They
say bad things come in threes...
Sonny's
world was coming down around him. His friend Stone, informed him that
he had advanced AIDS. In addition, Sonny's girlfriend Brenda could no
longer deny that Sonny was involved in the mob up to his beautiful eyes.
Ned Ashton hired Mac Scorpio, and private investigator, to get information
on Sonny's activities. Mac hit paydirt after planting a bug in the office
of Harry Silver, Sonny's right-hand man. Ned quickly shared the tape
with Lois and Brenda, and Brenda knew that Sonny'd been keeping his
“business” a secret from her for a long time. Sonny didn't
feel like he had a choice; he had convinced himself that Brenda would
leave him if she knew the truth. Lois and Ned convinced Brenda to wear
a wire and ask Sonny about his mob ties. After some agonizing, Brenda
agreed.
Sonny's
new friend Lily got wind of the plan to entrap Sonny, and clued him
in. At first, Sonny wouldn't let himself believe that Brenda would betray
him like that. But suspicion got the better of him, and when she finally
started asking him questions, Sonny confronted her. He bared his soul
and told her how much he loved her...and then pulled the recording device
from her pocket. Enraged and critically wounded, Sonny had to stop himself
from striking Brenda. He ran from their apartment, leaving her wailing
on the floor. The next several months were sheer hell for Sonny. Stone's
condition worsened, and Sonny could hardly stand to see or speak to
Brenda. They tried to remain civil for Stone's sake, but Sonny's rage
wouldn't abate. As Stone approached death, Sonny clung to Stone's girlfriend
Robin Scorpio and Lily for support. Brenda tried to get close to him
again, but Sonny wouldn't have it. Getting through losing Stone was
about all he could manage. Before Stone died, Sonny told him that he
was his brother, and the two men wept together. Stone also told Sonny
that he and Brenda would be together again one day.
In
addition to Brenda's betrayal and Stone's death, Sonny had a third crisis
to deal with. Luke Spencer was investigation Damien Smith...they were
old enemies. Unfortunately, that investigation connected Sonny to Damien,
and Luke realized that Damien was Sonny's silent partner. The evidence
that Luke and Mac Scorpio found led to Federal charges being brought
against Sonny. Luke and Sonny hashed things out and remained friends.
Right before his arrest, Sonny and Brenda reconnected in a passionate
kiss outside Luke's club. But it was Lily, through her powerful father
Hernando Rivera, that got Sonny free from the RICO charges. But there
was a catch...Sonny had to marry Lily, and forget about Brenda.
That was easier said than done.