A/N – Thanks for the comments! Someone asked how many chapters this is. There are 20 chapters.
Chapter 14
They land around 1:00 pm and quickly get into an SUV that Gary, Diane's guard is driving.
Jason could tell that Eva is nervous, so he grabbed her hand as he went over some things with Francis. Johnny is in another vehicle which will drop him off on the side of the road where Cody is waiting. It's time to kidnap Max. On Tuesday, there is an Italian bakery he usually visits to get an afternoon snack. When Jason was made aware of this, he was pissed due to Max's stupidity. You never have a routine like that. He was so mad that he let Maximus know who was equally infuriated.
After heading up the long driveway to the mansion they stopped, and Francis placed a hand on Jason's shoulder as he stared at the mansion as it offended him. "You can't hurt them, Jason."
Eva giggled as her husband muttered. They got out and she openly peruses the property. It's a grand estate and the grounds are beautiful.
"You haven't seen anything yet. The gardens in the back are Lila's pride and joy," Francis said.
"Sounds nice…"
They made it up the steps before the door was thrown open.
"Jason!" Emily said before eagerly embracing him.
"Hey, Em." He's surprised to see her.
"I missed you so much." She is extremely busy in medical school, so she is usually studying or working. Jason hadn't seen her in months.
"I missed you too." They retreated and he pulled Eva next to him. "This is my wife, Evangeline."
Emily grinned. "You're very pretty. Welcome to the family."
"Thank you. You're very pretty too."
"Thanks," Emily said as she blushed. "Alright, they are probably passing out in the sitting room."
Jason sighed as they moved forward. Francis stayed outside to keep an eye on things and go over any developments with the guards Jason had placed on his family.
When they stepped into the sitting room, all talk ceased as they took in the couple who are still holding hands.
Lila moved closer. "Welcome to our home, Evangeline."
She smiled. "Thank you. It's lovely."
Lila reached out her hand and Eva gently grasped it. "I look forward to getting to know you."
"Likewise. I hear you have beautiful gardens."
"I do. Maybe we can go see them later."
"I would like that."
Jason leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "I missed you."
She patted his cheek. "I missed you more."
He perused her.
"I'm fine. I just had a doctor's appointment and passed everything with flying colors."
"Good."
Edward cleared his throat. "I'm Edward, Jason's grandfather."
Evangeline shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Jason is just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"It's very nice to meet you too." He is pleased that his grandson seems to have chosen well.
Alan and Monica introduced themselves and then everyone sat. Tracy stayed off to the side and observed.
"So, what is the plan?" Edward asked.
Jason frowned. "You stay out of it."
"But—"
"Sonny is unstable. Please—I already have way too much to worry about."
Edward's eyes narrowed. "You are always so stubborn. The more help you have the better."
"There is nothing normal about my job. Not everyone has integrity. If all else fails, they could come after you again. We're stretched thin right now and I need to protect Evangeline at all costs."
"Is that why you married her?" Tracy asked, making everyone snap their mouths shut. It is a question that is on all the family members' minds.
Evangeline decided to answer. "I won't lie to you. It is to protect me, but we do care about each other. If we can make things work, there is no intention to divorce."
Jason likes the sound of that and so do the Q's.
Lila couldn't help it and smiled. She had been entranced by the gaze the couple had shared right after Eva spoke. It was full of promise, and she is happy they are falling for each other.
"So, what do you do for a living?" Monica asked.
"I'm a lawyer."
Tracy smirked. "That should come in handy."
"Shut it, Tracy."
"Make me,"
Eva's brow rose.
"Don't pay any attention to them, they always bicker," Emily said.
"I also have a degree in Music theory."
"Do you play any instruments?" Alan asked.
"Yes. I play the piano and sing."
Lila smiled. "I bet you have a lovely voice."
Eva smiled. "I got it from my mother. My younger sister Layla sings as well."
"Do they know?" Alan asked.
"Not yet. I'm sure she'll be upset that she wasn't there."
"Well, when you are ready to take those vows again, we'll be happy to help you plan," Monica said.
Jason doesn't like the sound of that because his family can be over the top. Their small wedding was perfect in his opinion.
To his astonishment, Spinelli came bounding into the room.
"Stone Cold Sr., I have a matter of utmost—" He stopped when he saw Jason and just stood there like a guppy out of the water until he muttered, "I suppose I should have thought this through." He had planned to go to ELQ, but Edward wasn't answering his phone, so he figured the patriarch was home eating lunch with Lila, who knows the situation. "Stone Cold, I can explain."
Jason slowly stood as anger radiated off his body. "In the study, now!"
Rarely does Jason use such a lethal tone with him, so Spinelli almost tripped over his feet before he ran out of the room.
Jason eyed Edward. "You too."
Edward got up and left and the family is stunned that he did what Jason asked so readily.
Jason left.
"Do you have any idea what that was about?" Alan asked. He does know who Spinelli is because he had seen him around Jason. How his father got involved is a mystery.
"I have no idea," Eva asked.
Alan eyed his mother.
"I'm not at liberty to say."
Emily is intrigued. "Grandmother, why don't we show Evangeline the gardens? I think they'll be gone for a while."
"That is a wonderful idea."
They made their way outside for the tour.
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Jason entered the study and shut the door behind him. "Explain…"
When Spinelli began to stutter, Edward held up his hand for him to stop.
"This is my doing."
"What exactly did you do?" He can't believe that his grandfather poked his nose in his business and contacted Spinelli.
"Well, I guess I'll start from the beginning. I knew him before you did."
"What?"
"His grandmother died, and I helped with the funeral. He was helping me with research, but I didn't have a permanent place for him."
Jason's gaze went to a scared Spinelli and then back to his grandfather. He can't fathom that Edward had orchestrated this and wonders how much information Spinelli has given him. His thoughts are running wild.
"It's not what you think."
"Then perhaps you should explain it to me," Jason said angrily.
Edward sighed. He knew this day would probably come but he hadn't thought it would be today. "I was scared that Sonny was going to get you killed. I keep tabs on the situation and knew that Stan was going away to college and my wheels began to turn."
Jason swallowed hard.
"So, I had you cross paths with him. I encouraged him to work for you."
"And what was the cost?"
"We only communicated when necessary."
Jason's head tilted. The man was more conniving than he had given him credit for.
"The deal was that Spinelli worked for you and protected you. Let's face it. Sonny was always having some sort of crisis and getting involved with that guttersnipe Carly was the last straw. I'm not going to apologize for loving my grandson and wanting him alive. I did what I had to do. He was only to contact me if there was an emergency, or I felt I needed to step in. This is the first time I called in my poker chip."
Jason is stunned.
"I would never betray you, Stone Cold. He is telling the truth. If you disappeared, he asked if you were okay and that was it. I never told him any secrets."
"Until now? What was so important that you rushed over here?"
"I found out who Faith Roscoe is cohabitating with."
Jason wants to punch a wall. "And you thought telling Edward first was the thing to do?"
"I—he asked me to look into it. I was going to see Cody next."
"Unbelievable. How am I supposed to trust anything that comes out of your mouth now?"
Edward growled. "Jason Morgan! This was done out of love, damn it! You almost died because of Sonny Corinthos, and you wouldn't let us in! You are family and we take care of each other. All you do is push us away."
Jason threw up his hands. "It's to keep you safe. The more you know, and the more I'm around you, the more you become a target! Why can't you just leave it alone?"
Lila had come back inside because she was worried. Alice opened the door and Jason turned around.
"Jason, I know that you're upset."
"You knew too?"
"Not at first. There isn't much he keeps from me, but this secret he did for quite a while. His heart was in the right place. You're probably going crazy right now thinking about how you can protect Evangeline and would do anything to accomplish that. That is how we have always felt. I know you feel betrayed, but Edward didn't mean any harm."
"And while I did come to you under special circumstances, I don't protect you because of him. The Jackal's heart lies with Stone Cold. You are my family and watch over me and I can't tell you how much that means to me. Please don't hate me." His eyes welled with tears, making Jason pinch the bridge of his nose.
"I need to get out of here, but everyone please leave so I can speak to Spinelli."
Edward isn't sure that is a good idea. "You won't hurt him, right?"
Jason shook his head, so they retreated to the sitting room.
"Stone Cold—"
Jason held up his hand. "Stop, just stop." He took a languid breath. "Trust is everything to me and I feel like you just broke it into a million pieces."
A tear trailed down Spinelli's cheek.
"Do you understand why I'm upset?"
"Yes, but I wasn't confiding in him all the time and when I did, I was careful. I never told him where you were. He didn't push and just wanted Lila to have peace of mind. Please forgive me."
"I need to think about this, but for now, you are to have no contact with Edward. Is that clear?"
Spinelli gulped. "Yes."
"I mean it, Spinelli."
"Okay."
Jason's hands found his hips. "What were you going to tell him?"
"Scully is sleeping with Faith."
Jason cursed under his breath. "Was that all?"
"Yes."
"That was more than just assuring him that I am okay."
"He called in a favor because of the dire situation. The Jackal was not going to share anything else. He's trying to be a guardian protector and I'm scared."
"Of?"
"Sonny… It's like he has different personalities. He mumbles about hurting you. I had nowhere else to turn and I'm afraid the Godfather will try to kill you."
Jason's eyes squeezed shut. "Go home, Spinelli. Do what you have been doing. I'm not going back to the penthouse. You can still stay there though."
That hurt Spinelli more than any other punishment could and Jason could tell that from the younger man's demeanor. He had babied Spinelli too much. It's time the younger man stands on his own.
"I'll be in touch."
When Jason left the room, Spinelli cried harder, feeling like he had just lost his best friend forever.
In the other room, Jason kissed Lila goodbye.
"Whatever is going on with your grandfather, please don't take it out on us," Monica said at the door.
"I can't see any of you for a while. It's just not safe, but once everything settles, maybe you can come over for dinner."
"I would like that."
She hugged Eva and is happy when Jason held out his arms.
"Please be safe," Alan said.
"I'll do the best I can."
When they got to the car, Jason filled Francis in who was shocked.
"Your grandfather is scary."
"Tell me about it."
"I know you're upset, but I'm kind of impressed."
Jason's jaw dropped.
"You can't deny that the man loves you. Jesus, Jason, it was kind of brilliant. He was protecting you the best he could by giving you the kid who has been an asset. I think he knew better than to try to get a lot of information from Spinelli. He just wanted you safe."
"I just hate that he butted in and always thinks he knows best."
"He has been through a lot and despite his countenance, a lot of the time he's probably right."
Jason made a tortured sound.
"Just don't blow this out of proportion. I know it's upsetting, but I think Spinelli does have your back, and not just because he was told to. He's awkward and socially backward, but he loves you and is probably devastated right now."
Jason sighed.
"You probably just broke his heart. Tread lightly with him. He has no one and we need him right now. He has been an asset working with Nick."
"Fine, but he's not living with me anymore. I can't help but not trust that he'll tell Edward what is going on."
"I think that's fair. I'll help him understand."
Jason rolled his neck trying to ease the stress that crept in. "Faith is sleeping with Scully."
"I knew it. What are we going to do about it?"
"Let's gather everyone tomorrow. I'm sure Sonny is going to want to meet with me first thing."
"I'm coming with you. I get I can't go inside, but have him meet at the office, not his home." It's harder to cover up a murder there because there are too many people around.
"Okay."
Eva is just taking it all in and getting to know the players. Things are starting to get very interesting. While they were in the garden, Lila explained some of the family dynamics. They had been through a lot after the accident, and it was good that she could hear all sides. Jason hadn't been overly talkative about it.
The car is parked, and they go to the elevators. The guard explained the security protocol that had been put in place and had them register their fingerprint in the system as well as an eye scan. Jason had spared no expense and very few people would have access to their floor.
Once the door slid open, and they were in their home, they were in awe. It is a huge open concept with e 360-degree views, and the windows toward the harbor are floor-to-ceiling.
Eva moved towards them and couldn't believe how beautiful the view is.
Jason slid behind her. "You like it?"
"I love it, Jason."
"Me too…"
They toured the house. The first level is the living area. In the far corner is a gaming area that has pool and poker tables. She is so happy when she spots a baby grand piano in another corner. The kitchen is vast with a large island and a ton of cabinet space. The living room has plenty of comfortable seating and even a fireplace and large television. The table in the dining room seems to go on forever and is perfect for entertainment.
They made their way upstairs and took a quick tour of the bedrooms before heading to a huge weight room that Jason had installed.
Their bedroom is enormous and has a full sitting area. The bathroom is to die for, and she can't believe the size of the walk-in closets.
"There's one more thing?"
Her brow rose. She can't imagine what else there can be, but she is excited to find out.
