(A/N: Of course, this was written before we found out Zeke was a lawyer and on the straight and narrow. lol He and Jordan are still hot though. Also, sorry for the lack of Sprina and Jex in this chapter. Sometimes, it's necessary to leave the lovers out so the plot can move along)
Carly was finishing up the last of the dishes from dinner when Sonny arrived at her door. She sighed and rolled her eyes, wondering what in the world her ex-husband would want with her this time? He wasn't due to pick up Donna for a few days now and it was Ava that basically made up the schedule for her to see Avery. She could not think of why Sonny would come to see her at this hour. Sighing, she placed her dish towel on the counter and opened the kitchen door.
"Sonny. You're here awfully late. What can I do for you?" Carly walked back over to the sink.
"I need to talk to you. It's about Josslyn," Sonny stated, his voice firm and determined. He was not going to take no for an answer.
Carly frowned. Ever since the divorce and Joss had made clear that she no longer wanted anything to do with Sonny, the mobster had kept his distance. He barely even asked about Josslyn. So this was totally out of the blue to her. "What about Joss? She didn't try to interrupt your business dealings again, did she?"
"No, it's nothing like that," Sonny took a deep breath, his dark eyes never leaving hers. "Look...you may want to sit down for this."
Carly frowned and became alarmed. She was not liking the sound of this at all. What was going on? Why was Sonny here asking about her daughter?
"I don't think so. What's going on? Just tell me."
Sonny rubbed the back of his neck, feeling reluctant, but he knew that there was no way out of this. "Well, you haven't heard from her tonight, have you? Not like you normally would."
Carly's frown deepened as she realized that indeed, she hasn't heard from Joss. Usually, she'd have at least a text from her by now if not a call. "You're right. I haven't."
"You won't. You won't be hearing from her for a while."
"What? Why? What's going on and how is your business involved? I know it has something to do with you if you're here."
Sonny held up his hands in defense. "Hey, this was not because of me...well not directly anyway. The thing is this. My man, Dex, you know, Joss's new boyfriend who you had no problem in her dating."
"I know who Dex is," Carly nearly snapped in her impatience.
"Right. Anyway, he witnessed Selina Wu murdering Gladys. She caught him spying on her and ran straight to Joss's dorm."
"What?! Why?! He should have known how dangerous that was! That it would put Joss in danger!"
"They called me and told me what happened...and I've set them up in one of my safe houses to keep them safe. Don't worry. My people surround the area. None of Selina's people have a prayer of finding them."
"Oh my god!" Carly gripped the side of her head, feeling a headache building. "How could this have happened! Why?! Why did you even hire that guy?! Jason would never have been caught up like this! Now my daughter is in danger because of that…!"
"Carly, calm down! Joss is safe and that's what's important. I'm going to continue to keep her safe until I get Wu neutralized!"
"Neutralize her now, Sonny! As soon as possible! Joss has a life to live! Friends, school...she doesn't have time to be on the run with one of your thugs!"
"I thought you liked Dex?"
Carly threw Sonny a glare that would have set him on fire if it could. Sonny just shrugged.
"Anyway, don't worry about Joss. I have her safety covered. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go talk to Taggert and Laura," Sonny headed for the door, his mission to inform Carly complete.
"Why do you have to talk to them?"
Sonny sighed and again was rubbing the back of his neck. "It turns out that Trina's mother had put a hit out on Spencer and now Trina and Spencer are both in hiding with Joss and Dex."
"What the hell? Her mother seemed so nice though."
Sonny shrugged. "Some mothers would do anything to protect their kids. For some reason, Portia sees Spencer as a threat."
"Ridiculous! But at least Joss isn't alone. Two of her friends are with her," Carly sighed, drawing some comfort from that fact.
Sonny simply nodded. "Yeah. Maybe I'll do something nice for them while things are hot here."
"Like a trip to the island. The kids would love that. They'd be able to move around freely and enjoy the summer on the beach and it'd be more spacious than your safe house."
"You wouldn't mind if I sent them there?"
"Just as long as you can promise me that They'll be safe there and can come home once summer is done."
Sonny smiled and winked. "I'll talk it over with them tomorrow. You get a good night's sleep and I'll keep you up to speed."
Carly simply nodded. "Sonny...thank you. I know Joss has been hard on you, yet you're still helping her like this when you don't have to…"
"Hey, she's still family. Just because we're not together and she hates me now doesn't change that. You and your kids will always be family to me, for the record. Whether Micheal and Joss like it or not."
Carly just gave a grim chuckle. "But still...thank you."
Sonny simply nodded and then walked back out the door, leaving Carly to her worries. With the SEC breathing down her neck, she hoped that she'll see her daughter again before she'd have to possibly go to prison.
…..
Laura and Taggert arrived at Sonny's place of business at the same time, each escorted by one of Sonny's men. Taggert frowned to see the mayor there.
"Mayor Collins?" Taggert stared at her incredulously. What business did the mayor of Port Charles have with Sonny Corinthos? He knew that the two had a friendship, but he also knew that they both had put some distance between each other once Laura became mayor.
"Taggert, hello," Laura gave a worried smile. It wasn't a normal thing for Sonny to send for her like this. She wondered what was going on, or rather, what did Spencer do now? Because her beloved grandson was the only reason she could think of for this summons.
"The boss is waiting for you both," the henchman that Laura knew as Frank motioned for them both to enter Sonny's office.
Taggert and Laura looked at each other, neither having an idea of what was going on, then entered Sonny's office to find Sonny sitting behind his desk with his hands folded on the surface.
"Ok, Corinthos. Why are we here?" Taggert questioned. His hatred for the mobster had cooled down a lot over the years, especially after Sonny had helped him with the Renault situation and how kind the mobster has been to his daughter over the years. But still, he couldn't help but be alarmed over being summoned like this.
"I called you here because I have some news about Trina and Spencer that you both need to know," Sonny explained, looking them both in the eye.
Laura frowned. "What has Spencer done this time?"
Sonny couldn't help but chuckle. "Not to worry, Laura. This time it's not Spencer's doing," Then Sonny's gaze fell on Taggert. "It's your ex-wife's."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"Well, it turns out that your ex-wife has put a hit out on my nephew. Ava found out and warned them about it. I was called and now they both are hiding out in one of my safehouses."
"Oh my god, is Spencer ok?!" Laura sat forward, her alarm clear in her eyes. This was ridiculous! She had just gotten her grandson back from Victor's shenanigans and now he was in trouble again?! When was this all going to stop?!
"He's fine. The hitman...a Zeke Robinson according to Trina, hadn't had a chance to take a shot at him yet. He won't ever get that chance now. Spencer is safe, Laura. I promise you. I'm not going to let some two-bit hitman take out my sister's son."
"Wait...Zeke Robinson? That's Portia's little brother! Talk about a black sheep! In a family of doctors, he's the only one that hasn't done anything with his life!" Taggert clenched his teeth together, annoyed with the whole situation. Damn it, Portia! He had told that woman to leave Trina's relationship with Spencer alone! Now their daughter is hiding out in one of Sonny's safe houses and he doesn't even know if he'll see her again, because it looks like Trina is planning to go wherever the Spencer kid does.
"Well, he obviously has a job as someone's hitman and your ex has sicked him on my nephew."
"What are you going to do about this, Corinthos? I have no love for Zeke...but he is my ex's brother…"
"Trina asked me to reason with him and get him to back off. Normally, I'd erase threats to my family, but I like and respect Trina. I'll do as she asked. Reason with this Zeke...and keep Portia out of the loop."
"What? You mean, you're going to keep Trina going into hiding from Portia? But she's her mother!" Taggert objected.
"It's what Trina wants. She's very angry and hurt right now. She doesn't want to have anything to do with her mother at the moment. I can't say that I blame her."
"Sonny...can we see them? I mean...I know that they're in hiding and all, but don't you think that Taggert and I have a right to at least make sure that they're ok with this, emotionally and perhaps physically? I know it goes against the purpose but...this is my grandson. I can't just let him disappear and not see him at least once," Laura pleaded.
"I agree. I want to see my daughter. I want to know how she's really doing. You want me to leave Portia out? Fine. Just let me see Trina for myself," Taggert nodded, liking Laura's idea.
"Be here first thing tomorrow morning. I'll be going to the safe house to discuss what to do next. Be here on time and you can come with me. Just remember. Not a word to anyone."
"Thank you, Sonny," Laura sighed in relief. "Thank you for everything."
"Yeah, man. You didn't have to tell us anything, but you did. I appreciate it," Taggert nodded, getting up from his seat.
Sonny watched them go and rubbed his face tiredly. He looked up at the ceiling and not for the first time thought about his sister. He wondered what she would have thought of all of this. "I am trying my best to do good by your boy, sis. I really am. He's a good kid with a good girl. I'm going to make sure he'll be okay. I promise ya."
