This is my J&C adaptation of Susan Sizemore’s novel, "His Last Best Hope"

She felt Jax’s body stiffen – like a snake, coiling to strike. She briefly wondered which of his enemies this man was. Perhaps it was even Faison! After all, she hadn’t seen him when he came aboard the Morgana. She had only heard his voice from below decks. Her question was answered as soon as Jax spoke. "Corinthos! I heard you were out of town."

Even though Jax’s arm was like a steel band around her waist, anchoring her behind him, Chloe dared to peer around Jax. {Let’s see – this is the guy who’s supposed to have a contract out on Jax. Does he work for Cassidine, too? Jax never said. But, geez…….he sure doesn’t *look* that tough.} Unlike the men blocking their exit from the alley, Corinthos was smartly dressed. His brightly-colored tropical print shirt contrasted vividly with their solid-color t-shirts. The tailored linen trousers he wore were nothing like the tattered jeans on the rest of his men. He was stocky, but short. His hair was slicked back and glistened in the noonday sun. But his eyes made a shiver run down Chloe’s back. They were narrow, and beady, and glittered with a heat that bordered on insanity.

"I came back, just for you, Pantera," Sonny crooned. "Just to watch you die."

The feel of Chloe’s breath hitching in her chest must have drawn Jax’s attention, even though she didn’t realize she did it. "Just stay behind me and keep your mouth shut," he growled. "This guy’s a loose cannon and it won’t take much to set him off."

The clicking sound of a pistol being cocked ricocheted off the walls of the alley. "I’ve got a bullet here with your name on it, Pantera," Sonny sneered. The gun he held in his outstretched arm was aimed at Jax’s chest. "Time to let it find a home, don’t you think?"

"You’ve got no reason to kill me, Sonny!" Jax shouted. He extended his arms to his sides, palms open and up. While it was a gesture of willingness to negotiate, it also shifted Jax’s body so that Chloe was more fully protected from a stray bullet.

"No reason to kill you?" Sonny laughed derisively. "How about the fact that you murdered Vincent? Isn’t cold-blooded murder a good enough reason?"

"I didn’t murder your brother, Sonny," Jax snarled through clenched teeth. "This is old news. You weren’t there and you refuse to believe the truth."

Sonny’s arm holding the gun quivered with the strength of his anger. "The *truth* is that you shot my brother in the head, Pantera! One bullet to the temple!" He swallowed hard. "That’s murder, even on this little corner of h*ll!"

Chloe couldn’t help but be curious. She had seen so many sides of the man protecting her with his life in the past two days. If this had happened just 24 hours earlier, she would have believed every word that Corinthos was saying. But now – after Jax had rescued her from the two men in the alley who almost raped her, and then comforted her in her grief instead of taking advantage of her himself – she found herself believing *his* side. After all – Jax was some kind of government spy. If he had shot the man named Vincent, it was probably in conjunction with some kind of mission or in self-defense.

Every nerve in her body screamed out for explanations, but she knew better than to tap Jax on the shoulder and ask him any questions. "I didn’t shoot Vincent, Sonny." Although the lengthy conversation was driving her to the point of insanity, Chloe suddenly recognized that there was a method to Jax’s madness. He was buying them time. {Maybe his men from the Isabella are on the way and will show up to rescue us if he can just stall long enough!}

"I didn’t shoot Vincent, Sonny." Jax repeated himself succinctly. "You’re just not willing to admit the fact that your brother killed himself."

"Vincent wouldn’t have done that!" The men behind Sonny started to shift from side to side, clearly uncomfortable at their boss’s growing fury. Sonny brought the arm holding the pistol back momentarily to wipe the perspiration from his face. "He knew that suicide is a sin!"

"He was so *high* the night he died that he didn’t even know his own name!" Jax countered. "It was the *drugs* that killed Vincent, Sonny! Not me!"

"Vincent wouldn’t have taken drugs!" As Sonny raved on, Chloe saw a man come out of the line. He was different from the others. He wore a pale tan polo shirt that was open at the neck and his jeans were less frayed than the others’. He stopped just behind Sonny, his head was bowed. He appeared slightly embarrassed to Chloe as Sonny ranted on. "Vincent felt the same way about drugs as I do! He would never have gotten involved with that stuff!"

Jax lifted his chin in the direction of the man behind Sonny. "Jason knows, Sonny." He waved towards the line at the mouth of the alley. "They ALL know the truth about Vincent. It’s just that they don’t have the GUTS admit it."

The man in the polo shirt that Jax had identified as Jason put a hand on Sonny’s arm. "You know Vincent was acting funny that day, Sonny. He had been acting strange for a couple of weeks before that – even YOU noticed it."

Sonny’s face twisted in rage. "Are you tellin’ me you believe this b*stard? You think that Vincent killed himself, too?"

"I’m telling you that it’s time to let GO of it, Sonny," Jason murmured tersely. "You’ve been letting this obsession with revenge for Vincent’s death eat at you for so long that it’s taken over your life." He leaned closer to Sonny, his voice dropping and adopting a "fatherly" tone. "The business is suffering and the men are starting to talk, Sonny." He gestured towards Jax. "Killing El Pantera won’t bring Vincent back!"

"Listen to him, Sonny," Jax called out. "Jason’s right."

Sonny didn’t look at Jason and just kept staring into Jax’s eyes. "Maybe a bullet isn’t good enough for you, Pantera! " he spat. "You don’t deserve to die as quickly as my brother did. You should die a slow, painful death for what you did to him that night at Leanita’s……"

"Nobody SAW me shoot Vincent, Sonny," Jax countered. "By the time everyone got to the room, your brother was already dead. But I wasn’t the only one who saw him put the gun to his temple." Jax’s voice suddenly took on an accusatory tone. "What about that bodyguard of Vincent’s? HE got there at the same time I did. HE saw Vincent blow his brains out." Sonny’s hand started to tremble again and his left eye twitched. "Ask HIM what really happened."

"Johnny already paid for his mistake." Sonny’s voice was grim as he relaxed and then tensed his grip on the butt of the pistol again. "Now it’s your turn to pay for yours."

Jason suddenly reached up and put his hand on Sonny’s arm, trying to pull it down towards the ground. "That’s right, Sonny! Johnny DID pay for what happened on his watch! Isn’t that enough blood spilled over this?" Sonny closed his eyes and he whimpered like a wounded child. Jason’s voice gentled a little. "How much blood does there have to be before you’re satisfied that Vincent’s death is avenged?"

"He’s right, Sonny." Chloe didn’t flinch when all eyes in the alley swung around to focus on her as soon as she spoke. She wasn’t even aware where the courage to speak was coming from. The words just seemed to tumble out of her mouth as she stepped from behind Jax and directly between him and the muzzle of Sonny’s gun. "Two wrongs don’t make a right."

"D*mn it!" Jax grabbed for her but Chloe stood her ground. "I told you to keep your mouth shut!"

Sonny frowned in confusion and looked over his shoulder at Jason. "Who the h*ll is she?"

"That’s Pantera’s new woman," Jason replied in a matter-of-fact tone. Chloe squeaked indignantly at being identified as Jax’s anything, but Jason ignored her. "I saw them together last night at Leanita’s before they went upstairs."

Sonny’s eyes traveled up and down Chloe’s body. It gave her the same feeling as when a cockroach had crawled over her hand when she was on a picnic. "Soooo…….Pantera finally got rid of the red-haired cow, eh?" He murmured something in Spanish that drew lewd laughter from his men. "Decided to find out if it’s true about blondes having more fun?"

Jax gave every appearance of nonchalant coolness as he nodded towards Chloe. "My newest bit of eye candy – sweet to taste, but not exactly nutritious or fulfilling."

Chloe’s cheeks flamed bright red as male laughter echoed in the alley around her. She was tempted to stomp down hard on Jax’s foot but before she could, Sonny grabbed her by the arm and pulled her towards him. He positioned her against his chest as a human shield. "Then you won’t mind if I sample a taste of her myself, eh?"

Jax’s hand moved like lightning to his shoulder holster. "I’ve never been real good about *sharing*, Corinthos," he growled, aiming his pistol at Sonny’s chest. {Move just a little bit to the side, love……just let me get one clean shot.} One blonde eyebrow rose slightly. "Seems I failed that subject in pre-school."

Chloe’s eyes widened but Sonny merely shrugged his shoulders. "Then we fight for her," he announced. He ran a hand down her arm and she shuddered despite the midday heat. "Winner take all."

"NO." Jax’s reply was firm, his pistol still trained on Sonny’s heart.

"YES." Sonny glared at Jax.

"YES!!" All eyes swung to Chloe again as she stamped her foot to emphasize her statement. Sonny relaxed his grip on her a little and she put her hands on her hips angrily. "Does the Hershey Bar get a vote here?"

Sonny released her as his men chuckled softly at Chloe’s bravado. Before she could say another word, Jax snaked out an arm and drew her back to his side again. "When will you learn to keep your bloody mouth shut, wapa?" he snarled in a hushed voice. "Do you know what you’ve done?"

Chloe just kept smiling and wound her body around Jax’s in the best imitation she knew of a cheap hooker. "Yes, sweetheart, I know EXACTLY what I’ve done," she replied loudly, burying her face against his shoulder. She nipped at his earlobe and felt his body tremble – a fact that would have thrilled her if she weren’t utterly terrified down to her toenails. "I’m buying us some time," she continued in a whisper, "so your men can come charging in here and rescue us!"

Jax leaned down and appeared to nuzzle her ear so that nobody would hear his reply. "My men are back on the Isabella guarding the shipment, Chloe! They don’t even know where I am!!"

Chloe managed to keep a seductive smile on her face as she raised her head and turned to speak to Sonny again. "So the deal is that if Pantera wins, he keeps me – and we both go free. This vendetta of yours is settled. Right, Sonny?"

"Right, blondie!" Sonny laughed loudly and made another comment in Spanish that drew more ribald comments from his men.

"Do you have any idea what he’s going to do to you if I *lose*?" Jax gave Chloe’s body a tug that forced her to face him. His lips were centimeters from hers and his breath stirred her hair as he gazed into her eyes grimly.

Chloe just smiled serenely. "I have every confidence that you’ll win."

Chloe placed both of her hands flat on Jax’s chest and started to massage it sexily. "Corinthos fights dirty," Jax managed to growl as his heart rate increased at her gentle touch.

"And you don’t?" She winked at him and Jax finally cracked the hint of a smile.

"Jason!!" Sonny’s voice rang out in the alley. "Get his gun," he ordered, nodding towards Jax. "No weapons."

"For *either* man," Jax shouted warily as Jason approached. He stripped off his shirt and shoulder holster and handed it to Jason as Sonny did the same, handing his gaudy silk shirt and pistol to one of his lieutenants. Chloe watched as Jason accepted the items from Jax. He appeared emotionless – his face was a stoic mask, but then she saw something that gave her hope. Jason was about to turn back towards Sonny when Jax reached down for the knife that was strapped to his leg. Jason *must* have seen Jax make the move – he couldn’t have missed it. Yet, he remained silent and started walking towards a clearing in the center of the alley.

Chloe was going to say something to Jax about it when he hauled her up against his chest unceremoniously. "Slip this inside your shorts," Jax whispered. She felt his lips trace the shell of her ear but then Jax pressed the handle of his small knife into her hand. "If something happens and I don’t manage to win, don’t let him live long enough to touch you……"

Her hands trembled as Chloe followed Jax’s instructions and she pocketed the knife. A wan smile lit her pale face. "Pantera," she quipped softly. "I didn’t know you cared."

Jax briefly glanced at the circle of Corinthos’s men that was forming around them. "As long as we have an audience, you might as well show me how much you care," he purred. "For good luck….."

"For good luck….." Chloe echoed Jax’s words in a husky whisper just as his lips came down on hers. She kissed him with total abandon, sinking her tongue past his lips and threading her fingers through the spun-gold sweat-dampened hair at the nape of his neck. The feel of his bare chest against her unbound breasts was an unbelievable turn-on to Chloe, who never knew she had such a sensual side to her personality. Jax slanted his head to the side to deepen the kiss but the sound of laughter and jeers from Sonny’s men finally broke them apart.

Jason appeared again and took Chloe by the arm. As he pulled her away from Jax towards the side of the alley, she gave him one last smile and a thumb’s up for encouragement. Jax and Sonny moved to the center of the circle and faced each other. When she took a good look at both men, Chloe’s fears eased a little. Jax easily had the advantage over Sonny in both height and weight. But one unknown factor still sent a chill down her spine – this was Sonny’s turf, and his men decisively outnumbered Jax.

Jason lifted his arm, glanced at both men coldly, and then brought it down. Sonny immediately flew at Jax like a mini-hurricane. He was a whirling dervish of fists and feet as he lashed out at El Pantera. Chloe felt Jason’s arm go around her waist, anchoring her to him in the event she tried to sneak away during the festivities and rob his boss of the grand prize.

The sound of flesh striking flesh made Chloe cringe and close her eyes at first. But then, a perverse curiosity made her open them again, and she was glad she did. As the fight went on, it became more and more apparent who the better fighter was.

Jax used his brain as well as his fists. He waited for an opportunity to land a critical blow before launching it. While Sonny occasionally jabbed at thin air, expending his energy, Jax watched for a chance to attack an undefended part of Sonny’s body. His punches were accurate and powerful; his kicks were lethal. Chloe realized that while part of what Jax was doing was just good old-fashioned street fighting, part was also a demonstration of years of martial arts training.

The morning’s rain had left puddles in the alley that soon became home to the brawling men. Jax swept Sonny off his feet with one well-aimed kick. Sonny managed to jerk his foot and knock Jax to the ground also. Once they were both earthbound, Sonny launched himself at Jax and they went rolling through puddles in a clinch, much to the delight of the onlookers.

The tropical heat and humidity took its own toll on the gladiators. They were both soon drenched in sweat, their chests glistening with perspiration and small trickles of blood. Sonny temporarily rolled Jax to his back and landed a wicked right hook, splitting open his lip. Chloe’s hands went to her mouth and she silently said every prayer she knew. But as quickly as Sonny had gotten the upper hand, Jax brought his knee up and landed a vicious blow to Sonny’s groin.

Sonny rolled off clutching his injury while his men shouted encouragement from the sidelines. Jax slowly rose from the pavement and was attempting to stand when Sonny suddenly threw himself at him again, swinging his arm wildly towards Jax’s chest. It was the opportunity Jax had been waiting for.

Jax grabbed Sonny’s fist before it could reach its destination. Sliding his other hand up Sonny’s arm, he twisted it behind the shorter man. Drawing on strength that Chloe was amazed he still had, Jax managed to pull himself to his feet and force Sonny to his knees with his left arm pinned behind him at a painful angle. When Sonny arched his back and threw his head back in pain, Jax brought his right arm around Sonny’s neck, his bent elbow forcing Sonny’s chin up at an un-natural angle.

Silence descended on the alley. Jax and Sonny’s heavy breathing were the only sounds that punctuated El Pantera’s victory. When Sonny had issued the challenge, although it hadn’t been stated, the terms of victory were quite clear. Winner take all. A fight to the death. By his rights as victor, Jax was entitled to snap Sonny’s neck like a dry twig.

Chloe felt dizzy, but she wasn’t sure if it was from holding her breath in anticipation, or from the confusing feelings she had about El Pantera. Here was a man who could hold her in his arms – comfort her – make her feel like the sexiest, most beautiful woman on the planet. Yet, here was a man who had probably killed men with his bare hands in the past and now was being offered the chance to do it again. But would he? And more importantly – could she watch him do it?

Jax held Sonny in limbo for about 15 seconds. Sonny’s face was pale but he appeared resigned to his fate. He wasn’t about to beg for his life. With an explosion of breath, Jax unwound the arm around Sonny’s neck and pushed him face first towards the pavement. "I won’t be the one to make your mother mourn the loss of her only remaining son," Jax gasped. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and spat blood in the alley. "I spare your life out of respect for her."

Silence greeted Jax’s announcement. He slowly turned and began walking towards Chloe. There was barely time to brace for the impact when she came barreling towards him and threw herself into his arms with a loud sob.

"Shhhhh……" Jax crooned in her ear and stroked her hair gently. It felt like they were the only two people in the world as they slowly revolved in each other’s arms. When he finally managed to pull back, he gave her a cocky grin. "NOW will you keep your mouth shut, calientita?"

Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand and smiled bravely at him. "I have a feeling that it’s a good thing I don’t know what that means in Spanish!" she whispered. He tried to smile back at her but then winced and cradled his jaw. She soothed his split lip with her thumb. "You’re hurt."

"Maybe a few scratches." Jax grimaced but then fire shown in his eyes. "Nothing that a few days in bed wouldn’t cure." She leaned up and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, carefully avoiding his cuts and bruises. Just as she drew back with the promise of kisses to come in her eyes, Jason came up next to them. Silently, he offered Jax’s shirt and shoulder holster back to him.

"WAIT!!!" The sound of Sonny’s voice made everyone turn. Chloe gasped aloud and Jax pulled her into his arms protectively at the sight. Sonny was standing, although weaving slightly, and pointing his pistol directly at Jax’s chest.

"Put the gun down, Sonny," Jax shouted cautiously. He held up one hand but still was careful to put his body between Chloe and the muzzle of Sonny’s gun. "Everyone saw it. I won."

Sonny blinked rapidly towards Jason. "Shoot him, Jason! He killed my brother! He deserves to die!"

"You promised!!!" Chloe’s shout rang out despite Jax’s attempt to keep her shielded. "You said the vendetta would be settled!!"

"I changed my mind!" Sonny spat back furiously.

Jax took a breath to reply but suddenly Jason put his arm in front of him, pushing him out of Sonny’s aim. "You made a deal, man," Jason said coldly to Sonny. "We all heard you. You can’t go back on it now."

Sonny’s eyes darted around the alley for support from his men, but they all just stared down at the ground uncomfortably. Soon after Jason became Sonny’s second-in-command, word had begun to spread that Sonny was losing control of his organization. Jason was more level-headed – more calm and rational, especially since Vincent’s death. Sonny’s men rapidly began to look to Jason for instructions when Sonny was too overwhelmed with grief or passed out from the alcohol he drank to forget his loss. Rumors flew that the organization was running better WITHOUT Sonny. Some said that Jason was fair to the point of being emotionless, but at this point, Jax really didn’t care.

Jason began walking slowly towards Sonny, blocking the shorter man’s view of Jax and Chloe. "Put the gun down and let them go, Sonny," Jason repeated. "It’s over."

"I’M still in charge!!" Sonny railed. His arm was trembling so badly that some of his men began to take shelter to avoid being hit by a stray bullet. "It’s not over till *I* say it’s over!!"

Jason turned to the side and swore loudly as he came to stand directly in front of Sonny. "You know what, Sonny?" he asked. Chloe dared to peek over Jax’s shoulder to see what was happening and he pushed her head back down firmly. Jason gave a long sigh. "It’s over."

Chloe winced, anticipating the sound of a gunshot. But instead, she heard the sound of flesh striking flesh again and then a loud thump. When she put her hands on Jax’s bare shoulders and tried to see again, he finally let her out of his protective embrace. She inhaled sharply when she saw Sonny’s body in a heap on the ground. Jason was standing over him, grimacing and shaking his hand in obvious pain.

"Jax? What happened?" When she looked at Jax, she saw his half-smile.

"Jason punched Sonny in the jaw. Knocked him out cold," Jax murmured. He glanced a warning at Chloe. "H*ll if I know why."

Jason briefly inspected his knuckles and then blew on them before turning towards some of Sonny’s men. "Take him back to the hacienda with you." He nodded grimly towards Sonny’s limp body. "When he wakes up, give him black coffee until he’s making sense again."

Three of the men came forward and lifted Sonny into their arms. One of them gave Jason a skeptical look. "He ain’t gonna be happy about how this turned out, Jason."

Jason glanced back over his shoulder at Jax and Chloe and put his hands on his hips. "Sonny hasn’t been happy about much of anything since Vincent died." His sigh was a combination of disgust and sympathy. "Tell him I’ll be there as soon as I can and we’ll settle this once and for all."

As most of the men followed behind Sonny’s body, Jason turned and walked towards Jax and Chloe. She felt the tension again in Jax’s body, like a cat taking stock of unfamiliar territory. When Jason handed Jax his shirt and shoulder holster, Jax nodded curtly. "Looks like I owe you one, Jason."

Jason shrugged dispassionately. "He tried to go back on a deal. A man can’t do that in my book."

"Thank goodness for your book." Chloe smiled at Jason as Jax slowly slid his arms back into his shoulder holster. He re-checked the safety on the pistol and then threw his shirt over his shoulder, casually holding it hooked on one finger.

"Well, then….." Jax looked around the deserted alley and put his free arm around Chloe’s waist. "Since these little festivities seem to have come to an end, we’ll just be on our way….." He pulled Chloe with him and turned his back on Jason to walk away. They had gone about fifteen feet when Jason spoke.

"To Cassidine’s estate." Jax froze in place. "That’s where you were going when Sonny stopped you, isn’t it?"

Chloe glanced at Jax out of the corner of her eye. She could tell that he was surprised – and irritated. He turned slowly back towards Jason with a cynical smile. "The two men in the plaza outside the market? They were eavesdropping on our conversation?"

Jason shrugged. "Someone’s gotta take care of business around here, Pantera. If Sonny can’t do it – then I will."

Jax put his hands on his hips. "And since when is MY business YOUR business?"

Jason ambled slowly towards Jax. "Word out on the street is that you’re delivering a large shipment, Pantera. Larger than normal." He stopped directly in front of Jax. "Large enough to deserve a face-to-face with the man. That MAKES it my business."

"Well, then……." Jax drawled slowly and wrapped an arm around Chloe’s waist again. "Since you know where we’re going, you also know that Cassidine doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Soooo……." He turned his back on Jason again and pulled Chloe with him towards the mouth of the alley. They were almost back to the plaza again when Jason caught up to them, clapping a hand on Jax’s shoulder.

"Soooo……" He gestured towards an open jeep that sat parked near the alley. "Can I offer you a ride?"

"A……a ride?" {Bloody h*ll!! Can this day get any worse? How can I explain to Jason that I need to drop Chloe off at the shelter on the way to Cassidine’s? Especially since I just defended her as my "woman"!!} Jax hid his exasperation as best he could. "That’s really not necessary, hombre……."

Jason blocked their path as Jax tried to walk away from him again. "Ahhh, but I insist, Pantera!" He broke into an uncharacteristic smile and bowed slightly at the waist to Chloe. "After all, it’s my…….well, actually Sonny’s fault that you’re delayed."

{Think! Think! You can’t take her there with you! It’s too much of a risk for BOTH of you!}

A lewd smile stole across Jax’s face and he leaned closer to Jason. "Actually, Jason," Jax murmured huskily, "my woman and I were just on the way back to Leanita’s to get cleaned up." He cleared his throat theatrically. "We ….. uh…..got caught in the storm this morning and we were on our way back there for a nice, long, hot shower when you stopped us……" He gave Jason a lusty wink. "If you know what I mean……"

"No problema, Pantera," Jason replied happily. He kept pace with them and then jumped in front of them, halting their progress, when they came to the passenger door of the jeep. "I’m sure that Stefan Cassidine will allow you to get cleaned up before you meet with him." Jason bowed at the waist and extended a hand towards the open door of the jeep, returning Jax’s wink. "And I’ve heard that he’s got those fancy saunas out there on his estate …… and bathtubs made for two, if you get my drift."

Jax shot Chloe a warning look just as she opened her mouth to speak. "Then we’ll be happy to accept your hospitality, Jason," he replied smoothly. He took Chloe’s hand and assisted her into the back seat of the jeep and then climbed in next to her. While Jason spoke quietly to Sonny’s other man, Jax leaned down and brushed his lips near Chloe’s ear. "Don’t say a word, wapa. Just keep pretending to be my woman."

"I’m not your ANYTHING!!" Chloe gasped. She gripped Jax’s arm tightly when she felt him bite her neck and a shiver ran down her spine. "We can’t…….I mean…….what about the shel……"

Jax lay his fingers against her lips before she could finish the word. "Plans change, love." He glanced warily at the front seat as Jason got in and the other man got behind the wheel. "We’ll just have to ……. improvise." When Chloe squeaked again indignantly, Jax lowered his lips to hers and gave her a kiss that made her toes curl.

The sound of Jason’s laugh made Jax break the kiss. "You two just go ahead and celebrate back there." Jason slapped the driver on the back twice and pointed straight ahead with the other hand. The jeep lurched into gear, the jolt sending Chloe straight into Jax’s arms again. They bumped their way through the plaza and then finally pulled onto a dirt road that led out of the city and into rolling hills.

Chloe fought the growing terror in the pit of her stomach as Jason turned back to them once again. "Next stop – Stefan’s Cassidine’s own version of paradise here on earth!!"

To be continued……..