….I do not own GH or the characters….No copy write infringement intended…
A/N: this chapter starts before the ending of 27. I needed to include some of this conversation. Just didn't want you all to think I was rambling for no reason. LOL.-Hope you enjoy the update! Thanks for all the reviews! I LOVE them!
Please ignore any errors in editing. I promised an update to a friend and haven't been asleep yet. I did read it to check but I can't promise anything!
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Jason listened halfheartedly as Johnny argued with his uncle on the phone. While he agreed that Georgie would probably not be comfortable staying at Rudy's house he could see the older man's point too. The Zacchara's deep connections in organized crime started in Italy and Rudy worried that nephew's new family may be targeted during their trip. The older man's estate provided the best way of preventing any trouble while Johnny was completing the business transactions.
Finally ending the call, Johnny rubbed the back of his neck and muttered to himself, still in Italian. Catching Jason's snort he looked up questioningly.
"He isn't the only stubborn one, John. Are you sure the hotel will be safe for Georgie and Baylor while you are busy with Rudy?"
An arrogant grin met the question. "Considering that I own the hotel, I'd guarantee it. But I'm not ignorant like Rudy seems to think. I'm not leaving Georgie and Baylor unprotected while I take care of the contracts. I've already informed Logan, Wilson, and Milo that they will be accompanying us on the trip." Taking a drink of his water, Johnny leaned back in the chair. "You sure that you, Elizabeth, and the boys don't want to join us? I know how much she loves it there."
"Not this trip. I'm going to use the time that you are gone to finalize my plans for Spencer and Sam. You and Georgie could always stay at our villa. It's only a three our drive from your uncle's."
"I appreciate it, but no thanks. Georgie isn't looking forward to this trip and we both can guess why."
Understanding dawned in Jason's eyes and he cursed. "That is why you aren't staying at your mother's place that you took control of after Anthony was locked up the first time. I wondered. I know you love it."
"Exactly. She won't share details of what went on there, but I highly doubt the hotel will bring up bad memories where the estates could trigger some." Scanning the newspaper lying on the desk in front of him, Johnny couldn't help but take great pleasure in knowing that two of the main players in destroying Georgie's life no longer lived. Even with their trip in just a few days, Johnny had already made arrangements for the next group of people.
"Earth to Zacchara!" Jason called with amusement obvious in his voice. It hadn't escaped his notice that Johnny seemed preoccupied. The younger man also appeared more relaxed than he'd been since they had become partners. Jason smirked when he finally saw him snap out of his own thoughts. "Have you heard a word I said?"
"Nope," he admitted with a shrug.
"I asked if Georgie planned on taking Baylor to the picnic and carnival in the park tomorrow. We're taking the boys and I thought she might enjoy it."
"She hasn't mentioned it but she's been distracted."
"Is she still insisting on talking to Barrett and Spinelli tonight?" he asked grimly.
"Unfortunately. I know she needs to face them for the closure and her own piece of mind but I really wish she wasn't so stubborn at times. Barrett is completely freaking nuts. Then when you add in the guilt she's going to feel because of Maxie, it's just a fucking mess."
"They're getting exactly what they deserve. Cooper Barrett should thank you for your insistence on not just making him disappear. After what he did to my sister, I just want him to suffer."
Johnny felt for him. The man who rarely showed emotion unless it was related to Elizabeth had nearly fallen apart when his sister had been strangled. Johnny still remembered the agony that he had glimpsed in Jason's eyes the night of the Ball when he'd broke the news to Elizabeth in the barn. That had been the first time Johnny had ever saw any indication that Jason wasn't just the stone cold killer that his reputation stated. "I know, Jason, and as much I'd love for you to just be able to annihilate him, I won't let Baylor grow believing her biological father was the TMK now that we know the truth." His dark eyes swung up to meet Jason's. "Any luck on locating where Cassadine might have moved Diego to?"
"No. And I still can't decide why the bitch has kept him alive all these years or why she even has him." Jason stopped and glanced up at the grumbling. "You still think he could be a danger to them after learning that he was innocent? Or are you just worried about Georgie seeing him again?"
"A little of both," Johnny all but spat. "But some things that I've heard just don't add up. And even if he wasn't before, after three years of confinement and being told God knows what, I want Diego found before they use him for whatever they have in mind. If he's a danger to Georgie or Bay, then I'll do what I have to."
"She may not forgive you for that," Jason warned. "Diego and Georgie's friendship goes way back, John."
"If he's a threat and we find him before Cassadine can use him for whatever, Georgie will never know. Don't give me that look! If he's not an issue to their safety than I'm not going to kill him, Jason." Shaking his head at the blatant disbelief on Jason's face, he flipped him off as his cell rang. Seeing Logan's name Johnny hit talk. "Zacchara."
"Get home, now! I don't know what that ass said to her, but Georgie…"
"I can hear her," Johnny interrupted as he stood. "Keep him there!" he ordered before growling as he rounded the desk after hanging up. "I got to go."
"Georgie?"
"Hysterical in the background. I could barely hear Hayes because of her crying." He jerked away from Jason when he laid hand on his shoulder. "I'm leaving."
"I know. I just wanted to say that you need to watch your back, John. You took out a couple high ranking government agents yesterday. Sean will make a move soon," he warned.
Johnny jerked open the office door before turning an emotionless face back to him. "I'm prepared for that. I hope the bastard does because I'm done playing around. The Scorpio's were just a statement. Now I got to go. I'll catch up with you after I make sure that Georgie is okay."
Francis entered the office and handed him a coffee cup. "O'Brien called. He took Liz and the boys to the park. Marco and Cody joined him," he added before Jason could open his mouth. "Carly's getting close to that fitted jacket that she so richly deserves. She almost pissed her pants at seeing Johnny this morning."
Chuckling, Jason tossed him a couple files. "That is everything that was on Spinelli's computer. I need you to go through it and see if you can decipher any reason that he turned on Georgie like he did. It's all gibberish to me. The second is information on Sam. O'Brien and I were planning on using Sonny to help take her out, but the families ruined that when they stepped in and we changed tactics."
"Why not just make her vanish?" Francis asked with an edge in his deep voice. "You've done it before and evaded jail time. Jason, that bitch isn't going to stop coming after Liz. Stop trying to find an easy way to get her in custody and make up for your mistakes. You and Sonny created this mess by always protecting her, just like you did with Carly. Man up and take responsibility."
Taken back by the anger radiating from his old friend, Jason blinked. There wasn't many people who dared talk to him in such a manner, but he understood Francis' position. "You think I haven't thought of everything you just said? I have, so much that I hate myself at times, Francis. You know as well as I do that if her body turns up I will be the first suspect."
"Then make it so no half plastic body ever turns up. Excuses, Jason. You are one of the most feared men on the eastern seaboard except by skanks that you've let continuously hurt Liz. Not all women are innocent and need protected. Zacchara went after Anna Devane like he would any other problem. Do you look at him differently for that?"
"No. Anna hurt Georgie."
"And Sam hurt Elizabeth and Jake," Francis pointed out. "Either you kill the bitch or O'Brien and I will. But I will never respect you the same way if we have to come up with the plan and carry it out. She's a threat, Jason. It doesn't matter that she doesn't have a dick."
Chocking on his coffee, he glared at his friend who just shrugged. "Okay, I get your point. I guess I just still feel guilt over Manny targeting her."
Francis just snorted, unconcerned. "Sam McCall knew the danger associated with your life. I just wish Manny had succeeded in ridding us of the tramp."
Frustrated because he knew that Francis was right and that he bought her lines and acts for so long, Jason pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled heavily. "I fucked up, I know that. Do you think I don't regret what I allowed the others to get by with? Because I do. I never meant to hurt Elizabeth but that's all I did by letting her and Carly get by with all they did."
"Then handle it," Francis told him firmly. "I promised to meet Liz and the boys at the park. Are you coming?"
Looking at the paperwork on his desk, Jason stood. He could always catch up tomorrow or later tonight. He knew it was going to be a long night while he waited on word from Johnny that his sister's killer was taken care of. He had wrestled with the decision to let Zacchara handle it but in the end he relented. Georgie was still alive, still suffering because of his actions, so Jason had reluctantly agreed with Johnny's plan. Shoving away from his chair, he stood. "Yeah. I think spending some time with my family might be exactly what I need."
Max and Milo joined the two as they walked through the coffee shop. The brothers' argument had Jason tuning them out as they exited the shop and turned toward the parking lot. Hearing the gunshot and then feeling the burning sensation, Jason dropped instantly to the ground as all three of his men immediately surrounded him with their guns out and scanning the area for the threat.
"Fuck! Jason, how bad is it?" Francis demanded while motioning for Max and Milo to search the perimeter.
Hissing as pain seared through his left arm, he growled. "Through and through right above the elbow." Climbing to his feet with Francis' help, his eyes were lethal blue orbs of ice. "Call O'Brien now! I want Elizabeth and the boys taken to the Quatermaine's until we figure which fucking asshole just shot me. Tell him to explain that I am fine and to keep her there." Pulling out his own phone he hit the speed dial and barked at Diane to meet him at GH.
"What about Zacchara?"
"Call him, but tell him to stay with Georgie and Baylor. Until we find out who was behind this Georgie, Elizabeth, and all the kids need to be protected." Gingerly applying pressure to the bullet wound he groaned when the sirens approached. "Tell OB to keep Elizabeth away from the house until we are sure this is under control. Edward had security measures installed when Elizabeth I got back together at my request for just this type of situation." Going silent when Mac approached he saw the police commissioner's eyes roaming around. "Georgie wasn't here, Mac. She's at home with John. Can we do this at GH while I get checked out? Diane is on her way there."
The mobster's efficiency never ceased to amaze Mac. But at the hardness on his face, he nodded. He knew Morgan wanted to get to his family and make sure this wasn't a diversion. It sickened the commissioner to actually be in the same position. He wanted nothing more than to see Georgie and make sure she was safe as well. The fact that she married Jason's business partner was giving him an ulcer.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Johnny immediately read the misery in Guy's eyes when he stalked through the back gate. Wilson stood next to the man with an unhappy expression that did nothing to reassure him or control his growing anger. Not hearing any sounds from inside the house Johnny assumed that Logan must have been able to calm Georgie somewhat. Zeroing in on the man that was now looking at the patio floor, Johnny gave Wilson a telling look that had him backing far enough away that he was close but not able to hear what was being said.
"What the hell did you say to her?" he growled while part of him noted the swelling on the right side of the man's face. Wondering which man had hit him, he itched to do the same.
For the first time Guy wondered if Lucas' request was going to get him killed. The murderous rage in the inky black eyes had him shifting nervously. "I never meant to hurt her."
His hand shot out and his fingers clenched into the material of his shirt before jerking him to his feet. "I don't know or trust you, but I do know that Georgie did. Stop fucking around and tell me what happened, Guy. Because yesterday is only a small example of what I can do."
Swallowing fearfully he nodded and slumped back on the swing when he was released roughly. "Lucas kept something from her and I t-told her the truth."
Johnny stepped back, knowing exactly what Guy was referring to. The possibility had been there all along. "Lucas lied to her about Julian Jerome being dead," he stated flatly. "As did you. Why?"
"How did you know? No one but Lucas and I were even aware that he was alive."
"Really? Then why in the hell would the WSB torture Georgie for years in hopes of drawing him out? Murder Lucas to make a point?" he sneered in disgust. "More importantly, why did her brother not warn her? And how could her father not step forward to protect her?"
Shame and fear had him ready to throw up as his stomach churned. Fighting against the urge, Guy buried his head in his hands. "Lucas never wanted Georgie to know. He knew that Julian would not come forward to protect her and so many people that she considered family had hurt her already. He feared that learning her father was alive would drive her over the edge."
Pacing to keep from exploding, Johnny let the words sink in. "So you gave her the nudge to send her spiraling? I repeat. Why? Why now?"
"Julian fought with Lucas the day before Sean showed up and demanded that he come with him." Seeing he had caught Johnny's attention, Guy hurriedly continued. "He had just heard she had married you. He was angry that Georgie once again was connected to the life that he wanted his children to have no part of. When Lucas refused to try and convince her to leave you, they fought."
"Let me get this straight." Johnny's voice was deceptively calm but inside fury consumed him. "Georgie's father was pissed because she married me. Even though she would probably be dead and so would Baylor if Morgan and I had not stepped in to help her because he sure the fuck hasn't lifted a goddamn finger to protect his daughter. Why is that, Guy? And don't you dare tell me you don't know. I won't believe that Lucas never explained it to you."
"Because of Diego Alcazar. He refused to help her because she had been involved with him."
"So Diego should have let Anna and Frisco take her from the park?" Johnny was astonished. As screwed up as his father was, even he would protect John from outside threats while plotting to kill John himself.
"No, his refusal was based on her actions from before incident. I don't know how much you know about Georgie's past," he answered unsure if he was getting ready to make this more difficult for his friend.
"I know she had a relationship with Diego after she divorced Dillon when he knocked Lulu up."
"Relationship is the wrong word," he corrected hesitantly. "They had a friendship, a strong one. But that's beside the point. That connection to the Alcazar family is why Julian wouldn't help her. Why, I honestly don't know. But Julian insisted that Lucas needed to get her away from you and he refused. For some reason it worries him that she is married to you."
"It should," he muttered to himself. Narrowing his eyes, Johnny looked at the house while considering his options. "In my opinion you are just as much at fault for not telling her sooner. Georgie had a right to know everything, Guy. She lost her son and almost her daughter, not to mention her own life. I could kill you right here and not think twice about it or have a shred of remorse but Georgie would. If I find out that you know anything else and didn't tell me, you will die and she won't be able to save you." He watched dispassionately as the other man paled. "You want to add anything else before you go back to Tennessee?"
"We just wanted to spare her the pain that knowing he let her go through all that she did. It was a mistake, I know that, but Georgie was alone and Lucas worried how she would react. She almost killed herself once before and he was scared she would do it again" Guy closed his mouth when Johnny clenched his fists.
"She was alone, Guy, with no one to help her. This is so much bigger than you even understand. And I don't buy that her father let her go through this hell just because of Diego Alcazar." Waving Wilson forward, his eyes narrowed dangerously at the man still looking terrified. "Do not contact Georgie. If she decides she wants to speak to you, Georgie will contact you. Unless that happens, you are to stay the hell away or I will make sure that you do. Understand?" He watched as the man was led from the yard while processing everything that he'd just learned.
He found Logan upstairs leaning against the wall with his brows drawn together in concern. Georgie was nowhere in sight until he looked in their open bedroom and saw her curled up on the bed.
"She hasn't said a word except for to tell me to get away," Logan told him softly. "I think her hand might be broken but she won't let me examine it," he added before Johnny could pass him.
"What happened to her hand?"
"She punched him," Logan informed him with a lightening quick grin. "I gotta tell ya, she's got one hell of a right hook."
Trying to get a hold on his anger, he couldn't help but shake his head at that piece of information. "Can you stay inside and entertain Baylor if she gets up before Georgie or I come back down?"
"Not a problem." Logan started for the stairs and the paused before looking back. "Should I cancel the plans for tonight?"
"No. If she doesn't feel up to it then we'll go ahead as planned. I'm done screwing around. This shit is going to end." Closing and locking the door without waiting for a response, Johnny approached the bed not knowing what to expect from her but prepared for the worst. Even with her back to him he could tell that she was awake. "Georgie?"
"Go away, Johnny."
"Sorry, but that isn't an option." Joining her on the bed and gathering her into his arms, he ignored the way that she tensed. "Talk to me," he prodded.
"I'm not a child. I don't need you to babysit me. Go away."
Refusing to give in her to attempt to start a fight he flipped her onto her back, refusing to let her roll away. He tenderly checked her hand and was relieved that there was only mild swelling and appeared to be pain free. Her eyes blazed with a fire that left him mesmerized. Johnny had expected her to still be upset and tearful, but instead she looked ready to kill someone. He had a feeling that if her brother had been alive that he would have seriously regretted his decision because her temper was close to exploding.
"Can't you just leave me alone for five damn minutes, John? Or are you incapable of doing as I asked?"
"You want to scream and yell, go ahead. But I'm not leaving you alone right now."
"GET OUT!" she yelled while moving away to stand up.
His arm snaked around her waist and roughly pulled her right back to the same position. Using enough pressure to pin her wrists beside her head but not enough to hurt her, he kept her from shoving at him while looking down at her. "You're pissed and you should be. Hurl insults all you want, I don't care. But one thing I won't let you do is hurt yourself by throwing a fit, Georgie."
"Why do you care?" she demanded harshly.
"I care because I love you," he answered simply while holding her volatile eyes with his.
"You won't before it's over with," she whispered as her voice trembled.
"You're not leaving." When her eyes widened he knew his instincts had been right. For years when things got tough she'd fled and fleeing was her way of protecting herself. He realized that and was prepared for her to try to leave, had been since they'd married. But it still wasn't going to happen, not this time.
"You can't stop me if I decide I want to leave, Johnny."
"Wanna bet?" he shot back with determination coating his voice. "If you think you are walking out that door downstairs you've lost your mind. If you're so pissed that you can't think straight, no problem because I can. I won't let you hurt yourself by making it easy on everyone to come after you. God, Georgie! After yesterday Sean will not to hesitate to kill you. Not to mention Jerry, Helena, and my father are still out there as well." Her eyelids fluttered closed and he released the breath he had been holding. "I can handle your father and anyone else that's stupid enough to cross my path. Don't you ever even think about trying to protect me by painting yourself a target."
"He hates me," she whimpered as her breathing hitched her anger gave away.
Scooping her unresisting body up and pulling her close as possible, he kissed her neck. "Georgie, you've made it twenty-four years without his presence in your life. Forget about Julian Jerome. He doesn't deserve to have you or Baylor in his life. You just focus on Bay and let me deal with everything else. Okay?"
"I don't want you hurt because of me."
There it was. The reason she was so angry and lashing out. "I won't be."
Her next words were cut off by his phone ringing. Recognizing the special ringtone he cursed its timing before pulling it out and answering. As he listened his body went rigid as he sat up.
Concerned, she sat up and touched his forearm after he hung up. "What happened?"
"We need to go to Elizabeth. She's at the Quartermaine's. Jason was shot. He's okay," he quickly added when she gasped and paled. "But the guys aren't sure who took the shot. I can go alone if you'd rather stay with Bay."
Georgie shook her head and reached for his hand. "No. Elizabeth will be beside herself even if it wasn't bad. I'm coming. Just let me get Bay."
Watching as she slid on her flip flops and grabbed her bag, Johnny let his mind drift through the list of suspects who would be stupid enough to take a shot at Jason that had been so poorly planned and executed. Three names topped the list and he quickly sent the texts out to the men to have them tracking the individuals. One way or another this was going to end and soon. Elizabeth needed peace for her pregnancy to go smoothly and Johnny knew Georgie was barely hanging on after this last unexpected blow.