UPDATED 4/17/18

AU - Liz is a successful actress who comes from a mob family. Jason is hired as her bodyguard. Will they fall for each other and help each other heal old wounds?

A/N – I'm at it again. It's like being on Liason crack. Hello, I'm noscruples, and I'm an addict. My husband is going to take me on Dr. Phil. This is kind of the flip of my other story The Mark. Hope you like it.

The Bodyguard

Chapter 1 – Mob Princess

Elizabeth fidgeted in her seat. She had been summoned to her parent's house—scratch that, she was practically kidnapped and thrown into the back of a limo.

One of her father's lackeys grabbed her arm and pushed her into the house.

"What is it now?" she asked icily.

Her father just glared at her, wishing that his daughter would be more affable about guards and danger.

She plopped into a chair, clearly unhappy with his method of communication.

"Were you even going to tell me about the death threats?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

"I have had enough of your petulant behavior. This is serious and you refuse to acknowledge that."

Elizabeth leans towards her father with a saucy look. "Do you really want to go there, daddy?"

He averts his gaze, uncomfortable about the implications of her words and wanting to avoid a conversation about the past.

"I hired you a bodyguard and not some Hollywood bullshit bodyguard like you hired the last time. You need to take this seriously."

She groans, hating the fact that she needs a guard in the first place.

"You will not go anywhere without one."

"Unbelievable. You are not in control of my life anymore."

Her father pounded his fist on the desk. "This is not up for discussion. I will not have a repeat of what happened last time. I don't think either of us would survive it."

She silently observes her father, who has lost his patience. If she wasn't completely devoid of emotion, she'd probably get all choked up, but his profession had changed her forever and it was hard getting past the consequences. As much as she loves him, his choice in career had cost her greatly.

She sighed and shifted in the chair. "Fine…"

"Congratulations on your nomination," he said before flashing his dimples. He constantly brags about his actress daughter, who is currently nominated for an Emmy.

"Thanks."

"Have you visited your mother?"

It will be her mother's birthday next week and Liz is dreading it. Her mom, Kate, is in a mental institution and visiting her there is just a bleak reminder that her mom is gone forever.

"Not yet, but I will."

"Are you hungry?"

A faint smile grace her face as his subject change had the desired effect. "It depends. Did you make pasta?"

"Of course..." He stood and then walked around the desk and held out his hand. She put hers in his and it struck her how hard it is for him around her mom's birthday. Kate is the love of his life and she hates that her father is so lonely.

"I love you, daddy." No matter what had happened, he's all she has left.

He tugged her into his arms. "I love you too."

Sonny isn't a mushy man for the most part, but guilt is a funny thing. His daughter means everything to him and he will stop at nothing to protect her.

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They ate and chatted as she filled her father in on the Emmy process.

"So, when do I get to meet my hunky bodyguard?"

Sonny gazed at her. "I purposely selected an older man."

She grins, knowing he is teasing her. "You know better than that."

He chuckled. "I don't actually know what he looks like. He's not in my organization, but he comes highly recommended."

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "What made you do that?" Usually, he would use his own men because of the familiarity and control.

"I thought it would be best for there to be some separation."

Her eyes traveled back to her plate as she remained silent.

Sonny regretted so much when it came to his daughter. He wasn't there to protect her when she needed him the most and he would forever hate himself for it.

"Well, hopefully, we'll get along. The last one was the most annoying man I have ever had the displeasure of meeting." That was on her, because she had used a well known agency to supply her body guard which had ended up being a huge mistake.

Sonny chuckled.

"Boss, Mr. Morgan just landed and he's on the way."

"Thanks, Francis."

"So how did you find Mr. Morgan?"

"He's a friend of Francis and Johnny."

She likes both guards, so she hopes that they have good taste.

They sat on the porch and had some wine enjoying the beautiful evening. The sun had just gone down and it had started to cool off a little which was a pleasant change from the hot day.

"Are you cold?"

Before Liz could reply, Johnny whipped off his jacked and placed it on her shoulders.

Sonny glared at him as she smiled.

"Thank you, Johnny."

He nodded and went back to his post knowing Sonny would disprove of his actions, but not caring. Elizabeth is close to his heart.

"Why do you encourage him?"

Liz giggled. "He's such a cutie, I can't help it."

She can tell that her dad's blood pressure is spiking.

"Relax dad, I promise that nothing will ever happen there." While Johnny is good-looking, funny, and a gentleman, she would never cause strife between the two mean and while he is nice, she doesn't think it would be a good fit.

Sonny rolled his eyes and took another sip of wine.

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Jason sat in the car for a moment longer than necessary. He had stayed up reading Liz's file and watching clips of her on You Tube. She certainly is beautiful and talented, but there is also a wild side which intrigues him. There is just something different about her that he can't put a finger on and there is a missing period that he can't find information on that has totally piqued his curiosity. They are hiding something major. He had only taken this job as a favor to Francis, but he really didn't feel like babysitting some bratty actress. There is also the risk that if he pisses off Sonny, he can end up six feet under.

The car pulled up to the mansion and Jason got out as Francis hurried to greet him.

"Morgan," he said giving the man a hug. "Good to see ya."

"Likewise…"

"How was the flight?"

"It was very long, but it's good to be home." Spending a lot of travel does have its disadvantages.

Francis smiled and led him to the porch.

Sonny saw him approach and cursed to himself when he sees that Jason is good looking.

Elizabeth saw the disproval in his eyes and spun around. Walking towards them is a gorgeous hunk of man with such beautiful blues eyes that she is rendered speechless.

"Mr. Corinthos, sir." He held out his hand.

Sonny shook it. "Please, call me Sonny." He turned toward Liz who hadn't taken her eyes off the newcomer. "This is my daughter, Elizabeth, who'll you be guarding."

He shook her hand and stepped back.

"Have a seat."

Francis pulled up a chair for Jason.

"You hungry?"

"No sir. I ate on the plane, but thank you."

Sonny studied him for a minute noting his politeness and hoping it isn't put on just to please him.

"As you know, Liz is an actress and I need you to follow her very closely. I can't have anything happen to her. Understood?"

"Crystal. Ms. Corinthos, I would like to set some ground rules."

Liz's expression warned him that she didn't want to have that conversation and Johnny tries to make a slit throat movement to Jason which Sonny caught. It was everything he could do not to chuckle, knowing this isn't going to end well, but he wouldn't stop it because he wants to see how Jason reacts.

Jason stares at her, ignoring her discontent. "I need you to listen to me without argument. If I think there is danger, I need to know that you will take it seriously. There will be no tantrums or discussions. Also, you will run your schedule by me every day so I can make sure there is sufficient surveillance coverage around you always. There will be no slipping away like you did the last guard. Do I make myself clear?"

Jason paused to see what she would do, but she just sat there glaring at him.

Liz is livid and doesn't appreciate the fact that he is speaking to her like a child. Clearly, he had done his homework, but that pissed her too because she hates people knowing things about her they shouldn't. She grabs the napkin off of her lap, slaps it onto the table, and slides the chair when she stands. The jacket starts to fall, so she grabs it and approaches Johnny, handing it to him before going into the house.

Jason starts to get up, but Sonny put a hand on his sleeve. "You want me to handle this?"

"No, sir, I've got this."

Sonny watches him go into the house.

Johnny came over to the table and threw down some money. "I got twenty on Liz."

Francis laughed. "That's such a sucker bet. Twenty on Jason..."

Sonny smirked at the two of them while pulling out his wallet. "Twenty on Jason…"

Max joined in. "Liz."

Johnny gazed at them before shaking his head. "You two are unbelievable." He glanced at Sonny. "Don't you have any faith in your daughter?"

Sonny laughed. "Oh, I have faith in her, but I think Jason can handle it." His expression and demeanor did not convey a pushover. His daughter just might have met her match.

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Liz strode into Sonny's study and paced back and forth, so mad that she could scream.

Jason entered the room and then shut the door.

"Do we have a problem?"

She noted the change in his demeanor. His eyes suddenly seemed cold and she could tell he could be lethal when necessary.

"Yes, we have a problem. I am not a child and will not be talked to like one."

Jason didn't say anything.

"Oh, you're just going to ignore me now?"

His face remained blank, but no man could help noticing how fucking sexy she is right now.

"You need to understand the seriousness of this situation. We can't be too careful."

After pouring a drink, she grabbed the glass and downed it. "You don't think I understand the seriousness? " She slammed her glass onto the table. "You have no idea who I am, Mr. Morgan. A few videos on the internet don't mean shit. They see who I want them to see."

She stormed past him, but he grabbed her arm and she gasped at his touch, staring into his eyes as they started to soften. "I'm sorry if I offended you."

Liz averted her gaze and then backed up, causing Jason drop his hand.

"We'll be leaving in a half hour."

He watched her walk out the room and finally relaxed. This isn't going to be easy, but he could tell that her actions were due to fear. Now, he needs to find out why.