CHAPTER 42

Predictably, Olivia didn't take the news of Carly's disappearance at all well.

'Don't you dare tell me to relax! I don't care how you do it, make Vivian tell you where she's taken my mother!' her voice was hoarse but fierce, tired eyes now hard with fury.

Nathan, who'd come in while Bo was telling Olivia took her hand comfortingly but Olivia was too strung up with anger and anxiety to tolerate him. She shook her hand away, glaring at him. 'You get out!' she snarled, making him shrink back, hurt evident on his face. The others exchanged disturbed looks.

'Everybody out.' Bo ordered. He didn't need to tell them twice; they all scrambled for the door. Olivia struggled under his firm hands.

'I need to get out of here... I have to go find Ma...'

'Olivia, stop that...right now!' Bo hardly ever yelled at her and hated doing it now but someone had to force Olivia to pull herself together. 'Now's not the time to take it out on everybody or do anything crazy; I'm going to get your Mum home safe, with every means necessary! But I don't want to have to worry about you too so you've got to keep a level head!' His voice softened at the pale, angry face in front of him, reading her mind like a book. He understood his headstrong daughter only too well; for several years it had been only her and Carly hence the difficulty to relinquish the role she'd been forced to assume.

'You've always been the one protecting your mother and I know you're worried and scared for her. But you have me now, and your uncles; we're going to get her back.'

'And Vivian?' Olivia said bitterly. 'She's going to elude the law again...'

'Like hell she will,' Bo denied, his eyes now hard like hers. 'Even if she escapes kidnapping charges, she won't escape charges of attempted murder. I'll personally see to that. And you will have to do your part by trusting me.'

'It's not that I don't trust you, Dad...'

'I'm responsible for you and your Mum now, Olivia.' Bo cut in firmly. 'This is Salem not Alamainia; you leave the job of protector to me from now on, understood?'

Olivia looked at him, her face set in stubborn lines as she struggled between heeding her father and venting out her anxiety some more. Finally, she gave a defeated nod.

'It will be okay, kitten.' He promised, holding her close. 'Just hang in there.'

'Okay,' she whispered against his chest. 'Bring her back, Dad. I'm counting on you.'

Kissing the top of her head, he set Olivia back down on the bed and tucked her in.

'Let's get you nice and comfortable here.' He straightened the pillow under Carly's head.

'I'm good,' she protested weakly, a faint smile on her face.

'Well tucked in, hmm?' he insisted.

She shook her head at his fussing. 'Yeah, I am.'

Anyone looking at her would find it difficult to believe she'd almost died of internal bleeding. If he'd lost her, his life would've definitely been over.

'What?' Olivia's concerned voice jolted him back to the present. 'What's wrong?'

Bo shook his head, assuring her it was nothing.

'I called Steve for you, about Vivian.' Kayla informed him as Bo closed the door behind him. ' He said he was going to the Salem Inn with Rafe to haul her in for questioning.'

'I'm going over there myself. Newton...' the guard hurried to him. 'Remember, no one but medical staff and family members are allowed into my daughter's room. And make sure every doctor or nurse's ID is checked.'

'Yes sir.'

'Vivian obviously hired a professional to kidnap Carly; someone that could blend in a crowd,' said Phillip. ' Because I don't remember seeing anyone suspicious in town since she arrived.'

'I'm increasing security.' Bo decided grimly. ' Two officers will be stationed at the hospital's entrance, Newton will stay up here and keep his eyes wide open. In the meantime, you guys stay with Olivia and try and calm her down.'

Bo looked stolid to all present but was inwardly burning with anger, frustration and fear. And in truth, the flash of memory he'd had earlier disturbed him; it seemed almost like an omen. Like it was trying to tell him he was already too late to save Carly.

:::::::::::::::

Carly had stopped screaming herself hoarse, realising it was futile. Who the hell would hear her in a sealed casket -God knows how many feet -below the ground? She knew Vivian was a vicious creature but had been naive enough to think she wouldn't pull this stunt again and right under Bo's nose. Thinking of him made her want to weep, but she couldn't afford to let herself lose control; she would go insane. They may have underestimated Vivian, but she's made a big mistake this time. It wasn't like before, seventeen years ago when Bo and their family and friends had no idea Vivian had buried her alive. It was only a matter of time before Bo rescued her. She shut her eyes, willing herself not to scream again as she felt the walls closing in on her. She mustn't succumb to the agonising fear, she mustn't!

A scratchy noise near her ear startled her, accompanied by a mock singsong voice. 'Carly dear... are you awake now?'

Gritting her teeth in fury, Carly groped about, expecting to grab hold of a walkie talkie but couldn't find one, probably the radio was built-in, or she would have ripped the batteries out. Step Two of Vivian Alamain's Mind Game- the gloating and taunting... waiting to hear her prisoner beg for her life. Only this time, Carly was not going to give her the satisfaction.

'Carly? You aren't by any chance ignoring me, are you?' Vivian tutted. 'I do apologise for the confined accommodations, a sarcophagus was what I had in mind initially but it would have been too conspicuous to haul about Salem, don't you think?

Don't answer her, Carly told herself, fiercely. Whatever she says, don't give in to despair.

Vivian's tone became icy-cold, infuriatingly arrogant like Lawrence's. 'Very well then… carry on with the silent treatment, it means nothing to me. After all, I've finally got you right where I want you, Carly Manning- under my hand. You honestly thought you were safe from me, you were wrong, bitch!' her voice rose, sounding almost manic. 'YOU WERE WRONG! How does it feel Carly… knowing you and that precious policeman of yours were outsmarted again? He was so sure he could protect you and that murdering brat from my revenge, pah! Lawrence was better off without the likes of you, Katarina Von Leuschner. You'd been dead by now if Ivan hadn't gotten soft and betrayed me. You maybe from one of the first families in Europe but to me, you've always been a low-life cow. Using your so-called charm to beguile men before tossing them aside; first Lawrence, then Victor... before sleeping with his own son behind his back, you broke his heart like you broke my nephew's!'

If she wasn't flat on her back, locked away in a casket, Carly would have laughed. She knew very well what Vivian was trying to do; provoke her into losing her cool. Well, screw you bitch. You aren't going to mess with my head, not this time.

'Have your fun now,' Vivian hissed, finally realizing Carly wasn't going to oblige by answering her. 'But just so you know my dear Katarina, the air supply in the oxygen tank will only last you the night. By dawn, you'll be breathing your last and the toxic fumes slowly eating your mind. Goodnight, forever.'

Carly felt the stabbing rise of panic but stifled the scream threatening to come out of her throat. Will Bo find her on time? No… he was a shrewd detective; he, Roman and Patch- they won't rest until they captured Vivian, force her to tell them where she was. Bo would probably go out of line and physically torture her. For the first time, Carly hoped he would carry out his threat. The woman was beyond redemption.

My love, I miss you already, Carly cried in her heart. But I know you'll come for me and I will see you and Olivia again, finally have the life we were robbed of. It's going to be heaven on earth. You've done nothing but show me heaven since I came back. I will survive this.

She suddenly remembered what Bo had told her their first morning together after his escape from Torres; how the image of her face had kept him going while in captivity. If there was anything that could keep her from losing her mind right now was the clear image of the father of her child, the only man she's ever loved; passionate, wonderful, protective Bo who would bend over backwards for his loved ones… her Bo, hers.

Seated on their bed, brushing her hair she watched Bo as he went through her CD collection, wondering if he realized how devastating he looked; his blatantly male body naked except for a pair of tight faded jeans. But then again, she always got the hots for him, no matter what he had on.

Slipping the selected CD into the compartment, Bo pressed 'play', moving over to join her.

'Here, let me do that.' Taking the brush from her, he sat behind her and slowly ran the brush through the chestnut strands, Janet Jackson's 'Someday is tonight,' serenading them from the stereo, her soft voice adding to the serenity around them. His other hand sensually caressed her neck.

'Mmm, that feels great,' she murmured.

'More than happy to serve, princess.' She felt the warmth of his breath as he kissed her cheek. 'Anytime.'

She reached behind to stroke his hair. 'Just like old times, isn't it? I'd come back to the boat tired out, and you'd do this... then you'd make dinner...'

'Yeah, those were wonderful times.' He said quietly. Putting the brush down, he encircled her waist, flush against his chest. 'It was one of the many memories I kept locked away for so long. I knew if I'd let myself go over them...I won't be able to stop crying.'

Her heart clenched at the thought of his suffering. 'Sweetheart...' she squeezed the arms holding her.

'I know, stop thinking about it. From now on, we're making new memories.' Raising his chin from her shoulder, he planted kisses up the side of her neck, making her tremble.

'We are?' she chuckled.

Bo smiled, nibbling her ear. 'You bet we are. Starting right now.'

'I thought we took care of that like five nights ago.'

'I wasn't living here then. Tonight's our official first night here as a family; you, me, Olivia.'

'You have no idea how thrilled she is you moved in with us.' She said softly, stroking his cheek. 'I've probably said this before but... I never thought this could be the two of us together like this- hearing you say you love me again. That night on the beach when you told me... it was the best moment of my life.'

'Me too,' Bo replied, brushing back a few strands of hair from her face. 'I've wanted to tell you for so long. But I didn't want you to think it was some sort of rebound or feel responsible for my divorce. I was afraid you wouldn't give me a chance if you knew too soon.' he kissed her long and hard, murmuring against her lips, 'You're more than worth the wait, princess.'

She turned in his arms, kissing him back, fingers buried deep in the hair covering his chest. 'Well then... let's start making new memories.'

'Great idea.' Deepening the kiss, he pulled the blue tank top over her head, hands going over her body, before unclasping her bra and taking her breast in his mouth, his thumb tormenting the other.

She shut her eyes, feeling the stab of desire, the running blazing flame racing through her. She held his head, whimpering. 'Oh, please...'

Meeting her eyes, he smiled up at her; piercing brown eyes sparkling, his love for her more than obvious.

They kissed again, mouths and tongues merging in a hot passionate frenzy, as he lowered onto to the bed; loving the feel of his weight on her, savouring the excruciating heat coming from him. Eyes squeezed shut; she arched her back, surrendering to his frenzied kisses.

'I love you... tell me you love me...'

'I do princess...' he growled, against her stomach. 'I do...'

Carly brushed away the tears from her eyes, mouth trembling. Please God, she begged, guide him to me.

Gus shook his head, marvelling at Carly's stolid attitude. 'She's tough, that woman.'

'Shut up.' Vivian snapped, infuriated she'd been unable to crack Carly. 'Don't credit her with any type of valour. She's simply denying me my moment of triumph!' She paced the dirty carpet, shuddering at the seedy room. She'd managed to make it to a motel on the outskirts of Salem, away from the main road, checking in under a false name and heavily disguised. Once she was certain it was safe, she'd called Gus to meet her, instructing him to use a special knock. Bo Brady must have already put an APB on her but he won't be able to find her. Even if Victor did know where she was, it didn't matter. There was no way he was going to implicate himself by confessing his own part of the plot. She could kick herself; how the hell could she have known the brat had a family birthmark? There went her dream of being Victor's wife forever. Now she will have to leave Salem again... but not before she carried out the last phase of her revenge.

'You have to get Olivia out of that hospital. I aim to have her buried side by side with her mother. You'll get another casket, a cheap one this time, no padding and no oxygen tank.' Her thin lips twisted vindictively. 'Her final hours will be spent in pure agony.'

Gus opened his mouth to argue but shut it again. How the hell did she hope he'll succeed at this hare-brained scheme? The princess will be surrounded by heavily armed guards waiting to shoot any intruder on sight. It was going to be very, very difficult indeed. But Madam was not the sort of woman who listened or tolerated excuses. If she wanted something done, she got it done no matter what. And he was sworn to her service.

'Yes, madam.' He said, hoping the resignation wasn't obvious in his voice.

:::::::::::::::::::

Caroline was waiting at the station with Max when Bo, Steve and Roman got back from the Salem Inn. 'Well?' Caroline demanded anxiously.

'She checked out hours ago,' said Steve in disgust. 'The bitch's gone underground.'

'When I get my hands on that... that creature...' Bo's voice shook with anger.

Everyone watched him, clearly seeing just what the situation was doing to him. His face wore the look of a man ready to kill, face red, eyes blazing.

'You need to calm down...' Max began, almost jumping out of his skin at the look on his brother's face.

'Calm down? You have any idea who we're dealing with?'

'You can't believe she's dead, Bo.' Steve said firmly, willing his best friend to pull himself together.

'No, you mustn't think that, son!' Caroline exclaimed, grabbing his arm. 'She's alive, I know she's alive! And you're going to find her.'

Roman shook his head soberly. 'The odds are against us, Ma.'

Caroline turned to look at him. 'What do you mean by that?'

Roman nodded to Rafe, unable to speak. Rafe opened the evidence folder he was holding. 'We found this in her room.'

Caroline and Max scanned its content, filled with horror.

'A receipt for the purchase of a casket?' cried Max. 'She wouldn't!'

'Oh my God!' Caroline looked at Bo, whose eyes where blazing in his set face. 'Bo...'

Bo's voice was curt. 'Vivian bound to have an oxygen tank in the casket, keep Carly alive to torture her emotionally like she did before, which buys us some time. Rafe,' he turned to his niece's fiancé, 'Put out the APB on Vivian Alamain, I want several officers on this.'

Rafe nodded, leaving the room.

'I think it would be a good idea to pay Kiriakis a visit,' Roman said.

'You think Victor will know where Vivian bu...' Caroline swallowed, 'took Carly?'

'Justin has this theory that Victor's been acting under cover ... pretending to be on Vivian's side to find out what she's up to.' Bo said, coldly. 'But there are a lot of things that don't make sense. For instance, Max said he stopped by our house, looking for Carly, acting weird, right?'

Max nodded.

Caroline rubbed her nose in confusion. 'If he did know something, why didn't he tell you instead?'

'It's exactly the question I want answered. Steve, Roman... let's head over there now.'

'We're coming too.' Max said firmly. 'We all might as well hear Victor's explanation.'

Bo knew his biological father well enough to know they weren't going to get the whole truth from his mouth. But as long as he knew enough to lead them to his princess, he didn't care.