado.

"I don't care, with any guy. In fact I don't want to hear about you having sex period. As far as I'm concerned you're still a virgin." Claudia busted out into a fit of laughter and Johnny couldn't help but to laugh as well. "I'm serious Claudia."

"Fine, we spent the night playing Monopoly OK, point is last night changed things between Sonny and I."

"Really, how so?" Another male's voice spoke from the door and both Claudia and John turned to find Rick Lansing standing there.

"What the hell are you doing here, how did you get past the guards?" Claudia asked as she and John both stood to face Rick.

"I guess Sonny don't have them all so trained as he does Max and Milo," Rick answered. "You were saying that you and sonny have a new found relationship?"

"You should go before Sonny gets back." Claudia said as she folded her arms across her chest.

"Actually Sonny and I have business to discuss, I am after all still the Zacharia family lawyer, even if your father still hasn't been found after the fire at GH."

"You're unbelievable you know that, do you actually think Sonny will allow you to remain in this organization?" Claudia asked.

"He may not have a choice I know a lot of things, private things. I've established relationships, alliances with other families and I don't think they'll feel comfortable doing business with anyone except me. So I think I'm still very valuable to this organization. Even though you tried to destroy that when you sold me out to Sonny."

"Oh please Rick don't be so dramatic, I wasn't trying to sell you out, I was just trying to save myself, and I thought you knew me well enough to understand and appreciate that."

"What the hell is going on?" Sonny's voice filled the room as he entered the room. "Rick you better have a damn good reason for being here." Sonny said as he glared at his little brother.

"As I was just telling your wife, I have business to discuss with you in private."

"Well if it's about the Zacharra business you can say whatever you have to say in front of my wife and her brother, since they're Zacharras."

"Actually I'll pass," Johnny said throwing up his hands and stepping towards the exit.

"John you don't have to leave," Claudia called out to him.

"Yeah I do, I'm out remember and I don't want to know anything about the business that could potentially suck me back in. Besides I just came to check on you and I can see you're fine so," He then moved back to his sister and gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll call you later OK?" Claudia simply nodded her head and watched as he walked out. "Sonny," He threw out a swift greeting as he passed and Sonny threw him a nod.

"Max!" Sonny yelled causing his voice to boom throughout the room, within seconds Max appeared.

"Yeah boss."

"I want you to make sure all the guards on the grounds and in the house know that my little brother is no longer welcome in my house. He's not to make it on these grounds, and if by some chance he does make it on the grounds, he is to be shot on sight for trespassing, understand?"

"Sure thing I'll take care of it," Max said and he threw a hard look at Rick. "Did you want me to escort him out now?"

"No, see he came here to make some pathetic last ditch attempt to get back into my good graces, and we all know there's not a chance in hell that that's gonna happen. But I'm sure it'll be entertaining so I'm gonna hear him out." Max chuckled as he nodded and then left the room, closing the door behind him. "OK Rick," Sonny said as he moved to his desk and flopped down in his seat. "Entertain me."

"Word of Anthony's disappearance has gotten out and several of the families are concerned."

"I've already spoken with the families Rick,"

"The ones that you know of sonny. Do you actually think Anthony gave you control over all his business investments? No he just gave you the small fish, he kept the most powerful ones in his pocket, like the Vega family of Colombia, the Solntsevskaya Bratva of Russian, and the Wu family of China. They all want a meeting, and I've been the liaisons between them and Anthony, so they won't trust anyone else." Rick said with a smug look on his face. Sonny eyed him silently for a moment and then focused his eyes onto Claudia.

"I had no idea," She answered his silent question.

"Of course you didn't you think Anthony would trust you with that information. No Anthony knew what I'm just now understanding which is you're a heartless cold-blooded bitch who'd sell out anyone to get ahead." Rick hissed out and Sonny slammed his fist down upon the table and both Rick and Claudia jumped.

"Don't you ever...ever speak to my wife like that again, you disrespect my wife like that again, and I swear to God I will cut your fucking tongue out. Now apologize to her." Rick wanted to be defiant but the look in his brother's eyes told him now was not the time and so he swallowed his pride and turned back to Claudia.

"My apologies Mrs. Corinthos I meant no disrespect." Claudia threw him a satisfied smirk in response.

"Fine, set up the meeting, let me know when they get into Port Charles." Sonny said. He hated that he had to rely on Rick for this but he knew for the time being he had not other choice.

"They're already here, they're waiting at the warehouse on Pier 18." Rick stated. "I've just come to get you."

"Fine, we'll meet you there." Sonny said seething at the fact Rick had set up this meeting without his permission.

"We? You're not seriously thinking about bringing Claudia with you? These guys don't have women in their organization Sonny, they think women should only be around to service and please them. You come in there displaying Claudia as your equal, you're going to burn the bridges before they're even built."

"Max!" Sonny called out and Max quickly entered the room again. "Show Rick the door and then bring the car around." With a nod Max swiftly moved to Rick and grasped his arm painfully and rushed him from the room.

"Rick's right on a lot of what he said, I've had a few dealings, unbeknownst to my father, with all of those families, they're very powerful and ruthless, and none of them especially the Wu family will respect you if you show up at a business meet with me on your arms."

"Do you think they're a threat to our organization here in Port Charles?" Sonny asked looking as if he hadn't heard anything she had just warned him about, and she stood stunned for a few seconds by his reference of 'our' organization.

"No," She finally spoke again. "I know for a fact you're more ruthless than any of them. You don't show fear or weakness, and that's what they'll be looking for. You have children but even that gives you the advantage, because you have a reputation in this business of becoming crazed when someone goes after those you see as your family. The Vegas and the Wu clan will respect that because for them family is everything too, they'd never use someone else's as a pawn. Once they realize they can't intimidate you or buy you off, they'll be willing to do business with you. The Russians on the other hand are very fickle you never really know where their allegiances are, but with what went down between you and Andre Karpov, they already know how powerful you are here, and are bound to be more receptive, so that's the card you should play with them."

"See that's exactly why you're coming with me." Sonny said and then picked up his phone and began pushing numbers. After a moment he spoke. "Hey, it's me I need your help with something." Claudia stood watching him smiling in delight.