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Chapter 2

Twenty-four hours ago Will Horton was ready and willing to leave Salem behind forever. His one problem was he did not have the funds to leave; so he tried blackmailing EJ Dimera his adoptive father. What Will didn't know was that EJ had a trump card in his back pocket; the secret that he had kept hidden for so many years the one that used to keep him up at times racked with guilt. Now here he was back at the Dimera mansion waiting for his worst nightmare to begin.

EJ came down the stairs dressed in his expensive Armani suit and took a seat at his desk. EJ was walking on air he had the women he loved, his campaign was going well, and he had his son back. Even though he had to do it through coercion he still had his son back and in time William would forget and forgive. Though EJ could not understand why William was so upset with him in the first place.

He had dispatched of Hernandez for his children's own good and he had too strong an influence over his children especially William turning him against him. And Johnny and Sydney were getting too comfortable with Rafe around every day paying house with Samantha. But that would all soon change he would win the election and finally be able to crush everyone who stood in his way.

"EJ sweetie you down here?" Nicole asked coming down the stairs.

"Yes darling, Im in here"

When EJ saw Nicole coming into the room looking absolutely stunning he got up and embraced her. He began nipping at her neck playfully. "EJ stop we have work to do and we will never get anything done with this kind of distraction."

"Im sorry but you just look so beautiful I can't help myself"

"Well try," Nicole moved to the nearby couch and sat down with her tablet open. "Now first we need to over your schedule. You have an interview later today… oh have you figured what you're going to say, because from what I hear Abe has something big in the works. Speaking of which he and John Black also have an interview right before yours where John is going to announce how he's going to use his immense fortune to pay the pension plan back and support Abe's campaign. Ugh!."

"Darling darling don't worry about it no matter what Abe has in store it doesn't matter. As for John Black well I'm not too concerned if he wants to throw away all his money than fine let him it won't make a difference. Personally I think we should work on something a little more entertaining " EJ announced as he began cozying in closer to Nicole on the couch.

"EJ im serious we need to start strategizing the election is not that far off and remember you did put me in charge on your campaign."

"Oh I remember and I have complete faith in you that is why I'm not worried and why I think that we can afford to have a little fun" EJ looked enticingly at Nicole and started to trail kisses down her neck.

"Well when you put it that way," Nicole kissed EJ slowly and seductively then fast and passionately. As Nicole was enraptured by EJ's lips she noticed someone coming in through the front door. She almost couldn't believe who she saw walking nervously through the door. " Will Horton?"

EJ turned around excitedly and jumped up from his seat to greet Will. "Oh excellent William. Let me introduce you to the newest member of our campaign."

"Um since when did Will become a part of our team?" Nicole asked incredulously.

"Well I Uh I suppose it just really happened didn't it William. I for one couldn't be more excited to have my son on board with us. So William as it turns out as an interest in politics and I thought that it would be a wonderful opportunity to have William, a member of the revered Horton family working on the campaign."

"Well contrary to popular opinion they ain't the royal family and last time I checked Will couldn't stand to be around you let alone work for you."

"Well this does go towards college credit isn't that right William."

"Yeah that's right."

"Also William and I have managed to reconcile our differences like family should."

"Well Will you do surprise me. I must have done something right all those years being your step mummy you managed to pick the winning team."

Will rolled his in eyes at Nicole but remained polite while EJ was in the room watching him like a hawk. "Yeah I guess so."

"Still I find it hard to believe that you're more team Dimera than team carver in your heart." Nicole eyed her step son suspiciously wondering what his angle he was playing. She couldn't believe that Will would forgive and forget so much in such a short amount of time.

"Actually darling as it turns out William here didn't have to look too deeply into his heart, as it turns out there were no opportunities available at the carver campaign." EJ lied effortlessly.

" Uh well welcome to team. Now if you two handsome men would excuse me I have some phone calls to make."

Will waited until Nicole had left the room before asking EJ "Why did you make me come here, what do you want?"

EJ smirked to himself in a very self-satisfied way. "Well William its time you started earning favor with daddy."

"Alright EJ I'm here. What is it you want me to do?" Will asked curtly with a look of utter disdain.

"First of all William it is customary and polite to say hello when beginning a conversation. And as for what I want let's start with this EJ Thing."

"What it's your name?"

"Yes it is but children do not address their parents by their first names. So we will begin with that. From now on you will call me either dad of father nothing else and secondly you will start showing the respect I am do as your father."

"Fine whatever you say Dad."

"Good now that we have that settled let's get down business. You know John Black is at the Brady Pub right now setting up for his press conference to introduce his plan to restore the pension fund and to back Abe in his bid for reelection."

"Yeah. So what?"

"You're going to go down there and you're going to listen to him drivel away and then your going to find Abe's computer and find the files on that computer and bring them to me ."

"Wait, what? How am I supposed to do that, I doubt Abe is going to hand his computer to me whether Im his nephew or not." Will said with a growing sense of dread. He never expected that EJ would ask him to do anything illegal.

"Yes I realize that; but William one of the reasons I giving this assignment to you is because I know what a clever little mind you have and im confident you can use that mind to get Abe's computer and those files. And if you get caught well than I guess you better get used to wearing prison orange," EJ chuckled at the look on Williams face. "Besides I believe in you and your abilities I know you'll be just fine."

"No way you can forget it I'm not doing it."

"Oh yes you will William because don't forget I own you and I can send you away to prison anytime I want. Now take this flash drive, get the files, and get going. Are we clear, ARE WE CLEAR!"

Will flinched. Never in his life had EJ ever spoken to him like that not even when he deserved it. Will grabbed the flash drive and answered " Yes were clear! Dad." Will rushed out the door as quickly as he could he wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible before EJ really lost it. Despite all the things that EJ had done Will had never been afraid of his adoptive father until today.