Chapter 4

When Sonny finally returned to the penthouse, he hesitated before entering, knowing it would be deathly silent and empty. "Boss?" Johnny asked, wondering why Sonny was lingering in the doorway. Sonny didn't reply, and stepped over the threshold. Johnny closed the door behind him, and took his post; Max had gone home for the night. Sonny immediately went to the bar and poured himself a scotch; his fifth in three hours. The fact that he was hardly feeling the effects of the alcohol was no comfort; he was hoping it would take him away from the pain and loss. Not wanting to look around the apartment, or venture upstairs, he settled down onto the couch for the night. Eventually, he fell asleep in his clothes, his empty glass in his hand.

He was awakened the next morning by Johnny knocking on the door. "What?" he yelled, his voice hoarse with sleep. Johnny came in, "uh, Ms. Davis wants to see you. Should I let her in?" "Fine," Sonny replied, not really caring what he looked like. When Alexis entered and saw him, she tried not to visibly react. He'd obviously slept in his clothes, was sporting a day's growth on his face, and looked like he had a major hangover. She waited until he looked up at her to speak. "I've been worried about you," she began. "Where have you been?" "What's it to you Alexis?" Sonny retorted. "I thought you were through with me." "I'm no longer your attorney, but I'd like to think I'm still your friend Sonny. I heard all the yelling and screaming with Carly, and I know her and Michael are gone. And then you disappeared for over a week. Johnny wouldn't tell me where you were; Benny wouldn't tell me..." "They didn't know," Sonny cut in. Alexis raised her eyebrows, "really? Well now that make me even more concerned. You were off on your own all that time without bodyguards? Sonny, Sorel escaped from lock up." "I know," Sonny replied, slowly getting up from the couch. "Johnny!" he bellowed, sinking back down. Johnny rushed in. "Make me some coffee...strong," Sonny ordered. Johnny shut the front door and headed into the kitchen. "I could have done that," Alexis told him. Sonny smiled, "I said strong Alexis, not mud." Alexis couldn't help but smile back; he was right, she couldn't make coffee to save her life. "OK, so now you're back, and you look all right. So what happened with Carly?" "It's over," Sonny flatly stated. "Do you think you could come back as my attorney long enough to draw up divorce papers?" Alexis' heart skipped a beat. "Oh my God," she thought. "If he divorces Carly then I'll have to deal with these feelings I keep having for him. That would not be good." Out loud she replied, "you need to take some time and think about this Sonny. Divorce is a big step. And what about Michael?" Sonny cringed; what about Michael? He was determined to stay in the boy's life, no matter how bad things were with Carly. He'd have to address that situation soon. "I'll handle Michael, Alexis. If you don't want to work on the divorce, I'll get someone else to do it. But it's happening, no question." "Sonny, if I'm going to represent you in this..." "Oh so you will?" "...if I'm going to, I need to know what happened." "Carly ratted me out to the Feds, with the help of Roy DiLucca." Alexis gasped. She'd knew Sonny'd been arrested and then released, but didn't know the rest. "Oh Sonny, I'm so sorry. Do you need representation for that as well?" Sonny shook his head, "no. There's no case against me." As soon as Sonny was released from prison he called Benny and got the ball rolling on flipping the witness, the man Sorel had hired to plant a bomb in his birthday present. The man told the FBI that Sonny hadn't kidnapped him or done anything else to him, but that some FBI agent had dragged him to that warehouse, tied him up, and tried to get him to rat what he knew about Sonny's operation. Of course, the FBI knew he was full of it, but couldn't do a damn thing about it. "Fine Sonny," Alexis continued, "I'll get started on the divorce." She turned and left the apartment just as Johnny came out with Sonny's coffee. He took it gratefully, "thanks Johnny. I'll be going out in about an hour." "Sure Mr. Corinthos, Adam will be here soon." Johnny replied and left the penthouse himself. Sonny sat back and sipped the steaming hot liquid. The first order of business was to go to the Brownstone and see Michael, and to see Leticia. They had some arrangements to make.

Two hours later, Sonny arrived at the Brownstone, where he was delighted to find Leticia, but no Carly. "She's gone out?" "Yes Mr. Corinthos. I'm so glad you're here. Michael's been asking for you." Sonny nodded his head, "yeah. I'm sorry it took me so long to get here; business, you know." "Sure," Leticia replied. She knew all about Sonny's business; she had ever since Jason first hired her. But she didn't mind. She thought Sonny was one of the finest men she'd ever known; both in character and physical appearance. "So where is he?" he asked, looking around for his step-son. "He's in the kitchen with his grandmother," she told him. "Oh. Well I'll see him in a minute. You and I need to talk." Leticia got slightly nervous, "we do?" "Yeah. Obviously, I'll be continuing to pay your salary, since the chances of Carly getting a job any time soon are slim-to-none." Leticia stifled a laugh and let him continue. "And I'll pay you really well, double in fact. But you need to do something for me." "What's that?" "You need to keep me informed of anything that goes on that affects Michael. And, I'd expect you to make arrangements for me to see him, at my place, or even here, when Carly's not going to be around." "I will Mr. Corinthos, but not because you're paying me. Michael loves you, and needs you in his life. What Carly did was wrong, and I'm sorry for all that. I'll do whatever I must to make sure Michael is all right and that includes him spending time with you." Sonny softened his demeanor and smiled. "Thanks Leticia. That means more than you know. Now, let's go see my little buddy."

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