A/N – Thanks for the comments. I'm going to fast forward on Monday and either finish then or Wednesday. I'll take a break (sort of), but I finish writing and will post an Evason (Make Me Forget) and Brazen fic. They'll be a smut series called Dirty Little Secret that I'll post (probably once a month) for Liason on my site, but not here. So, if you're not signed up for my site on Tapatalk, look at my profile for the directions. As for the next Liason, well I think I might go with a story that came to me called House or cards. It's teen angst with lots of twists. It's either that or The Ruse 2. We'll see what I'm in the mood for. I also have a Liason ficlet
Chapter 50
Carly watched Michael playing with Alan and Dillon at the park. He looks happy, but she misses him so much.
"He misses you," Monica said.
Carly spun around.
Monica notices the dark circle under her eyes. "Where have you been?"
"I was hiding. When Sonny disappeared, I was scared I'd be next, so I went into survival mode."
"I see. What about your son?"
Carly turned around. "I don't know what is right or wrong anymore. I'm tired of running and I miss my little man. Does he ask about you?"
"He prays for you every night."
Carly wipes at her face. "I haven't had a drink in two weeks."
Alan moved towards them. He had noticed her and had told Dillon to take Michael over to the swings so he wouldn't see her. "That's a start."
"I—I don't have any money. Sonny's assets were frozen and I had to leave in a hurry." It's killing her to ask them for anything because they have always acted like she is beneath them. "I want to go to rehab and get my son back."
Monica shifts her weight. They love having Michael with them and he had been going to a day camp the last few weeks and the boy had thrived there.
"If you go to rehab, you'll more than likely be away for sixty days. You have a lot of healing to do and it shouldn't be rushed."
She stood taller. "Are you going to keep my son from me?"
"At first, we'll agree to visitation so Michael can learn to trust you again and then go from there. If you get a job and are stable, we'll only agree to turn custody back over to you if you'll let us stay in his life," Monica said.
Carly swallowed hard. "I've been so lost the last few months and I've been doing a lot of thinking the last few weeks. For the longest time, I haven't put my child first and he deserves that. If I don't make it, I won't come back here." She fought a sob. "I won't be just one more toxic person in his life. Michael deserves more. I just want to be a better person and a good mom, but I'm so scared that I'll fail."
Monica moved closer. "You don't think we haven't made mistakes? Trust me, we've made plenty, but at the core of all the bad decisions, there was love and eventually, it prevailed. Instead of focusing on failure, focus on the good and the life that you can give him. We're not trying to be mean to you, but you were headed down a very dark road and dragging your son along with you. Heal yourself, Carly, and be the mom you know he deserves."
"So, you'll help me?"
Monica and Alan exchanged glances.
"Yes, because you are willing to help yourself," Alan said.
Carly collapsed onto a bench and Alan sat next to her and put his arm around her. Only time will tell if she'll make it, but he really hopes she does for Michael's sake.
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Diane sauntered into Francis's room.
His eyes narrowed. "Why are you so happy? New shoes?"
She grinned and then lifted her hand up to brush her hair back.
"Well, I'll be damned. Congratulations."
"Let's just say that you and Epiphany inspired me." She grabbed his hand. "I'm glad you're going to be okay. You had us all worried."
"I feel like a truck hit me."
"Nope, just a stupid cop. He's on suspension, by the way. He'll be lucky to work at McDonald's by the time I'm finished with him."
He smiled. "I missed you."
She winked. "You better. I've been working my Louboutins off for you."
"Thank you, I think."
She rolled her eyes. He knows very well what they are since he has filled her closet with them indirectly.
The nurse came in and Diane watched as pain flashed in Francis's eyes as she tried to move the bed up a little and then chastised him for not taking his pain meds.
"Don't make me tell your wife."
Francis groaned making Diane chuckle.
"The doctor will be here in a few minutes. Epiphany will be back by then."
She left and Diane sat next to the bed and filled him on some plans for the next few days.
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Max shifted uncomfortably as Piph looked him up and down which Milo thought was funny.
"Why should we trust you, Giambetti?" Max had been admitted to the hospital before and was a big baby, so she has been around him enough to think he's high maintenance.
"I'm good at what I do and I respect Francis and Jason."
"What about Johnny?"
Max's eyes narrowed. "Part of me understands, but he was kind of a traitor."
Milo almost groans.
"Johnny is a good man who did what he had to in order to protect this organization. I know your panties are in a bunch over it, but if you're going to stay here, then he will be your boss and you'll have to deal."
"Yes, ma'am." After his long stint watching Carly, he wants to move forward.
"Can you respect and work for Johnny and Jason?"
"Yes." He has always gotten along with Jason and he's willing to talk it out with Johnny and then let it go.
"Good. You're going to review who is working at the warehouse and if they are trustworthy. After that, you will be the foreman." Frank turned towards Milo. "I want your help guarding my family. You'll be assigned to the baby."
Milo is shocked.
"You're young and good with kids from what I heard about your stint guarding Michael. Understand that I am trusting you with my grandchild and failure is just not an option." Jason had suggested it.
Milo nodded. "I will do everything in my power to protect them."
"Good. Max, Johnny will come by the warehouse to speak to you tomorrow. He is fair, but he can be just as lethal as Jason when pushed. We want stability and Johnny is mostly level-headed. He's not going to make stupid decisions and go off half-cocked."
"You have my word that I will give one hundred and ten percent," Max said.
"You're dismissed."
They left and Frank's attention went to Piph. "What are you really thinking?"
She chuckled. "Max is probably very stubborn, but he was loyal even when he disagreed with Sonny, from what I've gathered. I think he'll be good running the warehouse. He was wasted guarding Carly."
"I agree. Let's get back to Francis."
She smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."
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Jason woke up from his second nap, after eating the delicious food Luella prepared because Liz had gotten up to use the bathroom.
She rounded the bed and he turned toward her. "You okay?"
"Yeah. I feel a little better. Are you about to go?"
"I don't want to, but we need to make sure we're monitoring everything."
"I know." She hugged him and he wrapped his arms around her.
"I'll stop in before you go to bed tonight."
"Promise?"
"Yes."
She savored his energy for a long moment and then let go.
"I'm going to go take a shower."
"Okay."
Once he was in the bathroom, she fell asleep again.
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Johnny finished taking his shower and moved back into the bedroom where Nicole is sitting up. "You need anything?"
"No."
He sat next to her. "Do you want to record a message to him?"
She sighed. "I don't know. Part of me wants to go with you and beat the shit out of him, but I'm so tired."
"Well, I'm not crazy about the idea of you being in the same place as him. Besides, he's really fucked up right now and I'm not sure how you'd handle that."
"Why? I hate him."
"But you love me and I'm not sure I want you to see me as Johnny the torturer."
She kissed him gently. "I love you even more for what you are doing because even though I know that torturing him has to affect you on a deeper level, you're doing it anyway because of your love for me."
"He deserves to pay for what he did. I can do a face chat if you want to say some things to him."
"I think I do. I could let out my anger and move forward."
"It will take me about twenty minutes to drive there. Stay by your phone."
"Thank you for trusting me."
He kissed her again, showing his love with his mouth. "Always…"
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Francis slightly smiled when Jason entered the room. "Hey."
"Hi. You feeling any better?"
"A little bit, but I don't think they'll let me out of here anytime soon."
"Did you fail your tests?"
"No, they just want to make sure I'm totally stable. I told them that I don't think I'll miss my spleen."
Jason smirked.
Piph entered the room. "How are my two favorite guys?"
"As long as I'm your number one…" Francis said.
"Of course, husband."
"What happened with Max and Milo?" Jason asked.
"I think Max might have some issues with Johnny because of the undercover work, but he's willing to bury the hatchet."
"As long as it's not in Johnny's back," Francis said.
"He isn't that stupid. Milo agreed to guard Ali."
"Good. I think it's a perfect position for him. When are you going to get the training?"
"When do you need me to leave?"
"I was thinking in two weeks. You could get it done before the wedding."
Jason wasn't expecting it to be so soon, but it made sense.
"Elizabeth should be better by then."
He shifted uncomfortably.
"Talk to her later and get her opinion on it. Manny should be on his feet by then."
"Okay, I'll let her know."
"You're going to learn a lot and when you come back, I expect great things from you."
"Thank you for believing in me."
"You deserve it." Francis has definitely seen growth in Jason and he has so much potential. "I want you to start working out with Milo tomorrow. I hear he's a health freak and I want to bulk you up a little." While Manny uses his tats for intimidation, it will be Jason's glare and his body that will do the trick.
"That's fine."
Piph smirked.
"What?"Jason asked.
"Nothing, I was just imagining what that would look like."
"Piph…" Francis said. "I'm right here."
She cracked up. "I'm aware of that."
Jason grinned. "I'm going to go make a few calls."
"Later…"
"Bye."
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Eva's head tilts when she spots Mateo. "Wow, you guys look so much alike."
Manny grinned. "Hey, brother."
They warmly embrace.
"Can you stay out of trouble? I almost ran out of prayer beads."
"I'll try to lay low for a while. Mateo, this is my girl, Evangeline."
They shook hands.
"It's a pleasure to meet anyone who is willing to call out our mom."
She laughed. "She's quite a character."
"God might have been a little overzealous when dishing out her personality, but I try to remember that He knows what He is doing."
"Can I get you anything?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"I have to make a few phone calls, so I'll be back."
He watches her leave and then eyes his brother. "She's beautiful."
Manny smiled. "Yeah. She's smart too. You mark my words, I'm going to marry her."
Mateo is surprised. "It's that serious?"
"I've been in love with her for quite a while and I'm not letting her get away."
"Congratulations, I'm happy for you."
"It means a lot to have your blessing."
Mateo rested his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Do I get to marry you?"
"I wouldn't trust anyone else."
"Good."
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Johnny cued up his phone. Ronnie's mouth is duct taped shut and he's tied to a chair.
Nicole slightly smiles when she sees him. "Hey."
"Hi, baby."
Ronnie's head flops to the side when he hears her voice.
"Elizabeth is with me."
"Good." He really doesn't want her to face this alone. "I'm going to hold up the phone." Part of him just wants to shoot Ronnie in the head and go home to his girl, but he at least wants to torture him overnight.
When Nicole looks into Ronnie's eyes, she starts to feel her rage build.
"You look like shit as it should be. What you did to me might have scarred me, but it never destroyed me. I am thriving with a beautiful baby and wonderful fiance. I hope whatever he does to you hurts like a bitch. I'm so happy that I never have to look or think about you again. While you're burning in hell, I'm going to be living my life to the fullest. I win—not you. I'm not even sure why I was scared to face you because you are nothing but a spineless asshole who gets off by raping young women. Now, it's time to pay the price. Johnny?"
Johnny moved the phone so he could see her. "Yes, baby."
"I want you to cut it off."
He didn't seem phased. "Okay. That will be the last thing I do if I can find it."
Nicole smirked. "I love you. Hurt him badly."
"I love you too and I will."
He ended the call and faced Ronnie, ripping off the tape. "Rest time is over." He grabbed a hammer from the table. "First, I'm going to break every bone in your feet and then I have a drill with your name on it. By the morning, I'm going to cut off your dick and you're going to slowly bleed out until you die. Such a fitting way for you to go."
A tear rolls down Ronnie's cheek. This is not how he saw all of this ending.
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Elizabeth hugged Nicole. "You did good."
"I hate him so badly. If I hadn't of gotten hurt, I would have insisted on saying all that in person."
"He doesn't deserve to be in the same room as you."
"True. The nightmare will soon be over and I'm going to start a new adventure with Johnny, so I will get my happy ending."
They lay down and faced each other.
"I think Luella is going to kidnap my child." She could hear her singing in Spanish downstairs.
Liz giggled. "Maybe she is vying for a grandmother position."
"Well, I wouldn't mind that because I want Ali to be surrounded with love."
"She's easy to fall for."
"Did you ever think of having a baby?"
Liz slowly nodded. "Yeah. I mean, for the longest time, I didn't think it would happen and felt a little inadequate about it, but imagining a future with Jason will definitely include it."
"You're going to make beautiful kids." Her eyes fluttered shut.
Liz closed her. "Yeah—someday."
"I think I'll want to have another one."
Liz smiled. "You're a great mom, Nicole, and Johnny will be a good dad. Just hope it's not a girl because Ali has him so wrapped already."
Nicole chuckled. "You got that right. For such a tough guy, he's just a big softy."
"They all are and that's what makes them so special. Considering all the violence, they could have ended up being ruthless assholes. Instead, they have layers and big hearts."
"I love you, sister."
Liz grinned. "I love you too."