Because he was mine now. Fully. Completely. Irrevocably.
And I'd burn the whole world down before I let him go.
CHAPTER 23: EMILIO
THE JURY FILEDback into the courtroom at 3:47 PM on a Thursday afternoon. Six hours of deliberation. I'd been sitting in the gallery the entire time, unable to leave, unable to eat, barely able to breathe.
Sandro sat at the defense table with Diana, his expression perfectly controlled. But I could see the tension in his shoulders. The way his hands rested flat on the table like he was holding himself still through sheer force of will.
Judge Morrison addressed the jury foreman. "Have you reached a verdict?"
"We have, Your Honor."
The bailiff took the verdict form and handed it to the judge. She read it. Her expression gave nothing away. She handed it back to the bailiff who returned it to the foreman.
"Will the defendant please rise."
Sandro and Diana stood. I stopped breathing.
"In the matter of The People versus Alessandro Vitale, on the charge of assault in the second degree, how do you find?"
"We find the defendant not guilty."
The courtroom erupted. Reporters scrambled for their phones. Spectators gasped and whispered. I sat frozen, letting the words sink in.
Not guilty.
Sandro was free.
Judge Morrison banged her gavel. "Order! Order in this court!" When the noise subsided, she addressed Sandro. "Mr.Vitale, you are free to go. The charges against you are dismissed. This court is adjourned."
Diana shook Sandro's hand. Smiled. Said something I couldn't hear over the noise. Sandro nodded. Turned. Found me in the gallery.
Our eyes met across the courtroom. Everything I felt must've shown on my face because his expression softened. He gave me that small nod. The one that said we did it. We survived.
I stood and made my way to the aisle. Had to push through reporters and curious spectators. By the time I reached the defense table, Sandro was already surrounded. Diana giving him final instructions. Court officers clearing the room. Reporters shouting questions.
He extracted himself from the chaos and came to me. Right there in the courtroom with everyone watching, he pulled me into a brief embrace.
"Thank you," he said quietly. Only for me.
"You don't have to thank me."
"Yes, I do. For everything." He pulled back. "Let's get out of here."
We left through the main entrance. No hiding. No separate exits. Sandro walked out with me at his side and the reporters went wild.
"Mr. Vitale! How does it feel to be acquitted?"
"Mr. Rossi! Are you together with the defendant?"
"Is it true you paid off witnesses?"
Sandro ignored them all. Kept walking. His hand found mine and held tight. The cameras captured it. Every photographer getting the shot that would be on the evening news. Alessandro Vitale leaving the courthouse holding hands with his former attorney. Making their relationship undeniably public.
I should've pulled away. Should've maintained some professional distance. Instead I held on tighter.
His car was waiting. Security held back the reporters while we got in. The door closed and suddenly everything was quiet.
