A/N – Thanks for the comments! Sorry for the delay. My router died and a new one doesn't come until Monday. Btw, I miscounted the chapters. There are 21.

Chapter 16

Jason took a deep breath before walking into the coffee warehouse. Several men shook his hand, surprised to see him and he took a moment to say hello.

Cody nodded as he passed him in the hallway, hoping he won't have to intervene.

Sonny looked up. "Have a seat."

Jason sat across from him.

For a long moment, they stared at each other before Sonny finally broke the silence.

"You know why I'm not happy, right?"

"Yes."

"But you don't care?"

"Yes and no. You overreacted. She didn't need to die."

Sonny's expression darkened. "And who the fuck are you to tell me that?"

"I'm your equal partner. We make decisions together. I know I agreed to make it seem like you're the boss, but we know the truth."

Sonny leaned forward. "You are going to start a war over a fucking woman."

"That woman is my wife and since she won't testify, there is no reason to start one."

"You think Faith cares about your word?"

"Faith is expendable."

Sonny shook his head. "This isn't going to work."

"Why, because I'm not kissing your ass? You think I don't know that you got rid of the men that were loyal to me?"

"Dammit, Jason. You disappeared with no contact. What the hell did you expect me to do?"

"You forced my hand. You think I'm stupid and didn't know why you sent men to the island?"

"What did you do with Max?"

Jason shook his head. "Are you going to blame me for everything going forward?"

"There might be no going forward if you're just going to do whatever you want."

Jason's jaw ticked. "She didn't deserve to die for saving my life."

"Again, I'm not willing to start a war over her."

"I'll handle anyone who tries to her hurt, and I mean anyone." He slowly stood. "If you don't think we can work together anymore, I'll consider letting you buy me out." They know that won't happen. Sonny can't afford it.

Unfortunately, their stare held a promise of violence to come. Lines are being drawn, and there is no doubt in Sonny's mind that one of them is not going to make it out alive. Jason may think he'll win, but Sonny is counting on that because then the younger man won't see it coming, and then Sonny will own everything.

Jason could practically see the wheels churning in Sonny's head. "I have a meeting. Let me know what you want to do."

"Where are you living?"

"I'm sure you're having me followed. I'm not stupid." Jason stopped in the doorway. "I'm only going to say this once, leave Evangeline out of this." His tone and expression were all that were needed to convey the consequences if Sonny crossed the line, and his partner didn't appreciate the inference.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny eyed Jason in the mirror. "Want to talk about it?"

"He's an asshole," Jason said making his friend grin.

"But you already knew that."

"We need to figure out how we're going to deal with him."

"I agree." This meeting is going to determine a lot. He was glad that Jason asked him to attend.

"It's going to be tricky between the families and the cops."

Johnny nodded as he parked. "True, but it's always doable. I'm still up for tricking Faith. Scully is meeting his son for lunch on Friday. We'll take them both." Joey wanted to be a part of the game, so he can go down in flames too, that way, they won't have to worry about revenge.

Jason is deep in thought as they walk inside. Hopefully, the meeting will go well.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Eva dialed her phone and waited.

"Nora Buchanon speaking."

"Hello, bestie."

Nora almost knocked her coffee over before running to the door and shutting it. "Where are you?"

"Do you miss me that much?"

"Your mother was here."

Eva laughed.

"It's not funny. You know how bad her eye daggers are."

"I'm sorry."

Nora rolled her eyes. "No, you're not. Now, spill."

"I don't even know where to begin."

"That good?"

Eva sighed.

"You're stalling."

"I hope your phone isn't bugged."

"Hold on."

She ran out into the precinct and then waved someone over and whispered in their ear. The detective was stunned but went to retrieve a wand and then checked the entire room before nodding that it was good. Once he left, Nora continued. "All right, the room was just swept. We're good."

"This is highly confidential by the way. I stumbled upon a shootout and then channeled Patty Hearst." When Nora didn't say anything, Eva is concerned. "Did I break you?"

"Who? Where?"

"Port Charles, NY. It happened during the conference."

"Were you hurt?"

"No."

"Go on…."

Eva grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and threw it over her legs. Jason tends to like the apartment cold.

"Jason Morgan was shot and collapsed in front of me."

"Holy shit." She is very much aware of who he is because she makes it her business to know what is going on in the states around her. Sometimes, the carnage spills over.

"So, I was forced to accompany them on a plane to escape the bad guys."

"I don't even know what to say to that."

"I ended up on an island for a while, thought Sonny Corinthos wanted to kill me, so we disappeared, and then…"

When Eva quieted, Nora almost lost her mind. "You can't stop there. What happened?"

"I'm married."

"What!" She yelled so loudly that her husband poked his head into the office.

"Are you okay?"

She put her hand on the phone and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine. Ignore me."

He shook his head and then closed the door.

"Sorry, continue… Did he force you to marry him? Wait! You married Jason freaking Morgan?"

"No, and Yes."

"Evangeline, I don't even know what to say."

"It's crazy but Nora. He's so—hot."

"You slept with him?" Nora whispered.

"In every way possible."

Nora is stunned and speechless yet again.

"I'm not planning on giving him up either."

"He's that good?"

"No words, but he's also so sweet and attentive. He's smart and did I mention he's to die for?"

"Just don't make that literal. Girl, I guess you got your groove back."

Eva smiled.

"Oh shit, your mother is going to kill you."

"I know."

"God, I hope she doesn't come back here. I swear she went to law school. You should have heard her line of questioning."

Eva chuckled.

"It's not funny. She almost broke me."

"I will tell her once things calm down. It's complicated and dangerous."

"I'm scared for you."

"I'm terrified but not enough to give him up."

"Are you falling in love with him?"

"Yes."

Nora smirked. "Can I tell Bo?"

"Not yet. I just—he's a cop and as nosey as you are."

"Hey!" The door slightly opened, and she held up her finger. "Listen, I have to go but we have much to talk about."

"I know and we will make it work."

"You know I love you, right?"

Eva smiled. "Thank you and I love you too."

"Be safe."

"I will."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason entered the room and made eye contact with everyone sitting around the table.

"Mr. Morgan, have a seat," Dominic Taglianni said.

Johnny stood several steps behind him.

"We asked you here today to discuss Sorel."

"What do you want to know?"

"Was it you?"

Jason shook his head. "No. I wasn't in any condition to do anything."

"Aside from getting married?" Vinny Scalero asked.

"That's my business."

"Considering she is a witness and can bring down you and Faith Roscoe, it's fair game."

"She is not fair game though. She's my wife and under my protection."

The lethal look in his eyes is not lost on them.

"You married her to protect yourself."

"That is a consequence, but I care for her deeply."

The men eyed each other. "Just because you are sleeping with her does not mean anything," Sal said.

If looks could kill, Sal would be dead.

"She is my wife!" Jason said angrily. "I own half of the business, so my wife will be respected."

The men are stunned. They had no idea.

"Since when?"

"For quite a while. I am the one responsible for our success, not Sonny."

"That's another thing," Vinny said. "Rumor has it that you are on the outs because of your wife."

Jason didn't answer which said a lot.

"Do you know who killed Sorel?"

"I have my suspicions."

"Are you going to go after Faith?" Dominic asked.

"I will have a right to do so if I choose to after what she did."

"Answer the question."

"No. I just got back to town. I don't have plans."

"I don't believe you," Sal said. There is no way that any self-respecting enforcer would let what Faith did go. "We're not necessarily giving you permission to go after Faith, but we understand the dynamic."

"War is the last thing anyone wants," Tommy Giarella said.

Tony Basciano took a deep breath, and everyone's attention went to him. He's the oldest of the group and well respected. "I know you don't want to tell us everything especially when the situation is so precarious, but I think you know that if you step over the line, you'll become the enemy."

"I know the rules. However, Faith already broke them."

They let the last part of that sentence go because they don't want a war and hope this can be resolved. "I hope so because your reputation has done good for everyone here. We'd hate to lose you."

"I guess I'll do what I have to, and you will too."

"You better have proof that your aggression is warranted. Step wisely, Mr. Morgan, because there is a lot at stake."

Jason nodded.

"You may go."

Once he was gone Vinny spoke up first. "He's going to be a problem."

"If he gets rid of Faith, maybe things will be quieter," Dominic said.

"True. I don't think he killed Sorel," Vinny said.

"Then it was either Sonny or Faith."

"There's also Scully," Tommy said.

"He's so far up Faith's skirt that he can't even see straight."

"It's a dangerous game in many ways," Dominic said making the men chuckle.

Tommy took a sip of water. "I guess we'll see if the best man wins."

They suspect that maybe Jason is that man.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny, Francis, and Jason met at the safehouse where Max is being held.

Before starting their meeting in the basement, Jason went upstairs, unlocked Max's door, and entered.

Max gulped. "Jason…"

"I saved your ass, so I don't want any trouble from you."

"There won't be. Thank you."

"You were willing to kill my wife."

Max started to sweat. "I'm sorry."

Jason moved closer making Max want to run but there was nowhere to go. "Women and children not directly in the business are protected. I don't give a shit what she saw. Death was not an appropriate reaction."

"I know."

"I understand being loyal to a fault regarding Sonny because I was there. Frankly, it's the only reason that I agreed to let you live. Don't make me regret it."

Jason started to turn and then swung around and knocked Max flat on his ass. "That's for Evangeline."

A dazed Max stays down as his head spins. Although he deserved it, his face hurts like hell.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason didn't get home until 2:00 am. He had let Evangeline know beforehand, and Francis sent Diane over to eat with her. The men had spent hours trying to figure out all the logistics of dealing with Scully. They are hoping that his disappearance will spook Sonny and Faith and then hopefully, pit them against each other and they'll turn on each other.

Francis is going to have Diane draw up some dissolution paperwork and ask for more than Sonny can afford just to mess with them, but nothing had prepared them for Sonny calling Cody late at night and telling him that he's replacing him with Logan which meant his paranoia is increasing. Thankfully, Logan is on their side. Logan has a meeting with Sonny the next day, and it will be recorded.

After a shower, Jason slipped next to Eva and spooned her. Finally, he let all the stress of the night go and just held her. She represents everything good in his world and he will never let anyone get to her. It will take lots of planning, but he doesn't intend on failing.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Diane and Eva worked their magic the next morning and got the papers delivered by the afternoon.

Sonny destroyed his office again. There is no way in hell he will pay that, so either he tries to mend their relationship and backstabs Faith, or he kills the man who once was his best friend because he's not sure he can deliver Evangeline. From what he has been told, Jason's building is well protected, and Evangeline hadn't been seen since the dinner.

Logan entered the office and whistled. "Should I come back?"

"Shut the door."

Logan pushed some things aside and made his way to a chair.

"I know you don't know Jason."

"Nope."

"And you are not reporting back to Maximus?"

"Nope. I'm yours. You're paying me well. I have no complaints."

"I made a deal with Faith that I'd give her Evangeline Williamson and she'll leave us alone. It was before I knew Jason married her."

Logan scratched the top of his head. "So, now what?"

"I don't plan on backing down."

"Jason might blame you."

"I don't plan on going out like that. He'll blame Faith."

"What do you need me to do?"

"Get her out of the apartment building. I have mercs that will take it from there."

Logan pushed out a breath. "I'll see what I can do."

"I need it to happen as soon as possible."

"I don't like going in half-cocked. I want a plan, especially if we need to make it look like Faith did it."

"How long?"

"I may be able to get it done by the end of the weekend. Timing is important because I will need to plant a body."

"If you need help, call this number," he said before handing him a card with the merc's name.

"Sounds good."

"I'll give you an update in a few days." Logan had to fight a smile. Not only do they have proof that will give Jason the excuse he needs to end Sonny, but they have the merc info too. Sonny is the gift that keeps on giving.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

It was quiet for a few days. Johnny and Francis managed to kidnap Scully and his son, and they are at a remote barn in upstate New York.

Jason took a quick helicopter ride and joined them so he could question Scully. When he entered the room, the blindfold Joe was wearing was removed and he was not shocked to see Jason.

Without a word, Jason perused the tools sitting on the table before slipping on some brass knuckles. Joe Jr. is across the room about to pee his pants.

"We know everything."

"I seriously doubt that."

Jason smirked. "I'm not Sonny."

Joe sighed. "I know, but can you handle both of them?"

"Yes. I'm not doing my normal because I don't need to be in this equation when you're found, but it's still gonna hurt like a bitch."

Francis groaned as a stench floated from across the room. "He peed himself."

Jason's eyes went to Joey. "You're next."

When Scully heard his son whimper, he cursed under his breath.

For the next hour, Jason used techniques that Faith's enforcer used. By the time he was finished, the two men were dead, and Johnny and Francis cleaned everything up and then they moved the bodies, putting them on one of Faith's properties. If Sonny and Faith don't take each other out, the families will at least take Faith out, and then Sonny will be all his.

Francis had come up with a great idea because they did know where some of Faith's bodies were buried, so they added two more to the area and then the five families would be alerted to older unsolved mysteries. Check and mate.