A/N – Thanks for the comments! Things are coming to a boil!

Chapter 40

Sonny frowned. Jason was right. God knows that they had tried the best they could to protect his kids and they were still hurt. "You're right. All we can do is try to anticipate it. I'll be right back." He wanted to give Johnny and Jason a moment alone. Francis got the picture and hoisted himself up on his crutches and followed.

"We're not hugging it out," Jason said.

Johnny grinned. "I would never expect that from you because you usually give me a kiss on the cheek."

Jason ignored the comment. "Johnny, what are you feeling about tonight?"

"That they won't strike while the public is there. It just seems logical given the way this has all played out."

"You think they'll wait and then somehow get inside?"

"Yes. We'll have Elizabeth and Julian wear a GPS tracking device, one they can't block just in case."

"I think I might be declared insane before tonight is over."

The door burst open and Molly and Kristina ran inside, immediately jumping onto an amused Jason's lap.

"And who let you two out of the house?"

"Leticia."

"You didn't escape?"

"Nope," Molly said.

"And she's not tied up somewhere in the house?"

They giggled.

"Nope," Kristina said. "We came to see you and daddy. We're going on a sleep over."

"That sounds like fun. Can I come?"

Sonny smiled from the doorway.

"Nooooooo. You're a boy," Molly said.

"Girls only!" Kristina said.

"We can put him in a dress with lipstick," Johnny said.

The girls fell out laughing as Jason shook his head.

"I want to see that," Sonny said.

"Daddy!" Molly yelled.

"What? Give Jason a hug goodbye or you'll be late."

They hugged him and then kissed his cheek.

"Goodbye Jason," they said before running out."

"They are too cute," Johnny said. "Why are you frowning?"

"I'm trying to imagine what your kid would look like."

"Fantastically handsome, of course."

Jason rolled his eyes.

"Yours would probably come out with a scowl." Johnny made a face.

"I think I need to teach you a lesson."

Johnny scoffed and then Jason was quickly on him, putting him in a headlock.

"Am I interrupting?" Jim asked.

Jason looked up. "No. You're right on time. Can you get the rope in my desk drawer please?"

"Do I want to know why you have rope in there?"

Both men grinned. "No."

Jim chuckled and walked inside as they separated. "And what did he do to piss you off?"

"He insulted my future child."

"You two were talking about having kids?"

Neither men said anything.

"I figured you be talking about mob stuff. That was kind of a girlie conversation. Wasn't it?"

Johnny rolled his eyes. "Says the man who probably can't stop talking about the one he's gonna have soon."

"Touche, but I have no cred to be ruined."

Jason shook his head.

"Before you ask, your girl is with a friend in town. You have enough to worry about right now and I just didn't want to impose."

"I'll try not to pout."

"Another thing that would ruin your cred. You're just batting a thousand today."

Johnny snickered.

"The girls are still at the spa. Let's go do something manly, like build something," Jim said.

"How about we go to the shooting range? I need to let off some steam."

"That's fine with me," Jim said.

Johnny went to get Jim a gun and then they headed off.

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The girls and Felix were getting their mani pedi's when they saw the text from Jim. They were cracking up. Johnny had shot a sad face on the target.

"That's my man," Ellie said.

Liz's phone dinged and she grinned. "Mine is better."

"Why?"

She passed her phone around. "All his shots went in the same place—right between the eyes."

"It doesn't even look like he took more than one shot," Brenda said.

"He's that good," Felix said.

"From how far away? I have a couple of bitchy models I'd like him to take out for me," Brenda said.

"I have a feeling that Jason doesn't like bitchy models either," Doreen said. "You're in luck."

"On second thought, I'll hire Johnny. Knowing Jason, he'd shoot me instead."

"Girl, he loves you. Who else would he scowl and yell at it?" Felix said.

"He does have a point," Liz said.

"Jason only loves me when I'm sleeping or on another continent."

Georgie laughed. "You're not that bad."

"You haven't seen them together. They are ridiculous," Felix said.

About ten minutes later, as they were letting their toes dry and gossiping, the door to the room opened and Jason, Johnny, and Jim filed in.

"What are you doing here?"

"We missed you," Johnny said.

They gave their girls kisses.

"You still haven't cut your hair?"

"Brenda, I don't remember asking you if you liked it," Jason said.

"You wouldn't ask because you are oblivious when it comes to fashion. I'm dressing you tonight."

"Excuse me?"

"That's right. I'm dressing you."

Doreen glanced at Liz. "I feel like I need popcorn."

"You have no idea how bad they are once they get going."

"And how do you think you're getting into my building? You're banned."

"Please. I'm sure I can sweet talk your neanderthal guards."

"Hey!" Johnny said.

Brenda looked over at him. "Except you, pretty boy, and Milo of course."

Johnny groaned.

"Brenda, I told them to shoot to kill if they ever saw your face."

"Oh please, you wouldn't know what to do without me."

Liz bit her lip as she watched Jason's face go from angry to exasperated. In two steps, he had Brenda in his arms and was carrying her towards the door.

"Jason, stop it. You'll mess up my polish."

"You should have thought about that before you messed with me."

"I'm not dressed."

"Again, not my fault."

He got to the door and reluctantly put her down. "Next time, I'm tossing you out on your ass."

Brenda crossed her arms. "Just for that, I'm going to show everyone that video." A slow, wicked smile crept onto her face.

"You—wouldn't—dare." She went to pull out her phone and he grabbed her wrist.

"Pull that out and you'll be dead before you hit the floor," he whispered harshly.

"There are too many witnesses, so I'm not afraid of you."

"You promised."

"So. You're a big bully and someone needs to teach you a lesson."

He leaned closer as everyone watched.

"Whatever she has on him, I need to see it," Liz whispered.

"I think I know what it is. She has never let me see it either."

"I'll get it out of her one day, even if I have to blackmail her to do it."

Doreen chuckled.

"My money is on you, honey," Felix said. "Please let me be there when it happens."

"Deal."

Brenda jerked back when he got closer only to be pulled forward roughly.

"If you show anyone that, I will leak everything about your arrest in Mexico that I made go away."

Her mouth dropped open. "You wouldn't."

"Try me." Brenda had been arrested because she had on a slutty outfit, was drunk, and came on to a cute officer. They thought she was a prostitute. It was the most pathetic mug shot ever and Stan made it all go away after much begging for Jason's help.

"Fine, you big brute."

He pulled back with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Honey, he looks downright delicious right now," their nail person said.

Liz nodded. "I can't even argue with that."

Jason sauntered back over to them. "We have to go."

Ellie couldn't help but notice that Johnny looked a little relieved that Jason's secret was safe. She filed it away and gave him a kiss. "See you later."

"Not soon enough."

Jason kissed Elizabeth and gave Doreen a hug and Jim kissed his wife before heading out.

"Alright, it's time to get out of here and get Elizabeth's hair and makeup done," Felix said.

Brenda was still pouting.

"You're not going to tell us what that was all about?" Doreen asked.

"He blackmailed me."

Everyone laughed. "What does he have on you?" Georgie asked.

"I can't tell you. It's too embarrassing."

That made Liz even more determined to find out the truth.

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Everyone waited for Liz to walk into the room. When she finally stepped into the living room, there was a smile on everyone's face.

"Girl, you look spectacular," Felix said.

"That dress is perfect."

Liz is very comfortable. She had never worn it because she had only bought it on a dare. It was just a little out of her normal comfort zone, but it wasn't tight and unforgiving, so she wouldn't mind wearing it all night.

"Beautiful," Diane said. "Love the shoes."

"Thanks. You guys look fabulous too."

Brenda smiled. "Julian, take a picture of us."

He grabbed her phone and everyone else huddled together. He still wasn't sure how he got roped into riding with all of them. "Say cheese."

"Hold on. Hold it up a little higher. It makes you look thinner," she said.

Julian looked at her like she was crazy, but he did what she asked.

"Cheese."

He took two pictures and then handed it back. "I need to call Carly and then we can go."

"Wait a minute. You're dating Carly Benson?"

"Yeah."

Her mouth opened and closed a few times and then she sighed. "Well, maybe if she's happy, she won't burn down anymore buildings."

Julian's brow went up. "She burnt down a building?"

Brenda laughed. "You have no idea what you're getting into. Do you?"

Julian wasn't sure how to answer that, so he just excused himself to go into the kitchen and make the call.

"Now don't interfere, maybe Carly is a better person with Julian," Doreen said.

Both Brenda and Diane laughed.

"She has been really nice, and I think they are perfect for each other. My dad has been out of commission for years, so don't say anything to her," Liz said.

"How is that even possible that your dad has been single?"

Liz shrugged. "He just put me first. Now, let's talk about something else, like what you have on Jason."

Brenda pretended to zip her mouth and throw away the key.

"Damn girl, whatever he has on you must be good," Felix said.

His boss shot him a look.

"My bad."

Julian came back. "Alright ladies and gents, let's go."

The ladies grabbed their purses and they filed out to the limo to meet the guys.

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When they got there, they were shocked by how much press were wandering around. Considering all that had gone down at the Metro Court, they figured people might stay away. Liz was the last to get out, and took Jason's hand and smiled.

"You look gorgeous," he said admiring the dress.

"You look very handsome in a suit."

"Thanks."

People were calling out to her, trying to get her to come talk. She stopped twice and then they ducked inside.

They went upstairs, and Jason looked around. "It looks great."

"I'm so excited. Everything is just perfect."

"Remember, you're stuck with me all night."

"That's really not a problem for me. I'm more worried about you being bored to death."

"I'm just planning on staring at you a lot."

She grinned. "Have at it."

They approached a couple and Liz introduced him. Over the course of the next two hours, Liz's nervousness calmed a bit and she talked to so many people, who were coming in and out. There were some very big executives there as well. Diane introduced her and then Liz very politely conversed with them for a while and then moved on. The artists that were exhibiting were a hit. After a lot of smiling and mindless chit chat, it finally started to thin out.

"I like that one over there," Jason said. He had enjoyed watching her work the room.

"I did that one."

Jason looked at her. "Really?"

"Yes."

"I want it. I'll pay whatever the going rate is."

"It's not for sale."

His brow went up, making her smile.

"It's yours. I never intended to put it up for sale and just used it as a sample, but if you really like it then I'll give it to you."

"I want to pay. It's supporting you and you deserve to be paid for your talent." He has a perfect spot for it in his office.

She pulled him down, so she could kiss him. "We'll talk about it later."

When all the guests were gone, she and Diane hugged and squealed.

"You were fabulous. Everyone loved you."

"Thanks. I couldn't have pulled it off without you."

Diane brushed off the compliment. "You would have. I'm very proud of you."

"Let's get out of here," Liz said. If they weren't there, then hopefully, nothing would happen. They said goodbye to their friends. Jim and Doreen had already gone home because she was tired. They were scheduled to go to Europe the next day for two weeks.

A few guards walked towards them. Julian decided to ride with them since they were all going back to the house. Once they were downstairs, the lights went off and they could hear some screams from upstairs.

"Run," Milo said.

Jason grabbed Elizabeth's hand and they ran out the back door. The lights were off in the parking lot, but the limo was running so they dove into it. As soon as the door was closed, who they thought was Max took off.

"Shit," Jason muttered. He whipped his phone out. "Johnny, talk to me."

"The lights are back on. I'm getting everyone out. I'll call you right back."

Jason cursed again. "What's happening?"

"I don't think anyone was hurt. I'll call you right back."

Julian looked out the window. "Why aren't we going home?"

"That's a great question isn't it? Pull out your guns and hold them up please," a voice demanded.

Jason and Julian did as they were told. The windows slid down a little.

"Throw them out."

They reluctantly did so.

"Your phones too please."

Jason and Julian had bought burn phones, so it really wasn't much of a loss. Liz didn't have one on her. They quickly threw tossed them.

"What about you, Elizabeth?"

"I'm not carrying a purse or a phone."

"Fine. We'll be at our destination soon. Relax."

Liz's hand found Jason's and he held it tightly.

"Now what?"

"We wait for help. They'll be here," Jason whispered.

"No talking."

A tear slid down Elizabeth's cheek. She had a really bad feeling that someone wouldn't make it out alive.

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Johnny made his way to the parking lot and off to the side, he found Max lying on the ground unconscious. "Milo! Over here!"

He ran to him and then knelt down and felt his brother's pulse. "He's still alive. Was he shot or knocked out?"

"I'm not sure." They tried to check him out. The Kevlar made it hard, but they couldn't find any wound. The Quartermaines had come early and left. Jason didn't want them there a long time, so they had compromised.

Ellie knelt and did the best she could to monitor his pulse.

"We're taking him to Sonny's. The doctor is waiting."

She stepped back and then several men got him into an SUV and then took off.

"Ellie, I need you safe. Milo will take you home. Where is Georgie?"

"She went with everyone else. They were going back to Julian's."

"If you want, he can take you there and I'll come get you later," Johnny said.

"Okay. Please be careful."

Milo led her to a car and they left.

Johnny called Stan. "Talk to me."

"Max was shot right as the lights went out. A man slipped into the limo and then Jason, Julian, and Liz got in. They are on the road to Vista Point."

"I'll be right there."

Sonny handed him some keys. "Let's go." There was no way he was going to sit around while Jason was in so much danger.