Author's Note: I went back and forth as to whether this chapter would be included as part of the last chapter or separate. I determined I'd do separate chapters and post an extra one this reading. Have a great weekend!
Inside the house, Alexis was waiting for Lorenzo in the living room.
"What did Jason want?" Alexis asked.
"To discuss a security concern he had regarding Kellie," Lorenzo answered.
"It must have been some security concern," Alexis said, "That warranted more than a phone call. Is it anything to be worried about?"
"I'd like to think not," Lorenzo said.
"But you're not sure," Alexis said, exasperated at Lorenzo's lack of answers, "What is it?"
"Alexis," Lorenzo shook his head.
"I haven't seen you this worried since Kellie was in danger of running the mob last year," Alexis said, "You obviously need to bounce this off someone other than Jason at this point. If there is a threat to our family, I'd like to be prepared."
"Do you remember Sonny and his people being shot at the docks recently?" Lorenzo asked.
"Who doesn't?" Alexis asked, "So what's Sonny done now?"
"He got into business with a military contractor," Lorenzo answered, "To move their products unnoticed. WSB affiliated and one everyone knows to avoid if at all possible. They have a reputation. And before you ask, I've never done business with them even through the shipping company."
"Somehow the idea that this company hasn't approached you for shipping given that you have a lot of leeway for not asking questions, doesn't make me feel better at all," Alexis said, "At least about whatever it is they're shipping."
"Trust me you don't want them to ask you to ship things," Lorenzo said, "Let's just say they don't like being told no."
"That's what you and Jason are worried about," Alexis said, "If Sonny can't deliver for this group and they decide Kellie and your shipping company should instead."
"That is a concern," Lorenzo said.
"So what do you want to do about it?" Alexis said, "You're obviously considering something."
"I may have slipped a clause in the contract with Kellie giving her control that would allow me to rescind the agreement," Lorenzo said.
"You're thinking about using the clause," Alexis said.
"Guilty as charged," Lorenzo said, surprised that Alexis didn't bat an eye his admission.
"Oh come on," Alexis replied, "You were never entirely comfortable with Kellie having any part of the shipping business. That you would have snuck some sort of back up in on her doesn't surprise me. Though I would advise against utilizing that without talking to her first."
Lorenzo shook his head.
"You realize what that would mean right," Lorenzo said, "If I take 100% control of the company, it's with everyone knowing I run the company."
"Which would have been your first choice when Kellie wanted to buy the company from you," Alexis said, "I know how much it bothered you to allow Kellie to make that move. You've always struggled with when to support the moves Kellie wants to make when it comes to the mob and wanting to shield her from all of it. You want to her respect her ability to make her own decisions even in those circumstances. It's something you've always done pretty well. But I think you probably struggled more in this instance than anything other time I've seen. Frankly, I'm surprised you haven't already tried to renegotiate the deal with Kellie, especially after she was invited to head up her own organization and join the five families."
"I'm that transparent then," Lorenzo replied.
"Only to me," Alexis said, "Because while most of the world sees you as the ruthless former mobster and quasi-government agent turned mostly legit businessman and philanthropist, I know that your daughters and nieces mean the most to you."
"You're okay with the potential threat my publicly owning the company could mean," Lorenzo asked.
"You already face that threat now," Alexis said, "Always have. Renegotiating the sale would mean just you would face that threat and not both you and Kellie. You've needed the company in case you need to leverage against anyone coming after you for working with the government to try to take Sonny down years again and getting out of the business. You still need it. Now that Kellie is in less danger of becoming the next don of Port Charles, maybe she doesn't need that leverage as much. You'd still wield it for her anyway. Besides, you've also learned the Giambettis will provide her a level of protection, you weren't aware of before."
"How did I end up married to such an intelligent and beautiful woman, counselor?" Lorenzo asked.
"I'd say your either very, very smart or just extremely lucky," Alexis replied.