12

 

          The men returned to Port Charles under the cover of night.  It was decided that they would all stay in the safety of Sonny’s safe house, where his men guarded the premises. 

          “Are you sure Helena can’t get in?  My grandmother has her ways you know,” Nikolas nervously looked around, missing Gia terribly, but he knew that the separation was for the best.

          “So Dad…what now?” Lucky asked.  From past experience, Lucky knew that his father had a fool proof scheme up his sleeve.

          Luke smiled with pride.  “You know me too well Cowboy.  You just knew your old man had a plan to deal with the old hellcat.”

          “Yes.  And now I’d like to know what that plan is.”

          “Yeah.  I don’t like the idea of Emily being out there by her lonesome,” Zander snorted.

          “She’s not by herself Zander.  My mother and the girls are with her,” Nikolas replied.

          “And Laura’s no shrieking violet.  She knows how to handle herself,” Luke nodded.

          “Back  to the  plan dad.”

          “Oh yes.  I’ve talked to Corinthoes and we’ve agreed to set a trap for Sorel.  Once we’ve got him, we’ll turn him over to Sonny and he’ll take it from t here,” Luke explained.

          “And what about Helena?” Nikolas asked.  “That plan takes care of Zander’s problem, but does nothing for us!”

          “Patience Prince.  One dingbat at a time.  With Sorel out of the way, that frees up  time to plan a perfect punishment for Helena,” Luke nodded.

          “So when do we put this plan into motion?”

          “As soon as our bait is ready.  Zander.”

          “What?  Oh no way man.  Sorel wants me dead, remember?  I thought the whole point of coming here was to be safe,” Zander shook his head vigorously.  He wanted to be nowhere near the mob boss.

          “It’s the only way Zander.  He doesn’t want Cowboy and the Prince.  He wants you.  You’re the only one who can do this.  You have nothing to worry about.  Sonny and I have already discussed this and we’ll be right there watching everything.  As soon as Sorel even looks at you, we’ll nab him.”

          “Is he for real?” Zander looked at Lucky, who had no choice but to laugh.  Sometimes Luke was too much for people who weren’t used to him.

          “Pretty much.  Don’t worry Zander.  Dad never had a plan that failed yet,” Lucky reassured Emily’s boyfriend.

          “There’s a first time for everything,” Nikolas snorted and received a sharp look from everyone in the room.

          “Ignore the Prince of Romania there.  He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

          “So when do we do this?” Zander asked, defeated.  It was best to get this over with.  If it didn’t work…well at least he went down fighting instead of running away.

          “How does this sound?” Luke devilishly asked.  “Rumor has it that Sorel likes to walk the docks at night.”

          Zander nervously swallowed.  He looked at Lucky, his brown eyes scared and pleading.  “If something should go wrong, tell Emily I love her.”

          “Sure thing man,” Lucky nodded.

          “Ok,” Zander faced Luke.  “I’m ready.”

          “Lucky, I’m leaving you in charge,” Luke nodded to his son before leading Zander out the door, dialing Sonny upon his cell.

          “Zander must be crazy to go along with this,” Nikolas shook his head.

          “What choice did he have?  What choice do any of us have?” Lucky sighed, hoping that for Emily’s sake, all of Zander’s troubles would be over soon.

         

~*~

 

          The night was dark and foggy on the docks.  Not a star was in sight.   Zander walked along the silent dock, reminding himself that Luke and Sonny were somewhere in the shadows, waiting to make their move.  That he will indeed see Emily again and tell her he love her himself.  Turning to walk in the opposite direction, he stopped as he felt the gun pressed into his back.

          “Welcome back kid,” Sorel’s voice hissed into his ear.  “Surprised to see you back in town and alone.  What happened to your traveling buddies?  Did they come to the conclusion that you’ll snitch them out like you did me?”

          “Go to hell Sorel,” Zander growled, looking around for Luke and Sonny to make their appearance. 

          “Not before you will, I’m sure.  Now before I kill you, you’re going to lead me to your friends.  There’s a certain lady that wants a word with them.”

          “I don’t think so,” Luke pressed his gun to the side of Sorel’s head.  “You’re getting nowhere near my son.”

          “Ah, Luke Spencer.  What a unpleasant surprise.  Do yourself a favor and get out of here.  This does not concern you,” Sorel growled.  “You got away from Frank Smith, don’t think the same about me.  So just walk away now and I’ll forget you were here.”

          “Let the boy go,” Luke pressed the cold steel harder against Sorel’s head.

          “You really are a fool aren’t you Spencer?  I’ll make sure you’ll never see your family again.”

          “I  would keep my threats to myself if I was you Sorel,” Sonny stepped out of the darkness, his own gun aimed for the mobster’s chest.  “Now let the kid go and we’ll take a little walk.  We have much to talk about, you and me.”

          “And if I don’t?”

          “You’ll be dead before you can even pull that trigger,” Sonny grinned.

          “I’m dead anyway!” Sorel glared at his nemesis.  “What difference would it make?”

          “You’ll buy yourself some time!  Now let the kid go, so we can be on the way!”    

          “This isn’t over kid,” Sorel glared at Zander before lowering the gun.

          “I say it is,’ Luke stepped away from Sorel with Sonny taking his place.

          “You two can go now.  I’ll take it from here,” Sonny nodded.  “Zander, by the way.  It is over.  Sorel will not be bothering you ever again.  You have my word.”

          “Thank you Sonny,” Zander nodded as Sonny led the older mobster away.

          “Well kid, it’s over.  How do ya feel?” Luke watched the mobsters disappear  into the blackness of night.

          “Free.  Finally free.  What about Helena?  What are we going to do about her?”

          Luke stared at Zander in disbelief.  “Zander, you’re free now.  You don’t have to hide anymore.  Helena’s not your problem.  You can just turn around and walk away.”

          “I know.  But Lucky and Nikolas are my friends.  If it weren’t for them,  I’d be dead right now.  I can’t just turn my back on them.  I want to help too.”

          Luke was touched by Zander’s show of friendship.  There weren’t many people who’d put themselves in danger to help a friend in the world these days.  “Ok.  Fine, you can stay.  But don’t say I didn’t give you the opportunity to walk away.”

          “Don’t worry.  I won’t,” Zander laughed. 

          “Now let’s bet back so we can discuss how to handle Helena,” Luke placed a arm around Zander’s shoulders and led him away from the dock.

          Neither of them saw Helena step out of the shadows, a thoughtful smile on her face.

          “Oh Luke whatever do you have planned for me this time?  Whatever it is will be sure to amuse me.”

          Taking one last glance in the direction her foe left in, she walked back to her yacht, planning her next move against the Spencers.

 

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