Final Betrayal

 A Sonny and Brenda Story

Chapter 2

The next morning brought Brenda and Jason's arraignment on murder and conspiracy charges. Sonny and Carly entered the courtroom, and Sonny was surprised to find his sister there. He kissed her on the cheek before asking, "what are you doing here?" Courtney quickly answered with her rehearsed response, "I came to support you, Carly, and Jason." Sonny thought it was a bit odd, but didn't want to stir anything up. He was grateful his sister was acting like part of the family. They took their seats, and Sonny looked at Jason, who was standing next to his attorney. Next to Jason was Alexis, and next to her, Brenda. Sonny's heart skipped a beat as he watched her from behind. He still couldn't quite believe she was alive; sometimes it felt like a dream, one he'd had many times when he was falling into that bottomless black hole that always threatened to swallow him up if he didn't fight like hell against it. Brenda could feel his eyes on her, and she turned her head and looked over her shoulder. Their eyes met, and she felt comforted by his presence. She also was aroused by it. She remembered the dream she'd had two nights before; and she knew what it meant. She wasn't over Sonny Corinthos…not by a long shot.

Jax knew what it meant as well, but he put on a brave front. When Brenda had woken from her dream, he acted as if nothing was wrong, but inside he was dying. He quickly strategized on his next move. He had to get Brenda free from Jason and Sonny. While Brenda was showering, he had called Alexis, and instructed her to sell out Jason and Sonny to save Brenda. Alexis thought it was a pretty good strategy, since she was eager to neutralize Sonny and keep him from ever finding out about Kristina. Unbeknownst to them, there was strategizing going on in Sonny's camp as well. Sonny had returned home to find Ric still there. The man's constant presence in his home was wearing very thin, but Sonny was glad that Ric was keeping Carly distracted so he could focus on Brenda. "What are you two up to?" he asked upon entering. Carly quickly put on a smile and told him, "discussing the club…what else?" Ric knew what else; he had laid out for her a whole strategy to make Sonny legitimate, which included carefully moving his offshore assets into legitimate stocks and bonds. It's a process that would take several years; things would have to be done slowly so as not to alert law enforcement. He didn't have time before Sonny came home to tell her about how Sonny would have to negotiate with the other bosses, and structure a deal that would move his criminal interests to their control, but that would leave him and his family untouchable.

"So where have you been?" Carly asked Sonny. "With Jason and his attorney, discussing the case." "Sir," Ric interjected, "if you don't mind me saying so, there's a way to get Mr. Morgan out of this mess." Sonny stared at him, "go on." "If he elects to testify against Ms. Barrett, I'm sure I could make a deal with the DA." Carly lit up at the prospect, and eagerly looked at Sonny for his reply. Sonny caught her look, and wanted to throw something. He stepped closer to Ric and replied in a low voice, "no way. I'm getting both Jason and Brenda out of this." Ric swallowed hard at his tone; he knew he was walking a fine line with the volatile mob boss. But he also knew he'd have a prosperous future if he could land Sonny Corinthos as a client, and that was all he cared about. Well that…and keeping Brenda Barrett in check. For she was the only one who knew of his connection to Alcazar; a connection, he was afraid, would blow all his plans with Sonny.

Carly noticed the way Brenda and Sonny were looking at each other in the courtroom, and fought the urge to rip Brenda's hair out. Added to that, Alexis was sitting right next to her, and the sight of her still made Carly's blood boil. She was stirred from her thoughts by someone brushing past her. Ric had come in, and took a seat next to Sonny. "Why are you here?" Sonny asked him in low voice. "Just in case I can help…sir," Ric replied. The arraignment began, and the courtroom was quickly thrown into chaos when Jason's attorney asked for a continuance so he could discuss a deal with the DA. "What the hell are you doing?" Jason asked him. "I didn't authorize any deal." "I'm trying to save your butt; that's what I was hired to do," the attorney replied. "Well now I'm firing you!" Jason yelled. Sonny shifted nervously in his seat; he didn't like this at all. Ric, ever the opportunist, whispered to him, "should I intervene?" Although it pained him to say it, Sonny replied, "do it," and Ric jumped to his feet. "Your honor, my name is Ric Lansing, and I am an attorney…"

During the commotion, Brenda studied the man who was now speaking on Jason's behalf. He looked vaguely familiar, but she could quite place him. Ric noticed her scrutiny, and focused hard on his task at hand. He'd have to find another way to deal with Brenda Barrett.

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