Having paced back and forth across the length of the waiting room a number of times, Tony finally got a hold of himself. He couldn’t relax enough to sit down but leaned against the far wall and closed his eyes. His brother-in-law stood guarding the door that led to Alexandra’s cell, making sure that Tony didn’t interrupt the conversation that was going on inside between his wife and her mother. Although Tony was trying to remain calm, internally he fumed. Each passing minute only fed his anxiety that his sister was about to be framed for Hope Brady’s disappearance and apparent murder. He knew Bo was absolutely certain. It did no good to point out to him, or even Victor that the whole thing was obviously set up to make Alexandra look guilty and a DiMera would never be so sloppy. But logic didn’t matter anymore. Now that they feared Hope was dead, they were out for blood and who better than a member of the family they detested. Their prejudice and anger was blinding them to any other possibility but far more difficult that arguing with Brady was having to stand by and watch as the police commander did practically nothing to help his wife. Tony opened his eyes and glanced over at Abe. Despite his anger over the way Carver had treated Alexandra, Tony did recognize the man’s predicament. His feelings were plainly evident. He still loved her but Abe Carver would never allow his personal feelings to interfere with his duty. If he could help her within the law he’d do everything possible. Beyond that, he’d force himself to watch stoically as she was found guilty and sentenced and despite knowing how he’d hate himself for it in the end, he’d stick to his convictions. Perhaps it was one of the things Alexandra loved about him but Tony didn’t give a damn about his brother-in-law’s job or his honor. Alexandra’s life is what mattered and Tony couldn’t bear the thought of loosing her.
On the other side of the door, he heard Celeste trying to convince her daughter that trusting Tony was a mistake. Slamming his fist against the wall in frustration, he stalked out of the room and through the hallway to the lobby of the police station and outside to breathe the cold air. Inside his jacket, he felt his phone vibrate. He looked back at the station lobby that was empty and then around the parking lot before he answered.
“What an incredible sense of timing you have,” he growled into the receiver.
“Why?” Shane inquired. “You’re not in Carver’s office.”
“No, I’m not. Thankfully I’m not standing next to him either, but we can’t talk now.”
“Don’t hang up,” Shane said in a quiet voice that Tony had learned meant something serious was about to happen.
“What’s wrong? And what are you doing calling me now, it must be the middle of the night back there.”
“Actually I’m just a few blocks away outside John’s office. I’ve got a meeting with him in a couple minutes, so please listen. It’s important.”
Tony sighed and wondered what else could go wrong. “Alright.”
“I’m afraid John has learned the position of the compound,” Shane said carefully. “Marlena found those satellite pictures in your desk on her last visit and John has managed to find the islands’ location using one of our computer programs. He’s taking off right after our meeting.”
Thinking back, Tony could see Marlena standing in his living room as John burst through the door, pretending to be concerned because he’d seen her car outside Tony’s house. What an amusing little act they’d put on for his benefit he thought, trying to make it look as if it were a coincidence. “Guess I underestimated him,” Tony said to Shane with a laugh, “using Marlena to spy on me but what of it? Let him nose around all he likes. Maybe I’ll get lucky and he and Stefano will shoot each other.”
“I think it more likely that Stefano has other plans,” Shane told him. “He knows John will show up at the compound eventually because I’m sure that pillow he left Marlena was designed to jog her memory. The photographs only mean John will arrive sooner, but knowing Stefano, I’m sure he was ready for that possibility.”
“And?”
“Don’t you think it’s about time for him to spill the beans about you and John?”
“My mother’s letter.”
“Stefano can hardly wait too much longer or he’ll risk you finding out that he lied about it.”
Trying to relax, Tony walked over and sat down on a bench beneath a large shade tree out of the wind. “Why exactly would that be a problem, John discovering the truth? You’re the one who was so all fired up because I wouldn’t tell him months ago, remember?”
“Yes, well that was before the twins appeared. If he were to find out you two are brothers, and then that you and Marlena share a couple of children I’m not all that sure how he’d react.”
“Oh yes you do. That’s why you’re worried, isn’t it?”
“Not nearly as worried as you ought to be, after all it’s your neck we’re talking about here and if he comes after you, you’d be on your own Tony. I couldn’t do anything to help or Stefano would know immediately that I was involved.”
Tony sat biting his lip for a moment, thinking. He knew all about John’s unpredictable temper and knew first hand how he’d feel about getting the news that he and Tony were related. First denial, and then he’d lash out, just as Tony had in the hospital. But John wasn’t going to have to deal with this alone, he had someone to help him work through those feelings, and Marlena would do whatever it took to help John accept such a development without resorting to violence. “He wouldn’t do anything to hurt Marlena,” he told Shane.
“That will be true only as long as he believes she’s not in danger from you. He’s already suspicious in that department.”
Leaning his head back, Tony whispered, “Damn.”
“Yes. And we both know what a master Stefano is when it comes to springing a trap.”
“But even if I locate whatever the hell he planted before John finds it, I can’t see it buying us more than a couple weeks, or a month at best. Why risk it?”
“Well, considering he’s already lied to you about when John learned the truth, what’s to stop him from fabricating a letter or something else that implies that you knew about the connection all along?”
Of course this was exactly the kind of thing Tony knew he should have expected under the circumstances and he wanted to kick himself for not realizing it sooner. “That definitely sounds like Father, you’re right. He’d want to create as much mistrust as possible and naturally that would only prove to John that I’ve been lying about what happened back in Arimed too.”
After a moment’s silence, Shane said, “so, you’ll go?”
“Okay yes, yes, I’ll go,” said Tony but just then, something caught the corner of his eye and he turned to see Celeste standing in the doorway of the lobby, talking to someone inside. He remembered Alexandra and swore viciously.
“What’s the problem?”
With a bitter laugh, Tony said, “Oh hell, just the usual. Bo and Roman breathing down Alexandra’s neck about Hope’s disappearance.”
“Oh yes, Lexie. That’s part of the reason I’m here by the way. I have an idea.”
Waiting for Shane to continue Tony asked impatiently, “What, are you going to make me guess?”
“I’d explain but neither of us have time right now; you need to leave and I’ve got a meeting.”
“You’re crazy if you think I’m going to leave Alexandra alone with that mob.”
He could hear Shane take a deep breath. “Tony look, I’ll take care of your sister. You have my word I’ll find whoever is trying to set her up and stop them but you’ve got to arrive on the island before John.”
“So you know who’s responsible?”
“Like I said, I’ve got an idea but it’s only a suspicion right now.”
“That’s not good enough, Shane.”
There was a hesitation on the other end of the line. “All I know for sure is that Larry Welsh is no longer in prison and however he managed to get out, it was hushed up so that even I had trouble when I made inquires.”
“Hope’s ex-husband. Surely he wouldn’t risk infuriating Stefano by framing Alexandra.”
“Stefano is dead,” Shane said almost sarcastically.
“And I’m not my father.”
“No, though between you and Victor, I suspect he’ll get what’s coming to him, that is if Bo doesn’t kill him first.”
“I take it Bo doesn’t know yet.”
“Just let me deal with this and you concentrate on Stefano.”
“What if it’s not Welsh?”
“Damn it Tony,” Shane snapped at him, “When are you’re going to learn to trust me? Now, nothing is going to happen to Lexie you have my word but the last thing you can afford right now is to let Stefano be the one who decides how or what John discovers about your past.”
”Well, if I take off now, won’t John suspect my source of information?”
“Rolf will be learning about John’s flight plan any time now, in fact before you have a chance to go implicate yourself at the hospital.”
Tony’s throat was suddenly dry and he had to swallow a couple times before he said, “how did you know about that?”
“Come on, I knew you wouldn’t leave her in there, especially now that they think Hope might be dead and all the evidence points at Lexie. It was just a matter of deciding what would be the easiest place to pull off an escape and the hospital seemed to fit the bill though I should be thanking you as it’ll work with my plan quite well I think. And you needn’t worry about your men. I won’t implicate them,” said Shane and Tony could hear him open the door of his car. “So, call me after you get back.”
“That might not be right away, if you are certain you can take care of Alexandra.”
“Oh? Why not?”
“If I’m going all the way down there, I think it would be a good time to check out the rest of those islands.”
“Well, just remember that two of them belong to the military. You go flying around down there, you need to be careful and stay out of their airspace…”
“Yes, yes. I know all about how to avoid the military, thank you.”
“Good because I don’t want to have to come rescue anyone.”
Tony laughed. “Keeping out of military airspace is not nearly the challenge you have, sneaking up on Larry Welsh.”
“I’ll try and remember that,” Shane said, slamming his car door.
****************************************************************
With a quick check out near the runway to make sure the plane was entirely concealed from sight, Tony picked up his pack and headed into the jungle. The entrance to the tunnel wasn’t a great distance according to the map Rolf had provided. He’d explained to Tony that the compound was entirely secure because the only access was underground from a neighboring atoll where the airstrip had been built though Tony couldn’t help but laugh as he told Rolf that such an inconvenience would hardly stop John Black. Tony worked his way carefully through the undergrowth, making an effort not to leave too much evidence that might lead John to follow him. There was a small pier built into the rocky coast. Tony hoped it would be enough of a hint and perhaps he’d even get lucky enough that John would be forced to swim the mile across the narrow channel instead of using a raft but knowing John, he’d probably have one stashed on the jet. After only a few minutes’ searching he found the spot Rolf had described. The palms and heavily laden banana trees stood out from the rest of the jungle because they’d been planted evenly around a circular patch of ground. Tony noticed that someone had recently cut back the vines trailing along the jungle floor near the door to the tunnel and when he pulled it open, found footprints in the dust on the steps. Pulling out a flashlight, he made his way down, closing the door silently above his head. It was confining but Tony forced himself to descend the stairs cautiously until he eventually reached the bottom where he found the tunnel leading under the channel. He was amazed by its size, so wide that two or three men could walk side by side and high enough that he could stand upright. Propping up the ceiling were massive beams that had obviously been replaced recently and looked to be made from the same metal as Tony’s blue key.
Whatever Stefano had used the island for, it was a vital interest to him. He’d poured resources into maintaining it secrecy. It must have cost a ransom Tony figured just to build the tunnel and he was sure the place was meant to serve one purpose, as a way to hide something, or better yet, someone. Roman had definitely spent time as his father’s prisoner, and Marlena also. As he thought about this, he found himself trying to remember what he’d been doing while Marlena had been his father’s captive. She’d disappeared only a couple years after Tony left Salem. For him those first few years had been miserable as he struggled to find some way to forgive Stefano. The two of them avoided each other as much as possible. In fact, Tony had always been relieved to arrive home and learn that his father was away on business, so relieved he never questioned him on his return. He’d learned his lesson about keeping out of Stefano’s business dealings. Instead he bided his time and told himself that one day Stefano would be gone and he’d repair the damage somehow but the more he learned about everything that had been done during those years, the more Tony worried that there might be no way to escape the terrible karma that awaited the DiMeras. In fact Tony suspected there were mysteries buried in this house that could very well ruin him and Alexandra. Even if he managed to find them before John nothing stayed hidden forever.
When he reached the end of the main tunnel he found it opened into three smaller passageways and following the one leading to the left, he soon arrived at a dead end. The ladder was folded into the rafters. In no time he was pushing up a square piece of floorboard in what appeared to be the wine cellar.
Besides providing information the tunnel, Rolf had given Tony with a set of blue prints for the house that he said included all the hidden rooms. Tony had studied them in the plane on the way down. Off the main salon, behind a massive fireplace was a small bedroom that had immediately caught his attention. The fact that it was concealed suggested it might have been used to hide someone, possibly Marlena. There were several other rooms Tony intended to search too but this one seemed the best place to start though he couldn’t explain to himself why exactly. Just a hunch.
He noticed as he crawled out onto the floor of the cellar that there were other footprints in the dust but they disappeared when he reached the staircase. It was obvious the house was not being used. Old sheets covered all the furniture and the air had a stale quality that suggested mildew but Tony found it odd that the floors throughout the house were clean. And the electricity worked. Was there a caretaker or was Shane correct in his belief that Stefano was expecting John? It certainly sounded like the old man and part on him expected his father to be waiting for him when he got to the living room but it was empty and not a sound to indicate that John had arrived either. Above the fireplace hung a picture of the sea and on the mantle was the shell. Lifting it up, he pushed the button hidden beneath and silently a door in the back of the fireplace swung open.
Inside he came abruptly to more stairs and the hidden room and he paused on the top step. Though spacious, it contained only a bed, canopied with lace and silk and immediately he was struck by its familiarity. He’d been here before. He was positive but couldn’t remember when or who might have been here with him and as he descended the stairs the feeling intensified. He stared at the bed and tried to imagine himself there with someone but after several minutes gave up in frustration.
“Oh Father,” he whispered to himself, walking over to one of the arched windows, “who did you keep in here? Was it Marlena?” He could hear the waves crashing on the beach that was only a short distance away. Why did he recognize this place? He couldn’t recall ever having visited before or even knowing of its existence until receiving the satellite photos from Stefano. But Rolf knew quite a bit about the compound and all of its secrets, more that he’d revealed Tony was sure and now that he was here, Rolf’s behavior as he’d described the layout suddenly appeared more sinister. At one point as Tony asked about how to access a particular room, Rolf had told him, but added, “it works just like it did before.” Tony hadn’t paid much attention to the comment or Rolf’s curious glances because he’d been in such a hurry.
Tony turned away from the window and eyed the stone walls that were unadorned. It was a cold room, comfortless except for the sumptuous feather bed set between the two windows and examining it again, he couldn’t help but notice that it had been made only recently. The elegant covers and pillows were clean, without a speck of dust. On a whim he bent over and breathed in their lovely scented odor and as he lifted his head, spotted a bundle sticking out from between the pillows. Looking closer he saw it was a stack of letters tied with a ribbon. He picked them up and yanked at the bow as he sat down on the bed but as soon as he looked at the writing on the top envelope, he nearly dropped them on the floor in shock. The script was his own. There was no mistaking it or the name that flowed across the paper, Marlena. He checked the rest and found over twenty altogether, each addressed to Marlena in his own handwriting and grabbing the top envelope, he quickly pulled out the letter. The date on top was 1991.
Despite the room’s temperature, he felt himself sweating. “Dearest Marlena,” the letter began, “as I promised you, I’ve done some research into my father’s files on Roman, the ones I’ve been able to gain access to at least. There is no mention so far of where he’s being held. The few people who will talk to me say they don’t know anything about him. I’m afraid to push too hard. We both know what Stefano would do to anyone if he learned the person gave me information and I hate the thought of getting one of these people killed just for helping us. If Roman is alive, rest assured we’ll find him. You must hold onto that belief even though you’re confused right now about John and what Stefano has done. Whatever you do, please remember, John is as much a victim here as you and Roman. Whatever memories he possesses, Stefano raised him to use as a weapon and I swear to you we will find a way to reach out to him and put an end to this charade. In the meantime I’ll continue searching and perhaps I’ll have more news by the time I come back which I hope will be next week. Stefano has a trip planned to Singapore. Take care of the twins and kiss them for me. Tony.”
This letter couldn’t exist Tony told himself firmly. It was impossible. He’d never been here or spoken to her, didn’t even know that she’d been missing until long after she’d returned home to Salem. His father must have forged it. He could have easily hired someone capable of simulating Tony’s penmanship but the contents were something else. Was it possible that Stefano knew him this well? And why would he even bother to suggest that Tony sympathized with John’s situation? Tony shut his eyes and for just a second allowed himself to imagine sitting here, holding one of his children as Marlena lay in the bed with the other, smiling or even laughing at Tony’s inexperience. A loud noise snapped him out of this daydream. It came from outside. John probably. Tony shoved the letters into his pack and hastily straightened the bed before he slipped from the room and shut the door behind him.
Hey Madeline, great story you've been writing, can't wait to read the next chapter, you should be the new head writer on Days, and we should kick Reilly's sorry ass to the curb!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
Thanks Dena, the rest of the chapter will be up soon. I wish they'd find ANY other writer to replace this guy but maybe we'll be getting what we've been yelling for soon. One can only hope.
As he taxied the plane off the dirt strip, Tony caught sight of Stefano waiting for him. The island was one of three sitting off at the end of the chain included on the satellite images and the only piece of land that betrayed signs of habitation. Restricted airspace covered several of the other tiny islands and spread outwards for miles so that he’d been forced to fly south and double back in order to avoid any messy encounters. On arrival, he’d buzzed its length several times. There was a massive hole out on its western edge and a line that traversed the island from its northern beach clear down to the cliffs running along the south. When he flew in closer he realized the line was a set of poles. Continuing on around the other side, he spotted areas that had been cleared and then the biggest eye opener tucked in amid the tropical foliage next to a sandy beach, the DiMera Mansion. He’d swung back to make another pass just above the surface of the water but there was no mistake. It was the mansion exactly as he’d left it in Salem.
His father strolled over as Tony shut down the engines and made his way to the hatch at the top of the steps. The expression on Stefano’s face wasn’t particularly welcoming. In fact he looked suspicious or was it an air of displeasure Tony sensed?
“You almost look as though you’re disappointed I’m not John.”
“Don’t be absurd,” Stefano told him impatiently. “Though I’d like to know why the hell you would choose to follow John to the compound instead of preventing Bo and Roman from setting your sister up for that murder which she didn’t commit.”
Tony climbed down the stairs. “Alexandra isn’t in any danger from the Bradys or anyone else,” he said as he turned to shut the hatch and lock it. “I took care of that before I left.”
“Really?”
Tony could hear the derision in his father’s tone and wondered what Shane had done. “Well you’ve obviously heard something. What is it?”
“Alexandra is dead.”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Tony looked at his father. “How do you know that?”
“You think I would not keep tabs on what is happening to you? Of course I know what goes on in Salem. I watch over both of you, and you...it was your job to watch over your sister instead of traipsing after John and Marlena and for what? What was so damn important that you felt the need to reach the compound before they did?”
“I asked you about Alexandra. What do you know?”
For a moment, Stefano’s anger burned in his eyes and Tony waited for him to fly into a rage but instead he bit out, “Bo Brady strangled her as she was escaping from the hospital.”
Tony felt numb. “When?”
“After you disappeared from Salem yesterday.”
The hospital. Shane had said it would fit into his plan and Tony had assumed he meant to set a trap for Welsh. Allowing Alexandra’s escape to continue and then making it look as though Bo had killed her would certainly make Larry believe that the police had been fooled. But admitting this to Stefano would be suicide. His father had someone either in the department or the hospital; knowing Stefano it was probably both and he’d learn eventually that the whole setup had been Shane’s doing if he wasn’t aware of it already. Tony had no choice but to play dumb. Putting his head down, he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry Father,” he said, forcing himself to meet Stefano’s eyes. “I knew Bo was upset but I had everything arranged and I would never have left if for one second I believed she was in danger. Abe was right there and so was Celeste…” Tony stopped. The excuses sounded incredibly lame even to him but Stefano had himself under control again and gave a nod.
“I realize you weren’t around to see just how angry Brady has become over the last couple of years or how much of it he blames on me and your sister but Tony, you cannot underestimate these people or their hatred towards our family.”
“Father, Alexandra did keep his son away from him.”
“Through no fault of her own.”
Tony managed to stop himself from asking if it was by any chance his father’s doing. Instead he rubbed his eyes and said, “Where did you get this information?”
But Stefano ignored the question and instead, demanded once more, “why exactly did you feel it necessary to arrive at the compound before John?”
“Well, who would you have suggested I send instead, Bart?”
This didn’t elicit the slightest hint of amusement in Stefano’s demeanor but rather appeared to upset him even further. “You should have sent Rolf,” he snapped.
“Ah yes, Rolf.” Tony eyed his father. “Why do I get the impression that the good doctor knows far more than I do about where all the bodies are hidden?”
“Rolf can be trusted to follow my instructions.”
Tony didn’t like his father’s implication and snapped back at him. “I’m not your employee and I don’t follow anyone’s rules but my own. I thought we’d had this discussion Father and if you don’t like me digging around for the missing pieces of my past, then stop trying to hide them from me.”
“What makes you think I’m doing that?”
“Damn you,” Tony exploded. “I want answers.”
Stefano asked him calmly, “Such as?”
“You can start with the twins. If they aren’t DiMera’s and they’re not my children perhaps you’d like to explain why Cassie and I share the same blood type. Not the kind of thing that I’d chalk up to coincidence, in view of the fact that you created them in the first place.”
“I don’t think I like your tone, Anthony.”
Forcing himself to calm down, Tony asked coldly, “Who are they?”
Stefano folded his arms. “They do not belong to you,” he said, gesturing for Tony to come with him as he turned and began walking in the direction of the mansion.
“You don’t honestly expect me to take your word for that?” asked Tony sarcastically as he followed along.
“I told you I would provide a way for you to have your revenge on John. You don’t think I would use my grandchildren that way?”
“So you’re only making it look at though they belong to me and Marlena.”
That made Stefano halt and look at Tony strangely. “What would give you the impression they are Marlena’s children?”
“Well, let’s see, how about the pillow you left her in the will? And then there’s that damn portrait, and the fact that she just happened to be your prisoner at the time the twins were born, not to mention the queen you deliberately removed from the chess set before bequeathing it to John. The queen that was placed in the replica of the mansion you left me. Not a particularly subtle hint, Father,” said Tony, narrowing his eyes, “or perhaps you’ve spent too much time with Bart since I’ve been gone.”
Instead of another outburst which was what Tony expected, Stefano threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Oh Tony,” he said, patting his son on the cheek, “you really ought to give Bart a chance. He has so many admirable qualities, though I think he’d have made a magnificent court jester, wouldn’t you say?”
“You’re avoiding the question, Father,” said Tony as Stefano started down the trail again.
“Well, if John chooses to believe that Marlena is the twin’s mother, so much the better. I have no doubt he is suspicious of them.”
“So it’s all a matter of appearances.”
“Of course.”
“And if someone were able to unravel their DNA?”
“That is impossible.”
Tony couldn’t help but laugh. “This coming from a man that has tricked death how many times?”
“No, no, no Tony. Now listen to me,” he said, stopping once more and putting his hand on Tony’s shoulder. “The twins are a tool just as Rolf has told you, a powerful tool that will bring John down once and for all. Believe me, they have absolutely no connection to you. I would never risk your safety in such a manner or use your children that way.”
For an instant Tony was almost tempted to believe the old scoundrel. The man’s power to mesmerize an audience had never failed to astound him and though he had a certain immunity that he’d built up over the years, Tony knew just how susceptible he was to Stefano’s charm. Perhaps even more so at times like this when he so desperately wanted to believe. “Rolf knows how to program them, correct?”
Stefano nodded. “Yes.”
“And if something were to happen to the doctor, what then?”
“Oh come on Tony,” he said, sounding impatient again. “You already know the answer to that question. Contingency plans.”
“That don’t include me.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t like being kept in the dark about this.”
“You’re not.”
“Good. Then I expect that Rolf will show me how to program the twins myself.”
“That’s not necessary Tony and would most likely be tediously dull.”
“Oh I doubt that.”
Stefano sighed. “Okay. I didn’t really want to burden you with this information but I see that you need reassurance so, there is another person already in Salem who knows how to control these children, someone that none of those fools even suspect,” he said, a crafty smile spreading across his face.
“An imposter,” Tony said, feeling his heart begin to race. “Who is it?”
“That’s not important.”
“Stefano…”
“It is imperative that you do not know Tony. You must keep your hands clean. That is why I have gone to all this trouble, to keep you safe, haven’t you realized that? Please you must trust me,” he said with a pained look before turning once more to lead the way to the mansion.
“It wouldn’t be the same person that passed along the information about Alexandra?” Tony asked but his father ignored the question and Tony struggled to control the anger and frustration that made him want to tear Stefano’s head off at that moment. Not that he was surprised but he could sense the noose tightening around his neck. He felt almost as helpless as when he’d been a prisoner and knew his father was toying with him, just as he had back then.
Hoping to control his growing panic, he tried to focus on the terrain and his surroundings. Dense jungle lay on either side of the trail they were using. Now that he wasn’t arguing with Stefano he heard plenty of noise; birds for the most part along a high pitched buzzing that sounded like some exotic insect. Only filtered sunlight peeked through the canopy above and the ground was damp and mossy. What was going on here? What was the old man planning to do with a copy of the mansion? Tony could think of several possible scenarios; it could be meant to cage him and Marlena while John was either forced to watch or carry on without his wife. But what of the numerous areas that had been cleared to the south? And how did the twins fit into all of this? His speculation ended abruptly as he realized they arrived at the mansion which was completely hidden behind a wall of tropical vegetation. Only the door was visible from outside. Pausing before he entered, Tony felt a shiver and it occurred to him that coming here might not have been such a good idea. ”Come on, you’re letting him get to you,” he told himself and he followed Stefano inside.
The strangeness of walking around the well-known interior wore off after he’d showered and rested for a bit. At least the closet in his room wasn’t stocked with an identical wardrobe. He found himself a pair of swim trunks. After slipping them on and throwing on a silk shirt, he found his way to the terrace that overlooked the beach and there he dumped his towel and his shirt on a lounge chair.
“I’d be careful out there,” said his father from behind him. “I’ve seen quite a number of sharks cruising about in the evenings lately.”
“I think by now I know all about sharks,” laughed Tony. “In the water, and out.”
There was a pause and then, “Why is it I get the impression that you’re angry with me?”
“Because I am.”
Stefano raised an eyebrow but Tony just shook his head and left to take his swim. When he returned, his father was sitting in the shade of the patio. His feet were up and he seemed to be concentrating on the book he was reading as Tony arrived and picked up the towel to dry off but his act didn’t fool Tony.
“You know exactly why I’m upset Father, so lets not bother with the pretence.”
No looking up, Stefano said, “Curiosity is not always an asset, you know.”
“Perhaps, but I can’t help but wonder if Kristen wouldn’t be alive right now if you’d answered my questions about John back when I asked you the first time, before Kristen and I were married.”
“Oh, you can’t possibly believe it would have made a difference to her, or changed the way you felt about John.”
“You know it would which is why you kept it from me.”
For an instant, Stefano’s gaze was cold and distant and though he recovered quickly, Tony knew he’d hit a nerve.
“Does this mean you’re ready to forgive John?” Stefano asked him.
“Hardly,” Tony said as he thought back to the compound where the previous day he’d nearly died when John refused to help him after falling into that hole in the living room floor. He’d begged John to pull him up but had nearly lost his grip on the edge before Marlena appeared. It was her insistence that had saved him.
“Then I’m afraid I’m confused, what is the problem?”
“This is a partnership Father, not some benevolent charity you’re handing out. I’m not interested in watching you take your revenge on John, the whole point was to carry it out myself.”
”And you will.”
“Even though I don’t know what it is yet.”
“I’ve gone to great lengths to make sure…”
“that I’m not in any danger,” Tony interrupted him impatiently. “Yes I know. And I’m a little tired of hearing it. I don’t need protection from John, thank you.”
Stefano leaned back and closed his eyes. “I know you’re not trying to be cruel Anthony but I can’t bear to think about loosing you. I waited seven long years, imagining that you might never awaken again and now that you have I find it difficult knowing that you’re at John’s mercy every moment you’re back in Salem.”
“You make it sound as though he’s going to waiting outside my door one morning with a butcher knife.”
“I know better that you what John is capable of.”
“Well of course you do since you’re the one who created the monster.” Tony put his head back and took a deep breath. “Funny isn’t it, how Kristen thought that getting rid of me meant she’d be safe with John, protected from you and the DiMera influence by the very man you trained to be a killer. If the outcome wasn’t so unbearable horrendous I could laugh, but...” He slung the towel around his shoulders and headed inside.
“Where are you going?”
“Back to Salem.”
“Now?”
“Well, I don’t see the point in staying since you’re obviously not interested in telling me anything.”
“Wait Tony,” said Stefano getting up out of his chair. “I’m afraid there’s another problem I have to discuss with you first.”
Tony paused just inside the french doors and looked back.
“Someone who is responsible for what happened to Alexandra and I’m sure you’ll understand that they should be punished.”
”And were you thinking about, me or Bo?”
“Colin Murphy.”
“Murphy?” said Tony in surprise. “What is it that you think he’s done?”
“This is not speculation Tony. I know he arranged Welsh’s early release from prison and provided him with accommodations, supplies, whatever he required.”
“Then it was Welsh that took Hope.”
“Yes, and Welsh that set up Alexandra with Murphy’s assistance.”
“Then why are you only interested in Colin?”
Stefano’s smile was vicious. “If Bo doesn’t kill him Larry, Victor certainly will.”
Tony nodded in agreement. “And naturally you want to take care of Colin because he works for you which I have to say, I still don’t understand. Shawn Brady’s nephew. How the hell did he ever end up tied to your organization or is that another piece of information you need to keep a secret from me for my own protection?”
“Where Murphy’s concerned, I’m afraid I’ll need you assistance.”
“You want me to hand him over to you.”
“Yes.”
“Well, that should be quite a trick, spiriting Colin away so that his family doesn’t blame me,” said Tony with a laugh. “Though if you’re right about Alexandra, I might just want to strangle him myself.”
“No.”
His father’s tone was so emphatic that Tony knew instantly that he didn’t want Colin because of Welsh or Alexandra. “Lovely,” he thought to himself, “another bloody secret,” but with a glance at his father, he said, “Fine, I’ll take care of it.”
Stefano smiled but Tony was in no mood to put up with even another moment of the old man’s lies. He quickly turned on his heel and made his way across the living room.
“Would you like someone to drive you back to the airstrip?” Stefano asked as Tony reached the stairs.
“No, I think I can find my own way, thank you.”
“Tony…”
He stopped but didn’t turn around.
“I don’t like you going away like this, angry and bitter, especially now that both of us have to deal with the loss of Alexandra.”
Hearing the pain in his father’s voice made him realize that Stefano truly believed she was dead and was pleading with his son for consolation and solace but Tony knew he couldn’t allow himself to express those emotions for his father. Opening that part of him that still cared about Stefano would be disastrous, not to mention agonizing. He sighed. “I’m sorry Father, but you can’t have it both ways. I’m either the son you trust and depend on, or I’m not and you’ll have to find a way to provide your own comfort just as you left me to do after Renee’s death.”
Tony glanced at his watch for the third time in five minutes. He didn’t mind so much that Shane was late, but he wasn’t thrilled about having to wait down in the tunnels beneath St. Luke’s. The temperature was even colder he decided than it was in the church most of the time. And being alone provided him with too much time to think about his trip to the island and his argument with Stefano. He rubbed his eyes that felt as though they had sandpaper attached. Rest was what he needed, to be able to sleep without the nightmares that invaded his dreams almost every night lately. Since returning he’d acquired a new one. Probably the result of reading all the letters he’d found in the bedroom behind the fireplace but was this merely his fears beginning to surface or was he remembering something? In his dream he sat in the living room of the DiMera compound just as he’d seen it except for the sheets covering the furniture which were gone. He was in a chair near the fireplace watching someone and whoever it was he desperately wanted to help them but he couldn’t move. Stefano stood above him, holding Tony’s arm and a syringe. Just as his father lowered the needle to pierce his skin, Tony woke sweating and trying to catch his breath. The clarity of it was terrifying. Every detail had remained vibrant throughout the day so that he dreaded the possibility of its return but at the same time, he wondered if perhaps he wouldn’t remember more the next time.
“Excellent, you’re here already,” said Shane as he appeared from around a corner that led up to the cemetery grounds. “I think everyone else in this town must be sleeping off their dinner.”
Tony forced a small smile. “I sure hope that includes my brother. I’m far too tired to have to sneak home tonight past John hiding in the bushes.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about John. He took Marlena home,” Shane said and then threw him a funny look. “He’s thoroughly relieved to have her off that island and away from you, so what happened down there?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“Not everything I suspect but he did give me this.” Shane held up a plastic bag with a letter fragment inside. “I had to assume you didn’t make it there before him, either that or you weren’t able to find it?”
Tony held out his hand and Shane gave him the bag. It took only a few words to recognize the letter his mother had written to her sister, the same one that Stefano had handed him in the hospital back in Switzerland. “Where’d they find it?”
“Marlena said it was in a storage room full of medical equipment. She pulled it out of a vanity drawer.”
“Well, well, well,” said Tony thinking back to the frantic tone in her voice as she’d demanded that John save Tony from falling and then her insistence that they leave and return home immediately afterwards.
Shane eyed him but waited quietly until Tony handed the letter back and then said, “John couldn’t wait to tell me that you’d showed up down there but he wasn’t exactly forthcoming about what was said and I know him well enough to recognize when he’s uncomfortable. Even Marlena didn’t want to talk about it, so?”
“My, John was embarrassed? I think I would have liked to see that,” Tony said, looking genuinely pleased.
“You know I’m starting to feel like a referee here and I don’t like it.”
“Alright. Apparently Marlena disappeared and as soon as he saw me, he assumed I’d taken her somewhere and locked her up and of course telling him otherwise was pretty much a waste of my breath. When I turned to walk away, he tried to stop me and the next thing I know I was hanging onto the edge of a hole in the floor. Lucky for me Marlena showed up before I fell.”
“Are you telling me he refused to pull you out?”
Shrugging, Tony said, “He was sure he could get me to admit where I’d hidden her.”
“God, this is such a mess,” said Shane, pounding his fist down angrily on a crate sitting next to him.
“Oh, you couldn’t be more right about that.”
“There’s more?”
“That letter Marlena found wasn’t left by Stefano,” said Tony reaching into his pocket. “I’m pretty sure this is what he meant for them to find.” He held out one of the letters he’d discovered.
“So you did arrive first.”
Tony nodded.
Shane raised an eyebrow at the name on the envelope and then opened the letter and read it through. When he finished he looked up at Tony. “Well he certainly makes it appear as though you knew but maybe you should have let John take a look at it.”
“If he’d seen them he wouldn’t have just refused to help me up, he would kicked me over the edge.”
“Tony…”
“How the hell do you expect me to feel?”
“Look, I don’t blame you for being upset with John; I just don’t understand why you would think this letter is such a disaster.”
“Because it’s not the only one. I found an entire stack in that secret room behind the fireplace, there are twenty-two more.”
“Why would Stefano go to all the hassle of…” His eyes widened and, “oh no.” He shook his head. “Oh, please tell me I’m wrong,” he said to Tony. “Please.”
“I’d love to. Unfortunately…”
Shane swore and picking up a rock, hurled it down the tunnel, and then another and then suddenly Tony heard him laughing. “I suppose we should have known he’d do something like this.”
“Yeah maybe, but Shane I read all the letters and…”
“And?”
Tony sat looking ill at ease until Shane lost his patience and snapped at him. “I don’t see what could be worse than making it look as though you slept with Marlena.”
“What if I did?”
For a moment there was absolute silence as they stared at each other.
“Are you saying that you remember writing the letters?”
“No.” Tony shook his head in frustration. “It’s not that, let’s just say I recognize the way my mind works, and how it translates into words on a page. I knew the moment I read that diary Andre left in Arimed that it was a forgery but these letters, I’d swear I wrote them, and there are things in there that I can’t imagine Stefano would bother to add, not if they were meant for John’s benefit anyway, I mean why not make it look as though I forced her or that the twins were conceived by us instead of in a laboratory and the whole thing with me helping her escape. The two of us make love, and then I send her back to John and her family? Does that sound like the kind of tale Stefano would make up in order to infuriate John?”
Shane frowned at him and asked, “Where are the rest of the letters?”
“At the mansion.”
“You’re sure you don’t remember doing any of the things that are mentioned?”
“No, but then Marlena doesn’t remember any of the time she spent on the island either.”
“Yeah, well that was because she was drugged.”
”Oh Shane. If I learned about John and Roman, and the twins, and then I arranged Marlena’s escape…”
“He would have needed to shut you up,” said Shane nodding his head. Both of them were quiet for several minutes, lost in their own thoughts and then Shane glanced over at Tony. “What if she remembers you were on the island?”
Tony leaned his head back. “I don’t know,” he said running his hand across his eyes. “I just keep thinking this can’t get any worse, but I guess I ought to know better.”
“Wait a minute; you arranged her escape so she could come back here.”
“Yes, so?”
“Well, you know what that means, don’t you?”
Tony laughed at him. “If you’re suggesting that this will prove to John that I’m telling the truth about Stefano, you had way too much wine for dinner my friend. Despite the overwhelming evidence, he’s still convinced that I set him up in Arimed and that even if I didn’t, its not important because I’m obviously following in Daddy’s footsteps. God, nothing I say wipes that smirk off his face.”
“Making it look as though you’re interested in Marlena isn’t helping the situation you know.”
“Yeah? Well, it’s a little difficult trying to keep him and Stefano happy at the same time.”
Shane shook his head again. “You know, I was feeling rather pleased about the last few days, that is until I came down here. We managed to catch Welsh and Hope is alive, back with her family, so is Lexie…”
“Oh yes, I meant to thank you for that. I do sincerely appreciate what you did for my sister,” Tony said with a nod in Shane’s direction.
“Then you can thank Bo. It was his idea.”
“You told me it was your idea before I left.”
“Oh well, we came up with it together.”
With another laugh Tony said, “The hell you did. You just didn’t want to tell me it was Bo because you knew I would have refused to leave.”
“And I was right, wasn’t I?”
“A warning might be more productive next time.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I ran into Stefano yesterday he expected an explanation as to why I’d leave Alexandra in such a predicament to go chasing after John. He was under the impression that she was dead.”
“You found him down there?”
“Not at the compound. He’s hiding out on one of the other islands.”
“So, what is he up to?” he asked as Tony pulled a small plastic container out of his jacket and tossed it over to him. Shane opened it to find a disk. “Pictures?”
“Only aerial shots.”
“I’m surprised he let you off the island with them.”
“I left plenty in the plane’s computer for his men to erase and they disabled the camera so I couldn’t use it on the way back.”
Shane looked at the disk. “He’ll assume you copied them first.”
“Perhaps. I’m not all that sure how useful they’ll be though there were a couple of odd things.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Why don’t you look at them first and then see what you think.”
Nodding, Shane said, “I kind of thought he might be down there somewhere but I’m sorry, I didn’t think he’d find out about Lexie that quickly. He must have been furious.”
“Yes, he wasn’t terribly pleased and after getting the same run around from him about the twins that Rolf has been trying to feed me I’m afraid my mood didn’t improve the situation any.”
“He still claims they don’t belong to you?”
Tony sat back with a look of disgust on his face.
“Do you think there’s any possibility,” Shane asked him, “that we’re wrong and he’s telling the truth this time?”
“Anything’s possible, but why go to all the trouble of locking their DNA?”
“It keeps us guessing.”
Getting up off the crate he’d been sitting on, Tony walked out to the edge of the darkness and stared down the tunnel. “No, he’s trying to prevent my memory from coming back. If I could prove what happened all those years ago I think there is something there that will stop him.”
“Then why put the letters out there for John to find?”
“The letters all by themselves don’t confirm anything and hell, John will just assume they’re a figment of my imagination; that I’m trying to claim Marlena for myself. Even my finding them wouldn’t be a problem for Stefano. I have no way to verify any of it.” He turned back to look at Shane. “It’s got to be the twins. If they aren’t my children and their only purpose is a means to destroying John, then why is he doing everything in his power to prevent my knowing how to use them?”
“You couldn’t talk him into it.”
“No.”
“You think this information about your past could be locked in their memories?”
“I don’t know, maybe.”
“But why? Why provide you with the means to learning answers that might destroy him?”
“Ah,” said Tony with a smile. “This is Stefano we’re talking about. There’s hardly any thrill in a game if the outcome is fixed in advance."
Shane's smile was cynical. "The prey must be given their sporting chance.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t remember him giving you much of a chance after he locked you up.”
“But I wasn’t the objective back then, remember. It was Roman.”
“Well, if you want to retrieve the secrets of your past there’s a much easier way of doing it than trying to get it out of the twins.”
“Hypnosis.”
Shane nodded his head.
“I wasn’t aware you knew how hypnotize people.”
“Oh come on Tony, there are doctors out there and no matter who it is they’re bound by confidentiality.”
“Like that’s ever been a deterrent when it comes to my father’s money and power. My God Shane, he knew about Alexandra the day it happened. This town if full of people working for him and one of them is apparently a person that none of us even suspect. Hell, you probably had dinner with them tonight.”
“He told you that?”
“I pointed out that he needed a backup who knew how to control the twins in case something should prevent Rolf from carrying out his duties. He said that person is already here and no one knows the difference. I kind of jumped to the conclusion that he meant there’s an imposter and he didn’t correct me, so…”
“And you still think it’s Roman.”
“You told me that you checked it out and it couldn’t be him.”
Shane took a deep breath. “This is insane, it could be anybody.”
“Well, I think we can rule out Dr. Murphy.”
“Oh?”
“You have any idea yet how Larry Welsh got himself released from prison?”
“No,” said Shane slowly, wondering where this question was leading. “Once I discovered he was out on the loose the priority was to find him. I figured the how could wait.”
“Stefano says it was Colin.”
Shane frowned. “And just how would he come up with the influence or money necessary for a job like that?”
Tony shrugged. “He’s been working for Stefano.”
“Surely Colin wouldn’t be stupid enough to double cross him?”
“Perhaps, but Stefano didn’t want me to take care of the problem. He wants Colin delivered to him.”
“And?”
“Just how grateful do you think Dr. Murphy would be if we didn’t turn him over to my father?”
Looking doubtful Shane said, "I can think of a dozen things off the top of my head that could go wrong with a scenario like that.”
“Does that mean no?”
“If Stefano wants to punish him for what happened with Lexie, why not?”
“Because that was just an excuse, not the actual reason. He’s not going to punish him. I’m not sure what he’s after, but I’d like to find out.”
“And of course, maybe he’ll have other information that could be useful?”
A devious smile lit up Tony’s face.
“I must be nuts,” said Shane looking at him, “but just how do you figure to whisk him away from the Bradys not to mention from under the eye of Stefano’s informant?”
”I’m not sure yet. Did Larry’s body turn up yet by the way?”
Shane shook his head and raised an eyebrow. “That would be a neat trick. Unless of course he’s actually dead.”
“Oh, I doubt it. They would have found him by now and I can’t see him going anywhere near Bo without a bulletproof vest. Larry was never stupid.”
“Well, I’m glad you recognize that fact especially if you decide to frame him for Colin’s murder.”
Tony leaned back and tried to unwind as the limousine he’d found waiting for him at the hotel on his arrival carried him out of the city. The commercial flight hadn’t been terribly long, just crowded and so he’d been looking forward to some peace and solitude but instead of an empty room, there had been a stranger waiting with a message.
“From Mr. Donovan,” the man said, handing Tony an envelope. “Please excuse me, I’ll be back shortly.”
Confused and rather irritated, Tony watched him disappear into neighboring room. He glanced down at the message in his hand and ripping it open discovered a key, an address, and a brief, cryptic note from Shane. “Your evening is set, enjoy. M is on his way.” At least the last part made sense he thought. With a grimace, he left it sitting on the desk and poured himself a drink which he took over to the window. The city was lit up below him, spread out until it reached a dark line Tony knew was the river. He checked his watch. Midnight was only a few hours away and he thought about calling Anna but then reminded himself about the time difference. She’d still be asleep. How he wished he was lying next to her instead of waiting in a hotel room for Shane to appear with Colin Murphy. This was not exactly Tony’s idea of an amusing New Years Eve. He tried to remember the last one he and Anna spent together but couldn’t and wondered to himself if he’d ever get a chance in the future to make up for it, or any of the other things he’d never done for her. All the dreams he’d promised her the day of their wedding...
“Sir?”
Turning from the window, Tony’s heart jumped a beat as he stared at the figure in front of him. The stranger was gone. In his place stood a man wearing Tony’s face and an expensive looking tuxedo.
“I understood from Mr. Donovan that seeing this disguise might be upsetting, so he asked that I wait until after you had a chance to meet me first.”
“A bit...disconcerting, yes.”
“You read the note?”
Tony nodded.
“Good. There is a car waiting downstairs and the driver will take you where you need to go.”
“And you’ll be here.”
The stranger smiled and Tony noticed they’d even copied the slight gap in his teeth.
“Where am I going or do you even know?”
“I believe Mr. Donovan meant for it to be a surprise.”
“Too bad he isn’t here so I could thank him personally,” said Tony, the sarcasm evident in his voice.
“I understand the drive isn’t very far,” the man said quickly, “and I took the liberty of sending your bag to the car when you first arrived.”
Tony swallowed the rest of his drink and retrieved the address along with the key off the desk. “I hope you weren’t planning on a wild evening,” he said heading to the door. “I had quite an exhausting day and celebrating would be the last thing on my mind.”
Twenty minutes later in the limousine he still couldn’t shake the image of that face, his face watching him depart with a lascivious smile. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Donovan,” he whispered to the ceiling.
He leaned his head back and thought about the scheme the two of them had cooked up during the last month. Setting up Murphy’s demise had been easy enough though Tony didn’t like staging it at Victor’s wedding. He and Shane had argued about it. They were positive Welsh was alive but other than some phone calls he’d made to Colin, they hadn’t located him, and Tony had been unable to come up with any real evidence that tied the two men together. He’d discovered Larry was blackmailing Colin into shooting Bo at the wedding but the man was slippery. He’d left no trail to follow. If Colin was shot at the wedding, they could make it appear as if Welsh was responsible, but Tony worried that there would be other possible suspects as well, most of whom would turn and point the finger at him. When Sami had showed up at the mansion earlier that day, Tony wanted to strangle her. Telling him that Colin planned on killing Jack and insisting Tony do something to stop it would only make the situation worse after Murphy was shot. Even with the alibi he’d have trouble with Roman when he returned to Salem.
And then there was John. Tony closed his eyes and saw his brother’s face again, angry and unrelenting; refusing to accept the fact they were related. He’d stood in front of Daphne’s grave and expressed only his desire to kill Tony. Forcing himself to stand and listen to John’s accusations had been almost more that he could bear after finding those letters on the island and he’d been relieved when Marlena arrived to take her husband back home. If he kept this charade going, allowing John to believe he was after his wife, Tony feared one of them would break, just as John had on the island when he refused to help Tony out of the hole. The whole situation was impossible.
He looked out the window to find the car gliding through an oversized gate and up along a drive lined with immense trees that blocked out the moon for a mile or so. Then he could see the house, a sprawling Tudor mansion. Most of it was dark except for a couple of the windows that glowed as well as the entrance where several lanterns hung overhead. It certainly looked private and Tony assumed well protected considering the measures Shane had resorted to back at the hotel. As they pulled up to the front, he hoped there wasn’t anyone waiting for him. All he cared about at the moment was finding a comfortable bed and getting some sleep. Murphy would have to be patient.
Opening the door, he found himself standing in a vast hallway. The chandelier overhead was dimmed and a spacious staircase led up to the floors above but sitting near the bottom in a stunning gown was Anna. For the first time in all the years he’d know her, neither of them uttered a word. He shook his head, thinking of Shane and then forgot about him, letting his bag slip out of his hand. She simply waited, a self satisfied smile playing across her lips. After such a horrendous day her presence seemed nothing short of a miracle and reaching the stairs, he leaned over to kiss her, lingering for just a moment before straightening up and holding out his hand. Her smile became dazzling as he pulled her into his arms. Feeling her warmth and the wonderful smell of her hair filled him with joy and he swung her around, smiling at the sound of her laughter. He hadn’t felt this good in months he thought, and savored the luscious sensation of having her body so close, and then he was kissing her and everything else melted away.
It was Anna who stopped him. “I guess that answers my question,” she said breathlessly with a smile.
“Come on,” said Tony talking her hand and moving towards the stairs.
“Oh no,” she said, pulling him back. “Shane and I spent too much time setting up this surprise of ours and we’re both going to enjoy it.”
“Who is we? You and Shane, or you and I?” Tony asked suspiciously. “Please tell me this little bash isn’t meant for all three of us.”
Anna laughed. “I think you and Shane need a vacation from each other.”
“I need a vacation all right. I’d like to get as far away as possible from everyone in that bloody town,” he said, shaking his head. “Tell me again, why did I go back without you?”
Anna kissed him gently and said, “We’re not going to talk about Salem tonight, or anyone who lives there and we’re certainly not going to talk about Shane.”
Tony pulled her into his arms again. “He’s not hiding upstairs somewhere?”
“I promise, he won’t be interrupting us tonight and he knows what I’ll do if he shows up here before noon tomorrow.”
“We’re all alone?”
“Well,” she hedged. “There’s the cook. I’m sure you’re not interested in eating what I’d come up with for dinner.”
“It looks to me like you did a splendid job of preparing for this evening,” he said, grinning at her with delight.
“That’s dessert you’re thinking of,” she said smiling back at him and kissing him on the nose. “Not dinner. Now, run along upstairs…”
“What’s the matter with having our dessert first? Dinner isn’t going anywhere, is it?”
“Neither am I,” she said with exasperation. “Now, I think I’ve been a very good girl the last few months, I haven’t complained once and I went to a lot of trouble to make this evening special. Can you even remember the last New Year’s Eve we spent together?” Instead of answering, Tony reached over to kiss her but she slipped her finger up to his lips. “Later. What happened to the man that taught me how delicious anticipation can be?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Was that me? Sure you’re not thinking about Martin?” he said, turning to pick up his bag. “Where is he by the way?”
“Martin? Um…well, we’re off skiing in Switzerland.”
Now it was Tony’s turn to laugh. “Another double. Compliments of Shane, no doubt.”
“You know, you really shouldn’t be so mean to the poor man, he’s done so much for us already.”
“He’s not doing this because of either of us,” said Tony impatiently.
“Oh, I don’t care as long as Stefano ends up in jail and I can drag you off and have you all to myself.”
“Still my greedy Anna.”
She smiled and said, “Well, you didn’t expect me to change.”
“No,” he said, eyeing her appreciatively. “I like you just the way you are. It’s certainly more fun.”
“Good,” she said and pushed him up the stairs. “Now, hurry up.”
A couple hours later he stood tossing a log on the fire. The remains of dinner had been cleared away and he had to admit he’d thoroughly enjoyed himself as they’d sat and talked about Carrie. She and her husband, Michael Horton were expecting a baby and Anna’s reaction to becoming a grandmother was just the amusement Tony needed. In typical Anna fashion, she loved and hated the idea all at once. Hated the idea that she was getting old which make Tony sit back and laugh as he told her that most women would kill to look as good as she did after having children, let alone grandchildren.
“Maybe, but I am getting old.”
Tony smiled. He’d never known another woman able to pout the way Anna could and make it look adorable. “So what?” he said, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. “We’re both getting old, darling.”
“Well, it will be fun to have a baby around again,” she admitted.
“Again?”
“Who do you think took care of Carrie when she was a baby?”
“I don’t know, I always imagined you having a nanny to take care of all the messy jobs. Somehow I just don’t see you changing diapers.”
“I’ll have you know I can change a diaper just as well as Alice Horton or Marlena.”
“I guess you’ll get to prove it to me soon enough.”
“Yes, in a month or two,” she said and then frowning, looked down at her plate. “Just so you know, I didn’t tell Carrie about the two of us.”
“That’s probably for the best, considering that she’s so close to her father and I wouldn’t want her to have to lie to him.”
Anna’s mouth twitched in irritation. “I just wish I could explain it all to her. I hate the idea of her believing the things that John and Roman are saying about you.”
“So, what’s the baby’s name going to be?”
“Thomas.”
“That will make Alice very happy I’m sure, I bet she can’t wait.”
“Carrie says she’s terribly excited and she’s been trying to talk Mike into getting the two of them to visit her.”
“You mean Alice wants Carrie and Mike to come to Salem?”
Anna nodded.
“Are they thinking about it?”
“Mike is kind of busy right now.”
“But?”
“Well, you know Alice. She’s not going to stop until she gets her way, you know how persistent she can be.”
Tony’s smile was rueful as he glanced away and stared into the fire.
“You don’t want her anywhere near Salem, do you?”
“At the moment,” he said carefully, “she’s away from whatever might happen…”
“Did you find out something?” she asked anxiously.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to…” He stopped and pasted a smile on his face. “We weren’t going to discuss any of this tonight, remember? You promised me a break, so what did you and Carrie do while she was in Paris? Clean out every baby shop in town?”
Anna grinned. “Almost.”
The conversation had continued in the same vein until dinner was over and Anna had left in search of more champagne. Tony set the guard up in front of the fire place. He felt amazingly relaxed after just a couple hours due to part to the quantity of champagne he’d consumed already and a fabulous meal but by themselves, he knew these things weren’t nearly enough. There was that spell in the air and it was far more intoxicating Tony had learned than any alcoholic beverage. Most men who met Anna were taken at once with her beauty and he suspected with the air of helplessness she assumed. Unlike Marlena, she didn’t display her strengths openly. Tony always knew were he stood with Marlena whenever they conversed, but Anna wasn’t nearly so obvious or candid and so the battle was never a confrontation but a dance that flowed back and forth enticingly, and if not always elegant, it never failed to captivate him. It was an endless game and one that Tony found so much more appealing than the ones his father played.
“I can see we’re going to need more of this.”
He glanced over to see her slipping another bottle into the ice near the table. “Leave that and come over here for a moment.”
Looking up, she found his dark eyes staring at her and she set down the two champagne glasses she’d brought from the kitchen. He was irresistible standing there with his tie hanging undone and shirt unbuttoned but he didn’t take her into his arms, only reached for her hand as she arrived and kissed it lovingly.
“I know we weren’t going to talk about Salem tonight but there is something I need to tell you.”
She nodded uncertainly. “Alright.”
“Shane mentioned the twins, didn’t he?”
“The ones Stefano sent last summer that you took in? Yes...”
“We can’t prove it yet, but I’m positive they’re mine.”
“Your children?” For some reason she felt shocked but she could see he was serious. “How?”
He shook his head. “That doesn’t matter right now. I just…I wanted you to know,” he said, as he continued to caress her hand and then reached over to brush his finger down the side of her face.
“But Tony, this is wonderful news,” she said. “You’ve always wanted children and I know you said last summer that it was a good thing that you didn’t have any, that Stefano would only use them to manipulate you, but…” Something in his look stopped her. “What?”
“Their mother is Marlena.”
Anna felt as though someone had kicked the wind out of her. She and Marlena were friends but it was Marlena that had ended up married to Anna’s first husband and Marlena that had raised Carrie. The only piece of Anna’s life she’d stayed away from until now was Tony and suddenly here she was the mother of his children. It hurt more than Anna expected. “You know for certain?”
Tony frowned. “I’m sure, I just can’t prove it. Yet.”
“But why tell me now,” she asked, unable to keep her voice from breaking. “Why couldn’t you wait until tomorrow instead of spoiling our evening?”
“Oh Anna, I’m sorry. I know you’re hurt but there’s something I’ve wanted to talk about and I didn’t think it would be fair to keep this from you.”
“Something else? I don’t want to know any more right now. I…” She turned away and squeezed her eyes shut to stop the tears but they came anyway.
“Darling, please…”
“No,” she said angrily, stamping her foot. “Why the hell did it have to be Marlena of all people.”
There was silence for a moment and then he said dryly, “It wasn’t exactly my choice.”
Anna could feel herself wanting to scream in frustration at the unfairness of it all and the bastard who’d stolen so much time away from them, who’d screwed with their lives wanting to play God. Slowly she faced Tony. “I know you didn’t do this but you might have waited to tell me until tomorrow at least.”
Reaching over, he picked up her hand and kissed it. “Anna, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t give to make the twins our children but the fact that they belong to Marlena doesn’t alter my feelings for you. Nothing has over the years,” he said with a small smile. “Believe me, I’ve tried.”
“I know, I just want to get my hands on your father and rip his head off.”
“Oh, forget Stefano,” he said, sitting down on the rug in front of the fire and pulling her along with him. “That’s the mistake I made last time, letting the possibility of what he’d do tear us apart and no matter what he’s planning this time, I’ll not do it again. Don’t you know that you’re the reason I want to be free of him? I’m not interested in Marlena. Hell, she’s John’s problem and she’ll never be the woman you are, and God help me, but you’re the one who keeps me fascinated, you are enthralling.”
He’d never talked to her this way before and as she sat speechless, he leaned over and kissed her softly, his lips tender and reassuring. Then just as abruptly she found herself gazing into his dark eyes. “Anna, will you marry me?”
Feeling her heart stop she shook her head in confusion and said, “I thought you didn’t want to…”
“I know what I said last summer but I was wrong.”
“So, does that mean you want me to come back to Salem with you?”
“Of course I want you to, just not yet. We’re still not sure what he’s up to exactly so I need more time but I don’t to wait any longer to make things right between us, the way they ought to be.”
“Tony, things are fine the way they are, I mean other than not seeing you everyday and not knowing what is going to happen next with your father…”
“That’s what I mean. Whether we’re together or not, despite what he pulls like what he did with the twins, I want you to know that you are what is important in my life, you’re the person whose happiness is everything to me. If you’d heard from Shane about Marlena and the twins, I can only imagine what you would have thought. I haven’t given you all that many opportunities to trust or rely on me. I want to change that.”
Anna gazed at him and he could see the longing in her eyes. “I’d love nothing more than to be your wife Tony, you know that already, but…” She got stuck at that point and he waited for several moments as she shut her eyes and then turned to the fire.
“But?”
“Well, it’s just that it’s so sudden,” she said finally. “I guess I wasn’t expecting this tonight.”
“Yes, well here we are. What better night could you think of than this one?”
Her cheeks were still wet from her tears but with bright eyes, she said, “You truly want to do this? What if Stefano finds out?”
“That has been the story of our lives and I’m sick of it,” he said, looking determined. “No more. I allowed him that power over me once. I walked away from everyone I cared about and for all I know my decision only made things worse for you, me, even John.” He gave her wry smile. “I’m aware of the risks but you and me, we’re experts at grabbing the moments we manage in between all the other craziness.”
“Oh, we’ve definitely had plenty of experience doing that,” she agreed.
“Would you really want it any other way?”
“Well, a little more time would be nice, but for now I’ll try and be patient.”
Tony laughed at her. “So, is that a yes?”
A smile lit up her face and he could see the excitement sparkling in her eyes. “Yes,” she said, her voice ecstatic, and then with a quick laugh, “when?”
“How about tomorrow.”
“You’d have Shane to be our witness?”
“Right now my love, you’ve made me so happy I think I’d even tolerate John as our witness.”
“Now I know you are joking.”
He didn’t answer at first but smiled mischievously as he pulled her closer and kissed her with a slow, savoring delight. “Believe me,” he said, taking a breath, “I’d never joke about that.”
