When she entered the penthouse, Sam's first thought was that Lorenzo and Luis had changed their minds. They were going to hand her over to Javier and let him do what he wanted with her. But, Jason was standing behind Lorenzo, and he looked too calm for that to be the case. She may have been worried about Jason's reaction to everything that happened with Manny, but she didn't think that he would actually stand there stone-faced while his bosses handed her over for murder or torture.

What, then, was going on? Carly and the girls were gone, leaving only the Alcazar men, Jason, Javier and one of his guards in the penthouse. Sam felt very out of place as she walked through the collective of men. This was a business dealing, and she had no place in there.

She was also uncomfortable with Javier staring at her. He had to know the truth. He probably knew in the first place, but Sam's appearance made it all the more true. Sam McCall had murdered his brother. She guessed she could understand the hatred that bore holes into her. Whether Manny deserved it or not, he had still been Javier's brother. Sam would feel the same about her own family, and figured that either Luis or Lorenzo would feel the same, as well. Hell, Jason might even feel the same way about AJ were something to happen to him.

"Jason?" Sam looked to him, trying to keep her focus on him. To look at anyone else would increase the fear that surged over her upon stepping foot through the door. "What's going on?"

Jason didn't say anything. He only put a hand forward, waiting for her to take his hand. Sam reached out to him tentatively. Jason's fingers curled around her hand and he pulled her towards him. She looked up in his eyes, but couldn't find any answers.

Jason turned her around until her back was against him. He kept his arm folded around her, and only when she was caught in his vice grip did she realize that it was his left hand that he had given to her. His free hand was clear in case he had to pull a gun.

After that, Sam took in the positions of everyone else. Though Jason stood just behind Lorenzo, he wasn't completely behind him. He stood to his left, and he would have a clear shot at Javier and his guard if it were necessary. Luis stood off to the side, towards the stairs that led up to the bedroom, and upon noticing him did Sam see that they weren't as alone in the room as she thought. Standing at the top of stairs, arms folded, Zander Smith had a clear shot across the room. Sam started to turn back to Javier, and something off to the side caught her eye. Lucky Spencer was standing in the dark entranceway that led to the kitchen. The Alcazars had all of the leverage in this situation.

Was that good or bad? Sam guessed that it was good in that, if anything happened, they would more than likely be the ones left standing. However, they obviously had something to say that wasn't going to go over well. The fact that something could happen, made it a little less good and a lot more bad.

"This is as far as you will be coming to Sam McCall," Lorenzo said. His voice was low, but in the silent penthouse, it sounded like a boom breaking through the quiet.

"She murdered my brother," Javier said. "It's within my right to ask for her life in return."

"Your brother entered my territory with less than noble intentions, Javier. He stalked, harrassed and threatened the fiancee of not only our right hand, but my friend. Your brother made his own life forfeit."

"And if I choose to take my vengeance? Morgan can't hold onto her forever."

"I can—" Jason stopped speaking as Lorenzo turned to him. Sam looked up at Jason, and his eyes were icy with hatred. Lorenzo said nothing to him, only looked, but the look was enough. Sam watched as Jason's eyes slowly thawed until he was a blank mask again.

Lorenzo turned back to Javier. "Know that the second you lay a hand on Ms. McCall, your life will be forfeit. And once you're gone, the Alcazar family will seize hold of all of your assets. My brother will take control of your businesses until we find someone suitable to take your place, and your family will be penniless."

"Is it worth it, Javier?" Luis took a step forward, and when he moved, so did Lucky and Zander. "You knew what your brother was doing all along. You may have tried to deny it, but you knew. You also knew that someone, some day, would make him pay. Is your life really worth what you should have probably done yourself?"

"I would have never killed my own brother."

"So you say. However, were we to have Ms. McCall detail for you the things that transpired while in your brother's less than loving care, you just might change your mind. I would hate to have to put her through that, but—"

"No!" Javier raised his hands and shook his head. "I don't want to hear any of it."

Sam watched his face, watched the guilt and anger ride his features. Sure, Javier knew everything. It would have been impossible for him not to know. He had to cover Manny's tracks, after all. He knew, but he didn't want to hear. And even though Sam didn't want to say it again, she almost did, just to see Javier's reaction. Just to give him the mental image of those years that she would always have with her.

Finally, Javier let his hands drop and sighed. "Fine. You win. I'll take no revenge against her, but know that this severely damages business between our families."

"Don't worry, Javier," Luis said with a smirk, "there are plenty other, more reputable families to take your place. Our work is done."

Luis turned as though he had nothing else to say. He took the long way around the room, passing behind Jason and Lorenzo, around Javier, to get to the door. Zander followed him. Lucky took the short route and was already at the door, holding it open as Luis walked out. Zander followed, then Lucky, and then the door closed.

Sam jumped as the door shut, but no one else moved. The air in the room was thick, almost choking. Sam wanted to walk around, stretch her legs, but Jason had a tight grip on her. He wasn't letting her go until Javier was gone.

"We have nothing more to say." Lorenzo shoved his hands into his pockets. "You may leave now, Javier. And I hope that the next time you or someone of your family comes to Port Charles, we don't have anything as messy as this."

With his dismissal, Javier and his guard left without anymore words. When the door closed behind him, Jason loosened his grip on Sam. He didn't let her go completely, but as his body relaxed, the tension in his arm left, as well. "Lorenzo…" He turned to him and Jason said, "Thanks."

Lorenzo shook his head. "What Manuel did… I would have preferred different circumstances and a different shooter, but in the end, he would have been dead anyway. I've never trusted him." He sighed and looked to Sam. "Next time, can you please let us take care of business?"

Sam nodded, then said, "Yeah. I never…" She sighed and shook her head. "What now? I'm safe from Javier, but, what about the cops?"

"The police have nothing," Lorenzo told her. "They have their usual idea that Jason did it, but they can't prove it. Alexis will take care of anything else. You are both free and clear."

"So, uh…" She turned and looked up to Jason. "What do we do now?"

"Now?" He bent down and kissed the top of her forehead. "Now, we finish planning our wedding before Carly and Brenda decide to do the whole thing themselves."