A/N – Thanks for the comments!

Chapter 7

Jason went downstairs and found Eva sitting on the bed. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just have a lot of thinking to do."

"I understand."

He sat next to her.

"We're getting married."

He grinned. "I know."

"Why are you so calm?"

"You don't scare me."

She rolled her eyes. "Just don't get on my bad side."

"Duly noted."

"This is so crazy."

He placed his hand over hers. "I know we're asking a lot of you. If you change your mind…"

She shook her head. "I won't. I understand the assignment."

"Good."

"So, what are your expectations?"

Jason blinked a few times. "What do you mean?"

"Well, what do you expect from your wife?"

"Um, just be you. If I tell you something safety-related, I may have to be short and to the point. Don't take it personally."

"Can you try to talk to me about it?"

"If there is time, yes."

"I'm not used to someone taking care of me or bossing me around."

"Are you opposed to the first part?"

"Well, I am independent and like to work, so maybe we can compromise?"

He nodded.

"And what do you need, Jason?"

Her voice softened, making him suck in a breath. "Patience, my motorcycle, and my pool table."

She grinned. "Do you have one in your apartment?"

"Yes."

"Is it replacing your dining room table?"

He chuckled. "Yes."

"Hmm."

"I don't use it that much, but there is a small table in the kitchen."

When her eyes widened in fear, he frowned. "What?"

"Yup, my mother is going to have a field day with you."

He shook his head. "I think if she knows I'm taking care of you, she'll be fine."

"You keep thinking that. My mother likes to cook. Just have a table we can set up in case she visits. There is a spare bedroom, right?"

"Yes. It's a penthouse suite, but the one across the hall is empty. Sonny used to live there. It has everything she'll need in the kitchen, and it has a table."

"Okay."

"The spare bedroom at my place is pink though."

Her brow rose. "Why?"

"Um, I was married once, and it was her room."

"Is this ex-wife still around?"

"No. She lives in Italy."

"So, she survived?"

He sighed. "Unfortunately…"

She laughed.

"And you were never married?"

"Nope. My last boyfriend had a fear of commitment."

"Is he stupid?"

"I think so. He was a cop."

Jason groaned.

"I can handle John. What's her name?"

"Brenda Barrett."

Her eyes widened. "The model?"

He nodded.

"Wow."

"She was with Sonny on and off."

"Anyone else you've shared with Sonny?"

He groaned. "I wouldn't call it sharing, but there is one other person. Her name is Carly, and she thinks she's my best friend."

"Do I need to be worried about her?"

"Maybe… She's high-strung. After the accident, I was a little wild. I was with her, and she misread something and slept with Sonny and that was it. I was done."

"Are they still together?"

"Yes."

"Kids?"

"They have a son named Morgan. She was also briefly with my brother. Thankfully, they didn't have any kids."

"I don't have a Carly. I have a Nora. She's older than us but is my law partner. She's married to the police commissioner."

When he averted his gaze, she squeezed his hand.

"I feel like I'm asking you to give up so much."

"Well, I can see if we can make it work and have two offices."

"I'm sorry."

She moved closer to hug him. "It's okay, Jason. I'm choosing to go on this journey with you. I trust you."

"I'm scared of failing you."

"You're not God. I get it. If something happens, are you scared I'll just leave?"

Their gaze met and she briefly saw a flash of vulnerability in his eyes.

"Yes."

"I'll try to be honest with you if I feel caged in. Communication is important. I know it's not your favorite thing, but you need to decide if it's worth it."

"I know that you are worth it."

"You can tell all that already?"

"Yes."

She smiled. "Well, if you promise not to run after meeting my family, I promise to do the same after meeting yours."

His tortured expression makes her laugh.

"I can't wait to meet them. You have me curious now."

"I'm just glad we'll already be married before that happens."

She gently pushed him. "Stop…"

"I'm serious."

"That's what makes it so funny."

He tugged her closer and then his hand slid behind the nape of her neck. Slowly, they inched their way closer until their lips almost touched. For a long moment, they stared at each other as their eyes softened and then Jason went for it and lightly kissed her several times before she opened for him. As they eagerly allowed the passion to build, they are aware of where this will lead eventually, and neither wants to stop.

Jason finally came up for air and leaned his forehead against hers. "I want to take it slow but at the same time, everything is moving around us so fast—I want more."

She slightly smiled.

"What?"

"It's nice to know you feel just as tortured."

He smiled. "What do you want?"

"That's a loaded question."

"I'm listening."

"I wish we didn't have to force everything, but I know why it's necessary. I'm tired of failing when it comes to love."

"Me too." Maybe he's just a fool because he keeps trying despite feeling it's so futile. If she runs, then at least he got to be with her until then.

Their lips met again and this time, Jason slowly and sensuously made her want to burst as he teased her with his tongue.

"Okay, you seriously can't kiss me like that."

A grin lit up his face. "I thought it was good."

"Oh, that's an understatement."

"Jason!" Johnny yelled from the stairs.

"Yeah."

"Come up for a minute."

He pressed his lips against hers a few times and then disappeared into the stairwell.

Evangeline fell back onto the bed wishing that everything falls into place, but knowing that the world will probably be against them.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Sonny dialed his phone.

Faith grabbed hers and grinned. "Well, hello Sonny."

"Faith."

"Do we have an agreement?"

"I don't have a problem delivering what you asked."

"I didn't think you would, but there is a huge anvil there. Are you going to be able to control Jason if he fights you on it?" She doesn't trust either man.

Joe, who is lying next to her in her bed, is listening intently.

"If Jason makes himself my enemy, he'll be dealt with."

Joe's brow rose. Apparently, things are not going well.

"Alright then…"

"Just to be clear, you are not calling all the shots. It wouldn't be good for either of us to be at war. I need time to find her, but knowing Jason, he'll bring her back here."

"Then, we'll wait, and in the meantime, we play nice."

"Deal…"

She smiled as she ended the call.

Sonny cursed under his breath. He can't wait to watch her as she bleeds out.

Cody stepped into the office. "How can I help you?" Sonny had called him about an hour ago, but he was out of town securing some things.

"First, go see Lila. I know that Jason usually lets you report to her. and I don't want anything to seem out of order."

He nodded. Alice had called him earlier, so he was going to head over there anyway. "Okay. I'll just tell her he's fine. I have a box of peppermints in my car."

Sonny is listening but could care less. "I want you to keep an eye out on Sorel. Someone is working with Faith, and I need to figure out who."

"And if she is?"

"I'll make the order."

Cody nodded. "Is that all?"

"Yes."

"I'll check in with you tomorrow evening."

"Sounds good." When he started walking around, Sonny decided to make something clear. "Cody?"

Cody spun on his heel. "Yeah, boss?"

"Since Jason has disappeared, I need an enforcer. Are you up for the job?"

"Hell yeah."

"Good." He isn't sure what is going on, but he likes challenges and is up for it until Jason returns.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Lila's face lit up when she opened the package that had been delivered. Not only did she love the candy and scarf, but seeing Jason's message made her feel that she is helping. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't worry about her grandson. If she can pull a few strings and help him out, she will be glad to do it. There's a storm brewing and Jason needs to know there are people he can trust.

FLASHBACK

Lila gazed at Jason's name at the bottom of the letter and then her eyes jerked to the top, and she eagerly read it.

"First, I love you, and I'm fine. I'm not going to lie. I was shot, but it was in the arm and healing well.

Second, I need your help. I know you've already done something, thank you, but if you could get the rest of this package to Cody, it would help me a lot. Things aren't going well with the business, and I need people around me I can trust. He'll come by to see you. I promise when things are safe, that I'll visit. Until then, enjoy the candy.

Love, Jason.

END FLASHBACK

"He's parking the car," Alice said from the doorway of the sitting room, jarring Lila out of her trance.

"Thank you. Once he's in, could you bring iced tea for him and tea for me?"

"It's all ready."

There was a knock on the door and Cody was soon led to her.

He grinned when he spotted her smile. "Hello, Mrs. Q."

Lila clucked her tongue. He refuses to call her by her first name. They fight about it every time. "What will it take for you to call me Lila?"

"An act of God," Cody quipped making her laugh.

He pulled out a box from a bag. "I decided to try something different this time."

She took it from him and gasped. "Truffles?"

"Do you like them?"

"I love chocolate. I will have Alice hide them or Monica will get into them."

He is glad he could please her. "Jason is fine."

"Well as fine as someone can be who has been shot."

His eyes widened and when he started to object, she shushed him.

"He's not in trouble right now, but he was. I think you know that?"

Cody nodded. Everyone knew Jason got shot but just not what happened afterward.

"Good. Can he trust you?"

"Always…"

"What about your allegiance to Sonny?"

The note in the package didn't say a lot, but it was enough for her to jump to form a conclusion. She may be old, but she understands the game.

"I choose Jason over Sonny." It's a no-brainer for him. The two men are night and day.

She leaned closer, and her steely expression wasn't lost on him. "If you turn on him, Jason will be the least of your worries."

Edward, who had snuck home to surprise her is stunned but stayed quiet. When Alice saw him, he put up his finger and threatened her with his eyes which she almost laughed at.

Alice handed him a glass, noting that Cody looked like he was going to be sick, and then put the hot tea on the table next to Lila and then poured some liquid into the cup.

"Thank you," Cody said before Alice left the room, dragging Edward into his study.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"This is my house. I can come and go as I please. What is that thug doing here?"

"You know why he is here and if you upset her, I will have to use my wrestling moves on you."

Edward's eyes narrowed. "Don't you threaten me."

"Leave it be. You know what him being here means to her."

"And I also know that something is going on. Spill it."

"I can't. Lila will tell you when she is good and ready. After he leaves, wait for a bit before you see her, and don't upset her."

He mumbled under his breath. "Fine." He'll play along for now, but he had heard his wife practically threaten Cody. Once Alice was gone, he picked up his phone and made a call. It's time to start figuring out what is going on and he has just the man to do it. No one will suspect him, and he'll be able to come and go as he pleases. It's perfect.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Cody swallowed hard. "You don't have to worry about me going against Jason. I would never do that." He owed the man a lot. He was a mess after coming back from war and Jason got him help and believed in him. He learned to handle his PTSD and then learned everything he could.

"Good."

Lila sipped her tea, prompting Cody to do the same.

"This is very good," Cody said before drinking more.

"I'll let Cook know."

Alice handed him the phone and a note.

"We had a box delivered today. I won't ask what is in your note, but I'm not stupid. Things must be bad, or Jason would be home. Supposedly, he is doing well. I helped him get away from Sonny."

Cody is surprised that the men had involved her.

"It's nothing that can be traced. I just want you to know how serious I am about my grandson's well-being. If something falls apart, you can come to me. I know people all over the world and they know how to be discreet. I never mentioned Jason's name, just called in a favor."

"I understand."

"I may look sweet, but I didn't help build an empire from being meek. I can be cunning and ruthless if need be. While I prefer things to be civilized, there is a lot of ugliness in the world that needs to be confronted. I love Jason. If you have his back, then I have yours."

He cleared his throat. "That means a lot to me, but Jason wouldn't want you to be anywhere near danger, so let us handle it, but I promise that if I need your services, I will not hesitate to ask."

She held out her hand and they shook.

"Thank you."

"I think you know that I'd do anything for you."

She smiled and then patted his cheek. "You are a good man like my Jason. Now, I just need to get you both married off." When he paled, she laughed.

"How about you just concentrate on Jason?"

Her laughter grew. "Cody, you just threw him under the bus. I thought we had a deal."

His face reddened. "I need to get out of here before I lose my reputation."

Alice cracked up as he stood, put the drink down, and then kissed Lila on the cheek before fleeing.