Prompt – A pretty face can hide an evil mind.

2

"When we heard you were coming to Port Charles, we wanted to know more about you," Sonny started smoothly, smiling down at the fidgeting brunette. "There wasn't a whole lot we could find, but one thing."

Elizabeth pushed her glasses higher up her nose and blinked up at him. "And that was?"

Sonny's smile grew wide and warm, and when those infamous dimples of his began to show, Jason wanted to roll his eyes. "That you were an absolutely lovely woman. My faith in my team's intelligence abilities is restored."

The young woman blushed prettily, and Jason almost felt bad her. She actually believed that Sonny was being sincere. "Thank you, Mister Corinthos."

"Please." He patted her hand, letting his thumb gently stray over her knuckles. "Call me Sonny."

"Er…" She nibbled her lower lip and nodded jerkily. "Sonny."

"And you know my partner Jason. Jason Morgan."

Her dark eyes turned to his when Jason nodded in introduction, and he stopped when he saw something flash there. Something shrewd, something sharp, some kind of attraction. But as quickly as it appeared, so it disappeared, and he was left wondering if he had just imagined it.

"It's very nice to meet you, Jason."

He nodded curtly, not wanting any part in humiliating a timid little wallflower just because she had the audacity to belong to one of the most dangerous families on the East coast. "Same."

"So you're Johnny's older sister," Sonny picked up again. "I would have guessed younger."

Elizabeth smiled at the transparent comment. "Thank you, Sonny. Actually, I'm seven years older than him. We've always been quite close, despite our separation; he'd come visit me often in Milan whenever Trevor and my father could secret him away without anyone knowing."

"A good thing," Sonny agreed. "Every man in our business needs the calming presence of a woman. I think Johnny faired quite well with you around."

She blushed again, and Jason began looking of ways to excuse himself. Really, this was just painful to watch. "Thank you, Sonny. I did the best I could to be a relatively stable, constant presence in his life. You know how boys his age are. So rash and impulsive and passionate, quick to anger, that sort of thing. It was a challenge sometimes to get through to him."

Ah. If Jason knew Sonny, this was exactly the opening he'd seize. As usual, his best friend didn't disappoint.

"I know what you mean," he pretended to lament, leaning in just a little closer so that she would feel as if he were taking her into his confidence. "It's hard to get boys his age to see sense and reason sometimes. Jason and I have tried, but…"

Elizabeth's eyes widened in perfectly practiced alarm. "What do you mean? What has John been up to in Port Charles?"

This time, Jason did roll his eyes. It was sickening, really, how quickly women fell into Sonny's trap. Still, he had to admire that kind of consistency, even when he did pity the victims.

Sonny let out a sigh, as if he didn't want to be the one to relay this information and cause John's image to suffer in the eyes of his beloved sister. "I don't know if you heard or not, but one of the most important commodities on the market right now is the waterfront property belonging to the Alcazar family."

Wide, confused eyes moved back and forth between Jason and Sonny. "…No, I wasn't aware. Please, go on."

"Jason and I are looking to secure that property," Sonny explained. "We run a coffee business and move our product via the harbor, and those piers would really help us keep our business going. Sales have been declining," he added quietly, "because it's getting harder and harder to keep Starbucks and Caribou out of town."

"I see."

"Johnny, I think, has it in his head that he'd like to see the properties going to anyone but us." The mobster shook his head sadly. "I'm not sure what we did to him to provoke that. Jason and I have never shown him or Trevor or your organization any kind of aggression."

Something hot grew inside Jason's chest as he watched Elizabeth reach out this time and gently place her hand over Sonny's in silent reassurance. Maybe it was anger at her for being so stupid, or maybe it was heartburn. He couldn't decide.

"I think he's even going to try to get the piers for your family," Sonny continued. "I'm not aware that you had any products to ship, but Johnny still wants them, apparently."

"I'll talk to him," Elizabeth promised, confirming in Jason's mind that she had no business being a part of the Zacchara family, a stupid girl like her. "I'll get him to see reason."

Sonny's brows furrowed. "But I thought you weren't planning on being a part of the business."

"That's not entirely true," she shrugged. "And besides, you're right: the Zacchara family has no use for those piers. We don't ship anything ourselves, we're not part of an alliance with someone that does, and with all the changes that are going to be put in effect…you're right, we won't be needing those piers."

Now she had Jason's attention, and he also wanted to capitalize on her naiveté. "What changes?"

"Elizabeth?" Trevor smiled warmly down at her when she looked up. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but the Tagliati family is here and I would love to introduce you to them personally. Their daughter went to Oxford, too."

"Oh." Elizabeth stood up too quickly and wobbled perilously on her heels before grabbing Trevor's hand for balance. "Of course. It was lovely talking to you, Sonny. Please, won't you excuse me?"

Sonny smiled, dimples prominent, and nodded. "But only if you save a spot on your dance card for me."

She blushed again and walked away, leaning slightly against the family attorney to keep her balance atop those shoes.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Jason arched a brow at Sonny. "A spot on your dance card?"

The mobster grimaced, watching the brunette almost trip on her feet, and shuddered. "I should have worn steel-tipped shoes or something."

"At least you got what you needed."

Sonny had to smile at that. "We really hit the jackpot, you know. I haven't talked to a woman that powerful or that stupid in a long time. It feels good."

"I wonder what all those changes were that she was talking about."

"We'll put someone on it. Don't worry, we'll find out soon enough."

Later that evening…

"Excuse – Excuse me? Ladies and gentlemen?" Elizabeth wasn't having much luck drawing the crowd's attention, and Jason watched as her brother stepped forward.

"May we have your attention," he boomed. The partygoers quieted and looked toward him. "Thank you. My sister wants to say something."

Elizabeth cleared her throat, looking rather uncomfortable now that she was the center of attention. "Um…When Trevor called me and asked me to come home, I wasn't all that eager, truth be told. I loved him and I loved my brother, but I wasn't blind to what the situation was back home, or how dangerous their lives had become."

Sonny contained a snort as he sipped his champagne.

"I told Trevor that I would come home and live with him and John on one condition," she continued, ruining the dramatic effect by shoving her glasses higher up on her nose. "When I outlined my terms, he didn't seem to warm to them. But I'm happy to say that eventually we agreed, and here I am."

She glanced at Trevor who smiled and nodded encouragingly, then looked up at her brother, who was beaming down at her. Whatever was meant by those looks, Sonny and Jason knew that this was big.

"My terms were very simple, and steps have already been taken to making sure they were met." Her dark eyes scanned the room smoothly, and Elizabeth took a small step forward and raised her champagne flute. "So upon my arrival home at last, I propose a toast. To the Zacchara family, and all of our close friends and associates."

"To the Zacchara family," the guests echoed dutifully.

Elizabeth raised her glass higher. "In five years, we shall be completely legitimate."

And that was when Sonny Corinthos choked on his champagne.