Chapter 31

Six weeks later…

MJ pressed a kiss to Ally’s cheek. When his sister called last night and invited him out for breakfast at Kelly’s he jumped at the opportunity. After so many weeks of craziness it felt good to hang out for a while. It had been forever since they just talked. He took a long look at his sister. Though smiling, Ally’s eyes mirrored the trouble that swirled in his soul. Obviously, the last few weeks had been hell for more than just him.

"What’s bothering you?" he asked, taking his seat across from her.

She shrugged. "Why would you think something’s bothering me?"

"This is me, Three D."

Ally groaned. "I thought we were past that. Daddy’s dimpled darling is no more. I married somebody he doesn’t like, remember?"

"Well, considering he’s not really interested in what I have to say right now, I’d guess you’re still the crown jewel in the children department."

"You and Daddy are still having problems, huh?"

Before he could answer, the waitress came over and filled their empty cups with coffee. She flashed them a warm smile. "You two ready to order?" the brunette asked.

"Uh, yeah, actually, I’m pretty starved," MJ replied. "I’ll have the pancake breakfast. Scramble the eggs, and a large OJ."

She scribbled down the order. "Okay, and you?" she said to Ally.

"I’m not very hungry. How about some cinnamon toast and apple juice."

"Alright, it will be up in a few minutes."

When the waitress left, MJ leaned forward. "You gonna tell me what’s on your mind?"

Ally patted his hand. "Don’t deflect the question. We were talking about you and Daddy."

MJ hunched his shoulders. "He’s upset with me. What else is there to talk about?"

"Why you feel the need to rub elbows with Sal Mancusi. That’s something to talk about."

"Allison, the man is our grandfather."

She grunted. "Don’t remind me. MJ, he tried to have Daddy killed; yet you visit him in Philadelphia every week. Why are you spending so much time with him?"

MJ folded his arms on the table. Why? Because he managed to get stuck smack dab in the middle of a case he decided to back away from. Because doing so could help the woman he was falling madly in love with. Because he finally met his grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her. Because there was a part of him that needed to understand Sal Mancusi. Why the man fascinated him so, and why, even after all Sal had done, he sorta liked him. MJ shrugged and took a sip of the coffee, enjoying the robust flavor and river of warmth that washed over his body. "I have my reasons," he answered, lowering the cup to the table.

"Are these reasons more important than your relationship with Daddy?"

That comment cut him to the quick. He sucked in a harsh breath. "Ally, don’t you do that, too. I’m getting enough of that from Mom. I’ve tried to tell both of them that this is not about Dad. It’s just something I have to do."

"Something you have to do?" she retorted. "If Sal had gotten his wish, Daddy would be dead, and we wouldn’t be sitting here waiting for breakfast. As a matter of fact, we wouldn’t be period. Don’t you get that? You’re getting mixed up with a mobster, MJ. Sonny Corinthos is missing, and his mobster friends disappeared weeks before that. I don’t want the day to come when I wake up to the news that my brother is lost. MJ, these people play for keeps." Tears welled in her eyes. "I don’t want anything to happen to you."

MJ stared at his sister. She was upset, and about a lot more than just his safety. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Allison, what’s wrong?" He paused for a moment, then made an attempt to lighten her mood. "Being concerned about me is one thing, I know how great I am and what a loss it would be to all of humankind not to have me in this world, but the legend plans to be around for a good long time. You don’t need to worry."

Ally scoffed and pulled her hand away. "The legend?" She shook her head. "Jensyn must be crazy."

"Yeah, about me." He grinned. "The girl can’t help herself."

"Oh, Lord," she grumbled.

Her attempt at annoyance fell flat when he caught a flash of humor in her eyes and saw the slight twist of her lips.

"I saw it, you smiled." MJ laughed. "That’s good to see," he said. "Now, seriously, tell me what’s on your mind. Is the honeymoon over already?"

"Oh, MJ." The light moment was lost as Ally covered her eyes, sobbing.

That reaction was not the one he wanted. The heat of anger fanned his face as all kinds of unpleasant thoughts filled his head. "Do I need to beat this guy up? Did he hurt you?"

Lowering her hands, Ally pulled a napkin from the dispenser. "No, Jack’s fantastic," she said, dabbing at the tears.

"You have to forgive me for saying so, but the last I checked, fantastic doesn’t make a newlywed cry like this."

She pulled her curling locks from her face. "It’s me."

"What’s you? Ally, what is it?" He leaned over the table and gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I don’t want to say this too loud and ruin my reputation, but you’re scaring me."

"I’m scared," she said, sniffling. "I, uh, I found out some surprising information a little while back."

He raised a curious eyebrow. "Are you pregnant?"

She frowned. "Damn it, MJ! Why is that always the first thing you ask me? I know what birth control is. I’m not ready to be anybody’s mother. Gosh! No, I’m not pregnant." She fell back against her chair and started shredding the paper napkin. "Besides, pregnancy would be welcome in exchange for what I know right now."

He covered her fidgety hands. "Look, whatever it is can’t be as bad as you’re making it out to be."

"You wanna bet?" She sighed deeply. "The day after I married Jack, I found out that uh…" She paused. "This is hard to say out loud."

"Just say it," MJ urged.

"I found out Dr. Ramsey is Jack’s father."

MJ chuckled. "Yeah, right." He continued to laugh.

"I’m not kidding. Dr. Ramsey is Jack’s father. He never told him because that’s what Jack’s mom wanted. Chris wanted me to find out, because he hates I married Jack, and he knows if Daddy finds out he’ll-- He would not want me married to Jack, and if Jack found out he’d be devastated."

"So, how is Jack taking this?"

"Didn’t you hear what I said? If he knew he’d be devastated. I can’t tell him, MJ. Chris is his lone blood relative and he loves the man. I can’t tell him his whole life has been a lie. And then there’s Daddy. Daddy is going to have a fit when he hears this. Jack being Dr. Ramsey’s nephew is bad enough, but his son? Daddy is convinced Chris is the devil incarnate. He would move heaven and earth to get us apart. And he would be convinced it was for my own good. I can’t risk it. I just can’t."

MJ took his sister’s shaky hand in his. "Allison, listen, you can’t let Chris work you." He lifted her chin so their eyes met. "You’re doing exactly what he wants you to do. You can’t start a marriage with a lie. This is already killing you. You need to tell Jack the truth. He loves you, and no one, not even Dad or Chris Ramsey, can come between that."

"I want to believe you, MJ, but I just can’t."

"Ally, if this comes out the wrong way, it could be so much worse than what you’re already thinking. You need to tell him the truth, and you need to do it now."

Ring. Ring.

MJ reached into the pocket of his suit and pulled out his cell phone. "MJ Harmon."

"MJ, it’s Anna. There’s big news."

"Work," he mouthed to Ally. She nodded and took a drink of coffee. "What sorta big news?"

"I have a camera crew headed to the pier. You need to get down there. The body of Sonny Corinthos has been recovered?"

"The body?"

"Oh, yeah, the great mobster is good and dead. Fishermen found him early this morning, floating face down in the drink. Go work your magic, MJ. We’re going live in ten."

"I’m on my way." He ended the call and replaced the phone. "I have to go, sis." He dropped a twenty on the table and stood.

"What’s going on?" she asked.

"Sonny Corinthos is no longer lost. He’s dead."

Her eyes widened. "What?"

"Yeah, that’s all I know for now."

MJ tried to downplay the gravity of this turn of events, but this news was huge. Jensyn figured Sonny to be dead from the moment he turned up missing, and she was right. The police had questioned her father several times about Sonny’s disappearance, and now with his death confirmed, there was sure to be a flock of reporters camped at her parents’ door. MJ couldn’t help wondering what, if anything, Sal might have to do with this.

"Do you think Mr. Scorpio is involved?" Ally asked. "The police seem to think so."

"I honestly don’t know." He kissed his sister’s cheek. "Hey, you take my advice and talk to Jack, okay? I’ll call you later."

Once outside MJ drew a deep breath. A sick feeling filled the pit of his stomach. With the death of Sonny Corinthos, the lives of so many people would be changed. Sadly, in this instance, he knew the change would not be good.