Apprehension crept over Sami as Henderson announced her arrival to Philip. As she took in his office in the Kiriakis Mansion, she wondered if there was some template for the dwellings of powerful families. The office was classical modern in design, not too dissimilar from Stefano's office, a fact she was sure would make both men scoff. It should have made her comfortable, being in familiar surroundings, instead it made her more wary. If Stefano's treachery had proved anything, it was that she could depend on no one but herself… and EJ.

EJ's assignment that evening was to follow Marcell, for it seemed too convenient, his ascent into a station of power as soon as Marco was gone and Sami thought that the younger brother, who had always been jealous of Strazio's position in the family may have been the one to get her mentor out of the way. She just hoped he hadn't been sacrificed in this stupid scheme to make EJ and her prove their mettle.

It improved her mood just a little to think of what the Phoenix would say when he realized what his heirs had planned for him. Before she had learned of his duplicity, Sami had not even wanted to be anything more than Enforcer to the next Capofamiglia, would have severed the Phoenix until his dying breath and then EJ, as he was next in line. She had sworn oaths to such and despite what the 'good' people of Salem thought, she was loyal, sometimes to a fault. Now, she would gladly sip champagne while Stefano burned in hell.

Philip Kiriakis stood from behind his desk, moving around to greet her. He embraced her as an old pal with a friendly kiss to her cheek, and Sami hid her shock. Before the 'Stan' debacle, she would have counted their interactions as mostly indifferent, but after he had hated her as much as the others, for what she had done.

"I'm glad you came to see me," he said, motioning to the chair, before taking a seat himself.

"Yeah, well, I'm pretty low in friends right now, so I could use your help." She answered as she sat.

She watched him carefully, unsure if this some ploy or trap.

"Anything," he assured her, "you consider it done. I owe you."

"You said that before," she looked at him quizzically, waiting for his reply.

His eyes met hers as he said, "I went to visit Lucas and he told me what happened the night you left him."

"Oh," she responded squaring her shoulders, "Lucas already made his amends."

"He told me you popped him a few," he smiled briefly in approval, a flash of his dimples visible, " but now I must make my atonement."

Sami waved him off, "I wasn't your responsibility and what Lucas did, certainly wasn't your fault."

"The hell it wasn't! I was a shit brother and a shit uncle, too caught up in trying to steal your sister back from Shawn to know my own brother had spiraled and sunk so low as to put his hands on you, Sami. Why didn't you come to me? To anyone?"

"I did," she answered, feeling emotional and didn't know why. Maybe if she had heard this concern months ago… "I went to Maggie and we both tried to get him to AA meetings and I even went to Kate…"

He sucked in an agitated breath, "My mother has always been in denial when it come to Lucas' drinking."

"She thought I drove him to it," she remarked dryly, Kate's words no longer having an effect. "And well, I knew how my family would react and they proved me right."

"I'm sorry," he reached out, but Sami stood, moving away from his comfort, blinking back the tears.

Yeah, she definitely would have done things differently if Philip had been there, three months ago. Despite Stefano's machinations, she couldn't regret the woman she had become under him though. She was strong and she had learned to depend on herself. So she didn't need comforting anymore, hadn't been that weak girl for a long time and she certainly no longer cared for the Brady Clan's approval.

Pulling herself together, she said, "I survived. Now, I'm here because we know for sure that Stefano is the mastermind behind this. EJ and I think he's bankrolling Andre and that he took Marco out of the equation."

"Marco? Why?"

She trod carefully, "We have a… close friendship. He would have protected me."

Philip's eyebrows shot up in disbelief, "Even against Stefano?"

"Yes." She answered with certainty.

"Some friendship."

She smiled enigmatically. The last thing she needed was Philip finding out she was Marco's second. He might not feel so inclined to help them.

"What do you need?"

She breathed a sigh, "Somewhere to stash Stefano for a few days, preferably with medical supplies."

"You're going to kidnap him?" She nodded in reply, "And medical supplies?"

"He's dying."

"Well, shit! Seriously?"

"Yeah, for real this time. EJ and I will get him to you. We just need him off the board, for now, so he can't help Andre…" She broke off as her phone chirped.

Opening the text, she cursed a streak.

"Sami?"

"Change of plans, I'm going to tell you how to get into the house and into Stefano's room. By midnight he's retired."

"What? Why?"

"Andre has EJ," She stated, tone deadly. She turned the picture sent to her phone. It was of EJ, soaked through, more pale than she had ever seen him, eyes closed and lips blue.

God, please let him still be alive!

"No, I'm coming with you. My men can…"

She didn't argue, instead saying, "Send Ciro, Demetri and Christopher."

He looked at her in surprise as she listed his most trusted and trained men who were loyal to him and only him.

"You don't just work at Dimera Enterprises, do you?"

She sent him a grim smile before she bolted through the door and Philip took off after her.

Italian Words

Strazio – torture

Capofamiglia – Boss