If Only...

Chapter 7

The tension in the room was palpable. Johnny glanced at Sonny and then at Jason. They sat on opposite ends of the couch with poor Benny between them. For weeks, their daily meetings had all been the same. Tension and anger always lurking below the surface of their polite conversation and business talk. Johnny would bet twenty dollars he knew why. Carly had vanished a few days before, leaving her son in the care of Bobbie, and Jason was frantic.

Francis had made the mistake of admitting to Jason that Carly had come to the penthouse the day she disappeared. Sonny had almost fired him for that one. Jason had asked, cajoled, and even threatened Sonnybut it was always the same. As soon as Jason started about Carly, the Boss would clam up. He had told Jason that, if Carly had anything to tell him, she would and not to ask him again. That had been the end of it. Jason had fallen into a sullen silence, sending daggers Sonny's way every so often. Sonny had chosen a better route. He ignored Jason.

Johnny observed the meeting as it continued, shrugging helplessly at the pleading looks Benny kept directing his way. No way was he getting involved. But what I wouldn't give to know why Carly had visited the Boss that day... He heard Benny make a comment about the Feds and brought his attention back into the meeting.

"I think we need to be extra careful, sir."

"I'm not disagreeing with you, Benny." Sonny rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to relieve the headache that had started to form. "I want you to do me a favor." Sonny leaned in, his elbows resting on his knees; he glanced to his side at Benny. "I need you to set up a false shipment. It's time."

The men all nodded, relief washing over them. Sonny had been a somber mess since he'd found out Hannah was a Fed. He'd decided against everyone else's better judgment that he was going to keep Hannah close so he could monitor her. They'd all protested, Johnny the loudest of all. Until the day, he'd caught the tail end of a fight between Carly and Sonny.

"You can't be serious, Sonny."

"Why does everyone keep saying that? I'm dead serious."

Johnny stood in the shadows of the warehouse, just outside Sonny's office. He'd come to ask about a shipment and had been met with Carly prodding the boss about Hannah. His brow furrowed in confusion. He wasn't aware that Carly knew anything about the business. He smiled at his own naïveté. This was Carly. He'd only be surprised if she hadn't known something was up.

"Well, then, that is about the dumbest idea you could have had." Carly placed her hands on her hips. Johnny could see her temper rising steadily. He glanced at Sonny, noticing that he wasn't far behind her in the temper department.

"Thanks, Carly." He'd maneuvered around her, making sure he kept a good distance between them. Sonny kept his attention on his clipboard. He looked like he was willing Carly away. "Now, you can go."

"Don't give me that, Corinthos." Carly moved closer, removing the clipboard from his hand and forcing Sonny to look at her. "Listen to me. Ok. These guys want to get anything they can on you. If she stays close, something could slip. Then, where would we be?" Carly cradled Sonny's face, smoothing back his hair with one hand while holding his chin with the other. "Don't." She caressed his cheek softly. "Don't let your pride get the better of you. Forget about making her pay, Sonny. Rule with your head this time. Not your heart."

Johnny watched in stunned silence as Sonny's stony, hard face softened. Placing his hands over Carly's, his gaze flicked down to the floor and then back at her. "This isn't about me." He mumbled the admission so softly that Johnny caught himself leaning forward to listen. Realizing what he was doing, he jerked back and moved away, taking one last quick glance behind him in time to see Carly embrace Sonny, clearly catching the look that flickered across Sonny's face.

Johnny had stood by Sonny's decision ever since that day. Ever since he'd caught the look on Sonny's face and realized that Sonny was falling for Carly. Johnny had almost fallen to his knees and thanked the heavens that the man had finally come to his senses.

The sound of raised voices yanked him out of his thoughts. He looked over at the three men, who, at the moment, were in the middle of a heated debate. Here we go...

Sonny sighed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Jason. God knew he loved the guy, but he was working on his last nerve. Blocking him at every turn to spite him for not telling him where Carly had gone. Like I know...

He glanced at Benny, knowing the other man had an idea as to where he could find Carly. It took everything in him not to force Benny to tell him. But he knew Carly. She'd come back when she was good and ready. She hadn't wanted to tell him what she was up to, and he had to respect her wishes. He moved to the bar, pouring himself a generous amount of scotch. "I already told you, Jason. I don't know where Carly is."

"But she came to see you, Sonny. She must have left a message for me. She always does. Why else would she come here?"

Johnny cringed, sharing a look with Benny, who chose to keep his eyes on the files in front of him. He wasn't getting in the middle. Benny jumped when Sonny slammed his glass on the table.

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe she came by to see me?"

"You hate Carly, and she's not very fond of you either."

Before Sonny could retort, Francis came in to tell Jason that he had a phone call in his apartment. Excusing himself, Jason rushed out, hoping it was word from Carly. The minute he stepped out the door, Johnny and Benny began to breathe more easily.

Benny studied Sonny closely, contemplating for the millionth time whether he should let the Boss in on Carly's whereabouts. He knew it would make life here a little nicer. Sonny had been a grouch since Carly had taken off a few days before. He'd yelled so much at Johnny that Benny had automatically given the boy a raise. Though he still wasn't sure why Johnny kept smiling at the Boss whenever he started a rant. It was like he had his own little secret. He made a mental note to ask him about it later.

Sonny shook his head, his own mood not going unnoticed by him. He'd been giving his men and staff hell all week. "Hey guys."

Two pairs of eyes met his. One cautious; the other... amused? It'd been happening to Sonny for awhile now. Whenever he yelled at Johnny, all he got in return was a strange smile and a pat on the shoulder. He wondered if it was time to give the bodyguard a week off. He was acting strange.

"Go on home."

"Are you sure?"

Sonny insisted, telling them that he needed to be alone. He escorted them out the door, closing it firmly behind them. He scanned the room, his eyes falling on the phone. He missed her. Running a hand through his hair, Sonny marched to the window, seeking solace in the night sky. He wanted to hear her voice. Needed to see her face. Craved the sweet smell of her perfume. And it was scaring the hell out of him.

"You're not still mad, are you, Agent Scott?" Larkin reached over, touching his cold fingers to Hannah's warm cheek. "Come on. Tell me you didn't love that I got the bitch but good."

Hannah jerked away, disgusted with Larkin and with herself for feeling affected by what he was saying. She felt him move in behind her, and she forced herself not to react. The sick, arousing sensation he always coerced out of her was taking over. His hand moved to her breast, squeezing hard, and a moan escaped from his throat when she moved back against him. "You know you liked it, baby. Remember how you came at me that night."

"You're sick."

"Yeah, but you never complain when I'm in you, do you?"

Hannah pushed his hands away. She'd made the mistake of going to him the night she'd found evidence of Carly in Sonny's house. She hadn't let him get near her since she and Sonny had been together. She loved Sonny. She didn't want to be with anyone else. But that night...

Sonny had picked that bitch over her, and that wasn't acceptable. So she'd gone straight to Larkin, just like before. She regretted it now. Sonny had been so sweet to her the next day. Hannah bit her lip, hating her own weakness.

"This is the last time, Larkin. I'm warning you."

"Oh, what? Your boyfriend got a thing for that girl?"

"NO! No. Sonny is just overprotective of women, and the little bitch is using it to her advantage."

Larkin laughed, his voice laced with condescension. "Agent Scott, green is not your color."

"Fuck you."

"If you insist."

Hannah made a motion for her gun, stopping Larkin in his tracks. "Don't tempt me." She saw the rage pass over his face and swallowed back her fear. Taking a step back, she glanced around the docks. "You need to be more careful. Sonny can't find out."

"It's time, Scott."

Hannah met his stare defiantly. "Says who?"

"They want him. It's been fun playing this game, Hannah. But you need to get him."

"I..."

"No more excuses, Hannah. You need to bring Corinthos down. Now."