….I do not own GH or any of the characters….unfortunately….

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! They are probably the best part about posting the updates. I enjoy hearing all your thoughts and especially the guesses on what will happen next. Hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Chapter Nineteen

"I'm not interested!" Carly snapped before the door to her office had fully closed.

"Nice to see you again too," Sonny quipped, his dimples flashing. Ignoring her huff he settled into the chair across from her desk. "Considering that you've been tossed aside like yesterday's garbage, I expected warmer greeting."

"Sonny, I don't have time for your games. Jason will eventually wake up and see through Princess Bitch's act. But he'll never forgive you for endangering Jake."

"I made a business decision," he defended. "And his son is perfectly safe. Zacchara and Lansing failed to implement their plan because Zacchara Jr. betrayed Anthony." Unrepentant, he shrugged. "In the end it doesn't matter. I'm taking back what is mine."

Amazed at his ability to blindly believe he would be forgiven, she rolled a pen between her palms. "You're dreaming. You know as well as I do that Jason loves children. Stop being dense, Sonny. Are you off your meds again?"

"Listen to yourself, Carly, and take your own warning if you think it's hopeless that Jason will forgive. I heard all about your stunt at GH, attacking Elizabeth. While it burns you, that baby she's carrying is Jason's and you almost caused her to miscarry."

"NO!" she screeched. "That whore is lying! The damn thing is probably Lucky's. She seesaws back and forth between him and Jason, stringing them both along. She doesn't care that she repeatedly breaks Jason's heart in the process!" Breathing heavily, she jumped up from her chair and paced, her mind furiously trying to block out Sonny's taunting. "He'll never abandon me! I'm Michael's mother. He swore to always be there for him!"

Desire started to build as he listened to her rant. Carly in meltdown mode had always got his blood boiling. But unfortunately his goal was not seduction, not this visit at least. While he loved Kate, she would never be Carly. There was something about the wild blond that enchanted him. "Hate to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but Michael is no longer a child. The security net that you've clung to for the last eighteen years is gone, Carly."

"No! That pale, figureless bitch can't satisfy him!" She refused to even contemplate that she had lost.

Finally spotting the glint in her eyes that he needed, Sonny leaned forward, offering a sympathetic expression. "Deep inside you've known this day would come. Elizabeth Webber finally won. We're both going to be kicked aside while her and those worthless children take our place. The only question is when, not if, Jason will come after us."

Confusion warred with the pain in her heart. "But you said that you'd be forgiven."

'Gotcha!' he mentally crowed. The only consistent trait that Carly possessed was her need to control Jason, to always be first. "Both of us could be right back in our rightful place, as Jason's family, if Elizabeth no longer factored into the equation. That damn Johnny Zacchara just had to stick his nose in Anthony's plan. Too bad there isn't anyone else that we could use to get rid of Elizabeth."

Licking her lips excitedly, Carly practically bounced on her feet. The answer couldn't have been simpler. "Sam," she breathed. "We need to subtly rev Sam up to destroyed Miss Perfect."

Pretending to consider the idea, he finally frowned. "I don't know. Johnny Zacchara always being around may be an issue. He could attempt to interfere again."

Carly's entire face brightened. The perfect weapon against that annoyance already existed. "Don't you worry about that. Lulu's already been whining that he married that twit Georgie. It'll be easy for Lulu to take away the man that Georgie latched onto so Diego's daughter could have a father. After all, no man would pick her over Lulu. Dillon proved that already."

"Carly, he married Georgie for control of Lorenzo's estate. Even he isn't stupid enough to leave her. He'd lose too much power," Sonny warned.

"Good. Dante can't find out anyway. It'd crush Lulu. This way Georgie just needs to either suspect or catch Johnny with Lulu. Problem taken care of after that." Certain of success, Carly beamed. "I'll get Lulu on board. You take care of Sam."

Sonny agreed and left just minutes afterwards. Manipulating Carly had been a piece of cake. Passing Jax in the hall he narrowed his eyes as hatred surged through his veins. Once Jason was back to following his orders the Australian would cease to be a problem. That the man had dared to kiss Kate ate at him.

Dialing the memorized number while almost purring in satisfaction, Sonny whistled at the prospect of winning. "Hook, line, and sinker. Now you need to get your part in place, Anthony. No screw-ups this time," he growled before hanging up.

Anthony cackled before motioning to the other individual sitting at the table. "Corinthos will cease to exist as soon as Morgan catches wind of his latest scheme for his beloved Miss Webber. Remember, the note needs to be delivered to John tomorrow morning."

"Are you sure that he'll figure it out?"

"Oh yeah! Or at least the parts that I want him to. He may despise me, but he's about to learn firsthand how easy it is to embrace the darkness if it's your only chance."

Warily eyeing the devious and insane man that was blackmailing him into the unthinkable, he scrubbed his hands over face. "And what about his wife?" he asked, his voice cracking.

Anthony didn't miss the display of emotion, his eyes hardening. "The child is the one needed to gain control of everything. She is first priority. As for Georgianna, I admit that I'm impressed by her grit and fire. Her fate rests solely in John's hands. If he can save her as well I will not deny him his desire. But make no mistake, if at any time it appears that any of the other multiple threats are threatening Baylor, you better get her to safety. Georgianna and Diego's daughter is the key to unlimited power. Biologically a Jerome and Alcazar, and now a Zacchara, the power that she inherited awes me. Too bad my son fights so hard to resist what I taught him. By the time I am finished he will have tasted the forbidden."

Snatching the white enveloped from the table top, the unwilling associate made sure to slam the door as he left the rundown chain motel. Once in his vehicle he dropped his forehead to the steering wheel. "Oh, Georgie, I'm so damn sorry," he whispered. Debating on confessing all to Johnny and begging for mercy, he wondered if his life would be spared. In the end there was a slim possibility of survival either way.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"When are you three leaving for Italy?" Jason asked as Johnny handed him a beer.

"In a week. I'd be willing to go now just to get Georgie away from Port Charles for a while but the families demanding our presence tomorrow night nixes that idea. I also spoke with Verona about the property that Skye sold him. He's extremely pissed at your sister, but he reluctantly agreed to sign everything back over to me."

"I'm not getting in the middle of that mess or stepping in to save her. Skye lied about Lilarae's paternity to gain control of Alcazar's money and power that rightfully belongs to Baylor. I don't care that she knew nothing about Georgie and Baylor. Skye never should've sold those properties on false pretenses. Verona won't harm Lilarae, but he'll make Skye regret screwing him over." Jason looked up to see Elizabeth worriedly watching Georgie as the younger woman helped Baylor pull the arm floats into place. "How did she react to learning about the text picture Barrett received?"

"Georgie's maintaining, that's about all I can say."

"Let me guess, she focuses on anything else." At the nod of agreement, Jason rubbed his hands on his jeans. "I hate when people try to give me advice, Johnny, so I usually just let others be. But in this case I've dealt with the same avoidance tactics. Elizabeth used to be the queen of keeping problems bottled up. Make her talk. It will help."

Exasperated, Johnny drained his beer. "You think I haven't tried everything I can think of?"

O'Brien dropped onto the empty deck chair, joining the group after calling home and checking on Sarah. "You're going about it wrong, Zacchara. She lived with us for half a year. In that time I realized that Georgie is more like Elizabeth, and even Sarah, than you probably know. Piss her off. Push the issue. Those three like to hold things in, believing that they somehow brought it on themselves. Push Georgie to the point that you normally drop it because you start to feel bad for upsetting her. And as much I know you don't want to, keep it going. Those damn walls she hides behind will crumble." When Johnny looked at him like he belonged in a padded cell, he hitched a thumb at Jason. "Trust us. Lizzie tried the same shit with Jason when she was younger. Sarah did too when we first met. Listen to the voice of experience. It won't take much more anyway. Georgie's wound tight."

"By the way, Xavier reported in," the Irishman continued, his focus shifting to Jason. "Sonny arrived last night. Anthony, Trevor, and Spencer Jr. met him at the airport." He ignored Jason's curse. "Then today Sonny met with the banshee before going to visit the whore that you tried make into a decent human being."

Spitting out his drink of beer, Johnny snorted while Jason glared. "He's got a point, ya know. I never did figure out what you saw in Sam."

"One word, Johnny. Lulu. You have no room to talk about vapid wastes of space," he fired back.

"Go to hell, Jason. I never met her but Elizabeth told me all about Courtney. You get the stupidity award. And that's not even including Carly into the running."

"Both of you stop squabbling. You're acting worse than Cam and Jake."

Jason's lips curved upward and Johnny instantly knew he had something on his friend and was about to spill. "O'Brien there just doesn't want it out that he fell for Brenda while she was yo-yoing between Sonny and Jax."

"And you married her," Elizabeth injected as she approached, earning a chuckle from the other two while Jason growled at the reminder.

"Did you come over just to take up for the leprechaun?" Jason asked while tugging her onto his lap.

Her bright blue eyes sparkled with laughter. "OB can take care of himself. Or at least I hope so after all these years." She stopped and turned slightly as Georgie headed toward the front yard while holding her cell phone to her ear. "That's why I came over."

"So? Georgie's old enough to talk on the phone, Liz."

Propping her hands on her hips, Elizabeth sighed. "I know that, OB. I just thought that you three might be interested to know that Alexis is trying to brow beat Georgie into letting Baylor visit with her while Mac is working. I could hear her yelling from where I was sitting across from Georgie when she was told no."

Johnny furrowed his brow. "Why on earth would Alexis even ask if Mac isn't home? It's no secret that she's been talking shit about Georgie."

"Because she thinks I'm stupid or suffering from amnesia," Georgie answered while exiting from the sliding glass doors. Making sure that Baylor was still playing in the pool, she sat on the cooler containing the guy's beer. "Alexis and Jerry were involved at one time. Between her past relationships with him and Sonny, there is no way I'd trust her alone with Bay. Not to mention I heard Sammy in the background. That Mac sleeps with that uptight, condescending and hypocritical bitch is unbelievable. He really must've been desperate. He'd been better off to just pay for it than deal with her nonsense. It's too bad that Helena enjoys taunting her so much and hasn't just gotten rid of her."

Elizabeth laughed so hard that Jason had to grab her to keep her from falling off his lap. Wiping the tears from her face, she started all over again at spying the flabbergasted looks on the men's faces while Georgie just shrugged nonchalantly. Georgie had told Elizabeth about all the snide comments that Alexis would fling at her whenever Mac was not present.

All four turned as shouting erupted from the pool quickly followed by a wail. Frowning, Elizabeth stood and started over to break up the argument while Baylor shot past her and threw herself at Georgie, wrapping her arms around her legs while looking up with quivering lips.

"What's the matter, Bay?" Georgie squatted down and brushed her wet hair from her forehead.

"Jake kicked me!"

"On accident!" Jake hurriedly added as he walked up and hugged the crying toddler, stealing a quick glance at his dad. "I didn't mean to, Bay. I'm sorry."

"Oktays," she forgave but still sniffled while rubbing her eyes.

Georgie tousled Jake's spiky blond hair. "Accidents happen. She's fine, buddy, just sleepy." She looked up Johnny and he nodded.

Standing and swinging Baylor up into his arms, he grinned when Cam tucked a towel around the half asleep little girl. Cam and Jake often fought over anything and everything but both felt guilty when Baylor ended up a causality of their wars. He sometimes found himself just watching the three play, amazed at how they would fight but then instantly apologize and try extra hard to be nice after it was all over. Claudia had been his protector when they were young, but there had not been the playful altercations because of Anthony. Shoving aside the depressing memories, he noticed O'Brien joining him as he lagged behind Georgie as she walked to the gate while saying goodbye to Elizabeth and Jason.

"Take my advice, Zacchara. You'll get her talking if you do. I think you both need it," he added before loping off after Cam and Jake squirted him with their super soakers.

Johnny had no intention of pushing Georgie like that, fearing the opposite response. He knew that eventually she'd open up, but it would happen when she was ready. Forcing the issue could very well cause her to shut down completely. He knew that she trusted him but was still trying to keep from relying on him too much. Adjusting Baylor as her head lulled, he felt her eyes on him. The others weren't taking into consideration all the people in her past that abandoned her when things got rough. Once she accepted that he sticking with them, Johnny believed those last protective barriers would disappear.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"She's out like a light. I'm surprised she gave in so easily after the late nap that she took."

Lifting her head from the back of the couch, Georgie opened her eyes and yawned. "Bay tends to sleep more in the summer, especially if she's out in the heat."

"Looks like she isn't the only one," he teased. Catching the throw pillow that she tossed at his head, he bit back a groan when she stretched. The glimpse of taunt stomach muscles and smooth skin brought to the surface all the emotions that he was trying to keep in check.

Unfolding her feet from underneath her, Georgie glanced up at his prolonged silence. The unmasked desire in his dark eyes caused her inhale sharply. "Johnny," her voice trembled and she swallowed thickly. "I think…"

Never taking his eyes off hers, Johnny waited. He heard the change in her voice. Needing her to be completely sure he remained still. The insecurity swimming in her chocolate colored eyes was slowly changing to mirror his own desire, making his heart race.

Georgie's determination to ignore her own body's response broke. Throwing all thoughts of caution aside, she reached for him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his head down to hers, all the while never breaking eye contact. Barely brushing her lips to his in a feather light touch, she shivered at the mere contact.

Immediately taking control, Johnny wove his fingers through her silky tresses and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Taking advantage of her gasp he slipped his tongue into her mouth and drank in the exquisite taste that he'd been craving since the day at his penthouse. Only releasing her lips when air became a necessity, he nibbled on her bottom lip before trailing soft kisses down the slope of her neck while suckling periodically.

Heart thundering in her chest, Georgie whimpered as her hands trailed down his back. Jerking his shirt up and lightly running her nails over his exposed skin, she moaned while he traced her curves and recaptured her mouth. The passion flaring to life left her yearning for more as her breathing turned shallow.

Instead of the possessiveness he'd unleashed at first, Johnny lightened the kiss to a sensual exploration that left her trembling as he eased her down on the couch. Deftly unbuttoning her blouse and pushing it open, he cupped her perfect breasts, flicking her hardened nipple while kissing her collarbone. Feeling heart racing he paused and locked eyes with her. Her skin was flushed and her face clouded with need. "God, Georgie, you're so beautiful, so amazing." His warm breath fanned her sensitive skin. "I want you. But I need to hear you say this is what you want. I want you to be sure." Moving back up her body so that he was directly over Georgie, he caressed her cheek. "No regrets." When she bit her lip and nodded, he shakily exhaled. "You gotta say it, Georgie. Tell me this is what you want, what you need."

"Johnny, please, I want…" the pounding on the door drowned out the rest of her words but not his curse.

"Shit!" he hissed, wishing he could slowly kill the guards. But he knew for the guys to disturb them this late that it was important. Trying to regain his composure, Johnny sat up after briefly resting his forehead on hers and gently pulled her shirt together. Scanning her red face and the way she avoided looking at him hinted that the intrusion may have accomplished more damage than just pissing him off. "I gotta see what they want. I'll be right back."

Mortified at the loss of her senses, Georgie buttoned her shirt back up before escaping to the kitchen on weak legs. Her insides were still quivering and she felt like she was on fire. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and taking a drink, she leaned over the counter and buried her face in her hands. Fighting against the intense attraction may have been possible if Johnny gave her the slightest excuse to back away. Instead the man unknowingly made it harder to ignore her rapidly growing feelings.

Johnny walked up behind Georgie and cleared his throat.

Turning around all thoughts of awkwardness fled. She was no stranger to death. The way he held himself and looked at her was undeniable. Flinching when he reached for her arm, Georgie sidestepped him, unable to deal with the support he'd give without falling to pieces. "I know that look." Lightheaded with dread, she licked her lips. "Just tell me, Johnny. Who's dead?"

"I don't know who it is, Georgie," he admitted. Dreading what had to be done, Johnny lifted a manila envelope. "There's a picture with a note to show you. It's bad, baby, really bad. I have no idea who even sent this. It was found in your car when Wilson noticed the door ajar."

"I know the handwriting," she admitted after seeing the front. "That was given to me before Baylor was born." The color from her face had drained, causing him to step forward and wrap an arm around her waist.

"Let's sit down." Leading her to a chair and then kneeling in front of her, he wished there was another way. "Where did you have the envelope last?"

"Prague. I took it with me when I left after Diego's death. That's his handwriting on the front actually. It originally contained the confirmation letter of my pregnancy and the first two ultrasounds. We were going to put together a scrapbook. I thought it was destroyed in Prague when Alex got rescued me." Tears fell unnoticed as she clutched his free hand tightly. "Obviously someone from the WSB put it here. No one else could've got their hands on it."

"Georgie, we have to know who this is. I hate you seeing this picture. I'm not gonna lie about how bad it is. But if you don't think you can, we'll figure out another…."

Taking a steadying breath she squeezed his hand nervously. "I need to know, Johnny." Accepting the reluctantly handed over envelope, Georgie shook. Fear slithered down her spine mingled with apprehension and denial. They had killed someone because of her. She knew they were trying to intimidate her into doing what they needed because Johnny had her and Baylor surrounded by guards at all times.

Pain shot through her body and the photo fell to the floor as she jumped to her feet after recognizing the man who'd clearly been tortured mercilessly. "NO! Damn it, NO!"

Quickly catching her as she sank to the floor, Johnny vowed to kill the people who had ordered and carried out the execution of the young man in the picture. Georgie was more distraught than he'd ever seen anyone. Compassion flooded him as he rocked his sobbing wife in his arms, while his mind started connecting the dots. Praying that his suspicion was wrong, he just held her. No magical words existed to ease the pain or guilt that she would be feeling. "Who is it, Georgie?" he whispered fifteen minutes later as she rested in his arms after running out of tears.

"My brother. It's Lucas." Her voice was muffled from where she had her face buried in his shoulder, but he still heard her despondent answer. Johnny vehemently wished she hadn't seen the picture or that he'd been wrong about who was executed in the photograph. Keeping quiet about the scrap of paper tucked in his pocket that had accompanied the package, he rose with Georgie cradled in his arms. Tomorrow he'd decide how to handle what they had done, but tonight his wife needed him to take care of her. More guards had been called in and probably at that very minute already in place. He'd ordered Wilson to contact the men after reading the other piece of paper threatening the same fate for Baylor unless Georgie cooperated with their demands.

Once in the bedroom, he laid with Georgie as she remained silent but clung to him. Her small hands were fisted into his shirt, tightening if he moved a fraction. His mind raced with concern for her and Baylor. The blatant disregard for human life sickened him. For the first time ever he began to see that his father was not the epitome of evil and that worse did existed. Feeling her tears once again start to fall, he moved so that her head rested on his chest without releasing her. He needed to be close to Georgie as much for him as for her tonight. For once he understood why his father would strike out at his enemies loved ones, inflicting as much damage as possible. It was only because he feared Georgie would be unable to forgive him that he kept from doing the same. Lorenzo's connection flashed through his mind and he began to formulate a plan for all those that were involved in what occurred in Prague.

Downstairs another envelope, this one white, was being slid under the back door. The man held his breath as Milo rounded the side of the house and approached him.

"Everything secure back here?" Milo asked while sending a text to Morgan, updating him on the newest developments.

"Yeah. Just making sure the doors are locked."

Milo nodded as his phone beeped. "I gotta go wake Spinelli. Jason's demanding to see him tonight. Make sure that you guys don't make much noise. Baylor is sleeping and I'm sure that Zacchara is trying to get Georgie to join her."

Following Milo back to the front, he counted his blessings. Damn Anthony! Seconds earlier and Milo would have caught him.