One whole month. 30 days and 29 nights. 29 LONG nights. 29 LONG, AGONIZING nights. 29 LONG, AGONIZING, PAINF-. Sonny stopped mid-thought. He couldn't keep doing this. He was spending far too little time doing work for the warehouse and far too much time choosing words to describe the staggering feelings that consumed his every movement since Dara had left him, thoroughly shattered, he presumed.
Not that he was thinking he'd ride the wave smoothly either. He knew he'd hurt from breaking things off with her.
Just never THIS bad.
Sonny swallowed slowly, everything in the office becoming eerily calm. He closed his eyes for the briefest moment and everything he remembered about Dara flew into view. Everything he missed sorely. The regret he was now growing used to feeling, filled him.
If he'd only taken the time to stroke her smooth skin one last time. Held her tightly in his arms for a moment longer, feeling her calm heart beat against his chest, soothing him like only hers could. A final tender kiss before letting her go.
Jason thumped into the room noisily, jostling Sonny out of his daydream. "Hey, have you authorized those shipment forms yet?" he asked, busily scrawling on his clipboard before his gaze rose to look at his partner.
Sonny blinked, "umm, yeah just a second, I've got them right here," he quickly scribbled his signature on the pile of forms, barely taking the time to skim them quickly, before handing them to Jason. "That it?" he asked, his voice clearly distracted, although he was shooting for casual.
Jason raised an eyebrow with interest, "no, shipping needs to hire for two full time positions, I've hired another accountant to keep us on track with the books and I was just wondering why our security is on Dara Jensen full time?" he asked nonchalantly.
Sonny paused in his seat, taken completely off guard by Jason's question. Recovering he spoke quickly, "well, she's the A.D.A. and I read in the paper that the city can't afford to keep her safe full time from threats, so I decided to spring for them," he stammered.
Jason sighed, "Sonny, that was a rhetorical question. I was hoping you'd be honest with me here. I already know what went on between you two, I just don't get why you're still hung up on her," he asked pointedly.
"Who told you?!"Sonny demanded angrily before the answer hit him, "Johnny! Dammit, all he does is answer the door and he can't do the one extra thing I ask of him!" he shouted, not realizing how angry he was getting.
"Sonny calm down! I had to drag it out of him. I don't care that you slept with Dara Jensen for a couple of weeks, I care about how it's affecting your head and your work!" Jason said firmly.
"Don't talk about my personal life like that and don't question how I do my job here!" Sonny snapped, his eyes flashing with fury at Jason's butting in.
"Look at you, you can't work, you don't eat and you freak on me when I ask you the kinds of questions you used to DEMAND from me!" Jason snapped back. He stopped and calmed for a few seconds, "you're my best friend and my business partner Sonny, all I want to do is help you, you gotta know that."
Sonny slumped into his chair, tiredly rubbing his face with his hands before placing them on the armrests. "If somebody knew about what went on between me and her, I have to make sure she doesn't get hurt. Too many people have died because of me, I can't let the same happen to Dara," he said, not realizing the earnestness in his tone.
Jason sighed, Sonny was still deeply connected to Dara, that much was obvious to him. "Okay, I understand," he said simply, "nothing happens to her while she's under protection."
Both men nodded in agreement, an uncomfortable silence passing between them until Jason cleared his throat.
"So, how did it happen?" he asked gently.
Sonny's face relaxed somewhat as his eyes drifted out the window. "I'll tell you about it someday."
**********
Dara's office
"Knock, knock!" Marcus Taggert's teasing voice rang across the room from the doorway. Dara peered up from her work to see two brown bags, containing lunch most likely, considering the heavenly scent that was already enticing her sense of smell.
"Perfect timing, I'm famished," Dara said, relieved as she rose from her desk.
Taggert smiled warmly at her before helping her clear off her desk and arrange the Thai food he'd brought up for them. For weeks she'd seemed distracted, almost aloof, and then a month ago, she thrown herself into her work, and although over time, she'd slowly gone back to her old pleasant self, something was clearly off about her. Taggert smiled again as Dara chattered energetically about her work. By the looks of her now, happy and relaxed, her eyes bright and cheerful, maybe things were finally settling down for her, although for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what had thrown her so far off track.
"So, what's new with you?" Dara asked as she bit into her meal hungrily.
"Well, V called last night, and we talked for hours even though it'll take a month's paycheck to cover the bill. She says she misses me so much she's counting the minutes until my visit next week," Taggert said, "Dara, she loves the academy, people are good to her and she's at the top of her class." He couldn't hide the bursting pride and joy he felt for his fiery redheaded love.
Dara grinned, "so she'll be a WSB agent in no time! That's great Marcus, I'm so happy for you two!" Her happiness for Marcus was genuine, especially for how he and V were taking the long distance thing in stride and were closer than ever, and yet, like most things in her life right now, all things invariably led back to Sonny Corinthos.
"Yeah, she thinks I should join too, she's getting tired of my bitching and moaning about how hard it is to pin down stuff on guys like Moreno and Vitali."
Dara arched her brow in surprise, "you in the WSB? Wow, Marcus that'd be perfect for you, all that red tape removed and you can do you what you've always wanted to do. Put the bad guys away."
Taggert pulled out a newspaper and handed it to her. "Speaking of bad guys, take a look at our boy Corinthos, from the Nurses's Ball with Morgan, look a those smirks, knowing that since they went legitimate, they can't be touched by us, makes me sick," he remarked in disgust.
Dara couldn't hear Taggert's words, she could only gaze at Sonny's profile in the picture. Both he and Jason looked handsome in their tuxedos but her eyes devoured Sonny. Those eyes, even through bad newspaper print, still making her weak. His smile, almost like the one he gave her when she stroked his face after they made love, the gentleness. How his smile filled her with warmth and made her tingle all over.
The feelings overwhelmed her and for the first time in a month, Dara burst into tears, unable to control the painful emotions she'd bottled up inside of her. Taggert was at her side in a flash.
"Dara, honey, what's wrong? What is it?" He wanted to fix it now, whatever was wrong, anything to stop her tears. Dara simply shook her head, and Taggert did the only thing he could. He wrapped his strong arms around her and gently held her against him, letting her release her pain. Once she was ready, they would then talk.
*******
Brookside Drive
Danté Vitali cleared his throat and took a deep breath as he pressed the doorbell, hearing it chime an annoying tune. After a few moments, the door opened to reveal Christine Parker, now the widow of the late Andrew Parker. She recognized him immediately, welcoming him in and taking his coat.
"I'm sorry if I'm intruding, I just wanted to see how you were doing. I know I'm overstepping the limits, coming here so often, but I just wanted to check on you," Danté said quietly, his face carefully displaying the appropriate amount of sadness.
Christine nodded, her eyes watering slightly, "oh Danté, thank you so much for your concern, you've been so kind to me. It's been a hard four weeks, but it gets a little easier each day. Vincent came by after the service and told me that you were going to cover all the funeral costs and make sure I'd never have to worry about anything financially again. Andrew always wanted that for me," she said, her voice quivering.
Danté bristled ever so slightly at the mention of Parker, the furthest thing from his mind before Christine had mentioned him. Brushing past it, he nodded, "I know how much he loved you and now that he's gone, I can't help but want to fulfill his wishes for you," he implored, grasping her hands in his and smiling warmly at her as the two sat on the soft chesterfield.
"Danté, you've done so much already, taking care of me, making sure I'm allowing myself to grieve, but is anyone doing this for you?" Christine squeezed his hand gently as her wholesome expression captured his gaze.
Danté gazed at her carefully. From the moment he'd met her at the funeral, he'd wanted her. A dead ringer for Gwyneth Paltrow, he couldn't take his eyes off her, his determination to have her growing every second he spent with her. He was secure with Tori, knowing they didn't bore each other, but still, even Tori's appeal couldn't curb this challenge. For weeks, he'd slowly fostered a bond between the two, appearing always as the shattered best friend, holding her hand, offering her encouragement and support when she needed it. Being there for her like no other. It was a performance that would dazzle even the most accomplished actor.
Now the gears were slowly but surely, turning in place and as if on cue, Danté's eyes filled with tears, spilling over just as her face filled with a determination to comfort him. They hugged tightly, Danté's sobs only subsiding when he chose to speak. "He was like a brother, I miss him so much. I feel so lost and empty, we were best friends!" he wept, nestling his head against her collarbone.
Christine simply hugged him tighter, her eyes filling once again with tears, "I know, I know," she murmured before succumbing to her own tears.
After a few moments, Danté quickly wiped his eyes, "look at me," he laughed softly, before turning his gaze to her, seeing the tear marks down her face. "Oh, Christine, I'm so sorry, being so selfish, making you cry," he apologized hurriedly.
"No, no, please, it's alright," she said reassuringly, but Danté's fingers had already begun to wipe the tears from her face, his touch so soft and comforting, a deep sigh escaped her as his hand cupped the side of her face. Her gaze still locked onto his, she raised her hand, placing it gently on his, feeling the warmth of his hand, just like Andrew's used to. Danté's face remained relaxed, as his thumb began to stroke her cheek gently, his eyes willed her to allow him.
Christine, still so overwhelmed by her own emotions, allowed herself to respond to Danté's touch. He was just a friend, after all, and both had lost Andrew, not just her. Her other hand rested on his knee and instantly, Danté was aroused by the innocent gesture.
"You must feel so lonely," he said softly and she nodded gently. "Me too," he whispered as his other hand carefully cupped the other side of her face. "I know how much he meant to you and you know how much he meant to me," he said, his voice dropping an octave.
Her eyes closed as his voice continued, soft and warm and trusting. "It must be so lonely at night, when he's not there beside you in your bed."
"I reach out for him,"she whispered, her eyes still closed.
"You can't love him that way anymore, you must ache to be loved like that again," Danté said, watching her carefully as her eyes slowly opened.
Christine nodded, her mouth opening to speak, but no words came out. Danté took the advantage, "I would do anything for you, to take that ache away," he murmured and slowly he pulled her towards him, excited that she did not resist or pull from him as he drew her closer. Their lips met, each wanting different things. Christine, caught up in the swirl of the moment, was easy pickings, while Danté slowly took possession of the kiss, enjoying the fullness of her lips. He slowly removed his lips from hers and gently trailed them along her jaw before moving down to the nape of her neck. Christine, drowning under Danté's powerful persuasion, tilted her head back, craving more. As one hand cradled her neck, the other snaked down her front and quickly undid the buttons to her blouse. Christine, firmly lost in the moment, quickly removed the blouse and wrapped her arms around Danté's neck, burying her head against his chest, barely noticing the fact that he had taken her in his arms and found the way upstairs, down the hall, to the master bedroom. Danté gently lay her down, his arousal at full steam as he quickly discarded his shirt and both of their socks and shoes. Taking the time to calm himself and remember the situation at hand, he knelt down in front of her, resting his forearms on her thighs.
Christine, her expression full of trust, gazed down at him.
Danté looked at her carefully, "are you sure?" he asked, knowing full well she was on auto pilot, but he didn't care.
Christine nodded, "take the aching away Danté." Her heartfelt and misguided plea, would have caused anyone else to abandon this deviant path. But not Danté. He'd take away her ache for Andrew with ease, only to replace it with an even greater one for him. She would beg for him to come into her bed after today, no matter if she 'came to her senses' the moment they finished. He could easily convince her again.
As he crawled on top of her and began another assault on her tender skin with his lips, her response only confirmed what he already knew, she was his. Barely four weeks after casually murdering her husband and Danté was taking his widow in their bed. Danté smiled wickedly as he slowly began nibbling her earlobe.
He was Danté Vitali, he could do anything.
*********
Moreno's home
Anthony eyed the man severely as he sat across from him in the den. "I won't lose this area to Danté. Never."
"You want him removed?" the man questioned and Anthony shook his head. "I want someone else to do that to him, a member of his crew, someone who's restless and wants him gone just as much as I do. No, I just want to ensure that when the war comes, I have all the support I can get."
The man nodded, "what do you need?"
Anthony leaned forward, "I want Sonny Corinthos's support."
The man frowned, "Corinthos is out," he started before Anthony cut him off. "Corinthos has a lot of clout, if he or even that baby faced joke of an assistant came back to the life, he'd have this whole area in a second, both Danté and I wouldn't stand a chance against him."
"Again, Corinthos is out,"the man said pointedly.
Anthony sneered at the comment, "Corinthos is out when I say so, I want him on my team, and since he won't come willingly, I want you to find a reason that would change his mind."
The man smiled slowly, "I see, how soon do you want this?"
"Just make it your #1 priority, and it needs to be something good. Not his old man or Morgan or Spencer, and don't use a kid, he'll get nasty if you do that. Just watch him carefully, he may be notoriously private and his security might be tight lipped, but something will pop out once you start paying attention to his schedule, especially the people he visits, protects, there's no price limit on this one. It's all or nothing."
The man nodded,"I understand completely Mr. Moreno." He rose and left the room quietly, leaving Anthony alone.
"Watch out Corinthos, this is my town now, and you are about to feel how real that statement is."