Striding confidently through the side entrance, Isabella Moreno was greeted with a curt nod by her top security man. The owner of Miami's hottest night spot had been very willing to allow an old friend to conduct a private meeting within the folds of the club. Moving down the darkened hallway, she could hear the pounding music nearby and smiled, almost wishing that this meeting could be delayed to allow her time on the dance floor for a few numbers. But she knew better. Business was always first.
"Robbie, has he been behaving himself?"
Robbie rolled his eyes. "Sure, you could say that."
Isabella smiled, noting the hint of sarcasm in his voice. Robbie always had a way to be blunt and incredibly informative at the same time.
"Sounds like fun."
"Define fun," he replied. In his opinion, excruciating pain would be the first thing to enter his mind.
Never slowing her pace, Isabella did a quick backward glance, encouraged by his assessment. "Ooh, this really does sound like fun."
Robbie rolled his eyes again as they approached the doorway. "Give it time." It would take everything in him to get through this without snapping the neck of the unwanted third party's presence.
Pushing open the door, Isabella ignored Robbie's last remark, instead greeting her guests who were examining the view through the large bay windows that occupied one of the walls.
"Hello stranger," she said.
Whipping around, his blue eyes lit up at the sight of her and in response, her heart fluttered. Despite the fact that their relationship ended years earlier, he still had that old effect on her.
"Bella," he crooned, crossing the room to warmly embrace her. Pulling away, his scent still affecting her senses, it took a moment for Isabella to remember the other guest.
With a shake and a smile, she extended her hand. "Isabella Moreno, it's a pleasure to meet you."
The woman eyes bored into hers, searching jealously. "Tori Sorel," she managed tightly before securing her arm around Joseph's sleek Ralph Lauren suit. "My husband's had nothing but good things to say about you," she remarked, placing her free hand possessively on his forearm. Her eyes flashed menacingly.
Isabella smiled pleasantly, remembering her earlier words about having fun. Inside, her stomach turned. 10 seconds and already Tori Sorel, in her opinion, was a grabby heifer. What the hell did Joseph see in her?
Hearing Robbie's impatient cough, Isabella pushed her distaste aside and moved on. "What's this all about? You were very secretive over the phone."
Joseph motioned for them all to take a seat in the leather seats that surrounded a circular desk near the corner of the room. Waiting until the three were comfortable, with Robbie standing a few feet from Isabella's chair, Joseph smiled. "I recently made acquaintances with someone who is very much interested in removing Vincent Tyson from power up in Port Charles. Considering Tyson's ties to your family and the tragedies, I thought-"
"You thought I might be interested in a takeover," Isabella smoothly interrupted, her expression revealing nothing. Leaning back in her chair, she gracefully crossed one leg over the other.
Joseph tilted his head to one side, "was I wrong to assume you would?" he queried gently.
"What's your interest in Vincent Tyson?" she replied, ignoring his question. She watched as Tori shifted impatiently in her seat while Joseph rubbed his stubble chin a few times.
"It's personal."
Isabella narrowed her eyes. Joseph was hiding something. "For whom?"
"For me."
Tori's chilly reply caught Isabella's attention. Tori was attempting to appear calm and removed, but the bitter fire behind her eyes betrayed her. "He killed my fiancee and left me high and dry."
Isabella couldn't hide her surprise. That didn't sound like Vincent at all. But perhaps things had changed since she'd last seen him. Her heart constricted at the thought that all these years in the business had changed him so much. Not to the man she had once loved. "I find that hard to believe."
Tori's lips thinned in anger. "Well he did!" she insisted. "Danté was your cousin!" Tori hurled the remark at Isabella as though she was accusing her of a grievous crime. "Don't you care? It was the same night your Father died."
Isabella let the goading remark pass. Truthfully, she and her Father had been estranged at the time. Long years had passed since she'd given much thought to him or his life of crime. It had been too painful for her to return to Port Charles after leaving under such terrible circumstances. Still, the deaths of her Father and cousin had shocked her and the knowledge that Vincent had been knee deep in it had only made her jumbled emotions all the more confusing. She sometimes didn't know where her loyalties stood.
"I'm sorry Joseph, but I can't help you. I won't allow my younger brother to get dragged into this mess, so if you go forward, it's without any member of my family." Her words were firm and decisive. She cared for Joseph, but his life was his own.
"I knew it." Tori flounced out of her chair and stalked from the room. Robbie's fists clenched at the insult. He wanted to throttle this cow for what she said. One look from Isabella, however, told him to let her go.
"Sorry about the drama queen," Joseph said dryly as he headed to the door with Isabella.
Isabella gave him a critical look. "What the hell do you see in her?"
Joseph arched his eyebrows suggestively. "She makes life...interesting."
Near the doorway, Robbie huffed in disbelief.
***************
Kelly's
"It is freezing out there!" Emily exclaimed as she hustled into the warmth of Kelly's diner.
"I thought you liked winter," Nikolas commented. Removing his gloves, he shrugged out of his jacket and joined Emily at a nearby table.
"I do, but not for extended periods like the past few weeks." Emily wrinkled her nose in distaste. Not needing a menu, she waited impatiently for the waitress. "Do you know what you're getting?"
Nikolas leaned forward, his hand reaching up towards her face, his handsome features getting dangerously close to her. Emily froze in her place, what was he doing? Feeling her heart pound, she nearly squeaked when his hand brushed her cheek.
"There, got it." Nikolas triumphantly held the bit of fluff in his hand for her to see. "I didn't think you'd want to eat with that on your head," he teased, his eyes flickering.
Emily exhaled slowly, forcing a smile. "Yeah, thanks," she managed, grateful for the waitress who'd arrived to take their orders.
Once they had settled with their drinks, Nikolas posed his first of many questions. It had been awhile since he and Emily had an opportunity to spend some time together since the big changes in her home life. Watching her face relax, her head tilting to one side expectantly, he almost laughed. She always seemed to know what he was thinking and like always, she was there to listen with an open heart and mind.
"So how's life now that A.J.'s moved into his own place?"
"Different," Emily said, wrapping her hands around the steaming cup of coffee. "It really caught everyone by surprise, and of course, Grandfather thought it was a rash decision, but A.J. stuck to his guns." Emily smiled proudly. AJ had been through so much, it was good to see him doing what was right for himself and Michael. "It's a nice place too, near the park and with lots of windows. Michael loved it and really, that's all that matters to AJ."
Nikolas smiled in response to her glowing revue. "So the custody issue is finally settled?" Emily nodded gratefully. "Almost six months now and things only seem to be getting better. My nephew is finally getting a normal life."
"And Justus is handling life as CEO at ELQ?"
"Yeah, Grandfather needs a successor and he knows Justus is the one to do the job. And Mom is another year cancer free and Dad is another year drug free and Grandmother is doing well and Jason just came back from wherever he was and Reginald is still in love with Laticia," Emily added, knowing what Nikolas's follow up questions would be.
"I'm that predictable?" Nikolas said as both burst into laughter. Emily wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded, "I know you better than you think Cassadine."
"Seriously Emily, I'm really glad your family is doing so well," Nikolas said softly, his hand reaching across the table to cover hers. A jolt of electricity passed through both of them, leaving them flustered and reaching for their drinks. While it wasn't common for Nikolas to touch her hand, this was the first time that Emily could see his touch affected him as well as her. After a minute of awkward silence and looking at her hands, Emily bravely pushed forward, still unsure of how to respond to his dizzying touch. "It is beautiful outside."
Nikolas nodded. "But cold," he added, the teasing once again creeping back into his voice. After another minute, the two friends were once again engaged in playful banter and jokes.
Still, neither could let go of the fact that in just one small moment, things had dramatically changed between them.
********
Wyndemere
"Alexis."
"Sabrina."
The polite greeting by both women might have meant nothing to an unassuming stranger, but to those who knew Alexis Davis and Sabrina DeLane as the half-sisters who barely managed to be civil to each other, the greeting was just a glimpse into the difficult relationship they had.
Sabrina stood near Stefan's desk, her arms crossed in front of her as she waited for Stefan to arrive. Alexis stood near the windows, giving the grounds below her an inordinate amount of attention. The uncomfortable silence hung in the air as both remained silent.
"Do you know what this is about?" Sabrina finally asked.
"Helena, I think." Much to her chagrin, she was just as clueless as Sabrina. "What I do know, is that I'm freezing in here."
Alexis eyed the fireplace greedily. Sabrina narrowed her eyes, "he keeps it cold in here because of the books."
Alexis turned and sighed. "I know that."
"Then why do you keep announcing how cold it is when we're here? Lordy." Sabrina bit out.
"Because it pisses you off," Alexis shot back, feeling her temper getting the best of her.
Their shouting match was cut short by the arrival of Stefan through his private entrance. One look in their direction and he instantly regretted making them wait any longer than a few minutes. "I apologize for the delay."
"It's fine, what's going on?" Sabrina pinched the bridge of her nose and released a calming breath. How on earth did she still manage to behave like a petulant child around Alexis? Sneaking a glance at Alexis, she was surprised to see her half-sister wearing a similar expression.
"As you know my surveillance of Helena has continued despite all indications that she intends to make Greece her home," Stefan started, handing each a folder. "I am nevertheless concerned about a few developments." Both women opened their folders and scanned the information inside.
Alexis flipped the first few pages over and continued perusing the page until something caught her eye near the bottom. "She's not using family accounts." Her eyes rose in surprise and suspicion, matching her tone.
"I was just about to say the same thing," Sabrina said, her brow furrowing. "I'm not familiar with these accounts." She turned to Alexis, "they're European, right?"
Alexis nodded, placing her glasses back on. "Old Swiss accounts to be precise, and when I say old I mean old." She looked over the numbers more closely. Helena had never used anything but Cassadine money over the years, despite Stefan's attempts to find and freeze her accounts, she'd made good time while in control of the family and had appropriated an unknown amount of Cassadine funds, keeping those accounts well hidden.
Sabrina could see the concern on both of her siblings faces. It was unsettling to think Helena might have a new ally who could possibly be funding another attack on the family. Instantly her thoughts went to Dominik and their deceased son. Her child had been so vulnerable. Sabrina's heart constricted as her Luca's features came into focus. Quickly turning her head, she blinked several times, willing the tears away. Now was not the time.
"Do you know who the owner of these accounts are?" Alexis asked, interrupting the silence.
Stefan nodded. "It took a great deal of time and energy, but I was just informed only a few hours ago. They are Vasileios family accounts," he said gravely.
Alexis and Sabrina exchanged a wordless, alarmed glance.
"Her family?" Sabrina murmured. "She barely acknowledges their existence. I don't know much other than their heritage is old, wealthy and dark."
"The traditions and beliefs of the family are certainly more rigorous than those of this family," Stefan admitted.
"Rigorous? Try barbaric. These people make us look like the Cleavers," Alexis muttered from her seat. "If we're bad news, they're seriously scary news." "Stefan, you must know more than a name," Sabrina commented, eying her brother curiously.
Stefan rose from his seat behind his desk and moved around to stand in front of the two women. "I know Helena is the eldest child. I know that she has one brother, Castor. She was poised to inherit the family fortune when Stavros was born, seeing as how there was no Vasileios heir at the time and Helena had given birth to a son with our family. Helena is 20 years old than Castor, so naturally his birth was a surprise and a delight to their family."
"I'll bet it tasted like poison to Helena," Sabrina said in a low tone. "All that money and power gone in a flash." She chuckled, "I'd love to have seen her face when Mikkos dropped that bombshell on her." Stefan smiled at Sabrina's remark. "With Castor's arrival, there was no need for Helena, regardless of the male heir she produced, much of the inheritance would go to her brother. She was given a small fortune, but compared to what Castor would surely inherit, it seemed like pocket change," Stefan continued. "So she turned her efforts to our family."
Alexis tilted her head,"and we all know how determined she is to control the Cassadine Empire."
Sabrina nodded in agreement,"what better way than to reach out and tug on the family for back up."
"Which probably explains why she's using family accounts," Alexis added. "She's coming at us and this time she's bringing the family along for the ride."
"Bring it on!" Sabrina declared loudly, pushing out of her seat. "If she's coming, we need to be ready."
"I agree," Stefan said, "but things are not entirely clear. I'm going to need to probe Castor Vasileios further, to see how deep, how far and how wide his reach extends to." Turning to face his sisters, his emerald eyes hardened. "Take the necessary precautions to secure yourselves and those you wish to protect. I will handle Nikolas privately and will contact you in time with any new information, is that clear?"
His words were firm and non-negotiable and both Alexis and Sabrina knew that Stefan's word in their family was last. In these times, his leadership override any irritation at being told what to do. Both women nodded seriously at his instruction.
"Good, be careful."
*********
Harborview Towers
Vincent entered his home with a weary sigh. Dusk was just setting and he strolled through the dimly lit living room, tossing his jacket on a nearby chaise and turned towards the balcony doors. He walked slowly towards them, his hand grabbing the tiny remote control on a nearby table. Pressing a few of the buttons for the CD player, he grabbed the newspaper from his desk and continued his journey to the city lights and evening air that beckoned him. The murmuring music drifted out onto the balcony after him.
The cold didn't bother him. His body shivered but his mind took no notice as he leaned over the railing, brushing the snow from it, his eyes roving the impressive expanse of the city below him.
His city.
The knowledge gave him no surge of power. Too many dark memories loomed in his mind, keeping a hold on him. How could he truly accept the position he had taken when so many terrible things had happened so many nights ago?
"Let it go." A lieutenant in his crew had dispensed the only advice Vincent could swallow the weeks following Danté's death and Tori's disappearance. Let it go. Let it all go.
Vincent had tried, occupying his days with work and his nights with the many nameless women who eagerly warmed his bed.
Yet the chill never left him.
"Jesus," he muttered to himself, snapping the paper into view, flicking the pages impatiently until a caption caught his eye, making him forget his troubling thoughts. Isabella Moreno and Joseph Sorel separately exiting a Miami nightclub, Sorel with an unidentified woman. The pictures were slightly blurry, but the two faces were unmistakable. Vincent blinked, he vaguely knew of Joseph Sorel's reputation as an independent enforcer. But with Isabella Moreno? Something was up. Snapping open his phone, he dialed and reentered the dining room area, not bothering to shut the doors behind him.
"Did you see today's paper?" he asked when the other end picked up. His eyes roved the picture again. "I wanna know what his business is with Isabella Moreno but don't let them get a hint that they're being looked into. This is a priority, don't screw up."
Ending the call abruptly, he gazed at Isabella's picture again. Inhaling deeply, he swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. Despite her raised hand to cover her face, all that first captivated him to her was still present in the grainy black and white image.
*~*
"Didn't you hear me? I said I would protect you!" Vincent implored her.
Tears glistened in her eyes as she took his hands in hers. "It doesn't work like that Vincent. My Father doesn't know you're the father."
Rage coursed through his veins and his jaw muscles tightened with the implication. "He thinks it's Garcia's," he spat, turning from her.
Isabella blinked, ignoring the tears that cascaded down her cheeks. "Alejandro's Father and Uncles are well respected members of the PCPD. My Father wouldn't dare go near him. You have no protection, he would kill you without a second's notice."
"And no doubt Garcia's going along with this, he's completely in love with you," Vincent added icily. He heard her withered sigh behind him and instantly his shoulders sagged with regret. Turning, he sat down on a nearby bench. Snaking his arm around her waist, he pulled her close, nuzzling his face against her abdomen. Isabella's arms closed around him and the young couple reveled in the intimacy that would end once Isabella left for the European boarding school her Father was sending her to in the next few hours. These last moments needed to be treasured, not spent fighting.
"I could marry you. I could take you away and nobody would ever find us," he whispered, his hand resting on her flat abdomen. "I would be a good Father and husband."
Isabella sank into his lap, wishing this moment could be frozen in time. The fleeting thought of her, Vincent and their child far away from the shackles of her Father's world made her almost say yes.
Almost.
"We can't. We'd be found. I know you'd protect us, but my Father has unlimited resources and he'd never stop. It's too risky."
Vincent's heart sank. She was right. They were too young and he had no real prospects. Danté had encouraged him to do odd jobs for one of Moreno's men and despite his misgivings, the temptation was hard to resist. "I just-I don't want to lose you. Not to your Father's ways, not to Garcia, not to anybody. I love you too much."
His heartfelt declaration received no response. Vincent's eyes rose. "Isabella?" he questioned her unreadable expression.
Isabella's eyes widened, the discomfort she'd been feeling had suddenly surged into exploding pain. Sharp jabs shot inside her abdomen and in a rush of pain, she grabbed herself, a cry escaping her lips.
"Isabella!?" Vincent panicked as Isabella fell to the ground, releasing a wail that sent shivers down Vincent's spine. It dawned on him.
"The baby!" he cried, pulling her into his arms. "Hang on, everything's gonna be fine, I'll get you to the hospital."
"No!"
Vincent gave Isabella an astonished look. "No?"
"The guards will come any second. You can't be here! Go, please!" Isabella begged him. Her face paled considerably as another wave of pain crashed over her. She could feel it deep within her, the tiny life in her womb was slipping away. "Go!"
"I won't leave you!" Vincent refused, still holding her, his watery gaze boring into hers. In the distance he heard the anxious shouts of her guards closing in.
Isabella's eyes darted to the approaching shouts. "Please Vincent, for me, you can't be here," she pleaded. Torn between two choices, Vincent pressed a kiss to her lips. "I love you," he whispered before dashing into the bushes.
From a safe distance, he watched as the guards swooped in and scooped Isabella's limp frame away from the scene, his heart in his throat.
She was gone.
*~*
It was the last he saw her, until it was too late. He had searched until he found her, but the miscarriage and subsequent isolation had taken its toll on her. She had sworn him off and refused to speak to him. Broken hearted, he returned to Port Charles, continuing to work for the man he despised.
Her Father.
It was no surprise that he and Danté were such good friends.
"And now you're back," he murmured to the picture as the last of the day's sunlight faded over the horizon and the blackness of night took over.