Chapter Seventeen

They arrived at the Metro Court arm in arm, looking like loving newlyweds to the outside world. "Go on in, the reservation's already taken care of, I'll be in, in a moment I want to have a word with Carly." Sonny said as he released his wife's arm. Claudia nodded as they parted ways.

"Tell Carly I said hello," She threw out as she headed to the hotel's restaurant and Sonny headed to the front desk where he spotted Carly signing off on paperwork.

"Carly," He called out as Carly looked up in pleasant surprise.

"Sonny, when did you get home from the island? How's Claudia, you didn't kill her did you?" Carly asked and Sonny looked at her in confusion. "I told her that you wouldn't because she's pregnant with your baby, please tell me that I wasn't wrong?"

"Wait, you knew Claudia was pregnant, and why would I kill her?"

"Uhm…well…uh." Carly was at a loss for words as her face paled a bit in fear at the thought that she had just spilled the beans.

"You know, don't you?" Sonny asked in disbelief. "You know that Claudia was involved in Michael's shooting."

"Yes I know, Kate told me, the bitch was actually gloating about it, and I know I should have told you. I didn't tell you because, 1. I didn't want Claudia's murder on my conscious, and 2. I don't blame Claudia for what happened to Michael. We're to blame, you, me, and Jason. We brought Michael into the mob life, and he's been in danger since day one. Add to that Kate's role, I know you don't blame her but if she hadn't taken Michael there without my permission, Michael would be with us right now." Sonny only shook his head a moment to clear it.

"Kate knew too."

"Oh yeah she's known for awhile. Longer than I have and according to Claudia, Kate's been torturing her with it for weeks, telling her that she was going to tell you." Carly said with a look of distaste at the mere mention of Kate's name. "Kate's an evil vindictive bitch, and hopefully now you can see that for yourself."

"Wait, so you're not mad at Claudia."

"No, don't get me wrong we're not going to be having sleep overs where we do each other's hair, but I think she and I will get along fine, and Morgan adores her. I think you've got some competition there because he says he's gonna marry her." Carly said with a smile as Sonny chuckled. "So you're not mad that I knew and didn't tell you?"

"No, I'm just glad you're not pissed, you know, and going after Claudia."

"I guess you can say I've mellowed out in my old…er age." Carly said with a smile, one Sonny matched.


"Are you ready to order Mrs. Corinthos?" Asked the waiter that came to the table where Claudia sat waiting for Sonny.

"Uhm, I'm going to wait on my husband he'll be in, in just a moment." Claudia replied and the waiter gave a nod and then headed to another patron. Claudia stared towards the door and could see Sonny and Carly still talking.

"If you were my wife, I'd never let you out of my sight, not even for a second." A voice spoke from behind her, and Claudia jumped a bit in her seat.

"Well guess you'll never know that burden, because I'm not now nor will I ever be your wife." Claudia replied as she looked into the face of the man who was taking the seat across from her.

"Oh I assure you Bella, it would be no burden but my absolute pleasure." Michael Corelli said as he reached out and grazed one of his hands across hers. Claudia quickly yanked her hand away from his grasp.

"Please Michael, you're being disrespecting to me and my husband."

"I'm sorry I mean no disrespect, but I have waited a long time to see you again, and I had always thought that that would be on our wedding day. I would be lying if I said that I'm not disappointed that you were given to someone else."

"I chose to marry Sonny."

"Yes, to please your father." Michael stated and Claudia couldn't deny that truth. "I completely understand that sometimes we do what we must for honor and for family. I myself have made such sacrifices over the years."

"What do you want from me?" Claudia asked.

"I just want you to know that you have a choice, you don't have to stay in this business arranged marriage." Michael said and Claudia couldn't stop herself from laughing.

"And your solution is what, to leave my business arranged marriage to Sonny, and jump into another one with you? I am happy with my husband, he treats me well, and we have a baby on the way."

"But I hear nothing of love and does he put you before all else, are you safe with him?" Michael asked and Claudia had no answers to give. "I would treasure you both, you and your baby would be my first priority. I would give you both anything and everything your heart's desired."

"Sonny would never let you have his child," Claudia said with a gloating smile.

"And what about you?" Michael asked and she looked at him with a confused gaze. "You say Mr. Corinthos would never allow me to have his child, but you said nothing about his wife. Does he make you feel like you're not as important, as valuable?" He asked as he reached out a hand and caressed her cheek. She could feel herself briefly being charmed but before she could force herself out of the trance, Sonny's voice reached her first.

"Get your hands off of my wife."

"Mr. Corinthos," Michael greeted as he stood from the table and turned to face Sonny. "Your wife and I were just having a friendly conversation."

"Too friendly from what I saw. Don't ever touch what's mine." Sonny said as Claudia sat quietly, enjoying the glimmer of jealousy that Sonny was displaying.

"I'm sorry I didn't know she was your property, or that I had to get your permission to speak with her." Michael said nonchalantly and Claudia couldn't help but to be impressed with the way he stood his ground, something she hadn't seen anyone do before. Even Jason who she thought was the most cold, callous person she had ever met, backed down and cowered a bit under Sonny's menacing tone and gaze

"You don't speak with her, ever."

"Sonny, its ok we were just talking about the old country," Claudia said trying to calm the situation, before it got out of hand in the restaurant.

"No it's not ok!" Sonny said loudly and other patrons began to stare, others quickly exited seeing who was yelling, and knowing that trouble and bullets seemed to follow Sonny Corinthos.

"You should show your wife more respect, you should never raise a voice nor hand to her." Michael stated and Claudia could he that he was actually irritated.

"You speak of respect when you openly disrespect me by making passes at my wife? I should cut you down where you stand." His words caused the two Corelli body guards to step closer, which made Max and Milo move closer.

"Sonny," Claudia called out as she stood and moved beside him. She grasped his arm gently trying to gain his attention, but Sonny's hard gaze was locked onto Michael's, who simply smirk back at him, seemingly amused.

"What the hell is going on?" Carly voice rang out as she entered the restaurant having been told about the altercation. She moved to stand between the two men who were staring each other down.

"Just a misunderstanding," Claudia offered an explanation. "Come on Sonny let's just go home. Remember Dr. Rivera said I can't be around stress," These words snapped Sonny out of his angry haze, and he gave her his full attention. "Please let's go home I'm suddenly craving your five-cheese Stromboli."

"Ok let's go," Sonny spoke calmly as he wrapped a possessive arm around her waist and moved to the exit.

"Sorry Carly," Claudia threw out as they past her on their way out.

"Yeah," Carly said as she walked them wondering what had just happened.

"Fino alla volta prossima, mia bellezza." Michael called after them and Claudia shot him a brief look over Sonny's shoulder.


"I told you it doesn't take much to set Sonny off, or to get Claudia to wonder if things might be better with you." Anthony said as he sat in Michael's hotel room, having snuck up in the servant elevator. "My darling daughter is a very insecure woman, I suppose I'm to blame for that. You should use that to your advantage."

"That would be counterproductive to my plans for your daughter. I want her to trust me, and know that she has no reason to be insecure with me. I plan to make her fall in love with me." Michael announced and Anthony burst into a fit of laughter.

"Good luck with that. Claudia not only has a black heart, its cold as ice. Love just aint her thing, money and power, that's how you'll get her attention believe me. You just keep trying to woo her, keep her off guard, keep Sonny pissed off and distracted until I can get my game plan into place."

"And exactly what is this game plan?" Michael asked genuinely curious.

"Sorry that's for me to know, but it's guaranteed to cause the most pain to Sonny, it'll break him and when he's at his lowest I'm gonna crush him like a bug and get my organization back."

"And what of me?"

"Oh don't worry you say that your father is anxious for you to get married and give him a grandchild. When it's all over you might be able to give him both. That is assuming that Claudia's having a girl. If however she's having a boy, my grandson, he's mine."


Fino alla volta prossima, mia bellezza –rough translation-- Until next time, my beauty