Chapter 5
Ethan walked into the Haunted Star to find his father behind the bar making himself a drink while talking to his girlfriend Tracey. "Dodge! What brings you to work so early? Bar doesn't open for another few hours." Commented Luke. "Nothing much. I just thought I would check in and see what's going on for tonight." Luke exchanged looks with Tracy while sipping on his Scotch. Neat, just the way he liked it. "It's the same as any other night Dodge. What is it you need?" Ethan sighed. He was frustrated about a lot of things. "I am trying to get this Forgery scam going and it's a lot harder than anticipated. I am having a hard time coming up with the funds I need to make this an easy win. I have everything in place but this one thing and it is so frustrating because I could make such a killing with this." Luke slid a beer across the bar toward his son. "It sounds simple enough. Can't you get a quick game together. Come up with the money?" Tracey rolled her eyes at Luke. "Luke honestly. Do you really think if it was a few dollars that Ethan would be worried about that. Obviously a simple card game isn't what he needs." Ethan was impressed. Tracy really did seem to have a good sense for things. He guessed she would have to be a success in the business world."She"s right. I need a lot of money. Not just a few hundred dollars. This always happens. Something holding me back from success." Ethan cried scowling into his drink. Luke rolled his eyes at his sons theatrics. "Ethan it will take some planning but I will help you. All you have to do is ask. You should know that by now." Ethan conceded. This was true.
"Is there something else. You're drinking that beer like its water. What else is bugging you?" Ethan sighed not really sure where to start. "Johnny and Sonny's personal vendetta is disturbing and not just affecting them anymore. Johnny is a mate but something he is considering doing is pissing me right off. I don't know how to handle this."
Luke looked at Ethan curiously. "Well what is it that Johnny is considering? How personal is he-." Luke stopped mid sentence, coming to a realization. "This involves that spunky little piece of jailbait isn't it. Miss Kristina Corinthos." Ethan took a sip of beer, not quite looking his dad in the eye. "What would make you say that?" Luke rolled his eyes as if the answer was obvious. "Anyways as I was saying. Kristina right?" Ethan scowled at his father but continued. "Johnny saved kristina from a situation the other day. She is greatful to him of course and wants to be friends now. Johnny likes her well enough but he sees other benefits to this friendship. I don't like it." Luke downed the rest of his drink while Tracy sat strangely quiet.
"Well?" Luke shrugged. "So what? Are you afraid Kristina has found another hero? Johnny Zacharra is interested in her?" Ethan rubbed his hands into his eyes trying to banish the thought from his head. "No! Atleast I don't think so. He wants to be friends with her. He thinks it will help irritate the shit out of Sonny. Which I know it will." Laughter erupted from both Tracy and Luke. "Do you think this is funny? This is a personal vendetta between two very loose cannons. I don't want Kristina involved at all." Ethan tried to get across how serious this really was to his father but all Luke could do was laugh. Ethan slammed his bottle down on the bar in frustration. "Ethan do you seriously think you can stop Kristina when she is determined to get what she wants? I have known that little girl her whole life. She is very much like her father. If she wants to be friends with Johnny, she will be friends with Johnny." Luke told him. Ethan knew this to be true. Kristina was very much her own person. No one would tell Kristina Corinthos what to do ever.
"Still I am worried that this could get out of hand and I know Kristina can't be reasoned with. Johnny I am sure is looking forward to this little game. Honestly I don't think either of them are thinking straight."
Luke thought seriously for a long moment on what to say to his son. He had strong intuition on why Ethan was making such a big deal out of the situation with Sonny and Johnny and it wasn't because Kristina was a friend he was concerned about. Somehow the little minx had managed to hook his son and even though Ethan denied her, Luke was beginning to think that something had changed with his son even though he wouldn't admit it.
"Dodge I honestly think there is nothing you can do but be there to pick up the pieces if something happens. Hoping it doesn't but there are no guarantees in that business. I hate to tell you that. I know you care a great deal for the girl but I think all you can do is wait and see." Somehow that advice was not reassuring to Ethan. He was really hoping Luke would have some advice for him on how to help Kristina from being exploited. "Thanks Dad. Not exactly the advice I was hoping for." He was sullen and felt helpless at what he knew was going to take place. This situation couldn't end well. He just knew it.