A/N – Thanks for the lovely comments! Gabriel is definitely creepy! * wendi – lol! * Christica2 – Thanks!

Chapter 8

Jason quickly explained the situation. "I told him we're married and that your ex is a powerful businessman and didn't like that you had moved on, and threatened us this morning."

"How much are you paying him?"

"You don't have to worry about that. My name is Jack by the way."

They got out and grabbed their bag.

Jim got out of the truck. "I'm Jim," he said holding out his hand.

Liz smiled. "I'm Brenda."

Jason slightly groaned and his expression made her chuckle.

"It's very nice to meet you, Brenda. Hop inside and make yourself comfortable. I changed the sheets on the bed, so you guys are good to go."

They slipped into the back.

"Wow," Liz said looking around. There is a bed and a kitchen area. It is compact, but comfy.

Jim hauled himself into the driver's seat. "I figured it would be better for you to stay back there. We don't want any prying eyes seeing you."

"Good call," Jason said.

They sat on the bed, leaning against the back wall. Jim pulled out of the parking lot and eased the semi onto the highway. It wasn't as loud on the inside as Liz expected.

"You mind country music?"

"You can play whatever you like," Liz said.

Jim turned on the radio. "So, how did you guys meet?"

"Through friends," Liz said.

"That's how me and missus met too. We've been married twenty years."

Liz played absentmindedly with the ring on her finger. "Wow, that's a long time. Congratulations."

Jason grabbed her hand and held it for show.

"She's a keeper too and my best friend."

"You must miss her."

"I do, but sometimes she joins me. She has her own hair shop and her clients don't take kindly to her leaving for too long."

Liz kicked off her sneakers and Jason put his arm around her as she got comfortable.

"You look happy, but he looks worried." He had a small stick on mirror so he can glance into the back if needed.

Liz laughed. "He's very protective of me. It's one of the things I love about him."

"Well, I'm glad your taste got better. Are you sure you can handle your ex?" He briefly watched as her face turned down a little, giving him a glimpse of her sadness.

"I sure hope so."

Jason kissed her on the head, making Jim smile.

The music got louder as Jim focused on the road and Liz closed her eyes. Jason felt her relax against him.

"Brenda?"

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it."

"You should lie down and get comfortable. I'll wake you at the next stop," Jim said.

"Thanks," Jason said.

Liz moved as Jason undid his shoes and then they laid down on their sides and soon the movement of the truck lulled them into a sleep.

While they rested, Julian's techies are trying to break the code so they can access the files on the disk.

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Gabriel's men scoured the area with no success. Two men, posing as FBI agents, went to the chop shop and the owner stepped outside, thinking they were going to bust his operation. He had seen Jason on the news earlier and was hoping that they got away.

"What can I do for you two gentlemen?"

They flashed a badge. "Have you seen them?"

He studied it for a moment and then his eyes flicked back to them. "I can't say that I have."

"Are you sure? Look again?" This is the tenth shop they had been too.

He pretended to really look at them. "I saw them on the news earlier. I take it that they haven't been found."

"No. Thanks for your help."

His daughter flew around the corner. "Daddy, how could you sell my car? You promised."

One of the men turned around and saw the flicker of fear in the man's eyes.

"Baby, we'll talk about this later."

She started going off and one of the men grabbed her arm, causing her dad to shove him backwards while the other pulled his gun. "Perhaps we should step inside."

The girl stared at her dad with wide eyes as they stepped into the garage. His crew had taken a late lunch.

"You want to tell me who you sold the car too?"

"Not particularly." A gun struck his head, making him stumble backwards as he gripped it. His daughter screamed his name and was promptly slapped and the other man held a gun to her head.

"Tell me or she dies."

"You're going to kill her anyway."

"Three…two…"

"Okay. Yes, they were here. Please let her live." His wife is going to kill him if they don't.

"That depends on you. Where did they go?"

"I don't know."

"What kind of car?"

"Red Prius."

He whipped out his phone. "Look at the tolls plazas for a red Prius with two occupants." He put it away. "You know I can't let you live."

The girl whimpered. "Please. I have my whole life in front of me, a hot boyfriend, and I'm in college."

"One of you is dying. Who is it going to be?"

The shop owner sighed. "She's not even my daughter."

The girl's mouth dropped open. "What!"

"She's my step-daughter and the biggest pain in my ass. Talk about ungrateful and entitled… With that said, what kind of man would I be if I didn't take a bullet for her? What a stupid ass question."

The two hitmen smiled at each other. "I'm feeling nice today. We were never here. If I find out you said anything, I'll tell Corinthos that you betrayed him."

They disappeared outside and the man quickly grabbed his shotgun as his daughter sat down.

"How could you?" she suddenly yelled.

"Oh, shut up before I shoot you myself. I chose you. Jeez. It's your fault they even knew about the damn car."

Her mouth dropped open as she cried. "I'm so telling mom."

He groaned. "You won't tell her a damn thing or they will find us and finish the job. And you can take the damn bus from now on!" That shut her mouth and he sat down at his desk and poured himself a shot. What a day.

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Jason's eyes snapped open before Jim had a chance to touch him.

"Sorry. I'm going to take a break and eat. Are you hungry?"

"Can you bring us something back?"

"Sure." Jason had already given him money, so when the younger man reached for his wallet, Jim shook his head. "No. I'll use the cash you gave me."

He left and Liz sighed and rolled over and gripped him tightly, taking him off guard. She fit perfectly against him as he lightly stroked her back. Their legs are entwined and he can't help but be a little affected by it. Her body suddenly jerked and she started to panic, clearly having a nightmare. Jason held her firmly. "It's okay."

Liz took a few deep breaths before realizing the position of their bodies. "Sorry."

"You're fine."

"Thanks, husband."

"How I ended up marrying two Brenda's, I'll never understand."

"Funny. I guess it's just meant to be."

She squealed as he tickled her.

"I think you need to take that back."

"No." She is laughing so hard that tears are streaming down her face.

He tickled her more and then stopped, realizing her squirming was doing far more to his body then he was willing to admit.

She looked up at him, their mouths just inches away, wondering if he is going to kiss her. Fighting the urge to reach up and stroke his angular jaw, her hand clamped into a ball to prevent herself from moving it. His eyes closed, breaking their contact, and Jason flopped onto his back.

"There's a bathroom in here, but we'll see if we can use the one at the restaurant." It is Jim's personal space and he isn't trying to totally invade it.

"Okay."

They sat up and Liz made sure her wig is secure as Jason swiped his fingers through his blonde locks.

"I still want to do a double take every time I look at you," Liz said.

"You want me to change it back?"

"Eventually. You look good either way, but I think the brown hair helps accentuate your eyes more."

His brow lifted. "I can't believe people actually think about stuff like that."

Liz chuckled. "Girls think about everything. That is why we have purses and jewelry to accent our wardrobe. It all has to fit together."

"So, you'll tell me if I clash?"

"Of course, I'm not like the real Brenda."

He shook his head. "I miss your hair too."

"Really?"

"I think you're prettier with it."

Her head tilted. "You think I'm pretty?" She could never tell what is going on in his mind and is learning to try not to assume anything.

"You're beautiful Elizabeth. Don't you know that?"

Her face turned crimson, yet another thing that intrigued Jason. "Thanks," she mumbled before standing and stretching. The door to the cab opened, making her yelp and jump into Jason's arms.

Jim chuckled. "Did I scare you?"

Liz's hand is over her heart. "Yes!"

"Sorry about that. I parked way over here because the bathrooms are right over there."

He pointed and they followed his gaze.

"There aren't many people milling around right now."

They got out and walked hand in hand and quickly used the bathroom and then hurried back to the truck, making sure to look down in case someone walked by.

When they slipped in, Jim handed them a bag.

"I put the drinks in the holders over there. If you push the button on the console, you can slide out the table."

"Wow, that's nifty."

Jim smiled. "Make yourself at home." For what Jason is paying him for not even going out of his way, he'll feed it to them whatever they want.

They got settled and Jim eased the big truck out of the parking space and back onto the road. Jason took a bite of the hamburger. "This is really good."

"It's one of my favorite diners."

"I can see why," Liz said licking her fingers.

He turned up the music as they ate and when they were finished, they got all the trash together.

"We'll throw it out at the next rest stop. We have about three hours left, but we'll hit rush hour
and I usually sit that out."

"That's fine," Jason said. He settled back and Liz sat cross-legged next to him.

"You should come home with me. By the time we get there, it will be dinnertime. My wife won't mind."

"I don't want to put you in any danger."

"No one knows you are with me. You can slip out the next morning and be on your way." When he didn't answer, Jim upped the stakes. "I won't take no for an answer."

Jason sighed, hating to involve him further, but knowing it would probably be fine. "Thank you."

"That's better. Let me call my other half and tell her to add a couple of plates."

Jason notices Liz is smiling. "What?"

"It's just nice to know there are good people in the world still. It will kind of be normal, like we're visiting friends."

His thumb is swiping back and forth on her hand. "You okay?"

"I'm fine." Jim started singing, giving them privacy. Luckily, he can hold a tune. "Jason. Why aren't you married? Is it the violence?"

"I don't know. That doesn't help, but I just haven't met anyone that can handle my lifestyle or put up with me. What about you?"

She shrugged. "I bury myself in my work. Once men find out about my family, let's just say they don't leave skid marks on the way to the door. I don't have the greatest track record either." She had just gotten tired of meeting losers.

"Have you ever been serious with someone?"

"Sort of, we were seeing each other for six months and then my dad visited and he got scared and decided to break up with me."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It was good he left before I fell for him more than I already had."

"I basically had the same thing happen to me. I was in love with someone and they didn't like the danger. We broke up and eventually got back together, but couldn't make it work." Robin had been his first love after the accident. When she left to go to Paris, he let her. He just wanted her to be happy.

"Do you see yourself finding someone special or would you rather be alone?"

"I don't know anymore." If she had asked him that a week ago, he would have said alone, but now, she is growing on him. "What about you?"

"I'll never say never." They hadn't even noticed that they had moved closer to each other during the conversation.

Their gaze held and Jason finally broke the silence. "Elizabeth, you don't want me."

"Jason…."

"I'm bullheaded, quiet, difficult, and grumpy. Why would you want that?"

"I know you're quiet, and I'll give you the grumpy, but I see another side of you when you let me."

"What about the violence?"

"I can't escape it. It will touch me because of my last name. I have been running from it my entire life. Maybe it's time I stop. Do you want to run from me?"

"Yes."

Her body slightly jerked backwards and his arm snaked around her waist to rein her in.

"It's not what you think. People come after me just to take me down. Your heart wouldn't be safe and frankly, I think you're the kind of woman that would have me so twisted that I wouldn't know if I was coming or going."

"Sometimes love is a risk worth taking," she said even shocking herself. How had they even gotten into this conversation?

Their lips met in the sweetest kiss, lingering for a moment before Jason pulled back. Jim caught the tail end and smiled as he sang the next song. He could tell that they are perfect for each other.

Elizabeth bit her lip as Jason's smoldering eyes took her in wondering if that was a kiss hello or goodbye.

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Gabriel put one of his techs on speakerphone. "What do you have?"

"They headed south into New Jersey."

"Okay."

"His hair is blonde and hers is short and lighter brown."

"Good work." He hung up and thought for a moment. "I think it's a smoke screen. Have someone try to find the car and check the other directions. I don't trust him."

His head of security left the room and Gabriel reviewed his emails like it was any other day. It felt good to know they are just out of reach. He would have loved playing this game if the stakes weren't so high. This is the first time that his livelihood has been threatened and he will do everything he can to squash anyone that comes against him. Ava had been his one weakness and he will never make that mistake again. No one will ever get that close.

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Sonny smiled when he got the news that Julian's geeks had made a breakthrough already. The disk contained advanced weaponry technology, insider trader information, and proved that Gabriel had some very bad friends. He is making a lot of money selling technology that is being used against the U.S. military. His business was backed by dirty money and if it all got out, he would lose everything, not to mention being tried for treason.

Johnny had a plan. "I think we should plant a seed of doubt with his middle-eastern contacts and make them think that just maybe, Gabriel crossed them. They'll be gunning for him."

"I like it. He'll probably go underground, but it would give us time to get Jason secured."

"Definitely."

Sonny got Julian on the phone and he agreed that Gabriel needed to go down and they didn't have any time to waste. They aren't going to completely expose him yet, but there will be lots of damage done with the information they had obtained. Little by little, they will bring him to his knees.