Chapter Ten

"Hello again, Georgie. We really do have a lot to discuss," Diego announced as he and five of his men entered the room.

Heart racing and feeling lightheaded, Georgie fisted her fingers into Logan's t-shirt so tightly that her knuckles turned white. The fear coursing through her entire body left her paralyzed, unable to look away from his dark, sinister eyes. It was an expression that she saw every night in her dreams. But is was when the small whimper ecsaped from between her lips and Diego gave her a satisfied but sadistic grin that she realized this was really happening and not just another nightmare. Fighting back the fear, Georgie tried to reach deep and gain control of herself.

Hearing her terrified panting in his ear, Logan remained firmly planted in front of her. The panic that he could sense building within Georgie had him ready to just kill the man standing in front of him. While she had finally broke her silence and confessed some of the despicable things that Diego had done to her, Logan instinctively knew that she had not even began to tell him the half of it.

Diego's attention shifted to Johnny. While his expression barely changed, his stance moved just a fraction. But it was enough that it did not escape Johnny's eagle eye. "You seem surprised. I guess daddy really didn't tell you everything, huh?" he taunted with a knowing smirk, evoking the rage that he could see simmering within the younger man. "Or maybe Brenda never mentioned that I was alive? Oh, my mistake. I forgot that she was committed before she could run and tell you that I was still around."

"Pop's always had a soft spot that never worked well with the business," the younger man sneered. "But I don't have that problem, O'Brien. However, this doesn't need to turn into a blood bath. All I want is what is mine."

"What do you think is yours?" Johnny demanded, already knowing the answer. Moving slightly as the Alcazar's heir and his men all looked in the direction of the small woman standing directly behind Logan, he placed his left hand on his second gun. "If you are talking about Georgie, I think that she is her own person."

"I disagree," he spat. "She has belonged to me every since I met her. Why do you think that I helped Lulu ruin her and the spoiled rich brat? It wasn't for the blond slut. I did so I could drive a wedge between them."

Drawling strength from deep within herself, Georgie stepped backwards, placing room between her and Logan. "Really? You honestly think that I would ever go with you willingly?"

Immediately spotting the glock in her hand, Diego gave an arrogant laugh. "You don't have it in you to kill me, Georgie."

The room fell eerily silent and the tension reached an explosive level as Georgie placed the gun to her temple. It was her eyes that scared everyone though. There was no hesitation, no abundnace of emotions, or even a hint of second guessing within the dark liquid orbs. "Who said anything about you dying, Diego?"

"Georgie!"

"I won't go back to that hell, Logan. I would rather die first." Her eyes still attached to Diego's, she felt the moisture flood her tear ducts and overflow. "I hate you, Diego, and nothing will change that. One thing that I know without a doubt is that I am not leaving here tonight with you, not while I am still breathing."

Torn, wanting to strangle her for taking the chance of placing a loaded weapon to her head, Logan could also see the effect that her actions had taken on the South American standing just feet from him. Some of the confidence that Diego held himself with drained out of his face, and that was when Logan became terrified that she meant what she said. It was clear that the man that had once been a close a friend, then her torturer, saw the seriousness of her words. and was worried that she would pull the trigger and end it.

"Georgianna, stop. This isn't necessary." Staying still, Diego motioned for his men to step back. "You don't want to do this. To take a coward's way out. This isn't you!"

"You're right about that, but it's the only option that I am willing to accept. I'm so sorry, Logan," she whispered.

The sound of gunfire exploded in the room. By the time that the confusion had cleared, Logan had lost the calmness that he usually possessed in dire situations. Grabbing Georgie as Johnny emptied his clip into the last of the men that had not fled when Diego had, he shook her.

"Jesus! Have you lost your freakin mind? I ought to throttle you, baby girl!"

Collapsing into his arms, she shakily inhaled the scent that she had come to associate with him.

Running over and looking out the door, Johnny watched as the car that had been pulled up to the curb roared away. The spattered blood trail that ended where it had sat told him that Georgie had hit him at least once, but he was unsure of the damage or severity of the wound. As soon as she had started firing, the man had been knocked backwards by at least one of the bullets that she had fired. Shaking his head in disbelief, he turned and saw the silent exchange taking place between the two that had been on the move together. The emotions in Logan's face made it obvious that he in over his head and deep.

"I was praying that you weren't serious, that you were upping the stakes. You are definitely your parents child, Georgie. But we have to move. Now! The law must have been called and who knows how bad you hit Diego. He is going to be more pissed than ever, little one. Let's not make it for nothing."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Entering the small den, Jason stopped to really look at the young woman that had finally fell into an exhausted sleep. The side that she showed to the world really did not even scratch the surface on who she was. Feeling Logan enter and stand beside him, he shook his head. The young man was still reeling from what Georgie had done to give them all a chance to get away unscathed. That was something that Jason understood. He would have skinned Elizabeth is she had pulled a stunt like that.

"He will come after her again, only more determined now. She shot him, Morgan. Men like Diego don't just let that go."

"He will never stop coming after her until he is dead, Hayes. But you are right. Her shooting him, it will only make him more ruthless in his pursuit." Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sighed. "I am going to try and hold him off in Italy. Zacchara is going to help also, but it is no guarantee that we can keep him here. The island is the only option now. It is fully secure and constantly guarded. She will be safe there."

Not liking what was not being said, Logan tilted his head to the side. "For how long?"

"I wish I knew. This little bastard is way more elusive than his uncle and father combined."

Hearing footsteps behind them, they both turned and looked at the heir to the Zacchara Organization. Leaning against the door jam, he returned their stares and then smiled slowly when his eyes landed on the girl that he had always thought of as too sweet and trusting. "I guess it's true that you can't judge a book by it's cover."

"Meaning?" Logan snarled, not thrilled with the softer side that Johnny had displayed with Georgie after they had first arrived.

"Calm down, Logan. I respect Georgie, always have. She is one of the few people that never really judged me based on who I am related to. She is my friend, that is all. Besides, a blind man could see the way that she looks at you." Shoving his hands in his pockets, Johnny chuckled at the scowl that Logan still wore. "Claudia just got word from a doctor that owed her a favor. Diego had two bullets removed. One in the left arm, the other in the shoulder. He's pissed and in pain, but unfortunately okay. The wounds won't slow him down hardly any."

"After seeing O'Brien, he will be watching for one of our planes to leave. You sure that you want to get this involved? He could start problems for you, Johnny?"

Eyes straying back to Georgie, his face darkened as he thought over all that he had been told about her placing the gun to her head. Logan had still been pissed and lecturing her when about it they had arrived. "Absolutely. I may not know the entire history between those two, but for her to shoot someone, it says enough. And if he is stupid enough to attack my business in my uncle's country, he better pray for a fast death. The plane will be ready to go at dawn." Casting one more look at Logan, he inclined his head to the right. "Third door down is the bedroom that I had prepared for you guys to use. All our men are on patrol tonight. Get some real sleep, Hayes. You both need it."

Following the younger man from the room, Jason waited until they were several doors away before stopping him and motioning toward the office. "What aren't you saying, Zacchara?"

"I think that you might want to consider sending Maxie to the island too, Jason. He is obsessed and doesn't follow the normal rules that most in our line of business operate by. To bring Georgie out into the open, he will go after her biggest weakness."

"Meaning her love and loyalty to her family." Disgusted at the thought, he groaned. "You're right. I will call Mac and let him know. I'll probably have to send Barrett to get Maxie there without a damn uproar."

Amused by the thought, O'Brien snickered as he entered the room and sat across from the fireplace. "Sonny will shit. A cop staying at his own private paradise retreat."

"Shut up. He is already pissy over helping the youngest daughter of Frisco. I wish that I could send you, but with you being 'dead' and all, it would create a storm that I cannot handle at the moment. I know that Hayes will do whatever he has too and that the island should be safe, but..."

"Diego is a snake. I know. At least Frannie is already there, running things. You know that he always thought that Georgie was a good girl. He will take care of her. You just might to warn him not to kill Logan. I don't think Georgie would take too kindly if he does."

Johnny looked over at the Irishman. "What is it with all of you being so protective of her? It's more than her just being a target. You all look at Logan like he could be threat too, one that you tolerate just because of her. I may not care too much for Hayes, but I can say that I do not believe that he will let Georgie get caught by Diego, not without one hell of a fight anyway."

Smirking at one his oldest friends, Johnny shrugged. "Georgie has always reminded us older guards of another sweetheart that we guarded a long time ago. That young woman went through hell too. She also fell for a bad boy, one that usually lost all reasoning where she was concerned. From the time that Georgie started waitressing at Kelly's, she been compared to the other woman and brought out our protective nauture."

Thinking over all that he had heard in the few years that he had lived in Port Charles, and all that he had researched on the key movers and shakers, Johnny could see the smiliarities. "Now that you explain it like that, I can see it."

Claudia entered the room and grabbed a bottle of vodka and a glass from the bar. "Gentlemen, we have another issue to discuss. The hanger that your jet was in just exploded into a ball of flames, Morgan." At the sudden stillness, she tossed back the drink. "How sure are we that this putz has no clue that we are involved? Alcazar money and connections stretch far and wide."

As Jason grabbed his cell to call and tighten security on his family, O'Brien stood and grabbed the bottle of whiskey. "Sure enough to risk it. And the Alcazar name will not carry much pull for Diego. Lorenzo cut all ties with his son before he was assumed dead. There is no love loss between the two. As for him guessing that Johnny would help, it's crazy. Come on, Claudia, would you ever think that your brother would help Hayes in anyway?"

"After the fallout over that blond tramp, no." Placing her maincured hands on the back of the chair that she stood behind, she gave a self-satisfied grin. "I think that it is about time to call Uncle Rudy and tell him that someone is starting problems in his city. He just hates it when people ovestep their bounds."

Hanging up, Jason thought about what she had just said and knew that they could buy themselves some time. "I think Max and Milo's father would be mighty upset too. Might want to suggest that they look into it together."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Rolling over and peering at him from under her thick lashes, Georgie winced at seeing the look on his face as he watched her back. Lifing herself up and resting her weight on her elbow, she touched his cheek. "I'm sorry, Lo. I should have thought about what you would think."

"No, baby, don't apologize. You did what you thought you had to. I just don't ever want to see it again, but the memory is seared in my mind of you holding that damn gun to your head." Voice breaking, he pressed his lips to hers. "I can't explain it, but you are everything to me, Georgie girl. I won't lose you, not now. You're too important."

"You won't. I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon." Linking her arms around his neck, she laid her head on his shoulder. "What happens now? I kinda fell asleep while you were discussing things with Jason and the two Johnny's."

"We're leaving for the island in the morning. Johnny Zacchara is sending us on his jet. It is suppose to be almost impossible to breach the security there."

Trailing her fingers over his muscular back, she grimaced. "I just want to get back to my life, Logan. I miss my family, my home. Is it really worth it to keep running and avoiding almost everyone that I care about? To place you and the others in danger?"

Rolling them slightly so that she under him, he cupped both sides of her face. "It won't be forever, darlin. You will get your life back. But to keep you alive and away from that madman, we will go wherever we have to. None of us are pressured to be here. We are doing this, protecting you, because you are worth it."

"Thank God that I have you. I might have lost it already if you weren't here," she admitted shyly.

"I"m not gonna go anywhere, baby girl." Caressing her face with his thumbs, he watched as her eyes dialted and darkened. "I'm still thinking of beating your ass for that stunt you pulled though. You freaked me out, Georgie. I couldn't get a good enough read on you. I was terrified that you would actually do it. Hell, O'Brien wasn't completely certain either."

"Lo, I knew that I could get the shots off. You gotta trust me, just like I do you." Georgie bit back a moan as his large hands slid down her body and spanned her waist. "I knew that we were screwed if something unexpected didn't throw them off balance."

"You pulled off the unexpected, I'll give you that. But damn it, Georgie, you gotta promise me that you will never do it again. After tonight, he will never believe that you will take your own life."

Knowing that he would not like her response, she bite her lip. But her nonreaction was enough to make him tense, his fingers tightening around her silky skin.

"Georgie..."

"That's just it, Logan. If I knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was the only way to escape him, I would pull the trigger. I'm not going back, Lo, never. I'd rather die than live through one more second of that hell." Swallowing thickly, she lifted her hand to stroke his face. "You can't understand," she whispered.

"No, I do understand," he answered hoarsely. "But you gotta swear that you won't do that as long as my heart is beating. Because no matter what, I will never stop until you are safe, baby girl, not as long as there is breath inside of me. You can count on that."

"Lo," pausing, she licked her lips. "Logan, I can't promise that. Because if Diego gets to me, he would kill you before letting you get close to me again. I won't have that on my conscious. I can't and it's not fair of you to ask it. I also know deep down that I can not survive that again. He's twisted and now he is angry. It would be ten times worse." Tears slipped from her eyes. "You can't die because of me, Lo. That would be worse than anything that he ever could do."

Shoving the pain back at the mention of what she was willing to do to escape the pain, he crashed his mouth to hers with a desperation and hunger that stunned even him. Minutes later, he broke away long to murmur against her skin as she gasped for air. "He'll never touch you, love, never."

Fisting her hands in his hair, she dragged his lips back to hers. "Love me," she whimpered as his hands slipped beneath the yoga pants that Claudia had loaned her.

"I already do. And I always will," he breathed before robbing her of the ability to think as he dragged her closer to him, his hands skimming her flesh as she bucked under his touch. Not giving her a chance to think about anything, Logan focused on bringing her to the shattering point and then watched in awe as she crested the peak before joining her.

Later, with her wrapped securely in his embrace, he lighly skimmed a finger over her collarbone as she slept. "You are my everything," he murmured. "I know that now. I'll never leave you, baby girl. It's gonna be okay, I promise. No matter what it takes, you are gonna be just fine."

a/n: My friend who reads my stories before I post them tried to get me to take out the part of Georgie putting the gun to her own head. She said it was too drastic. But I disagree. While she never intended to pull the trigger at that point, it is a honest reaction for someone who has been hurt like that before and refuses to go back to that situation. So if I offended anyone, I apologize, but I really don't think it is unimaginable. No one can know how they would react until they are placed in certain situations. And drastic times and circumstances bring out drastic reactions...Again, I hope no one is offended. It is not my attention.

Reviews and opinions welcomed, but please no bashing. Also, hope you are liking the new story. My muse is really working overtime at the moment.