CHAPTER
THREE
"I hope so Nikolas,"
Luke turns the tape off at the click of the phone, tears streaming down his
cheeks. "That’s my Cowboy alright. He’s alive! My son’s alive!"
Nikolas is back at Kelly’s with both
Luke and Elizabeth. He had just gotten through playing the tape and by the
tears in Luke’s eyes he knew it wasn’t a joke. Lucky was alive and needed their
help.
"So what’s the plan?"
Nikolas asked, ready to jump on the nearest jet to get his brother.
"The plan? Well first off
kid, you’re staying here and look after the little lady like Lucky
requested," Luke nods to Elizabeth, who’s face is pale and is now in
shock.
"But Luke, I want to come!
Lucky needs me!"
"He needs you to stay here
and protect his girlfriend, like he asked you to Nikolas! I’m sure that
Elizabeth’s in danger if Cowboy had asked you to protect her! I know you want
to help Nikolas and believe me, this is the best way. Besides, Laura would die
if anything happened to you too."
"But…"
"Nikolas…" Luke warned.
"Okay. Fine. I’ll stay here
and protect Elizabeth. I won’t let her out of my sight," Nikolas takes her
hand and squeezes it reassuringly.
"Good. That’s settled. I’ll
call Sonny and Roy. We’ll take Sonny’s plane and then we’ll go in search of my
son. By the look on your caller ID, the call was made in Rome Italy, so that’s
one thing we don’t have a problem with. We just have to find out where they’re
holding him."
"Grandmother owns a mansion
in Rome. I’ll get the address. You can check there," Nikolas nods.
"Plus I can get the addresses of all the other Cassadine holdings in
Rome."
"Good thinking Nikky,"
Luke slaps the boy’s shoulder.
"And Elizabeth, you’re
moving in with me," Nikolas turns his attention to Elizabeth and pushes
back the wave of emotions that threaten to overtake him. For the past six
months, his feelings have been growing for Elizabeth, but since she was his
brother’s girlfriend, he didn’t think it proper to follow up on those feelings.
And now he’s glad he didn’t. With Lucky actually being alive, it would have
been unwise to start a relationship beyond friendship.
"What?" Elizabeth snaps
back to reality.
"You’re moving in with me.
Lucky asked me to take care of you and that’s what I’m going to do. You’re
never leaving my sight until Luke brings Lucky home."
"Nikolas, that’s crazy. I
can’t move in with you."
"As much as I hate to admit
it Cowgirl, the prince is right. It’ll be a lot easier for Nikolas to make sure
you’re safe if you two are under the same roof."
"Plus there’s plenty of room
at the cottage. It’ll be like your own place. You’ll hardly notice I’m
there," Nikolas smiles.
"How about Lily?"
Elizabeth’s face darkens with obvious dislike for the girl, and the feeling was
mutual. "Won’t she mind me staying with you?"
"This isn’t Lily’s decision
to make. Besides, my brother’s directions is more important than my
girlfriend’s jealousy. Now how about it? Move in with me."
Elizabeth looks at Luke, then at
Nikolas and sighs in defeat. This was what Lucky wanted, and she’d do anything
for him. "Okay fine. I’ll move in for the time being. For Lucky ‘s
sake."
"That’s cool," Nikolas
grins happily. Mission protect Elizabeth was now underway, but none of them
knew how soon Nikolas’s services would be needed.