A/N – Thanks for the comments! Love hearing your thoughts.

Chapter 35

Jason stood as Doreen rushed into Jim's arms. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to Jason."

Doreen swallowed hard. "Okay."

They went to the study.

"What's going on?" Jason asked.

"I ended up having a friend meet me and take my truck back home. I have his pickup. Someone was following me." He paused as he paced back and forth.

Jason leaned against the desk. "Tell me everything."

"I was driving for a couple of hours. I'm very aware of what's going on around me and I noticed the same car was still following me and thought it was strange. I stopped to just pick up water or something to test him and he'd stop too."

'What did he look like?"

"He was Italian, maybe 5' 8. I think he had a beard and his hair was receding. I'd say he was probably late thirties. I was really paranoid, so I got off at a rest stop. I used the bathroom and when I came out, his car was gone. Now that gave me pause because I was thinking that maybe he did something to my truck. There was another driver parked a ways down and I asked him. He said the guy went into the little convenience store, but never went near the truck. So, I went inside and when I was paying for water, the clerk asked me if the burgundy rig was mine. I said yes and he handed me an envelope."

"I'm scared to ask."

Jim took some pictures out of his pocket and handed them to Jason. There is a picture of Liz and Georgie coming out of the gallery and another one of Carly and Michael in the front yard of her house. Most of the pictures are of the Jeromes—the house and businesses.

"Was that what prompted you to come back?"

Jim shook his head and handed him two more. One is of their house and the other is Doreen's shop. "I would have just called and warned you, but they know where we live. With Doreen being pregnant, I decided I didn't want to take any chances. I trust you, but she's my wife. I need to protect her."

"I'm sorry. I understand."

"Has she been okay?"

"Yes. She likes it here. I want you to stay until Saturday. Are you going to go to your house?"

"I don't know. I might take her away." He is nervous about returning there.

"Paulie is coming with you, regardless."

Jim plopped into a chair. "Elizabeth's gallery showing is in a week. Doreen wanted to attend. Maybe we should wait."

"Jim, I can put you in a safe house if necessary. We have a few off the grid. You can come to the gallery and then I'll send you two wherever you want to go. I owe you a nice vacation."

"I feel weird taking that from you now that we're friends."

"Don't. I'm sure Sonny would let you use the jet. You saved us and we'll never forget that. Figure out where you want to go and then I'll handle all the details."

"Okay. Jason, I wanted to ask if you'd agree to be the baby's godfather."

Jason is stunned. "Really?"

"Yes. Elizabeth has already agreed to be the godmother. Will you? You've become a good friend and you love my dog. I can't think of a better man for the job."

"Thank you. I would love to."

The door was slowly pushed open and Doreen and Elizabeth walked in.

"What happened?" Liz asked.

Jason explained, and Doreen sat on her husband's lap. They told them about the vacation idea and Doreen is down for it.

"You can sleep here. We're having a poker game at a safe house, I'll text Johnny and tell him to make it tonight. We'll sneak you out and get you where you need to go."

"Sounds good, I think I could use some relaxation," Jim said.

"We'll have some fun and then I'll make sure that you get home safely. I have your place covered," Jason said. Paulie will go and he'd send two other guards along with him.

"Thank you." It makes Jim feel better that they are so protected.

"I really don't think they are after you. They are just trying to scare us."

"I wish you could figure out who is doing this."

"Me too."

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A guard watched his boss stare out of the window as he waited for instructions.

"I want a scare at the hospital tomorrow, preferably when a Quartermaine is working."

"Done."

"Don't kill anyone. I just need to send a message. If Jason wants to protect the Jeromes, then he's opening himself up to being attacked."

"I agree."

"I want to keep him guessing."

"What about Julian?"

"I think he needs to be in a minor accident. Don't kill him. I just need to confront him."

"Understood."

"Thank you, Cal."

He quickly left to do his boss's bidding.

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It was challenging to get everyone to the safe house without being followed. They staggered their travel and used dummy vehicles to confuse whoever is watching them. It seemed to work. Stan had also jammed any street cameras so that they couldn't track them that way.

Once everyone was in, they got started. There are two tables. One had Liz, Johnny, Epiphany, Jim, and Max. The other had Jason, Doreen, Julian, Tracy, and Sonny.

"Deal," Tracy said.

Jason's eyes narrowed as Sonny shuffled the deck.

"What?"

"I just have no idea you played."

"There's a lot you don't know about me."

Doreen smiled. She really liked Tracy's snarkiness.

They stared at their cards, already thinking about strategy. Soft music is the only sound until the first move is made.

"I hope you took out a loan," Epiphany said.

Johnny smirked. "I didn't need too because we all know who is going to win."

She rolled her eyes. "Please."

"Don't be like that, Piph."

Jason took two cards, discarded, and then put his cards face down on the table. He always did the same movement and didn't flinch, so no one could guess his demeanor.

"That's some poker face you have," Doreen said.

Jason put his beer down.

"That's his every day face," Tracy quipped.

"Haters gonna hate," Liz said.

Jim chuckled.

"Call," Max said throwing his cards down.

"I'm out," Jim said.

Sonny raised and everyone, but Julian followed.

It went back and forth until it was down to Epiphany, Liz, & Johnny and Jason, Tracy, and Doreen.

Max put a twenty down on the table. "I'm going with Epiphany."

Jim laid down the same. "Liz."

"Jason," Sonny said.

Doreen groaned. "I'm out."

Liz sighed. "Me too."

"Elizabeth. I had money on you," Jim said.

"Sorry."

Jason and Tracy stared at each other.

"Since I know I can kick your ass, you can put away the glare," she said.

"Did you forget to take your medication today?" Jason asked.

She grabbed two cards. "You know, you could probably use some Metamucil. You always look constipated."

"Only when I think of you."

Sonny chuckled.

"Too bad you're not as good in cards as you are picking up girls," Epiphany said.

"I'm good at everything," Johnny said dramatically.

"You aren't so good at getting out of handcuffs. Are you?"

Liz almost spit out her margarita as she choked. Doreen patted her on the back.

Jason fought a smile.

"Damn, Piph. Why you got to bring that up?"

"Have you been tested?"

"Yes. Can we take the focus off my genitalia now?"

"Did you mean to say small focus?"

Max cracked up.

Johnny raised the bet. "Take that cock blocker."

Piph smirked. "Johnny O'Brien, I see your bet and raise it."

"You are a pain in my ass."

"Said no one ever."

Tracy and Jason called. They laid their cards out and Tracy hit the table with her hands.

"Do you guys hear that?" Jason asked.

Everyone tried to listen closer, but heard nothing.

"It's the first time Tracy has shut up all night."

She threw a napkin at him and Jason surprised her and smiled.

Johnny and Epiphany stared at each other one more time.

"Read em' and weep handcuff boy."

Johnny groaned. "Damn."

"Don't feel bad. I'm that good."

He shook his head.

Epiphany stood and her eyes locked with Jason. "I'm coming for you next gorgeous and I'm upping the stakes."

Jason's brow rose. "I'm scared to ask."

"If I win, you have to take off your shirt for two minutes."

Jason rolled his eyes. "Is that all?"

She smiled as if she was daring him.

"Hold on." He walked over to Liz and whispered something in her ear and she chuckled and then gave him the green light.

The only reason he is going to do what he is about to is because he knows that it will distract Epiphany and he wants to win.

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Georgie ate some ice cream as Milo watched television. "This is so delicious."

"I'm going back to work tomorrow."

"Are you sure you're up for it."

"Yes, I'm good."

She held out her spoon and he ate some.

"That is good. Georgie, will go out on a date with me tomorrow night?"

She grinned. "I would love to."

"I hope you're adventurous."

Her head tilted. "Now, you've got me curious."

"You'll have a good time. I promise."

"Alright, then I'll trust you."

She put the bowl down and then straddled him and they kissed. It is her new favorite thing. When she finally pulled back, Milo smiled. "What?"

"I just—I've dreamed of just being with you like this and now that it's a reality, I'm just really happy."

"In some ways you scare me, but I'm trying to just go with it and enjoy this."

There is a knock on the door and Georgie and got up and answered it. "Mom?"

"Hi. I left you several messages and you didn't answer, so I thought I'd come by." She notices Milo. "Hello."

"Hello."

Georgie didn't move for a moment and then stepped backwards and let Felicia in.

"This house is gorgeous."

"I won't be here after tonight. I guess I'll be back at Uncle Mac's."

"He misses you."

"Do you want me to leave?" Milo asked.

"No," Georgie said sitting next to him.

Felicia watched as her daughter held Milo's hand. "Your father left."

"That doesn't surprise me."

"We had a falling out and he took off."

"Over me?"

"Yes. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone there."

Georgie sighed heavily. "Don't apologize for his choices."

Felicia took a letter out of her purse and put it on the coffee table. "This is from him."

Georgie didn't even look at it. "Is that why you're really here, to tell me that my father left me once again and couldn't say goodbye to me to my face?"

"Georgie, I know I screwed up. I put my needs before yours and I'm sorry. I don't know if I can ever make up for it, but I want to stay here and try. I'm going to run Kelly's for Bobby."

"Oh."

"I don't want it to be awkward if you come in, so I thought I'd let you know."

Georgie shrugged. "I need time to wrap my mind around you being here all the time." She wiped a tear away.

Felicia stood. "Okay. I will give you time, but Georgie, I'm not going anywhere. People make mistakes and I do understand that sometimes they can't be forgiven. If you can't and you really don't want me here, then I'll go. Just know that I don't want to."

She left and Georgie started to cry, so Milo hugged her.

"Baby, maybe you and Felicia should go to therapy."

"I don't know if I'm ready for that."

"It's a way to hash it out, so you can move forward. Just think about it."

"Okay."

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Piph's mouth dropped open when Jason slowly pulled off his shirt, handed it to Liz, and then ran his fingers through his hair.

Sonny chuckled. "He's a genius. I've never seen him sink so low to win."

"If his abs can distract her, then so be it," Johnny said before doing a shot.

"I can't believe you're willing to display your body to win," Tracy said. "Try not to look at him, Epiphany. He's trying to take you off your game."

Epiphany smiled as she sat down. "Oh, it will just help me play better. The scenery is way nicer."

Johnny groaned at the slight, making everyone laugh.

"Are you uncomfortable, Jason?" Epiphany asked as she dealt.

"Should I be?"

"Well, you are a bit exposed."

"It's just a body."

"I would kill to find my abs," Jim said.

"Max will never find his," Johnny quipped.

Max gave Johnny a look.

"What? What was the last year that you actually saw them?"

"What a bully? Let's see yours," Tracy said mischievously.

"Tracy, you can't handle this," Johnny said touching his stomach.

"I'm sure we can find her some rope and handcuffs," Epiphany said before picking up two cards.

Johnny lifted his shirt.

"Nice…." Tracy said.

Doreen chuckled. "I like you Tracy."

"I'm glad you were appreciative of the view," she said.

Liz shook her head. She didn't quite know how she felt about Jason being so exposed. Her man looked sexy as hell with his abs and scowl on full display.

Jason sat back in his chair as Epiphany studied her cards. His hair fell slightly in front of his eyes and Liz and Piph bit their lips.

"Damn, Elizabeth, How do you even let him out of the house?" Epiphany said.

Julian rolled his eyes. "I need a drink."

Liz grinned. "It's not easy."

Jason didn't dare look over at her. His muscles flexed as he picked two more cards.

"Does he actually do work for you? Or do you just let him hang out at the gym all day?" Doreen asked.

Sonny chuckled. "He works pretty long hours. I think he and Milo get up early."

"You don't go with them?"

Now, Jason almost laughed.

"Hell no."

"He needs his beauty sleep to maintain those dimples," Epiphany said. "Check."

"Check."

"If Jason had Sonny's dimples, he'd be the perfect man," Piph said imagining it for a moment as she pretended to shudder.

Jason glanced at Sonny who was laughing.

"Jason, I don't know if it was your idea to invite her, but Epiphany will be joining us more often I hope," Sonny said.

"That depends on if I win or not."

"If I win this hand, I get a kiss right here," Epiphany said tapping her cheek.

"You're a shameful hussy and I love you," Tracy said.

Jason shook his head and looked at his girl.

Liz scrunched up her face. "Fine, but just on the cheek."

"Baby, you don't think I got this?"

"You won the first one. She could come back."

Jason stared at Epiphany. "Lay em' out."

She laid out her cards and he groaned and threw his down.

Tracy and Doreen cheered as Epiphany patted her cheek. Max got his camera ready and Jason stood up and then held out his hand. She took it and he grabbed her, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and then slightly dipped her making her laugh.

"Now can I put my shirt back on?"

She sighed. "I guess."

Liz threw it to him and Jason hastily put it on.

"If I'm going to beat you this round, I want it to be completely above board."

She fanned herself and then sat down. "This is the most fun that I've had in at least a few days."

Tracy grinned.

"I caught Patrick and Kelly in an empty room and let's just say the look on their faces was priceless. I milked that shit for days."

Liz laughed. "Patrick and Kelly, huh?"

"I know. I didn't think that a playa would be interested in another playa."

"Maybe they cancel each other out," Tracy said.