Chapter Twenty-two
Elizabeth sighed as she watched Jason and Cam from the doorway. The two of them were playing with Cam's trains. It was reassuring that Cameron had bonded to easily with Jason. Her young son tended to shy away from people especially men. Looking back, she wondered if Lucky's erratic behavior had something to do with it. The reason no longer mattered. Lucky was dead and was going to stay dead this time.
"I can hear you thinking from over here. Is everything okay?"
She kept watching the pair before answering Jason's question. "Yeah. It's just... you're so good with him. It's almost like... I can't explain it."
"You don't have to. I think I understand."
Elizabeth joined Jason and Cameron on the floor before speaking. "That's one of the things I love about you, Jason. You understand me better than anyone else."
"I love you too," he said pulling Elizabeth close. He understood exactly what Elizabeth was trying to say. Being here with her and Cam felt so right. Almost like it was meant to be. "Elizabeth I want you to know that I... I love Cameron too. The three of us we're..."
"A family." Elizabeth finished for him. "I feel the same way."
Jason couldn't help but smile at what Elizabeth said. They were a family. Maybe that meant he could convince Elizabeth to move in with him or at least move. It wasn't just that the security or complete lack of it gave Jason nightmares. He hated that Elizabeth had shared this place with Lucky. It was just another reminder of the life she had before him. "I've been thinking..."
"Oh really? What about?"
"Us and..." The ringing of Jason's cell phone interrupted the sweet moment. "I have to get that." Jason said checking the caller idea. Recognizing Sonny's number, he stood and made his way to the small kitchen. "Morgan."
"Where are you?" Sonny immediately asked when Jason finally picked up. Lately he had been seeing less and less of his enforcer. Sonny knew exactly where Jason was before he answered.
"With Elizabeth."
The mobster smiled when Jason gave the answer he expected. It was not easy for Sonny to sit back and let the younger man have his own life. However, it was worth seeing his friend happy. "You need to come to the coffeehouse right away. Ric... let's just he's up to something."
"Again?" Jason snapped angrily. Ric had been nothing but a pain since her came to town. Someday Ric was going to give Jason a reason to kill him despite Sonny's orders. "How much longer are you... you know what I'm not going to discuss this with you over the phone."
"Fine. Meet me in ten minutes." Sonny said his voice filled with tension. He could understand… even agree with Jason's frustration. It was as if Ric couldn't help but go after them. The only reason the lawyer wasn't dead because of Sonny. However, there would come a point when Jason would be pushed too far. On that day no one not even Sonny would be able to stop him. All Sonny could do was hope Ric backed off before then.
Jason ran a hand over his face and tucked his cell phone away. From the other room he could hear Elizabeth and Cam laughing. While he didn't want to leave, Jason knew he had too. He also knew this would be one of the first real tests to their relationship.
"Is everything okay?" Elizabeth asked when Jason rejoined them. She could see how tense he was after taking the phone call. That only meant one thing. Work.
"Actually I'm not sure. That was Sonny and..."
"You have to leave?"
Jason nodded, kissed her, and said. "Yeah I do."
Elizabeth bit her lip for a moment and then said, "Be careful."
"I will." Jason promised giving Elizabeth another gentle kiss. "I love you both."
"We love you too," she said softly as Elizabeth watched Jason walk out the door.
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Eight minutes later Jason opened the office door. "What did your brother do now?"
Sonny immediately wanted to get defensive but he also knew things were only going to get worse. "Apparently someone beat him up. Badly. Actually I almost wondered if it wasn't you."
"He's accusing me right?"
"Our inside guy gave me the heads up. The cops should have the warrant soon."
"Damn." Jason said in complete frustration. "Elizabeth and Cam... I don't want to leave them. We're just getting to a good place."
"You don't have a choice Jason not if you want to stay out of jail."
"Will you watch them for me?"
"Of course. I already sent Enzo over to help Milo."
"Thank you. They... they mean a lot to me." Jason hesitantly told Sonny. He was not sure he was ready for the world to know about Elizabeth and Cameron yet. Jason grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled a quick note. One of the mistakes he made last time with Elizabeth was shutting her out. If things were going to work, they both had to change. "Can you give her this?"
"Yeah. I'll make sure she gets it." Sonny said taking the note. "The plane should be ready and Max already stowed your bike."
"I guess that's everything," the younger man said even though he was still reluctant to leave. He sighed and headed for the door. "You need to take care of Ric quickly."