Taggert took a deep breath, willing himself to do this in a calm, rational manner. He'd promised Mac to hold off, but it had been too difficult. His emotions blinded any kind of rational thinking and after a few pointless hours at the station, he'd found himself heading towards her.
Dara.
His closest friend. The one he'd trusted, the one he'd cared for, the one he'd once loved.
The one who had lied to his face. The one who felt she couldn't trust him.
So here he was. Wanting answers.
''You know why I'm here?'' he asked softly. Dara nodded, her lips still pressed together tightly.
''I don't understand why I'm here. I find out from my co-workers that my best friend has been seeing Sonny Corinthos. That she's been seeing him for months. You think something big like that would slip past her lips instead of someone else's.'' He shook his head. ''I don't get it.''
Dara looked at Marcus, a pained expression on her face. She hadn't meant for him to find out the way he did. ''I wasn't honest with you,'' she started before Marcus cut her off.
''Why didn't you tell me? What did you think I'd do?'' His eyes narrowed, he was losing his cool. Taking another deep breath, he calmed himself again.
''I didn't tell anyone. I couldn't.'' Dara paused, this was so tough. All of it had been a strain on her. Rubbing her forehead, she waited until she was ready. ''I know better, keeping secrets isn't what I wanted my closest friendship to include. I could lie and say I wanted to tell you, but the truth is, I didn't.''
Taggert's breath sucked in, surprised at the revelation. He clenched his fists, hurt terribly by her words. Somehow, he could feel Corinthos was behind all this. ''I can't believe this,'' he muttered. ''Out of everyone who could fall for his fake charm, I never believed you'd be one.''
Dara's eyebrows shot up, her face heated with indignation. ''I'm not stupid, I didn't make my choices lightly. I didn't plan on getting involved with him and neither did he, it just happened.'' Her voice had risen an octave, she was upset with his assumptions.
''Oh, I'll bet he didn't.'' The words were out of Taggert's mouth before he realized what he was saying. Casting his eyes downward, he didn't want to see her reaction.
''What are you suggesting?'' Dara demanded icily. ''That poor, naive Dara was seduced into bed by big bad Sonny Corinthos? That she's so starved for a relationship that she'll hop into any warm bed open to her?'' Tears blurred her vision and she wiped them away angrily.
''Look at me!'' she shouted, her voice shaking. Taggert's gaze reluctantly rose to meet hers. He flinched in reaction to her pain filled expression, he'd struck her below the belt, something he swore he'd never do to her.
''You think I didn't know the risks? You think I don't know them now? All that stuff I was going through, trying to sort through it and to come out realizing that I love Sonny Corinthos! You think I wasn't scared? You think I didn't assume I was crazy?''
''You, you love Corinthos?'' Taggert's voice was awed, barely able to utter the words he'd just heard. Outside, the lightning flashed once more.
Dara blinked. Had she said that? Her eyes turned to Marcus and his silence confirmed it. She openly declared her love for Sonny. To Marcus, the last person who'd want to her something like that. A brief glimpse of Sonny flashed through her mind and instantly, her heart swelled. His dimples lifted her spirits. His dark, passion filled eyes made her spine tingle. His embrace enveloped her, warming her completely. She felt safe, loved and honored. It became very clear in that moment.
Yes, she loved him. With everything she had in her.
''It's not your fault. It'll pass when his intentions for you are clear.''
With his words, everything inside her crumbled. Dara's face fell, the tears slipping down her face silently. How could he? Clenching her fists, she strode with determination towards him.
''His intentions are clear now. I know them. I've always known them. He loves me, he always has and he always will,'' she declared angrily before throwing her hands up. She was tired. She wanted to go home. ''I can't deal with you right now. I don't want to. I'm tired of being scared and confused and ashamed.''
Taggert stood silently. She was angry, but something in her voice was reaching out to him, pleading with him to trust her choice. He shook his head with disbelief. He wasn't sure he could.
''I'm going home now.'' With that, she was gone.
Taggert stared down the hall after her. He could run after her, but the plain truth stood in the way. He wasn't ready to accept this.
*****************
Moreno's Home
The man was awe struck. Moreno had just spent the last 20 minutes detailing his theory. He'd hung up his phone with his contact at the P.C.P.D. when the man had come in from the pouring rain outside. Once they were both seated, Moreno had recounted what he'd learned.
''Sonny Corinthos and Dara Jensen? The former mobster and the A.D.A. are sleeping together?''
Moreno nodded. The idea didn't seem so ludicrous to him. ''Jensen's a fine piece of work. I can see the attraction on both parts. She's gorgeous, he's dangerous. It's a winning combination.''
The man leaned back in his seat. ''And that's what Danté figured out. That's why Vincent Tyson's so interested in her whereabouts. That photograph will convince Corinthos that if he doesn't side with Danté, Jensen's as good as dead.'' The man smiled with admiration. ''It's a good plan. It's the only way he can swing the tide his way.''
Moreno laughed. ''Too bad it's not going to happen the way he planned.'' His words were ominous, laced with a threat any man in this business knew how to take.
*************
Unmarked Warehouse on the Docks
Vincent glanced around the room, ensuring that the members of Danté's crew were all here. Most were talking quietly in groups around the large table they would all occupy in a few minutes when the meeting started. Checking with the guards, he nodded to the head of security, who in turn nodded back, signaling that the warehouse was completely secure. Vincent shoved his hands into his coat pocket, his fingers grasping for the cell phone. Worried eyes glanced around for Danté as he thought of Tori being over at Sonny's Penthouse Suite right now. Anything could go wrong and she was completely unprotected.
''Vincent, get the guys ready,'' Danté instructed as he approached the dimly lit area. He eyed the room, his dark chocolate eyes flashing with anticipation. It wouldn't be long now, tonight's meeting would go down in Vitali history as one of the most important events in Port Charles's illustrious relationship with organized crime.
Vincent's clear blue eyes darkened as he caught the hint of excitement in Danté's voice. Something was going on inside his head and so far, Danté hadn't shared it with anyone. He resisted the urge to press Danté for details but already feared he knew what was coming.
Once the formalities had been gone through, Danté stood. Standing tall and proud, he smiled at the group before speaking. ''Tonight is a night where things change for us. Tonight is the night where we take back what rightfully is ours. Tonight, we stop waiting and worrying.''
Vincent glanced around the room uneasily. He didn't like the sound of what he was hearing.
Danté continued his speech, pride filling him with every word he spoke. His Father would have loved this moment, to see his son at the head of the table, taking his place in the world as a leader. He smile grew at the thought and he continued on with his plan.
''What I'm saying is, screw the other families. This is about power and respect. If they won't give it, I'll take it from them.'' His gaze grew cold and when he smiled again, it was no longer one of pride and joy. It was an eye opener and chilled the spines of every man in the room. This was the Danté Vitali they all knew best. Ruthless, cruel and deliberate. Crushing whatever stood in his path.
Vincent kept a straight face, but inside he was horrified. Moreno was now an afterthought to Danté, someone he would casually remove from the picture. Danté had moved on to what really stood in his way. The families up north. The ones even Francis Vitali had never crossed. If Moreno's murder caused an uproar with the other families, as both Vincent and Danté knew it would, Danté would react accordingly.
He would remove them all, one by one.
Vincent looked around the room, almost all of his crew was in agreement with Danté's plan. They were restless men, eager to strike out and make names for themselves. If Danté was crazy enough to guarantee the opportunity, they would follow him anywhere.
''What if some of them won't give you what you want?'' one man asked jokingly and the others roared with laughter. Danté chuckled, turning to look down at Vincent. Everyone knew the answer.
''I'm going to kill them. All of them.''
Outside, the thunder howled once more.
*************
Sonny's PH
''Everything looks delicious,'' Tori approved, her gazed traveling the table, the aroma of the meal making her mouth water. Letting her fingers run slowly down the length of the wine bottle, she nodded at the choice. Her favorite. Of course he remembered. Turning to face Sonny, she smiled. ''Everything,'' she repeated, her eyes now roving over him.
Sonny averted her eyes as he approached her. She turned to shrug out of her coat, already enjoying the feel of his hands brushing against her skin. Tori twirled slowly, letting him have a look at every contour of her shapely physique. A preview of things to come. ''Like what you see?''
Sonny swallowed. ''You look good.''
Tori smiled in response. He was playing along, but not going too far. He was resisting already, but she had a good feeling things would change in her favour very soon.
''Why don't we eat?'' Sonny suggested, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Once he had pushed her chair in, Sonny popped open the bottle of wine and carefully poured the chilled liquid into both flutes before taking his seat adjascent to her.
Tori lifted her flute up. ''A toast,'' she declared. Sonny reluctantly lifted his as well.
''To good lovers and better enemies,'' she declared. Her gaze settled on his as he repeated her words. ''To good lovers and better enemies.''
Tori let out a hearty laugh at his words. ''Just kidding, right baby?'' she crooned. With another laugh, she downed her drink in one fluid motion. Sonny took a sip, placing it down. He looked at the clock. 6:10p.m.
10 minutes gone. It seemed like an eternity, and already he felt more dirty than he ever imaged.
It was going to be a long night.
*************
Dara's Apartment
*~*
I've got you, under my skin
I've got you, deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me
I've got you, under my skin
*~*
Dara smiled as the smooth voice filled the room, drifting into the bathroom at just the perfect volume. Turning off the tap to the foam filled bathtub, she ran a few fingers through the steaming water. Just right she nodded to herself. Lighting the votives that were placed throughout the room, Dara changed in the bedroom to let the Honeydew scent fill the bathroom. Turning off the phone but ensuring the answering machine was on, she held her terry cloth robe together with one hand while the other grabbed her bottled water from the fridge. Returning quickly to the aroma filled bathroom, Dara inhaled happily, already feeling her tense muscles relax.
*~*
I tried so, not to give in
I've said to myself this affair,
It never will go so well
But why should I try to resist
When baby I know damn well
That I've got you, under my skin
*~*
Shedding her robe, Dara carefully dipped one foot into the water, testing it. ''Purrrrfect,'' she murmured before letting the rest of herself slip below the clear surface, keeping her head just above water. She closed her eyes, feeling the knots in her stomach slowly unravel. A deep smile grew on her face. This was definitely what she needed.
*~*
I'd sacrifice anything, come what might
For the sake of having you near in spite
Of a warning voice, comes in the night
And repeats, repeats in my ear
Don't you know you fool?
You never can win
Use your mentality
Wake up to reality
But each time I do, just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
Because I've got you, under my skin
*~*
It only took a few minutes for her calm state to bring about thoughts of the man who reflected the lyrics Frank sang. She remembered everything about him. His laugh, his voice, the way he seemed to stare through her, down to the very essence of who she was, never blinking an eye or looking away.
*~*
I would sacrifice anything, come what might
For the sake of having you near in spite
Of a warning voice, comes in the night
And repeats, how it yells in my ear
Don't you know you fool?
Ain't no chance to win
Why not use your mentality
Get up, wake up to reality
And each time I do, just the thought of you
Makes me stop just before I begin
Because I've got you, under my skin
*~*
It did not take long for those thoughts of Sonny to grow into an ache for him. The ache to feel his hands moving along her skin. The ache to run her fingers through his silky dark curls. His lips on hers.
Demanding.
Devouring.
To feel him inside her. Pleasing her. Loving her.
The thoughts that used to drive her crazy and left her wondering what was wrong with her.
No more.
*~*
And I like you, under my skin
*~*
And she ached to feel it all.
***********************
P.C.P.D.
''Ooooh, tell me you didn't.'' Garcia's voice rang out from his seat. ''Tell me you didn't confront her yet.'' By the looks of Taggert, he didn't need an answer. Taggert slumped into the chair next to Garcia.
''I blew it,'' he confessed, running a weary hand along his brow.
Garcia let out an exasperated sigh. ''How bad?''
''Pretty bad.''
Garcia cringed at Taggert's downcast tone. ''And in more ways than one,'' he concluded.
Taggert's expression changed from downcast to surprised. ''What do you mean?'' he asked.
Garcia shook his head. ''Mac's gonna be pissed. You knew better.''
Anger rose in Taggert at Garcia's words. ''Screw procedure Alex! She's my friend and she's hooking up with Sonny Corinthos! I can't just let that slide. You of all people know how destructive his touch is!''
Garcia drew back, as if slapped by Taggert's last words. Despite the years since her passing, Lily's violent death still pained him.
Realizing he had once again gone too far with a friend, Taggert opened his mouth to apologize. Garcia waved it off as he rose from his seat.
Taggert persisted. ''God, what is wrong with me? Alex, I'm sorry, that was totally out of line for me to say.''
''Stop,'' Garcia cut in. He retrieved 2 cups of water from the dispenser and handed Taggert one, downing his own quickly before speaking. ''If anybody knows how dangerous Corinthos's touch is, its Corinthos. I loved Lily, yes, but so did Sonny. He cared for her. He would have made a life with her and their child. Poor choices led to her death. Rivera blamed himself so bad he couldn't fathom life knowing he'd killed his only child. Sonny watched her die. He watched his child die. I doubt a day goes by in his life where he doesn't think about that day.''
''What about you?'' Taggert asked softly, discarding his cup into a nearby trash can.
Garcia shrugged. ''It still hurts. I miss her. And for a long time I blamed Corinthos. Him and only him. For everything.'' Turning to face Taggert, Garcia's face softened. ''Until I learned to let go of it. Lily made her choices. Corinthos made his. Rivera made his and I had to make mine. There wasn't a damn thing I could do to change Lily's mind about Corinthos. You can't change Dara. She is who she is and she'll make choices accordingly. We all have to make tough choices in life. And we have to live with them. I know that and so does Corinthos.''
''So what do I do in the meantime?''
Garcia leaned against his desk. ''Be her friend?'' he offered.
''And just let her walk into that life?'' Taggert asked with disbelief.
Garcia nodded. ''I know, it's hard,'' he admitted. Rising from his desk, he approached Taggert.''But think of how hard it's been for Dara. This isn't your life. It's hers. And its Corinthos's and he's watched one woman he cared for die. He won't make that same mistake.''
*****************
Moreno's home
''So what do we do next?'' the man asked.
Moreno stood by the French doors leading to the outside and took a sip of the dark liquor from the crystal glass. ''We change the tide.''
The man laughed. ''Changing the tide isn't an easy thing to do.''
''Sure it is,'' Moreno disagreed. ''If you know exactly how to do it.''
''So how are we going to do it?''
Moreno's eyes hardened. Years of experience in this business pointed him in the grim direction. ''If Danté banked his hopes on using Dara Jensen as a pawn, then I guess I can too. I'll just take his pawn before he can use it.''
The man glanced at his watch. ''She should be at her place. Do you want me to pick her up now?''
Moreno took another thoughful sip of his drink. ''No,'' he finally decided. ''If she wants Corinthos, she'll go running to find him. All you need to do is intercept her on the road. There's more people at her place, if she manages to scream, you could get a nervous neighbour calling the P.C.P.D.''
The man nodded in compliance. ''You want her brought here?''
Moreno frowned with annoyment. ''Of course not, stupid. Bring her to the warehouses on highway 15.''
The two men sycronized their times before the man left. Moreno gave a throaty chuckle of victory. ''Now we'll have some fun.''