Author's Note: Happy Holidays! If you're in a part of the country where it's cold, snowy, icy or all of the above, I hope you're all able to stay safe and warm.
Lorenzo came home to Alexis reviewing court papers on the couch.
"So what's with the mysterious phone call about being late tonight?" Alexis asked.
"I had a meeting with my attorney regarding one of my investments," Lorenzo said.
"That seems pretty routine," Alexis said, "You could have just said that."
"It's not exactly routine," Lorenzo said, "It's about transferring a controlling interest to Kellie."
"What kind of investment are we talking about exactly?" Alexis asked, "I can't really imagine what you'd transfer to Kellie."
"It's not one you know about," Lorenzo said, "No one knew about it for a long time."
"The only reason I can imagine you not telling me about an investment is because it's well from your former profession as head of your family's allegedly illegal dealings," Alexis said.
"It's a shipping company," Lorenzo said, "And I bought it after I transferred those properties and investments to Sonny. I bought it as an insurance policy."
"In case your deal with Sonny didn't work as you hoped," Alexis said, "I honestly can't say I'm surprised you kept something in reserve. I don't want to know what type of shipping company. I want all deniability in this."
"The company simply facilitates shipments and getting them where they need to go," Lorenzo said.
"That's a very thin layer of deniability," Alexis replied, "For not knowing whatever a client maybe shipping. Do I want to know what Kellie needs it for?"
"To see if she can get whoever is coming after her and the kids to back off," Lorenzo said.
"And back off Sonny and Jason by extensions," Alexis replied, "Do they know about this?"
Lorenzo shook his head.
Alexis's expression turned to stunned as she started putting the pieces together, "The only reason Sonny and Jason wouldn't be clued into this transaction is if Kellie was making a play for Sonny's business."
"She doesn't want Sonny's business," Lorenzo said, "Though she does recognize that she's in a position where that could happen. What she wants is for this war over territory to stop. Her taking over the shipping business gives her the leverage to do that without taking over the business."
"And drags you back in," Alexis exploded, "If you're not just selling it to her."
"That was her preference too," Lorenzo said, "But I can't just leave her totally on her own on this. She can't exactly confide in Jason even if he would side with her over Sonny. If I hadn't been so selfish when the families threatened her into marrying Jason, I would have used the company to stop all of that then. But I didn't. As much as I hated Kellie marrying Jason, I foolishly thought not using it on her behalf at that time would have caused more problems than it would have solved. I would have been directly involved in the business and after all this time of letting things lie quietly."
"Because after all this time, saying guess what, I own this shipping company you need to move your product would made everyone already upset with you more furious," Alexis said, "You know you could have just told me you this company lying around. Why didn't you?"
"I don't know," Lorenzo said, "By the time, we actually got back to together, it had been so long, and it's been running in the background. I don't think I ever thought it would matter like this. I'm sorry, Alexis. I hope you can forgive me. But I understand you didn't sign up for this and if you can't."
"Am I upset that you kept this secret?" Alexis said, "I'd like to think I would have understood. You were trying to protect yourself after your father told everyone you'd turned to working for the government to take the mob down. How dangerous could this be for you? For the people you care about?"
Lorenzo shrugged, "It's hard to tell. But when the people I care about already in danger because of what's going on, I'm willing to try anything at this point."
"So if you give Kellie a controlling interest in your company, how do you foresee it playing out?" Alexis asked, "Are you planning to openly run it with her?"
"No," Lorenzo said, "She would have the control. I'd simply do what I've been doing. The hope would be that no one goes looking to see if anyone else owns the company other than Kellie."
"But there's still a chance you'd be exposed," Alexis said, "Damn Sonny and the mob."
"I can't blame this all on Sonny," Lorenzo said, "I headed up my family's organization for years. If I hadn't of encouraged Kellie to take over Sonny's business when my brother infiltrated his ranks and framed him for Tyler's murder years ago."
"For the life of me I always wondered, why did you encourage that?" Alexis asked, "I'm surprised you would have entertained that idea at all."
"I've asked myself that millions of times, Alexis," Lorenzo said, "I was a horrible uncle to begin with. I'd failed Sage completely. By the time I'd found out about Kellie, all I could do was set up financial accounts for her under the guise of a trust from my sister's adoptive family and hoped she used them. When she came back to town, I wasn't planning on telling her at first and in some instances, I treated her more like an associate than a niece."
"As much as it pains me to say this," Alexis said, "Having seen her reaction to Sonny's attempts to instantly father her, you were smart not to take to the instant I'm your uncle and you'll do as I say approach. Treating her as an associate was your way in."
"That was kind of my thought at the time," Lorenzo said, "But I also couldn't deny that she brought skills and knowledge to the table needed at the time."
"Skills and knowledge she would have used behind your back if you'd told her stay out of things," Alexis said, "In that regard, you at least knew what she was doing and could step in to protect her when necessary and if she'd let you. If you didn't agree with what she was doing, you'd tell her. I don't hear you saying you disagree with her plan."
"No, I don't," Lorenzo said, "Though I was surprised that she figured out I'd had something."
"Well, it shouldn't surprise you," Alexis said, "She does think like you and Sonny."
"Don't remind me," Lorenzo groaned.
"As much as we all wish it wasn't necessary," Alexis said, "Given the lot Kellie was thrown by life for so long, it's a good thing she does think like that."
"It was the difference between her surviving or not," Lorenzo said.
"Kellie is a strong, intelligent woman," Alexis said, "In the time that I've known her, she's never made any decisions related to the safety of those she cares about lightly, no matter how questionable they are. Something I think she has in common with her uncle. You going to have to trust Kellie has this handled especially if you want to stay in the background. Just like I'm going to have to trust you know what you're doing."
"Does this mean I'm not relegated to sleeping on the couch?" Lorenzo asked.
"I didn't say that," Alexis teased, "I may need some convincing to change my mind about that."
"What kind of convincing did you have in mind, Counseler?" Lorenzo asked, moving into nuzzle Alexis's neck.
"I'm sure I can think of something," Alexis said, pulling Lorenzo even closer to her.
Sonny's Gym
Kellie found Michael and Dante sparring at the gym.
"Hey, it's not often I see you here," Michael said, "I kind of figured you'd avoid any place Dad might be."
"I felt like changing things up today," Kellie said.
"Come here," Dante said, pulling Kellie in for a hug, "I'm just happy to see you. Though we really do need to talk about the fact you've been back in town a few days and you have yet to stop by see me."
"I've been busy, getting settled and other things," Kellie said.
"Lulu was suggesting we should invite you and the kids over for dinner," Dante said, "And Jason if he can come."
"That would be good," Kellie said, "So you and Lulu extending joint dinner invitations? Is there something you need to tell me?"
"It's not official, but we are together together," Dante said, "and looking at a new place."
"Congratulations," Kellie said, "I'm happy for you. I will leave you to it and I'm going to grab a punching bag."
"Why don't you come spar with us?" Dante said, "Does that work for you, Michael?"
"Sure," Michael said as Kellie nodded.
"You two first," Dante said, as Kellie put her gloves on.
Dante moved to the side as Michael and Kellie squared off.
"How you are you doing?" Michael asked between jabs.
"About how one might expect given everything that's happened?" Kellie said, "How is Monica, I keep meaning to stop by but?"
"She's obviously grieving and all that goes with that," Michael said, jabbing a little harder towards Kellie, "Her fiancé was killed in this latest mob war."
Kellie swung hard enough at Michael to make him swing wildly away, "Like I need you to remind me that Charles would still be alive if wasn't for me."
"That's not what I trying to say," Michael said, continuing to jab at Kellie, "I just don't understand how can stand by while Dad still does what he does for a living. How many mob wars have you and I both had a front row seat to? How can you continue to maintain that keeping Sonny's business going is the best course of action."
"Maybe because I left Port Charles and Dad's enemy's still tried to kill me," Kellie said, "But my proximity to the business really isn't your concern. You really should keep your nose out of it."
"How can you still defend Sonny after everything he's done?" Michael said.
Before Michael knew what happened Kellie had him in a head lock and hissed in his ear, "I'm not defending Sonny at all. But you are meddling in things you know nothing about."
"Hey, hey," Dante said, stepping into break Kellie and Michael up, "We're boxing, not at the WWE.
Michael stepped back and reset his stance
"You might want to duck, Dante." he said as jabbed at Kellie, causing Dante to out of the way. Michael swung extremely close to her as she blocked hard, shoving Michael backwards.
"You may not agree with whatever it is you think I'm doing," Michael said, "But in the long run, you'll be better off."
"You're making things worse," Kellie replied, "And possibly making yourself a target."
Dante stepped back between the two of them, as Michael went for another swing.
"I'm a legitimate businessman," Michael replied, trying to jab around Dante, "No reason to think I'll be a target."
"But you competing with Sonny's coffee business," Kellie said, "Is catching the attention of his partners who already are concerned and not happy with other changes I'm guessing you instigated. You might want to consider if they find out you are the one causing problems, they might come after you."
"Then what would be a matter for the cops, right Dante," Michael replied.
"I'm exactly sure what's going on here," Dante said, struggling to keep the two apart, "But both of you need to cool it. People are starting to take notice."
"I'm not the one who came here looking for a fight," Michael replied.
"But you're asking for one," Kellie said, "You're lucky it's me coming to pick it."
"I'm not a kid anymore," Michael replied, "You can't scare me into doing what you think I should do. Even if you flip a table."
"I can still try and knock some sense into you," Kellie said, stepping back from Dante and Michael, "However, it's obvious you can't be reasoned with. Dante, I'm sorry for interrupting your and Michael's brotherly bonding."
"I'll walk you out," Dante said as Kellie pulled her gloves off, "Michael, I'll be right back."
"What was that about?" Dante asked
"Me hoping Michael would be reasonable about his war against Sonny," Kellie said, "He should just live his life and stay out Sonny's business."
"I am one hundred percent on board with that," Dante said, "But I think the same could be said about you. Why are you getting involved between Dad and Michael?"
"Michael's actions are causing more instability, meaning whoever's been coming after us, might be emboldened to do more if they realize the legal business is being attacked or Sonny's position is even weaker," Kellie said, "I've already lost one person I care about because of Sonny's issues this time around. I'm not losing any more."
"Michael's obviously dead set on his course of action," Dante said, "I'd before not to be caught between you and Michael."
"You won't be," Kellie said.
"I know you," Dante said, "I know you're not just going to sit back and let Michael interfer with whatever you're planning."
"You're right," Kellie said, "I'm not. I gave Michael the chance to back off and he won't. So I'll have to give him incentive to."
"What exactly does that mean?" Dante said.
"All perfectly legal if that's what you're worried about," Kellie said, opening the passenger door to her car, "Well mostly."
"I think you should stop and think about whatever it is you're doing," Dante said.
"I think it's sweet that you're concerned," Kellie said, getting into the car, "But I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
Dante ducked to look in the car at Johnny in the driver's seat, "Johnny, whatever she's planning can you talk her out of it."
"That is beyond my pay grade, Detective Falconari," Johnny replied as he started the car.
Kellie waved her hand, motioning to Dante to step back.
"I'll text you or Lulu about dinner," Kellie said before shutting the door.