It was a busy night at The Savoy. Zeke moved along the crowd, scanning it for any sign of the Cassadine kid, or his niece. So far, there was not a trace of them and he was close to just going back to Portia and telling her that both Trina and her boyfriend must have skipped town or something because he couldn't find them. Oh well. He was finished for the night. He'll just get a few drinks and head back to Portia's.
He caught a glimpse of that gorgeous police commissioner as he headed for the bar. She was across the room talking to Curtis about something or other and he could not take his eyes off her. She had looked his way a few times, but there had been no sign of interest, unfortunately. He was going to have to change that. He turned his attention back to heading for the bar when he felt large hands grip his arms. Two burly men had him in their grip, both looked menacing.
"What the hell, man?" Zeke glared at them both, not getting what was happening.
"Are you Zeke Robinson?" Muscle head on the right asked.
"Yes. What is it to you?"
"The boss wants to see you. He has a few words for you. Come peacefully, and there won't be any trouble," the Muscle head on the left commanded.
What could Zeke say or do? There were two of them to his one. So he allowed them to take him outside and into a back alley, where who he recognized as Sonny Corinthos was waiting. Zeke's heart fell into his stomach as he saw the mob boss. His employer back in California was always talking about how ruthless Sonny Corinthos was about his territory and did not suffer fools or intruders...and what was he? An intruder. Damn, he should have turned Portia down when she asked him to do this favor.
"Here he is boss! We got him!" Muscle head on the left announced.
"Good! Are you sure this is him? He doesn't look like a hitman," Sonny gave him a look full of disdain.
"He says he's him, the right Muscle head shrugged.
Sonny approached Zeke, his expression void of any hint of emotion. "Do you know who I am, Zeke?"
"Yes sir," Zeke swallowed, trying to hide the fear he felt at the situation.
"Who am I?"
"Sonny Corinthos. Port Charles Mob boss. Leader of the five families in the region."
"That's right. Glad that you're aware of who I am. Do you know what I care about most, Zeke?"
Zeke shook his head. "No sir…money?"
"Nope."
"Territory?"
Sonny gave a derisive laugh. "Wrong again. I'll just go ahead and tell you. Family. I care about family. You see, to me, family is everything. Even the members that hate me."
"I see…"
"You have family here in Port Charles, don't you Zeke? Portia Robinson is your sister, right? Her daughter Trina is your niece. Right?"
Zeke again just nodded, afraid of where this may be going. Was Corinthos about to threaten his sister and niece?
"I know Trina. She's a nice good girl. Best friend to my stepdaughter who thinks the world of her. I even tried to help get her cleared of those unfortunate charges she was hit with a few years ago. She's always been sweet and polite to me. Even got me and her father Taggert getting along."
"Really?" Zeke nearly squeaked, his fear growing. He really did not like that Corinthos was so familiar with his niece like this!
"Really. She's even had a good effect on my nephew, the only son of my late little sister Courtney. Spencer. Seems like the two of them are in love, according to Joss and my ex Carly. Sadly, Courtney died before she could even see her son, but I was here, helping to raise him as best I could. Watched him grow up. Protected him from his father's insane family. Now...from what I hear from Trina herself, I'm again protecting him. From you."
Zeke nearly fainted at this. What the hell?! Why didn't Portia tell him that the Spencer kid was related to the town's mob boss?! He would have told her to find someone else! He would have told her no! "Sir…I...I'm sorry. My sister was worried for her daughter and she did not tell me that the kid was related to you or I would have turned her down, I swear!"
"I see. Usually, I'd hang people who are a threat to my family on a meat hook and leave them there to rot. But. I like Trina. She's a good girl and she's good to and for my nephew. She's also the best friend of my stepdaughter. She asked me not to kill you. To reason with you if I can, so that's what I'm going to do. For her sake. Looks like you owe your niece your life."
Zeke felt relief fill him completely. He closed his eyes and nodded. "I do."
"So you'll do her a favor, right? Drop this job. Leave my nephew alone. They're in hiding now, but they both want to come home, at least by the end of the summer. Do you get what I'm saying?"
"Yes, sir. Yes."
"So when I see Trina again, I can tell her that my nephew is safe? That they can come home if they want? That you are no longer a danger to your niece's boyfriend?"
Zeke simply nodded. "Yes. You can tell her that. I'll leave Spencer alone."
"Good. You know, Zeke. I like you. I may need a right-hand man soon if you're ever up for the job and want to leave California. In the meantime, stay away from my nephew and stay out of my way unless you really do want to work for me...or want me to kill you. Whichever comes first," Sonny smiled and patted Zeke's cheek, just as Jordan Ashford appeared in the alleyway, with Curtis by her side.
"Sonny Corinthos! What is going on here?!" Jordan glared at the mob boss.
"Oh, nothing to worry about Commissioner Ashford. Zeke and I are just having a friendly conversation and have come to an understanding. Isn't that right, Zeke?" Sonny grinned at Zeke, a grin that may look friendly to some, but there was a hint of malice in the mobster's dark eyes.
Zeke just gulped and nodded. "Yes."
"I do hope so," Taggert appeared behind Jordan and Curtis, his own dark eyes glaring daggers at Zeke. "Thanks for letting me know where he is Sonny."
"No problem. Just keep him away from my nephew," Sonny stepped away from Zeke and motioned for his men to let him go. "See ya, Zeke! Stay out of trouble!"
Zeke watched as Sonny and his men disappeared into the night, leaving him with Taggert, Jordan, and Curtis.
"Are you alright? I saw Sonny's men manhandling you in there," Jordan questioned, cautiously approaching Zeke, who had the nerve to look embarrassed. This was not the impression that he wanted to give Jordan. He didn't want her to think that he needed rescue.
"I should get him home to Portia," Curtis looked at him with concern, but it was Taggert's cold voice that made his blood freeze.
"Portia's is the last place he needs to be. She's gotten in enough trouble for a lifetime. Isn't that right, Zeke?"
Looking into his former brother-in-law's eyes, he knew that Taggert knew all about Portia's plans. "Look, it wasn't personal, alright! I wouldn't have gone gunning for the kid if I knew he was related to Corinthos!"
"Next time Portia asks you for a favor, run it past me first!" Taggert growled. "You've caused Trina a lot of trouble and heartache right now! You're lucky that she loves you enough to ask Corinthos to spare your life!"
"Wait? What's going on here?" Jordan frowned, not liking what she was hearing at all. Who was this Zeke and what did he have to do with Sonny?
"Long story, Jordan. Long story. Can you put him up for the night? I don't want him anywhere near Portia," Taggert asked, his eyes pleading with his former partner.
Jordan sighed and rolled her eyes. "Why do I fool with you, Taggert. Fine. Alright, he can stay with me for the night. I have an extra room."
"Wait, why can't he stay at Portia's? We have plenty of room there?" Curtis frowned, not liking the idea of Zeke Robinson being anywhere near his ex-wife.
"Oh come off it, man. I promise to behave. I won't be a problem for the pretty lady," Zeke couldn't help but smirk.
Curtis balled his fist, wanting to knock the smirk off Zeke's face, but Taggert's hand on his shoulder stopped him. "You have a wife at home. I suggest that you go and spend it with her. Jordan can take care of herself."
"That's right," Jordan frowned at Curtis. Did this man think he had the right to tell her who she can and cannot have in her house?
"Fine," Curtis sighed, giving in.
"And you. You can tell me what that was about with Sonny on our way back to my place," Jordan turned around to head for her car. "Now!"
"Yes ma'am," Zeke grinned, liking how she was just taking charge. He grinned at Curtis as he walked pass. "Fool."
Angry, Curtis started after Zeke, but Taggert held him back with a small chuckle.
"He's not wrong man."
