So this idea came from an exchange of
texts with T. Hopefully, it makes sense and I ran out of time to edit. Sorry.
As always, thanks for reading.
Prompt: Passion makes the world go round. Love just makes it a safer place. ~Ice T
The conference room was packed.
The commanding table at the front was set with all the accoutrements expected of those who held a coveted seat on the Board of Directors at ELQ Industries. The crystal glasses and silver decanters were precisely arranged along with the leather folders that encased the tediously boring annual report that had been properly signed off on a week prior and filed with the SEC, after both the auditors and executives with fiduciary responsibility were satisfied with the documents accuracy.
Her specifications had been met and there were no unsavory ripples expected at this occasion and that was just how the sharp tongued chief executive officer wanted it. She was still smarting over the very public divorce proceedings that had been finalized a few weeks back on the rather tawdry heels of her nephew's conviction for murder and racketeering. Her good family name had been trampled in the press and her leadership ability called into question after the sordid details of her marriage had been divulged in open court.
She'd had to do a fast two step to out maneuver Daddy after the sleazy truth hit the gossip rags but she'd narrowly kept her position at the helm of her family's financial empire. And she'd simultaneously managed to swindle her no good lousy ex-husband out of palimony and divested him of all his financial assets as well. She smiled ruthlessly knowing that it had broken Luke's heart more to see his precious Haunted Star turned into scrap metal than it had for his Angel to fly away to Paris last year.
The man would now know better than to cross her or toy with her emotions ever again. Their love had always been a risky proposition for her, their relationship never safe for Luke's passion for excess and the game had always moved him more than hearth and home.
She'd shown her mental acuity and underhanded mettle during the most emotionally trying of times and, once again, she'd prove her worth today. She was precisely who ELQ needed to successfully steer them through these rather perilous financial times.
All was going exactly as planned as the board members, stockholders, and press settled into their respective chairs waiting for the Annual Stockholder's Meeting to be called to order. She preened under their scrutiny knowing that she looked her coiffed and massaged best as she adjusted the cuff of her heavy brocade suit jacket and confidently walked up the center aisle to take her place at the head of the table.
The low din that had permeated the room earlier quieted to a hush of anticipation with each step she took forward. She gave Daddy a conniving, triumphant smile as she passed him by and soaked up the power she'd been born to wield.
She was nervous as she adjusted her simple white blouse and trim business skirt outside of the solid conference room door.
She was much more accustomed to her shapeless scrubs or comfortable in well worn jeans and sweaters but they would not do for what she had on her agenda for today.
Her normally steady nerves were suddenly abandoning her. It was strangely odd how she could stay calm and cool under pressure when someone was bleeding to death in front of her and in need of her medical training and assistance, yet, she was unable to remain so serenely in command when the lives of her children were involved.
She'd lived the past few months in denial, trying in vain to believe that despite the reality that confronted her every day that her boys would actually be safe. By the time Jason had been convicted, they'd already parted ways and that should have afforded her and the boys the security of distance and anonymity.
The harsh reality of Jason's world had crashed down upon them when Jake had been kidnapped a second time during an all out war with the deadly Russian syndicate. Jason had barely managed to bring their son home safely this time suffering multiple abrasions, contusions, and a few cracked ribs when the mine the Russians had been keeping Jake captive in collapsed during a shoot-out he'd instigated.
She'd been frightened by how close they'd come to permanently losing their little boy and, at the same time, ashamedly relieved that it had been Sam who'd forfeited her life instead of their innocent toddler or his father. The other woman had used her body to shield Jake from the onslaught of rocks and debris falling atop them and had been instantly killed by a large bolder landing on the base of her skull.
And though it was a tragedy, she couldn't help but feel undeservedly blessed as she'd tightly hugged her little boy to her and snuggled her cheek atop his tufted head when Jason had brought him home. Jake's sturdy body and unruffled disposition lifted the agony of despair and regret that had consumed her while he'd been gone, only to be replaced by the swift and certain knowledge that she and Jason could never live their unspoken dreams. They'd never be a family in the traditional sense and the world would never know that Jason Morgan was Jake's father- it was just too dangerous.
At least, that's what she and Jason had been convinced of at the time. But time had a funny way of changing what you knew to be a sure truth into something that was just a pipe dream in retrospect.
She and the boys were still in danger, possibly more so now than ever because Jason was unable to protect them from behind heavy steel bars. And he'd never thought that the person who was his most trusted friend would ever become his biggest enemy. Yet, that's what had happened.
Sonny hadn't been satisfied with Jason merely going to prison for his betrayal. The head of the Zacchara crime family demanded additional payment for the insult that Jason had delivered Sonny's pride. And after hostilely assuming control of his previous organization, Sonny wanted the money from Jason's private accounts forfeited as well.
Unfortunately, Jason had outflanked Sonny. The accounts had been cleaned out before Bennie, under the considerable duress for his former boss, could access them. And the additional offense of anticipating Sonny's course of action before he'd even lifted a finger enraged the mafia don even further. Spinelli was [i]very lucky he'd disappeared without a cyber trace after he'd tapped his Masters account as requested.
At first, Sonny's inquiries into the missing funds had been casual and blanketed under seemingly sincere concern for Jake's welfare since Jason had been sentenced and would be spending a lengthy stay at a federal facility. She'd disavowed knowledge of or access to the blood soaked funds and continued working her shifts and caring for her boy as usual. But gradually Sonny's interrogations in the guise of friendly chats increased to outright threats and she knew she'd have to take action.
She'd discussed the situation extensively with Lucky and they'd both agreed that contacting Jason wasn't a viable option. It would only cause undue attention and make Sonny even more suspicious. Lucky had then assured her that he'd handle everything.
Unfortunately, her faith in her first loves abilities was a little rusty and that's when his father stepped in. Luke's revelation had seemed absurd, crazy, and completely selfish and personally motivated, like the man himself, but it was also the perfect answer to her unspoken prayers.
With renewed courage, she smoothed a hand over her son's spiked hair and gently clasped his hand in her own. His face was so earnest, his gaze too inquisitive as he stared up at her. She smiled reassuringly back at him, squared her shoulders and grasped the heavy metal knob with her free hand.
As she stepped into the ELQ Boardroom, she was now ready to reveal the true heritage of her youngest son to the entire world for it was the only way to keep him truly safe.
He watched the proceedings with a seemingly lackadaisical demeanor, his notepad and pencil at the ready along with his mini-recorder for effect. He reached up
to once again smooth down his fake mustache as he surreptitiously scouted out all the players in his little game today.
He saw the old coot parked up front trying to exude strength and resilience from the aged body under his custom made suit and freshly polished shoes. He had a grudging respect for the old man's bluster and enjoyed their sparring insults and spirited debates. He never missed an opportunity to rile the stuffy old goat.
And then there was Monica, she always looked particularly maudlin at this time of year. Time never seemed to make Alan's passing any easier for the old broad, especially after she'd assumed Alan's previous position as Chief of Staff late last year. He understood how deeply the loss of a kindred and comfortable love could hollow you out and make you feel empty inside no matter how distant the memory.
He'd felt the same way about his Angel.
After the heartache and devastation her disease caused, he'd never wanted to feel the lowering emotion of love again. He'd simply wanted the easy money and the chase for he understood that passion made the world go round. And he was a man that indulged in the earthy passion of life.
Until, his Fancy Pants somehow snuck under his pickled guard and showed him a different kind of love. One where the wanderlust wore off more quickly and the desire to slip in beside her under the impeccably clean sheets seemed more exhilarating than the any scam simply because he needed her near him.
Unfortunately, he'd come to those hard realizations too late and his wifey wasn't too thrilled with him these days. But he'd finagled a way to get her back on his side, willing to barter and scheme her way around the world with him through the most posh locations, in order to avoid some criminal charges.
Yes, any minute now his Fancy Pants was going to need him to swoop down in his disguise and whisk her away like the dashing hero of her girlhood dreams as her company soiree hit a little snag and became her worst nightmare.
He wasn't a particularly noble man quite the contrary. He'd made his share of mistakes and then some but he couldn't let little Elizabeth and her son fall prey to his old partner. Sonny had underestimated him, had denied him a place in the mob world he'd known so well after his surgery, essentially putting him out to pasture. And he was about to return the favor by taking away the bastard's leverage.
The heavy wooden door creaked in a moment of silence in between Tracy's perfunctory words. She raised one freshly waxed brow at the intrusion and pursed her lips in reaction to the young brunette mother who was purposefully making her way toward the front. It took Elizabeth longer than normal since she paced her steps to those of the golden haired little boy accompanying her.
As she reached the front, Edward's bluster could be heard as he interrupted, "Elizabeth, my dear, what are you doing here?"
A gentle smile of apology crossed her porcelain face as she looked back and forth between Edward and Monica. He saw the understanding quietly slip down Monica's cheeks and wasn't entirely surprised by the older woman's intuitive knowledge.
Elizabeth looked around the gathering and then resolutely handed over the official documents he'd gifted her with earlier in the day. Edward's gnarled fingers flipped through the pages, his eyes rapidly consuming the legal complexities of his late son's will before his shrewd gaze landed on the little boy at Elizabeth's side.
He watched the older man asses his great-grandson, noting the similarities to the estranged thug of the Quartermaine family. It was the site of Lila's brilliant blue eyes staring back at Edward that choked the patriarch with overwhelming happiness and hope as he reached toward the stoic lad.
With a clarity that rung out over the curious onlookers, Elizabeth offered, "Edward, Monica, I'm sorry for the intrusion but I'd like to introduce you to Jacob Martin, Jason's son and rightful heir to ELQ Enterprises."
Over the frenzy Elizabeth's simple words elicited, he heard his Fancy Pants sputtering denials as Monica crisply told her to put a sock in it as she knelt down to officially meet her grandson.
Edward's stern voice landed upon his daughter as he scolded, "Tracy, this is disappointing even for you. We always suspected that you'd forged Alan's will and now we have the proof."
And that was his cue to step in and rescue his bitter buttercup now that she'd paid for turning his lovely Haunted Star into scraps. He'd ensured that the love and stature of the Quartermaine name would protect Elizabeth and her boys from Sonny's underworld pressure.
He'd done his one good deed for the year, hell, probably his lifetime. Now, it was time for Tracy and him to embark on the passion of their next adventure. With a twinkle in his eye and scheme up his sleeve, he whispered into Tracy's ear, "It's time to fly the coop, Wifey."
